ROCK THE HOUSE!

What makes something valuable or useful?

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

How do materials in the earth affect what we

use and do each day?

UNIT QUESTION

Content Question

What natural resources are used in making food,

clothing, and shelter?

Introduction – Class ActivityDivide into three groups. Each group will list uses for sand, soil, or rocks.

1.Brainstorm good uses for sand.2.Brainstorm good uses for soil.3.Brainstorm good uses for rocks.

Share results using wiki

• Add other ideas to the wiki chart.Discuss the results.

Introduction 2 – Class Activity

• Divide class into 6 or 7 teams• Each group is given sticky notes. • Sticky notes should be placed on items in the

classroom that come from plants, wood, metal, or minerals.

• On each sticky note, label the item and component.

• Sort into common components and graph result.• Discuss results as a class. • Keep graphs and examine again at the end of

the unit.

Model of the inside of the earth

The Earth is made up of three main layers, outer crust, mantle and the core.? Think of a boiled egg where the shell is the crust, the white of the egg is the mantle and the yolk is the core.? But how do we know that this model of the Earth is accurate?? The crust is very thin in comparison to the other layers of the Earth, ranging from 5km under the oceans to an average of 30km on the continents.? The deepest drill-hole into the Earth at 10km is still much less than this.? We haven?t even ?cracked? the shell!? Scientist?s didn?t use Superman?s x-ray vision to see through the Earth, but they did use something else, Seismic data.?

Rock Cycle

Rock Cycle

• Walk on the enlarged drawing of the rock cycle that is located on the floor of the classroom.

• In a written paragraph explain the rock cycle. Your paragraph will be assessed using a rubric.

http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/thezone/rocks/cycle/index.htmGreat web site for learning about the rock cycle

Also, you may take the online test.

Introduction – Sedimentary Rock

• Make a sandwich to show how sedimentary rocks were deposited in layer.

• Which is the oldest layer?

• Which is the youngest layer?

• What is the age of the middle layer?

Metamorphic Rock

Igneous Rock

Culminating Rock Activity – whole class

• Make a pet rock. Write the steps used to create the rock. Name your rock.

• Make a piece of jewelry using the rock tumbler. Write the steps used in making your jewelry.

• Make rock candy. Write the steps to make rock candy.

Choose

one

activity.

Sort the box of rocks into the three types of rocks.

• How did you decide if your rocks were sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic?

With your partner explain your reasoning in three short paragraphs. Be sure to support your decision. If your partner disagrees, prove to him/her that you are correct. Do you want to sort any of your rocks differently? Rock Worksheet

Assessment

Unit QuestionWhy do we mine?

Content QuestionHow many pounds of new materials must be

provided for every person in the U.S. to

maintain our standard of living? Blog

What’s really in paper besides wood?

• Answer the above question using the wiki.• Research the papermaking process. Sequence the process using “Inspiration”.RUBRIC• Using “Timeliner” show the development of

paper.RUBRICIndividual activity – Using “WORD” describe what

your world and life would be like without paper. Write one or two paragraphs. (peer comments by two or three students.) RUBRIC

GROUP A

What’s in a pencil besides wood?

• Answer the above question using the wiki.• What is graphite? BLOGRUBRIC• Use a wiki to record products that use

graphite.RUBRICIndividual activity – Make a fingerprint from

graphite. Scan and create a picture with your fingerprint. Use “Word” to write a narrative using your object as the main character. NARRATIVE RUBRIC

GROUP A

Group BWhat materials make up glass?

• Using wiki, answer the above question.• Group - Use “Excel” count, measure, and

graph the windows in one room of your house. Come prepared with your information.

• What is a mirror made of? Use wiki.• Individual Activity: Where are the raw

materials for glass found? During LRC time use “Kid Pix” to create a map and a key to show your information.

• Enrichment: When was glass first used? BLOG• Enrichment: What was used before glass?

Group BWhat minerals are found in

toothpaste?• Using wiki, answer the above question.• Where does fluoride come from? BLOG • What are the benefits of fluoride? BLOG

• CLASS: STOMP & SQUIRT CONTEST – Use toothpaste and butcher paper to estimate and measure the distance that the toothpaste will squirt. This activity will be done as a class but Group B must individually complete the following activity.

• Individual Activity: Estimate and measure the distance. In the LRC create a graph using EXCEL.

• Enrichment: What was used before toothpaste and toothbrushes were in invented? BLOG

• Enrichment: What is the fluoride content of drinking water in the area?

• Using a wiki, answer the above question.• Where does your electricity come

from? BLOG• Where in the world can you find the

resources to make a light bulb? In the LRC, use “Kid Pix” to create a map and key. Be sure you come prepared with information. Rubric

Group CWhat are the natural resources used

to make a light bulb?

Group COther than jewelry, what is gold used

to make?• Using a wiki, answer the above question.

• Individual Activity: Make a collage of items that are composed of gold? Use “Word”, the drawing tools, a scanner, digital camera, and internet to create your collage. RUBRIC

Class Activity: Go to the metaphor slide show to learn about metaphors.Brainstorm and research metaphors linked to gold. Choose one of the gold metaphors to

illustrate. Use Publisher. RUBRIC

Group C• Individual Activity: Write your own metaphor

related to gold. Illustrate it using Publisher. RUBRIC

Class Activity: Pan for gold. Find the density of the gold.

Group DWhat are the raw materials used

to make U.S. currency?• Use a wiki to answer the above question.

• How much is a million? During the LRC time use the draw tools or “Kid Pix” to show what a million means. Rubric

• Individual Activity - Write a narrative.

TOPIC: The Moment I Won the Lottery Narrative Rubric

Group DWhat natural resources provide

the fuel for all living things?• Use a wiki to answer the above question.

• Individual Activity: What is anemia, scurvy, and rickets? Choose one of these. Research. Create a health newscast explaining what you have researched. Be creative and to the point. Have a member from your group videotape your presentation. Rubric

• Class Activity – Examine labels from cereal boxes. Identify and

analyze the minerals and elements. Compare the cereals and choose the healthiest cereal.

• Group D Individual Activity: During LRC time, choose one of the healthiest cereals discovered in our class activity. Create a pie graph using the percent value of daily requirements. Use EXCEL. Rubric

Group E

What raw materials are used to make your instrument or your friend’s instrument?

• Use a wiki and answer the above question.

• Divide the class’ instruments into woodwind, brass, string, and percussion.

Survey your classmates to find how many students take an instrument from each group.

Individual Activity: Create a graph using “EXCEL”. RUBRIC

Group EHow is salt made?

• Use a wiki and answer the above question.

• What are crystals? Make your own salt crystals. Use the camera and create a digital story with the pictures taken each day. Rubric

• What is a geode? BLOG

Class Culminating Activity 1

• Look in your house and outside your house for items made from rocks or minerals. Make a chart of the items and their make-up. You may use Word or Excel to create your chart. Rubric

Class Culminating Activity 2

• Choose an activity from the list below.

Class Extension 1

• From the list below choose a scientist that you are most interested in learning about. Research, choose one, explain why you like this line of work. Use Word and comments for proofreading. Two of your peers must review your drafts. Expository Essay Rubric

gemmologist glaciologist mineralogistpaleontologist seismotologist vulcanologist

Class Extension 2 – discussion(Lead in to new unit on the solar system)

• Are there rocks and minerals on other planets?

What is the periodic table?