November Earth Science Lesson Plans
Date
10/30-10/31
Wed/Thurs
Objectives
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11/1-11/4
Fri/Mon
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11/5-11/6
Tues/Wed
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Describe the physical and
chemical properties and
equipment used to identify
rocks
Summarize the rock cycle
and its process
Classify rocks into rock
types using observable
properties, tools, and
reference materials
Describe the physical and
chemical properties and
equipment used to identify
rocks
Summarize the rock cycle
and its process
Classify rocks into rock
types using observable
properties, tools, and
reference materials
Describe the physical and
chemical properties and
equipment used to identify
rocks
Summarize the rock cycle
and its process
Classify rocks into rock
types using observable
properties, tools, and
reference materials
MSCS= Montana Science Content Standard
Activities
Standards
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MSCS 4: BM 2
Review rock cycle and process by which rocks form
Igneous Rock notes/discussion (30 mins)- How do
igneous rocks form? Types of igneous rocks Properties
of igneous rocks, Common igneous rocks
 Igneous Rock Lab- Identify several igneous rocks
based on specific properties
HW: 3.3 Worksheet
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Review Sedimentary Rocks Properties (10 mins)Sedimentary- classified by how they form (clastic vs.
chemical)
Metamorphic Rock Notes/Discussion (30 mins)- How
do metamorphic rocks form? Types and classification
of metamorphic rocks. Foliated vs. nonfoliated.
Properties of metamorphic rocks. Common
metamorphic rocks
Metamorphic Rock Lab (35 mins)
HW: 3.2 Question Sheet- Igneous Rocks
 Review the metamorphic rocks (10 mins). Check
homework.
 Igneous Rocks Notes/Discussion (30 mins)- How do
igneous rocks form? Types of igneous rocks.
Properties of igneous rocks. Common igneous rocks
 Igneous Rocks Lab (45 mins)
BM= Benchmark
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MSCS 4: BM 2
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MSCS 4: BM 2
11/7-11/8
Thur/Fri
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11/11-11/12
Mon/Tues
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11/13-11/14
Wed/Thurs
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11/18-11/19
Mon/Tues
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Describe the physical and
chemical properties and
equipment used to identify
rocks
Summarize the rock cycle
and its process
Classify rocks into rock
types using observable
properties, tools, and
reference materials

Rock Poster (75 mins)- Create an informational poster
on one of the following rocks subjects: Rock Cycle
(draw cycle, give examples of each type of rock).
Metamorphic Rocks (how they form, types, examples,
foliated vs. nonfoliated). Sedimentary Rocks (how
they form, types, examples, clastic vs. chem.). Igneous
Rocks (how they form, types, examples, texture and
compositions).
 Hand out test review
HW: Test Next Class

MSCS 4: BM 2
Explain how the water cycle
circulates Earth’s water
supply in an unending
cycle.
Explain how the water cycle
is kept in balance
 Rocks Test (45 mins)
 Read 6.1 and complete question sheet (20 mins)
 Discuss water cycle and 6.1 worksheet (10 mins)
HW: Finish 6.1 for homework
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MSCS 4: BM 4
Explain how the water cycle
circulates Earth’s water
supply in an unending
cycle.
Explain how the water cycle
is kept in balance
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What is a cycle?
Notes (30 mins)- Water on Earth. Diagram the water
cycle. Streamflow- velocity, gradient, channel
characteristics, discharge, tributaries, base level,
meanders
Begin Watershed Activity (45 mins)
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MSCS 4: BM 4
Explain how streams erode
their channels and
transport sediments
Discuss how stream
deposition occurs
Identify the features of a
watershed
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Review: water cycle and stream flow (15 mins)
Finish Watershed Lab (45 mins). Design and Build an
Island Watershed. Lab worksheet
HW: Read 6.2 and complete question sheet (20 mins)
MSCS 4: BM 4
MSCS= Montana Science Content Standard
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BM= Benchmark
11/20-11/21
Wed/Thurs
11/22-11/25
Fri/Mon
11/26-12/2
Tues/Mon
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Explain how streams erode
their channels and
transport sediments
 Discuss how stream
deposition occurs
 Identify the features of a
watershed
 Describe the location and
movement of groundwater
 Discuss environmental
threats to water supplies
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Discuss the different types
of glaciers and where each
glacier is found
 Describe how glaciers move
and differentiate between
the different types of
glaciers
 Identify the landscape
features that glaciers form
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Discuss the different types
of glaciers and where each
glacier is found
Describe how glaciers move
and differentiate between
the different types of
glaciers
Identify the landscape
features that glaciers form
MSCS= Montana Science Content Standard
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Review: water cycle and stream flow (20 mins). Island
Watershed- tributaries, watershed, divides, mouth,
headwaters. Label worksheet
Water Notes: The Work of Streams: Watersheds,
Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition of sediments (35
mins)
Erosion, sediment transport (dissolved load,
suspended load, bed load). Deposition- deltas, natural
levees. Stream Valleys
Groundwater- Clark Fork River Restoration Project
Reading (20 mins)
Discuss- Groundwater Contamination
HW: Read 6.3 and complete worksheet- Groundwater
Review and discuss water cycle, running water, and
ground water
Water Quiz
Read 7.1 and complete question sheet
Check question sheet and Discuss 7.1
Glacier Notes: Types of glaciers, how glaciers move,
glacier erosion, landforms created by glaciers
 Glacier Pictures: Identify each type of landform
 How the Ice Age Impacted Montana- Glacial Lake
Missoula- Discussion and pictures (15 mins)
 Glacial Lake Missoula Ice Dam Demonstration (15
mins)- 2-liter bottle and ice
BM= Benchmark
MSCS 4: BM 4
MSCS 4: BM 4
MSCS 4: BM 4
12/3-12/4
Tues/Wed
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Identify the landscape
features formed by glaciers
Explore how Montana was
impacted by the last ice age
MSCS= Montana Science Content Standard
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Review glacial features (10 mins)
Laptop use and directions(10 mins)
Virtual Field Trip: “How the Ice Age Helped Shape
Montana” (60 mins)- Follow the directions on the
worksheet to visit several websites and answer
questions about glaciers and Montana’s landscape
BM= Benchmark
MSCS 4: BM 4