5.4.6.C 2011
Earth System Science: The Earth operates as a set of complex and dynamic interconnected systems, and is a part of the all
encompassing system of the Universe. (5.4)
Properties of Earth Materials: The Earth’s composition is unique, related to the origin of our solar system, and provides us with
the raw resources needed to sustain life. (5.4.C)
Essential Questions
Enduring Understandings
How do changes in one part How do changes in one part of an Earth 
of an Earth system affect
system affect other parts of the system?
other parts of the system?
Content Statements
Soil attributes/properties
affect the soil’s ability to
support animal life and
grow plants.
The rock cycle is a model
of creation and
transformation of rocks
from one form
(sedimentary, igneous, or
metamorphic) to another.
Rock families are
determined by the origin
and transformations of the
rock
Rocks and rock formations
contain evidence that tell a
story about their past. The
story is dependent on the
minerals, materials,
tectonic conditions, and
erosion forces that created

Cumulative Progress Indicators
Predict the types of ecosystems that
unknown soil samples could support based
on soil properties. (5.4.6.C.1)

Distinguish physical properties of
sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic
rocks and explain how one kind of rock
could eventually become a different kind of
rock. (5.4.6.C.2)

Deduce the story of the tectonic conditions
and erosion forces that created sample rocks

or rock formations. (5.4.6.C.3)

Labs, Investigation, and Student Experiences
Dig a soil profile at least through the top 2 or 3
soil horizons and observe the characteristics of
the layers as a way to identify how soil forms.
Select and use appropriate instruments (e.g., hand
lens/magnifier, droppers, funnels, filter paper,
sieves) to analyze soil samples. (5.4.6.C.1)
Investigate two local open spaces covered in leaf
debris. Mark off a 1 meter square and make
observations about the types and quantities of life
living in the square. (5.4.6.C.1)
In the squares created above, acquire a soil
sample from below all the organic matter and
place it in a jar with some water. Shake the jar
and allow the sediments to settle over a couple of
days. Determine the percentage of sand silt and
clay in the entire samples. Discuss the
differences in the soil from the two sites.
(5.4.6.C.1)
Compare potting soil to a local soil sample using
a hand lens and a tweezer looking for pieces of
rock, sand, humus, or clay. (5.4.6.C.1)
Make a model to understand the amount of fertile
5.4.6.C 2011
them.
soil on Earth using an apple, cutting the apple
into quarters, then taking a quarter and cutting it
in half. Taking then a half and cutting it into four
pieces and then peeling the skin off of one of
those quarters. (5.4.6.C.1)
Desired Results

Draw a diagram that shows an example of a
natural force breaking rocks apart to form soil
that supports life. (5.4.6.C.1)
1. Which of the following has the greatest effect on the ability of soil to
hold water?

Describe a cycle that involves soil and living
things. (5.4.6.C.1)

Test a soil sample to measure several soil
properties and identify the properties of their
sample. (5.4.6.C.1)

Use hand samples of igneous, metamorphic, and
sedimentary rocks and classify them by each
family, within each family, and by characteristics.
(5.4.6.C.2)
Sample Assessments
A.
B.
C.
D.
the age of the soil particles
the size of the soil particles
the color of the soil particles
the luster of the soil particles
(MA) (5.4.6.C.1)
Below is a picture of a desert sunflower and the soil in which it grows.
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/desertsunflower.html

Describe the various origins of each family of
rocks using the observed characteristics in the
above activity. (5.4.6.C.2)

Create a model of the rock cycle that integrates
the various forms of mechanical and chemical
weathering. (5.4.6.C.2)

Draw a model of the rock cycle that
demonstrates the mechanisms behind how each
family of rock can eventually become a different
5.4.6.C 2011
2. Explain why desert soils are much more fragile and difficult to
conserve than loamy soils from central New Jersey. (5.4.6.C.1)
3.
Describe the composition, color, texture, and amount of pore space of
a soil that would be good for growing crops. (5.4.6.C.1)
kind of rock. Identify the strengths and
limitations of the model. (5.4.6.C.2)

Create a venn diagram comparing and
contrasting intrusive and extrusive igneous
rocks, noting also the difference in mineral
crystals. (5.4.6.C.2)

Create their own system for classifying rocks by
examining rock samples looking at the physical
characteristics. (5.4.6.C.2)

Investigate how particles settle in layers by size
by shaking a jar filled with water, sand, and
observing what happens when done shaking.
(5.4.6.C.2)

Make a model to show how sedimentary rocks
form in layers. (5.4.6.C.2)

Draw a diagram showing how an igneous rock
can change into a metamorphic rock and how the
metamorphic rock can change into the
sedimentary rock. (5.4.6.C.2)
4. Why is soil a necessary resource? (5.4.6.C.1)
5. Which would you expect to be more fertile, the soil on a hilly land or
the soil on a plain? Why? (5.4.6.C.1)
6. How would soil with a lot of sand differ from a soil with a lot of clay?
(5.4.6.C.1)
7. How do farming, construction and development, and mining affect
soil? (5.4.6.C.1)
Resources
 National Science Digital Library, Science Digital Literacy Maps
The Physical Setting: Changes in the Earth's Surface
http://strandmaps.nsdl.org/?id=SMS-MAP-0048
 NSDL Collection K-12 Short Cuts: Middle School
http://nsdl.org/resources_for/k12_teachers/middle-school.php
 Science Curriculum Topic Study
Soil, p.186

Soil Facts http://soils.usda.gov/ education/ facts/

The Dirt on Soil: What's Really Going on Under the Ground
http://school.discovery.com/ schooladventures/ soil/ index.html

