MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Parent Resources
GRADE 5
Course Code: 5020060
BODY OF KNOWLEDGE: E: EARTH/SPACE SCIENCE N: NATURE OF SCIENCE
TOPIC XII: Earth Structures
ESSENTIAL CONTENT
A. Mineral Properties
1. Color
2. Luster
3. Hardness
4. Streak
5. Cleavage
B. Rock Categories
1. Sedimentary Rocks
2. Igneous Rocks
3. Metamorphic Rocks
C. Physical Weathering
1. Water
2. Wind
3. Ice
4. Plant roots
D. Movement of Weathered Materials by
Erosion
1. Moving Water
2. Wind
3. Moving Ice (Glacier)
4. Gravity and landslides
E. Natural Resources
1. Uses of natural resources
2. Renewable natural resources
3. Nonrenewable natural resources
F. Florida Natural Resources
1. phosphate
2. limestone
3. silicon
4. oil
5. water
6. wind and
solar energy
Questions you can ask your child:
 What is a mineral?
 Sample answer: A solid natural material that has a crystal form and its own set of properties.
 How are minerals identified?
 Sample answer: By its properties
 Color: the color of the whole mineral
 Luster: the way a mineral’s surface reflects light
 Hardness: the measure of the mineral’s resistance to scratching
 Streak: the color of a mineral when it is powdered
 Cleavage: the way a mineral can tend to break along lines or smooth surfaces
when hit sharply
 What is the role of minerals in the formation of rocks?
 Sample answer: Rocks are made of mixtures of minerals.

 What are the three main types of rocks and what are some of their main properties or characteristics?
 Sample answer:
 Sedimentary Rocks: Form when layers of rock particles get pressed together at or near Earth's
surface; layered” rocks
 Igneous Rocks: Form when magma (hot liquid rock) cools and hardens; fire formed” rocks
 Metamorphic Rocks: Form when underground rocks are changed due to high pressure; “changed”
rocks
 .What is physical weathering?
 Sample answer: the breaking down of rocks by water, wind, ice, and/or plant roots
 What are some processes that erode weathered materials?
Sample answer: See D #1-4 under Essential Content
 What are Natural Resources and how are they classified?
 Sample answer: Materials in the environment that are useful to people. They can be classified as
Renewable and Nonrenewable.
 What are some resources naturally found in Florida?
 Sample answer: Water, phosphate, oil, limestone, silicon, wind and solar energy
Office of Academics and Transformation – Department of Science - Topic XII
Third Nine Weeks 2015-2016 (Month of Instruction: January – February)
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