ABSTRACT

Children are fascinated by rocks. They enjoy digging in the ground and take pleasure in finding rocks of various types. The Earth Beneath Our Feet, an Earth science unit for high-ability third and fourth graders, builds on the excitement that students have by engaging them in hands-on scientific investigations about rocks. Students begin to explore and understand the major components of rocks, the rock cycle, and the important uses of rocks. The unit works to expand the students' content knowledge by including information about weathering and the impact that various natural and man-made processes have on the ground they walk on.

Grades 3-4

part One

Unit Overview

chapter |7 pages

Introduction to the Unit

chapter |1 pages

Teacher's Guide to Content

chapter |2 pages

Unit Glossary

part Two|98 pages

Lesson Plans

chapter |4 pages

Overview of Lessons

chapter |4 pages

Preteaching Lesson: Science Safety

chapter Lesson 1|13 pages

Preassessment

chapter Lesson 2|5 pages

What Is a Scientist?

chapter Lesson 3|4 pages

The Concept of Change

chapter Lesson 4|5 pages

Becoming a Geologist

chapter Lesson 5|7 pages

Rock Detectives

chapter Lesson 6|11 pages

Changing Rocks

chapter Lesson 7|6 pages

Soil Formation

chapter Lesson 8|4 pages

Components of Soil

chapter Lesson 9|3 pages

Soil Horizons

chapter Lesson 10|3 pages

Plants and Soil

chapter Lesson 11|3 pages

Erosion

chapter Lesson 12|1 pages

Erosion as Change

chapter Lesson 13|7 pages

Erosion Prevention

chapter Lesson 14|2 pages

Contemporary Issue: Fracking

chapter Lesson 15|3 pages

Persuasive Writing

chapter Lesson 16|2 pages

Putting It All Together

chapter Lesson 17|10 pages

Postassessment