Name:__________________________________ Date:__________ Pd:___
Unpacking the Standards
( Unit 2-Weathering, Erosion, and Soil Formation )
Standard S6E5: (Circle the noun(s) and underline the verb(s).)
S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface
is formed.
Essential Questions
1. What are the characteristics of weathering?
2. What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
3. What are the similarities and differences between physical and chemical
weathering?
4. How does weathering and erosion help to shape land?
5. How does soil form?
6. What are the characteristics of the soil layers (horizons)
Enduring Understandings
Students will understand that
• Weathering is the process that breaks down rock and other substances at Earth’s surface.
• Erosion is the movement of rock particles by water and wind.
• Deposition occurs where the agents (forces) of erosion lay down sediment.
• Weathering and erosion wear down, and deposition fills in the Earth’s surface.
• Weathered rock is the basic component of soil.
• Soil fertility and resistance to erosion are influenced by plants and other organisms.
• Although weathered rock is the basic component of soil, the composition and texture of soil and
its fertility and resistance to erosion are greatly influenced by plants and other organisms.
• Human activities, such as reducing forest cover and intensive farming have changed the Earth’s
surface.
Do (Verbs-from the standards)
Know (Nouns-From the
standards)
d. describe
d. processes that change rock and
surface
h. describe
h.
i. explain
i.
j. describe
j.
My Essential Question:
S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface is formed.
a. Compare and contrast the Earth’s crust, mantle, and core including temperature,
density, and composition.
b. Investigate the contribution of minerals to rock composition.
c. Classify rocks by their process of formation.
d. Describe processes that change rocks and the surface of the earth.
e. Recognize that lithospheric plates constantly move and cause major geological events
on the earth’s surface.
f. Explain the effects of physical processes (plate tectonics, erosion, deposition, volcanic
eruption, gravity) on geological features including oceans (composition, currents, and
tides).
g. Describe how fossils show evidence of the changing surface and climate of the Earth.
h. Describe soil as consisting of weathered rocks and decomposed organic material.
i. Explain the effects of human activity on the erosion of the earth’s surface.
j. Describe methods for conserving natural resources such as water, soil, and air.
Key Vocabulary
Weathering,
Erosion,
Deposition, and
Human Effects
Weathering
Soil
Soil
Conservation
Techniques
Soil
Soil
Conservation
Erosion
Organic matter
Deposition
Inorganic
Continental Drift
Theory
Plate Tectonics Theory
Gravity
Chemical
weathering
Oxidation
Acid precipitation
Soil horizon
Top soil
No-Till
Farming
Contour
Plowing
Terracing
Cover Crop
Crop Rotation
Dryland
Farming
Renewable
Resource
Nonrenewable
Resource
Crust
Mantle
Sub soil
Bedrock
Mechanical/Physical Sand
weathering
Ice wedging
Silt
Abrasion
Construction forces
Destruction forces
Iron
Biological weathering
Clay
Loam
Humus
Plate Tectonics/
Layers of the Earth
(Preview for Next
Unit)
Convergent/Divergent
Transform/boundaries
Pangaea
Fault
Outer Core
Inner Core
Lithosphere
Asthenosphere
Convection Currents
Density