Edenton-Chowan Schools
D. F. Walker
3-5 Unit Plan Template
Subject: Science
Grade Level: 4th
Unit Title: The Earth Beneath Our Feet
Length of Study: 10 weeks
Big Ideas: Earth History and Matter: Properties and Change
Essential Questions:
How does the study of our Earth tell us
about the history and its composition?
Guiding Questions:
[Enduring Understandings]
What does a fossil tell us?
How does erosion and weathering affect
the surface of the Earth?
How do rocks differ?
How are rocks and minerals classified?
Standard(s):
4.P.2.1 Compare the physical properties of samples of matter
(strength, hardness, flexibility, ability to conduct heat, ability to
conduct electricity, ability to be attracted by magnets, reactions
to water and fire).
4.P.2.2 Explain how minerals are identified using tests for the
physical properties of hardness, color, luster, cleavage, and
streak.
4.P.2.3 Classify rocks as metamorphic, sedimentary, or igneous
based on their composition, how they are formed and the
processes that create them.
4.E.2.1 Compare fossils (including molds, casts, and preserved
parts of plants and animals) to one another and to living
organisms.
4.E.2.2 Infer ideas about Earth’s early environments from fossils
of plants and animals that lived long ago.
4.E.2.3 Give examples of how the surface of the earth changes
due to slow processes such as erosion and weathering, and rapid
processes such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, and
earthquakes.
Concept(s):
Understand the composition and
properties of matter before and after they
undergo a change or interaction.
Understand the use of fossils and changes
in the surface of the earth as evidence of
the history of the Earth and its changing
life forms.
Clarifying Objective(s):
[Learning Targets]
 I can learn about the Earth’s past by studying fossils.
 I can identify rocks and minerals based on their
properties.
 I can explain how erosion and weathering can change the
Earth’s surface.
Literacy Skills:
 Using informational text
 Building knowledge of disciplines
 Text based answers
 Writing from sources
 Academic vocabulary
Assessment:
 Rock and Mineral Project
 Weathering and Erosion Demonstration
 Fossil Creation
 Teacher made tests and quizzes
 Formative and Summative assessments
Vocabulary:
Mineral, Luster
Color
Hardness
Streak
Streak Plate
Cleavage
Fracture
Rocks
Sedimentary
Igneous
Magma and Lava
Metamorphic
Cementing
Rock cycle
Geologist
Fossil
Imprint
Mold
Cast
Amber
Archaeologist
Erosion
Weathering
Landslide
Glacier
Volcano
Earthquake
Fault
Plate
Tectonics
Resources:
Our Materials:
Science Text: NC C4-C5, C4-C8, C9-C14, C17-C27, A29-A31, C32-C41, C53-C59, E58-E59
BrainPop – Mineral Identification, Rock Cycle, Types of Rocks, Fossils, Earthquakes, Erosion, Glaciers, Volcanoes, Weathering, Plate
Tectonics
Magic School Bus books and videos (Rocks on a Roll, Blows Its Top)
Bill Nye videos
DiscoveryEducation.com videos (Uses of Rocks and Minerals, Rocks: The solid earth materials part 1 and 2)
Study Jams ( Minerals, Igneous Rocks, Sedimentary Rocks, Metamorphic Rocks, Rock Cycle)
www.Neok12.com