Download 6th Grade UBD Unit 1

Understanding by Design
Stage 1 - Desired Results
Standards:
S6E5 Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface is formed.
CS
Standard Elements
a) Compare and contrast the Earth’s crust, mantle, and core including temperature, density, and
composition.
b) Classify rocks by their process of formation.
c) Recognize that lithospheric plates constantly move and cause major geological events on the earth’s
surface.
g) Describe soil as consisting of weathered rocks and decomposed, organic material.
h) Explain the effects of human activity on the erosion of the earth’s surface.
i) Describe methods for conserving natural resources such as water, soil, and air.
U
Enduring Understandings:
What will students understand as a result of the unit?
“Students will understand that…”
1) The earth is composed of layers with different
densities, temperatures, and compositions.
2) Minerals are the foundation for the formation of
rocks.
3) Rocks can change as a result of temperature,
pressure, mineral crystallization, cooling, and
time.
4) There are three different types of rocks,
sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous, which
are formed under specific conditions.
5) Soil is made from weathered rocks and
decomposed material.
Essential Question(s):
What arguable, recurring, and thoughtprovoking questions will guide inquiry and point
toward the big ideas of the unit?
1) How do forces within the Earth affect
the formations of the earth’s surface?
2) How are minerals related to rocks?
3) How does a rock change over time?
4) How do pressure, temperature, and
composition vary as you descend into
each layer of the earth?
5) How does the density difference of
each layer play an important roll within
the earth?
Students will know…
Students will be able to…
What is the key knowledge needed to develop the
desired understandings? What knowledge relates to
the content standards on which the unit is focused?
What is the key skill needed to develop the
desired understandings? What skill relates to
the content standards on which the unit is
focused?
Key Terms:
Crust
mantle
core
Lithosphere sedimentary rock
Mineral
igneous rock
metamorphic rock
9 Know the different layers of the earth, their
densities, and composition.
9 Know the characteristics of a mineral and how to
ID them.
9 Know the characteristics of the three different
types of rocks and how they form.
9 Know the steps of the rock cycle.
9 Know that soil is made from weathered rocks
and decomposed material.
Q
1) Predict how the difference in densities
of the earth’s layers effects the
formation of rocks.
2) Identify the characteristics of a mineral.
3) Demonstrate how to identify a mineral.
4) Compare and contrast the
classifications of the different types of
rocks.
5) Identify and explain the steps of the
rock cycle.
6) Investigate the composition of a soil
sample.
Stage 2 – Assessment Evidence
Performance Task(s):
T
G – Create a campaign for the Hard Rock Café
displaying the steps of the rock cycle.
R – You are a marketer who has been hired to create
rock cycle displays for the restaurant.
A – Hard Rock Café customers (adults and children)
S – The Hard Rock Café is launching an ad campaign to
encourage visitors of Rock City to drop in and enjoy a
meal in their new dining cavern.
P – Create a commercial, comic strip placemat,
children’s book, or 3-D display that follows a rock
character through the rock cycle.
The rubric for this task is on PICASSO.
Other Evidence:
OE
Notes
Quiz
Workbook pages
Density demonstration
Mineral ID Lab
Compare/Contrast venn diagram on the different
classification of rocks
Rock Cycle RAFT
Soil Lab (in conjunction with sedimentary rocks)
Learning Plan
Day 1: Minerals/Rocks Pre test
Day 2: Venn Diagram: Compare and contrast two different minerals. Practice writing
observations.
Day 3: Teacher Directed Lesson: The Properties of Minerals/How to ID a Mineral
Day 4: Density Lab: Students will practice their measurement skills by doing a density
lab with minerals. Density is one way to ID a mineral.
Day 5: Minerals workbook pages: 2.1 and 2.2.
Day 6: Mineral ID Lab – Students will practice the different ways to ID a mineral
Day 7: Teacher Directed Lesson: The Rock Cycle
Day 8: The Rock Cycle Comic Strip – Students will create a comic strip illustrating the
different steps of the rock cycle.
Day 9: Teacher Directed Lesson: Igneous Rocks – Students will compare obsidian to
granite
Day 10: Teacher Directed Lesson: Sedimentary Rocks – Students will use their
observation skill to compare a piece of conglomerate to the inside of a snickers bar
Day 11: Teacher Directed Lesson: Metamorphic Rocks
Day 12: Performance Task: “Hard Rock Café” – Students will create a commercial, comic
strip placemat, children’s book, or a 3-D display that follows a rock character through the
rock cycle.
Day 13: Post Test on Rocks/Minerals