Unit Plan: 5th Grade/Science/Approximately 18 days
Unit Plan: Earth’s Surface
Stage 1 Desired Results
Established Goals (TEKS)
(7) Earth and space. The student
knows Earth's surface is
constantly changing and consists
of useful resources. The student
is expected to:
® (A) explore the processes that
led to the formation of
sedimentary rocks and fossil
fuels.
® (B) recognize how landforms
such as deltas, canyons, and sand
dunes are the result of changes to
Earth's surface by wind, water,
and ice.
® (C) identify alternative energy
resources such as wind, solar,
hydroelectric, geothermal, and
biofuels.
(D) identify fossils as evidence of
past living organisms and the
nature of the environments at the
time using models.
Transfer
Learners will be able to use data to construct models to show how the universe is in a constant state of regular and
predictable change.
UNDERSTANDINGS
Learners understand that …
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The Earth’s surface is always changing.
 Why does Earth look the way it does?
Earth’s natural cycles and processes can cause changes to the
 How and why is Earth constantly changing?
Earth’s surface quickly or slowly.
 How can I use a model to better understand a concept, answer a
 Interactions between matter and energy change Earth’s surface
question, or solve a problem?
in predictable ways.
 How do humans depend on Earth’s resources?
 Humans have long relied on Earth’s natural resources to provide
both energy and materials.
 The world does not have an endless supply of natural resources.
 Models of objects and events are tools for understanding the
natural world and can show how systems work.
 Models have limitations and can change as new observations are
made.
Acquisition
Learners will know …
Learners will be skilled at …
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® Readiness Standard
Meaning
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Learners keep considering …
Alternative energy resources harness energy rather than use it
up, which has a less-damaging effect on the environment.
Some examples of alternative energy resources are wind, solar,
hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels.
Fossils are evidence of past life, allowing inferences about the
environment at the time.
Fossil fuels were once living things that were changed to fuels
because of pressure and temperature changes.
Patterns in rock formation and fossils provide evidence of
changes in landscape over time.
Landforms are the result of changes to Earth’s surface by wind,
water, and ice.
Critical Vocabulary
 alternative energy
 fossil fuels
 sedimentary rocks
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Observing and identifying evidence of change.
Drawing and labeling diagrams of Earth’s physical features.
Using models to explain the formation of sedimentary rocks.
Predicting changes to Earth’s surface.
Comparing placement of fossils using models to determine their
relative age.
Using fossils to communicate evidence about the past and to
make inferences about the future.
Constructing appropriate simple graphs, tables, and charts, to
organize, examine, and evaluate information.
Collecting information by detailed observations and accurate
measuring.
Implementing simple experimental investigations
Making claims based on evidence.
Communicating scientific explanations and valid conclusions.
Stage 2: Evidence
Students will show their learning by…
Evaluative Criteria
Transfer Task(s):
PISD Wrap Ups:
Town Builder Project
Other Evidence:
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PISD Unit Test
Discovery Techbook Brief Constructed Responses:
o Glaciers
o Fossils
o Fossil Fuels
o Alternative Energy Sources
Discovery Techbook Concept Review:
o Glaciers
PISD PowerPoints:
o Landform Released Items
o Sedimentary Rock Formation Released Items
o Fossil Released Items
o Alternative Energy Released Items
Stage 3: Learning Plan
Students may experience learning through…
Core Lessons
Students may experience learning through…
PISD Curriculum Lessons
*Earth’s Surface Launch
Formation of Landforms
Sedimentary Rock Formation
Earth’s History and Fossils
Fossil Fuels
Alternative Energy
*Earth’s Surface Wrap Up
Discovery Techbook Model Lessons
Formation of Landforms
Fossils
Fossil Fuels
Resources
Sciencesaurus
Earth’s Changing Surface pp170-173, 178
Fossils pp 185-186
How Fossil Fuels Are Formed pg. 323
Energy Resources pp 324-328
DT Explorations:
Erosion and Deposition
Forces That Shape the Earth
Glaciers
Fossils
Power Up
DT Virtual Labs:
Erosion Here, Today, Gone Tomorrow
No Bones About It
How Big Is Your Footprint?
DT Hands-On Activities:
Canyon Model
Sand Shifters
Glacier Erosion
DT Reading Passages:
Getting to Know: Formation of Landforms
The Land Around Us
Natural Wonders: Mount Everest and Grand
Canyon
Shapes of Earth’s Surface
The Life Cycle of Glaciers
The Last Ice Age
Getting to Know: Rocks
Getting to Know: Fossils
Getting to Know: Fossil Fuels
A Trip Back in Time
Additional Support Resources
Ready, Set STAAR
Landforms pp 66-67
Weathering pp 68-69
Erosion and Deposition pp 70-71
Building Sand Dunes pp 72-73
Carving Canyons pp 74-75
Depositing Deltas pp 76-77
Earth and Ice pp 78-79
Sedimentary Rock pp 94-95
Fossil Fuels pp 98–99
Energy Resources pp 102-113
Motivation Science
Landforms pp 133-142 (TE pp 151-160)
Sedimentary Rocks and Fossil Fuels pp 125 - 128 (TE
pp 103 – 110)
Fossils pp 155-156 (TE pp 127 – 134)
Alternative Energy pp 143-152 (TE pp 119-126)
Websites:
Brainpop (can be accessed using the login: your
school name_1 (example: thomas_1) password:
brainpop)
What Are Landforms?
A Drastic Change
Problems, Solutions, and More Problems
Sources of Energy
Alternative Energy Sources
China’s Wind Belts
Mechanical Energy and Alternative Energy
Resources
Getting to Know: Alternative Energy Sources
DT Fun-damental:
Earth’s Resources
Assignment:
Analyzing Product Energy Claims