Rocks, Minerals, Soil and Fossils

The Pebbles, Sand, and Silt Module consists of four sequential investigations, each designed to introduce concepts in earth science. The investigations provide experiences that heighten students' awareness of rocks as earth materials and natural resources. They will come to know rocks by many names and in a variety of sizes. Pebbles and sand are the same material—just different in size.

FOSS Expects Students To  Develop a curiosity and interest in the physical world around them.  Observe, describe, and sort earth materials based on properties.  Separate earth materials by size, using different techniques.  Observe the similarities and differences in the materials in a river rock mixture: silt, sand, gravel, and small and large pebbles.  Explore places where earth materials are found and ways that earth materials are used.  Compare the ingredients in different soils.  Organize and communicate observations through drawing and writing.  Acquire the vocabulary associated with earth materials.

First Rocks Content Thinking Processes Students are introduced to • Rocks have a variety • Observe several kinds of rocks. the mineral portion of the of properties including • Compare properties of different planet on which they live. color, hardness, shape, rocks. They investigate several and size. • Sort rocks in different ways. kinds of rocks and begin to • Rocks can be sorted • Observe rocks interacting with understand the properties of by their properties. each other and with water. rocks. Students rub rocks, • Rocks are all around wash rocks, sort rocks, and us. describe rocks. They also • Rocks are the solid begin to organize a class rock material of the earth. collection.

River Rocks Content Thinking Processes Students investigate a river • Rocks can be • Observe properties of pebbles, rock mixture of earth categorized by size. gravel, sand, silt, and clay particles. materials of different sizes. • Screens and water • Separate and group river rocks They separate the rocks, can be used to sort the based on particle size by using using a series of three sizes of earth screens. screens to identify five sizes materials. • Separate and observe sand and of rocks: large pebbles, small • Five sizes of rocks, silt in water. pebbles, large gravel, small from smallest to • Observe the properties of clay gravel, and sand. They add largest are clay, silt, particles when dry and when wet. water to a vial of sand to sand, gravel, and discover silt and clay. pebbles.

Using Rocks Content Thinking Processes Students learn how people • Earth materials are • Observe and compare different use earth materials to natural resources. grades of sandpaper. construct objects. They • The properties of • Observe how a matrix binds sand make rubbings from different earth particles in a sand sculpture. sandpaper, sculptures from materials make each • Observe the properties of clay sand, decorative jewelry suitable for specific that make it useful in creating from clay, and bricks from uses. jewelry or beads. clay soil. They go on a • Earth materials can • Observe and compare how earth schoolyard field trip to look be used in a variety of materials are used in human for places where earth constructions. constructions. materials occur naturally and • Observe how the properties of where people have clay are used to make bricks. incorporated earth materials into building materials

Soil Explorations Content Thinking Processes Students put together and • Soil is a mixture of • Observe the ingredients that take apart soils. They are earth materials. combine to make soil. introduced to humus as an • Soils vary from place • Separate and sort the ingredients ingredient in soil. Homemade to place. in soil. and local soils are compared, • Soils have properties • Observe and record the results of using techniques introduced of color and texture. shaking soil and water in a vial. in Investigation 2. • Soils differ in their • Compare soil samples from abilities to support different locations. plants. • Soils can be composed of humus and different amounts and sizes of rocks.

Interdisciplinary Foss Science Technology/Home Extensions Stories Connection FIRST ROCKS • Exploring Rocks Students design matching games, Language Extensions • Colorful Rocks using the attributes of rocks. • Make a geologist tool kit. • Make a rock record book. • Set up a rock store. • Make stone soup. • Write about magic pebbles. • Use pattern sentences. Math Extensions • Solve two problems. Art and Science Extensions • Make rock people or pets. • Assemble a rock aquarium. • Find your rock. • Start a rock collection. RIVER ROCKS • The Story of Sand Students play a game of I Spy with Language Extension their family to describe objects by • Write the journey of your comparative size. rock. Math Extensions • Solve two problems. Social Studies and Science Extensions • Visit a quarry. • Make large river rock shake-up bottles. • Set up a screening station. • Set up a series of river rock vials. • Set up a sand exploration center. • Look for clay soils. USING ROCKS • Rocks Move Students look for uses of earth Language Extensions • Making Things with materials at home and in the • Discuss earth materials as Rocks neighborhood. natural resources. • Find out about pottery. • Make tracks and molds. Math Extensions • Solve two problems. • Graph the rocks in use. Art and Science Extensions • Look at construction materials. • Make sand paintings. • Layer sand, gravel, and pebbles. • Make sandpaper prints. • Research animals and earth materials. • Sand some wood. SOIL EXPLORATIONS • What Is in Soil? Students compare the rate at Language Extensions • Testing Soil which water moves through • Write directions for making • Fossils different kinds of soils. soil. • Start a vial-drawings book. Math Extension • Add up rocks. Science Extensions • See what grows. • Make an earthworm habitat. • Plant seeds in sand and soil. • Set up a screening station. • Set up a magnification station. • Collect vacation soil samples.

FOSS AND NATIONAL STANDARDS The Pebbles, Sand, and Silt Module emphasizes the development of observation and description skills and building explanations based on experience. This module supports the following National Science Education Standards. SCIENCE AS INQUIRY Develop students' abilities to do and understand scientific inquiry.  Ask and answer questions.  Plan and conduct simple investigations.  Employ tools and techniques to gather data.  Use data to construct reasonable explanations.  Communicate investigations and explanations.  Understand that scientists use different kinds of investigations and tools to develop explanations using evidence and knowledge. CONTENT: PHYSICAL SCIENCE Develop students' understanding of the properties of materials.  Objects can have many properties, including size, weight, shape, color, and texture. CONTENT: EARTH SCIENCE Develop students' understanding of the properties of earth materials.  Solid rocks and soils are earth materials. The physical properties of earth materials make them useful in different ways, such as for building materials or for growing plants. Develop students' understandings about changes in the earth.  Natural forces such as ice, rain, wind, landslides, and volcanos can break apart or smooth the surfaces of rocks. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Develop students' understandings about science and technology.  Scientists use tools and scientific techniques to make better observations. SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES Develop students' understanding of natural resources.  Resources are things that we get from the environment, such as rocks and soil.