EARTH SCIENCE 12/13
Course B
ESSENTIAL UNIT 6 (E06)
(Erosion, Deposition and Geologic History)
(June 2011)
Unit Statement: In this unit the student will investigate the forces that tear down and
build up the Earth’s surface. The student will describe different types of erosion and
deposition. The student will analyze how deposition can lay down a map of Earth’s
history. The student will attempt to comprehend the immense antiquity of the Earth and
how time on such a massive scale has been able to effect huge changes on the planet. The
student will explore the fossil record and examine ways by which scientists find the
relative and/or absolute age of geologic material.
Essential Outcomes: (assessed for mastery)
1. The Student Will contrast erosion and deposition (Chapter 3, Lesson 1).
2. TSW explain the cause and contrast the four types of mass movement (Chapter 3,
Lesson 1).
3. TSW analyze the causes, forces at work and effects of water, glacial, wind and
wave erosion and deposition (Chapter 3, Lessons 2, 3, 4, and 5).
4. TSW explain five different methods in which fossils can form and indicate what
they show (Chapter 4, Lesson 1)
5. TSW describe two ways rock layers can change (unconformity and folding)
(Chapter 4, Lesson 2)
6. TSW describe how radioactive dating can identify the absolute age of a rock
(Chapter 4, Lesson 3)
7. TSW identify the major geologic time periods and compare their durations
(Chapter 4, Lesson 4)
8. TSW create a timeline showing the sequence of Earth’s formation (Chapter 4,
Lesson 5).
9. TSW sequence the development of life through geologic history (Chapter 4,
Lesson 6).
10. TSW apply the scientific method in a variety of ways, with focus on one or two
areas of the process (Lab Zone Inquiry Skills or teacher written materials).
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Introduced & Practiced:
1. The Student Will explain how an element can be radioactive (Chapter 4, Lesson 2).
2. TSW contrast absolute and relative dating (Chapter 4, Lesson 3).
3. TSW create a mnemonic device that can be used to remember geologic eras and
periods in their correct order (Chapter 4, Lesson 6).
Key Terms:
 erosion
 sediment
 deposition
 gravity
 runoff
 gully
 tributary
 flood plain
 meander
 delta
 alluvial fam
 groundwater
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stalactite
stalagmite
glacier
longshore drift
spit
deflation
loess
fossil
mold cast
evolution
unconformity
extinct
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relative age
absolute age
extrusion
intrusion
era
period
comet
invertebrate
vertebrate
amphibian
reptile
mammal
SUGGESTED RESOURCES & RUBRIC FOUND ON FOLLOWING PAGES……………
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Suggested Materials:
 Interactive Science, Earth’s Surface by Pearson, Chapters 3 and 4
Suggested Unit Resources:
1. Lab Zone; fully editable CD-Rom; Chapter Lab Investigations, Inquiry Warm-Ups,
and Quick Labs (refer to Interactive Science – Earth’s Surface, page viii, and ix for
a specific list of labs available for this unit).
2. Lab Zone Inquiry skills for each lesson as suggested in Interactive Science –
Earth’s Structure, Contents, page viii and ix).
3. Study Guide & Review and Assessment for Interactive Science – Earth’s Surface
Chapters 3 and 4.
Technology Resources:
1. http://www.myscienceonline.com activities; The Big Question, Vocab Flash
Cards, Interactive Art, Planet Diary, Virtual Lab, Untamed Science, My Science
Coach, and My Reading Web. Use keywords ‘Erosion and Deposition,’ and ‘A
Trip Through Geologic Time.’
2. The Library’s online database – Destiny Webpath Express
3. http://www.unitedstreaming.com if your school has a membership.
Suggested Assessment Tools and Strategies:
1. Any of the Inquiry skill activities you utilize from the text (TSWs 1-11)
2. Students create models to simulate the different types of erosion and deposition
(TSW 3).
3. Students create simulated fossils (TSW 4).
4. Students create models to demonstrate understanding of unconformity and folding
(TSW 5).
5. Students keep a journal of observations, ideas, and findings reflecting on reading,
experiments, and class discussions (TSWs 1 - 9).
6. Students write a report, create a poster, and/or give a class presentation on any of
the relevant topics (TSWs 1 - 9).
7. Teacher generated and/or published tests and assessments (TSWs 1 - 9).
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TSW
1 – Erosion
and
deposition
2 – Mass
movement
Suggested Rubric for E06
‘A’ Level Mastery
‘B’ Level Mastery
The student contrasts erosion and
deposition.
The student is able to find real world
examples of each of these types of mass
movement and postulate the possible
effects each could have on human
settlements on or near the events.
3 – Types of
erosion and
deposition
The student can explain the cause and
contrast the four types of mass movement
describing at least one way how each is
different.
The student is able to state the cause, effect
and forces at work for water, glacial, wave,
and wind erosion/deposition.
4 – Fossils
The student can explain, in detail, the
five methods of fossil formation.
The student is able give simple
explanations of how fossils can form and
explain what a fossil shows.
5 – Folding
and
uncomform
ity
6 –Radioactive
dating
The student diagrams folding and
unconformity and includes an analysis
of the forces at work for each.
The student defines and illustrates folding
and unconformity.
The student is able to measure the age
of different substances in text or teacher
made scenarios.
The student can explain how we can date
radioactive material to fine the absolute
age of rock.
7 – Geologic
time
periods
8 – Earth’s
formation
The student is able to compare the
lengths of the different time periods.
The student is able to list the different
geologic time periods.
9 – Types of
volcanoes
The student is able to create a detailed
diagram of the development of life and
compare this diagram to the geologic
time periods in TSW 7 and the timeline
of Earth’s formation in TSW 8.
The student is able to create a simple
sequence timeline of the development of
life on Earth.
10 – Scientific
Method
The student is able to analyze results,
evaluate the validity of data, and pose
additional questions and hypotheses
based on conclusions of an experiment.
The student responds to Lab Zone Inquiry
Skills or teacher designed activities with
reasonable responses.


The student is able to create a timeline
illustrating five major steps of the Earth’s
formation.
To receive an ‘A’, the student must show ‘A’ level mastery in at least 5 of the 7
available TSW’s and ‘B’ level mastery on all of the remaining TSW’s.
To receive a ‘B’, the student must show ‘B’ level mastery on all nine TSW’s.
QSI 12/13 EARTH SCI E06
Copyright  1988-2011
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