Soil Science Basics http://soil.gsfc.nasa.gov/ basics.html

Place rocks with their location of origin in order
to add detail to the story of their origin building
on the students’ abilities to classify unknown
samples (see 5.4.6.C.2). For example, different
types of volcanic eruptions will produce different
types of extrusive igneous rocks with very
different characteristics, such as glassy, vesicular,
and fine grained. (5.4.6.C.3)
5.4.6.C 2011

Soil Profiles http://soils.usda.gov/ gallery/ photos/ profiles/

Model how pressure and temperature can
change a soilid using candle wax and the heat
and pressure from their hands. (5.4.6.C.3)

Create a venn diagram comparing and
contrasting foliated and nonfoliated
metamorphic rocks. (5.4.6.C.3)

Determine what causes rocks to break down by
placing rocks in coffee can with lid and then
shaking the can. Students should then dump the
rocks out and observe them and note any
changes. (5.4.6.C.3)

Create a diagram showing how rocks change
from sedimentary to metamorphic rocks giving
examples and descriptions as the rocks are
pushed deeper into Earth, including the
components of erosion. (5.4.6.C.3)

Describe the three groups of sedimentary rocks.
(5.4.6.C.3)
Desired Results (5.4.6.C.2)
Sample Assessments
1. After a volcano erupts, new types of rock can form. Explain how
this happens.
http://www.njminerals.org/moreid.html#schist
Gneiss (image above) may be confused with schist, but is closer to granite
in composition: more feldspar, less mica. It often has a warped or wavy
appearance. (5.4.6.C.2)
2. Describe the processes that were the likely caused the formation of
the new rock. (5.4.6.C.2)
3. The rock cycle
a. ends with igneous rock
b. begins with igneous rock
c. ends with metamorphic rock
d. has no beginning or end
5.4.6.C 2011
(5.4.6.C.2)
4. Rocks are different than minerals because rocks
a. can be used by humans
b. are naturally formed solids
c. do not have a crystal structure
d. can recrystallize into other types of rock
(5.4.6.C.2)
5. Why is the set of natural processes by which rocks change into other
types of rocks called a cycle?
(5.4.6.C.2)
6. How is it possible for a single sedimentary rock to contain rock
particles, animal shells, and minerals that crystallized from water?
(5.4.6.C.2)
7. What are three different ways an igneous rock can change as it moves
to another stage of the rock cycle?
(5.4.6.C.2)
Resources
 National Science Digital Library, Science Digital Literacy Maps
The Physical Setting: Changes in the Earth's Surface
http://strandmaps.nsdl.org/?id=SMS-MAP-0048
 NSDL Collection K-12 Short Cuts: Middle School
http://nsdl.org/resources_for/k12_teachers/middle-school.php
 Science Curriculum Topic Study
Rocks and Minerals, p.184

Big Bend National Park - Igneous Features http://www.maroon.com/ bigbend/ ig/ index.html

Learn about Sedimentary Rocks
volcano.oregonstate.edu/education/vwlessons/lessons/Sedrocks/Se
drocks1.html

Sedimentary Rocks - http://www2.nature.nps.gov/ geology/
usgsnps/ noca/ nocageol2b.html
5.4.6.C 2011

Rock Cycle Simulation classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0
602/es0602page02.cfm
Desired Results (5.4.6.C.3)
Sample Assessments
1. The picture below shows how a type of rock forms at the bottom
of the ocean. What type of rock is this?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Lava
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
(5.4.6.C.3) (NAEP)
PYRAMID MOUNTAIN AND TRIPOD ROCK,
NEAR BOONTON, NEW JERSEY
5.4.6.C 2011
http://www.geo.hunter.cuny.edu/bight/pyramid.html
2. Tripod Rock is made up of a giant boulder sitting on top of three
smaller boulders. The arrangement of the boulders is quite unusual. The
large boulder is made of a metamorphic rock called gneiss and the three
rocks that make up the tripod are made of a relatively soft sedimentary
rock.
(5.4.6.C.3)
3. Based on the information provided, how would you explain how
this unusual rock formation was created? (5.4.6.C.3)
4. What features of sedimentary rocks are unlikely to be found in
metamorphic rocks? What features of metamorphic rocks do not
occur in sedimentary rocks?
(5.4.6.C.3)
5. Would gneiss be more likely to form at shallow depths or at great
depths where mountains are being pushed up? Why?
(5.4.6.C.3)
6. Which kind of rock forms by recrystallization?
a. intrusive igneous
b. extrusive igneous
c. sedimentary
d. metamorphic
(5.4.6.C.3)
7. Metamorphism can best be defined as
a. compaction and cementation of rock fragments
b. precipitation of minerals dissolved in water
c. solidification of magma by cooling
d. changing of a rock by heat and pressure
(5.4.6.C.3)
8. Describe how sedimentary rock can show how fast water was
5.4.6.C 2011
flowing when its sediments were laid down.
(5.4.6.C.3)
Resources
 National Science Digital Library, Science Digital Literacy Maps
The Physical Setting: Changes in the Earth's Surface
http://strandmaps.nsdl.org/?id=SMS-MAP-0048
 NSDL Collection K-12 Short Cuts: Middle School
http://nsdl.org/resources_for/k12_teachers/middle-school.php
 Science Curriculum Topic Study
Rocks and Minerals, p.184

- Rock Cycle Simulation classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0
602/es0602page02.cfm

Metamorphic Rocks -usgs.gov/science/science.php?term=725

Weathering and Sedimentary Rocks geology.csupomona.edu/drjessey/class/Gsc101/Weathering.html