Unit: Science Third Quarter-Earth Materials (Week 20, 10 Weeks)
Big Idea
Humanities
Focus of Study
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Physical properties of rocks, minerals, soils,
and water
How do properties make them useful
Compare soil samples-water retention,
nourishment/support growth of certain plants
Curriculum Goals & Objectives
Resources/Materials
Addressed
NC Essential Standards: Science, NC:
Grade 1 , Earth Science
Earth Systems, Structures and Processes Media Center Resources:
1.E.2 Understand the physical properties
of Earth materials that make them useful
 Rocks, Rocks, Rocks! by N. Wallace
in different ways.
 Rocks and Soil by C. Guillain
 Using Rocks by S. Katz Cooper
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1.E.2.1 Summarize the physical
 Soil by S. Walker
properties of Earth materials,
 Soil Basics by C. Lindeen
including rocks, minerals, soils
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and water that make them useful
in different ways.
Grade Level Scholastic Library:
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1.E.2.2 Compare the properties
of soil samples from different
 I am a Rock
places relating their capacity to
retain water, nourish and support Discovery Education Videos:
the growth of certain plants.
 "Getting to Know Soil"
 "Science is Elementary: Let's Explore Soil &
Rocks"
 "Rocks: The Solid Earth Materials"
Brain Pop, Jr Videos:
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Rocks and Minerals
Soil
Activities:
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Foss Kit Experiments
DPI activities (see link)
Teachers pay Teachers units: Rocks Scavenger
Hunt, My Rock Investigation, Types of Soil,
Enduring Understandings
Essential Concepts and Process Skills
Students will understand:
Students will:
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the physical properties of Earth
materials that make them useful
in different ways.
physical properties of rocks,
minerals, soils, and water make
them useful in different ways.
different soils from different
places have the capacity to retain
water, nourish, and support
growth of very different kind of
plants.
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recognize physical properties of rocks,
minerals, soils, and water
Understand how their properties make them
useful
Compare soil samples-water retention,
nourishment/support growth of certain plants
Essential Questions
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What are physical properties?
What are the physical properties of rocks, minerals, soils, and water?
How are Earth materials useful to us?
How are Earth materials useful to plants or other Earth materials?
What are different soils and what are they made of?
How do different soils help/affect different plant growth?
Integration Opportunities
P21: 21st Century Student Outcomes, P21: K-12, Learning &
Innovation Skills
Creativity and Innovation Think Creatively
Additional Integration
Opportunities
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Use a wide range of idea creation techniques (such
as brainstorming)
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Elaborate, refine, analyze and evaluate their own
ideas in order to improve and maximize creative efforts
Work Creatively with Others
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Be open and responsive to new and diverse
perspectives; incorporate group input and feedback into
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Math (classify,
measure, graph, word
problems)
Literature connections
Writing (journals,
shared/independent
writing)
Technology/internet
Home/school activities
the work
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Reason Effectively
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Use various types of reasoning (inductive,
deductive, etc.) as appropriate to the situation
Make Judgements and Decisions
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Effectively analyze and evaluate evidence,
arguments, claims and beliefs
Communication and Collaboration Communicate Clearly
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Use communication for a range of purposes (e.g. to
inform, instruct, motivate and persuade)
Collaborate with Others
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Exercise flexibility and willingness to be helpful in
making necessary compromises to accomplish a common
goal
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Assume shared responsibility for collaborative
work, and value the individual contributions made by
each team member
Character Qualities
 Self-discipline
 Responsibility
 Cooperation
 Trustworthiness
 Trustworthiness
Differentiation/Intervention
Focus Areas
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Center activities
Graphic organizers
(Venn Diagrams,
Scientific Method
Organizers)
Read a variety of
literature
Use a variety of videos
and taped materials
Tiered assignments
based on readiness
Adjust instruction to
account for prior
student mastery
Formative/Benchmark/Summative Assessment Plan
Science Assessment 3rd Quarter
Performance: Skill Demonstration
Teacher Observation
Performance Assessment
Class discussions
Science Journal/Lab Worksheets
Professional Teaching Standards
NC Professional Teaching Standards, All Levels, Professional Teaching Standards
STANDARD I: TEACHERS DEMONSTRATE
LEADERSHIP
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Teachers lead in their classrooms.
Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school.
Teachers lead the teaching profession.
Teachers advocate for schools and students.
Teachers demonstrate high ethical standards.
STANDARD II: TEACHERS ESTABLISH A RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT FOR
A DIVERSE POPULATION OF STUDENTS
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Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive,
nurturing relationship with caring adults.
Teachers embrace diversity in the school community and in the world.
Teachers treat students as individuals.
Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with
special needs.
Teachers work collaboratively with the families and significant adults
in the lives of their students.
STANDARD III: TEACHERS KNOW THE CONTENT THEY TEACH
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Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.
Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty.
Teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/disciplines.
STANDARD IV: TEACHERS FACILITATE LEARNING FOR THEIR STUDENTS
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Teachers know the ways in which learning takes place, and they know
the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional
development of their students.
Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students.
Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.
Teachers integrate and utilize technology in their instruction.
Teachers help students develop critical thinking and problemsolving skills.
Teachers help students work in teams and develop leadership qualities.
Teachers communicate effectively.
Teachers use a variety of methods to assess what each student has learned.
STANDARD V: TEACHERS REFLECT ON THEIR PRACTICE
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Teachers analyze student learning.
Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.
Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment.