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Grade 5 Science: Week 8

Dear Students and Families,

We hope you are safe and healthy while you are out of school and learning from home! In science, you will be learning, applying, and extending content. This week you will be focused on the topics 's Systems Interactions and Sources from Unit 4: Impact on the Earth’s Systems. The activities described below should be spread out throughout the week, but you can decide how best to organize your work. We recommend that you spend 20 minutes each day working on the Mission Log and Action Plan and 20 minutes per day working on activities that extend science learning and reinforces math/literacy skills and practices. Screenshots of handouts are included here, while full page versions of handouts are located at the end of the packet.

Part 1: Mission Briefing (Review) During the first part of the week, you will review content from each of topic in the unit and apply it to a mission. Read the Mission Briefing below: It hasn’t rained for weeks, and you and a team of scientists are concerned about an impending that would affect millions of people. Your team has discovered that most people are not informed about the role fresh water plays on Earth. Your mission is to create a special TV news report about water on our Earth and how it can be conserved.

Part 2: Mission Log- Earth's Systems Interactions (Explanation) a. Review and complete the activities on the following student worksheets:

District of Columbia Public Schools | SY 2019-2020 Page 1 of 3

Science Independent Learning

b. You should now move on to the Mission Log (below). The Mission Log summarizes what you should know and invites you to record your science knowledge. Questions are included to guide your work.

Part 3: Mission Log- Water Sources (Explanation) a. Review and complete the activities on the following student worksheets:

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Science Independent Learning

b. You should now move on to the Mission Log (below). The Mission Log summarizes what you should know and invites you to record your science knowledge. Questions are included to guide your work.

District of Columbia Public Schools | SY 2019-2020 Page 3 of 3

Earth’s Systems Interactions

Earth is our home. It has the right conditions for . Besides , Earth has air, water, and that work together to support life. In turn, life on Earth interacts with air, water, and land. Imagine for a moment that Earth was different. ● What would Earth be like if it wasn’t a rocky planet? ● What if Earth had no land? ● What if Earth did not possess an ? ● What if there was no water on Earth?

Earth materials and systems – Earth's major systems are the atmosphere (air), the (water and ), the geosphere (solid and molten rock, , and sediments), and the (living things, including )

ATMOSPHERE HYDROSPHERE

GEOSPHERE BIOSPHERE

What is the atmosphere? The atmosphere is the gaseous layer that surrounds Earth and makes life possible on . This layer of gas protects us from some of the Sun’s rays and provides us with breathable air. The atmosphere and the Sun’s create the weather patterns on Earth. Earth’s atmosphere is a mix of gases that is just right for supporting life!

1 Earth’s Systems Interactions

What is the hydrosphere? The hydrosphere is the system on Earth that contains all the ice and Water in all water. It includes both freshwater states of matter and saltwater. It includes water in are included in all states—gas (water vapor), liquid the (water), and solid (ice). hydrosphere.

Freshwater bodies, such as and , help make up the hydrosphere. Tributaries that flow to the as well as that melt into the ocean are also part of this hydrosphere system. Rivers and lakes are two parts of the hydrosphere. What is the geosphere? The Earth’s geosphere is made up of all the solid and molten rock, soil, and sediments found on the planet. You can’t see all of our geosphere, because most of the solid and molten rock are found under Earth’s surface. The ocean floor is also part of the geosphere, but it lies so far underneath Earth’s that few creatures ever get to see it. The geosphere can be very useful! We use soil to crops and make bricks. We use from rocks to create a variety of products.

Mountains (solid rock), lava (molten rock), soil, and (sediment) are examples of the geosphere we can see. Most of the geosphere is under the surface of the land or water.

2 Earth’s Systems Interactions

What is the biosphere? The biosphere is the system on Earth that contains all livings things, including humans. Look at the in the picture. What and animals do you see? Any plants and animals in an ecosystem are part of the biosphere.

How do Earth’s systems interact? Each system interacts with each other system in a variety of ways.

Look back at the ecosystem above. Do you see examples of any other systems in the picture?

Earth’s systems cannot work all by themselves. These systems constantly interact! The plants and animals in the picture above depend on the water around them. What sphere includes animals? The biosphere! Which sphere includes water? The hydrosphere! The ocean supports a variety of where different live. This is an example of the hydrosphere and biosphere interacting!

How do the atmosphere and biosphere interact? Think about the variety of environments around the world. Some are hot and dry, some experience a lot of , and some are very cold. These environments have different climates. A climate is the average weather conditions of an area over a long period of time. Weather is the current conditions in the atmosphere, such as the temperature, air pressure, and . The conditions of the atmosphere over time influence the types of organisms that can live in a certain environment.

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How do the hydrosphere The Grand Canyon was and geosphere interact? formed by powerful The hydrosphere affects the forces of water as the geosphere by weathering Colorado and eroding rock and soil. weathered and eroded This erosion is caused by the rock. precipitation, moving rivers, and ocean waves. Water Ocean water cools the can cool molten rock to form magma that seeps new land. through the ocean floor, adding new land to Earth’s surface.

The force of the ocean is especially powerful in shaping landforms. Tsunamis can change an entire in minutes. Other waves and tides gradually shape landforms.

The geosphere interacts with the hydrosphere by being a barrier to water in some areas of Earth. For example, tall can block rainwater from reaching certain areas, creating . This is called the rain shadow effect. The is so tall that it pushes the rain cloud up high into the atmosphere. The cloud rises so far that the water vapor inside it condenses and falls to the ground as precipitation. The water is Tall mountains can cause one squeezed out of the cloud before it can pass side of a mountain to receive to the other side of the mountain. This tremendous rainfall while the causes one side of the mountain to get plenty other receives almost none—like of rain while the other side stays dry. the above.

4 Earth’s Systems Interactions

With all you have learned about all of Earth’s interacting systems, can you guess which in the biosphere causes the most change in the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and even the biosphere?

If you said “humans,” you are right. Find a partner and take a moment to brainstorm all the ways that humans interact with each of Earth’s systems.

Atmosphere Hydrosphere Geosphere Biosphere

After you are finished, get together with another set of partners and share your lists. Discuss whether human interactions are mostly helpful or harmful and why.

Find a small group and play a card to review Earth’s systems. For materials, you will need four note cards of one color.

Instructions:

● On each of the four note cards of one color, write one of the following categories: hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. ● Mix up the cards and place them facedown on a desk or table. Do this again between each turn. ● Take turns. When it is your turn, draw two cards. Then, depending upon the cards you drew, explain out loud how each of the two Earth systems interact. Be specific! ● Make sure you listen attentively to each person. The more you listen, the more you learn!

HYDROSPHERE ATMOSPHERE GEOSPHERE BIOSPHERE

5 Bundle 3: Human Impact on the Earth’s System

Mission Log Anchoring Phenomena

What role does water play on our Earth, and what steps can be taken to conserve it?

Mission Briefing It hasn’t rained for weeks, and you and a team of scientists are concerned about an impending drought that would affect millions of people. Your team has discovered that most people are not informed about the role fresh water plays on Earth. Your mission is to create a special TV news report about water on our Earth and how it can be conserved.

● What types of water exist on Earth, how much of each type of water is there, and where is it found? ● How does water interact with Earth’s other major systems? ● How is water used and at times misused? ● How can fresh water be conserved?

1 Bundle 3: Human Impact on the Earth’s System

Class Mission Log

Information Gained Connection to Mission

Earth’s Systems Interactions Earth’s Systems Interactions List as many parts of the hydrosphere as you can. What might cause a drought?

How do the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere interact?

Water Sources Water Sources How much of water found on Earth is water, and for Draw a visual representation of the amount of fresh water much is fresh water? versus the amount of salt water on Earth.

Where is most of the fresh water on Earth located?

2 Bundle 3: Human Impact on the Earth’s System

Class Mission Log

Information Gained Connection to Mission

Reducing the Human Footprint Reducing Human Footprint What has major effects on Earth’s water usage? How can water be conserved?

How does the way we use water affect land, vegetation, , and oceans?

3 Water Sources

Have you ever wondered from where your next drink of water will come? Most likely, you have never thought about it. It is easy to grab a glass and fill it up at the sink or the fridge. Drinking fountains are found in almost every hallway of your school, and taking a shower is probably a daily task for you.

Despite the fact Parts of our world are not as that the majority fortunate. South is facing of Earth is a water shortage crisis due to covered with and weather water, many patterns. A shortage of fresh places face water water can lead to diseases and shortages. economic problems.

Where can we find water on Earth?

Almost 71% of Earth’s surface is covered in water. It is in oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, glaciers, and ice caps. It is in our bodies, in animals, in plants, and in . With so much water available, it seems that no one should face a shortage! However, the large majority of water on Earth is not safe for drinking. Look at the different sources that make up Earth’s . There are two different types of water—fresh water and (or salt water).

1 Water Sources

Look at the following table that further shows how water is distributed on Earth, then answer the questions below.

Percentage of Total Water Source Water Volume (km3) Water

Oceans and 1,338,000,000 96.5%

Glaciers and ice caps 24,064,000 1.74%

Groundwater 23,400,000 1.7%

Permafrost 300,000 0.02%

Lakes 176,400 0.01%

Soil moisture 16,500 0.001%

Atmosphere 12,900 0.001%

Wetlands 11,470 0.001%

Rivers 2,120 0.0002%

Biological 1,120 0.0001%

TOTALS 1,386,000,000 100%

Questions: ● Make a bar graph, using each category listed in the table to show how water is distributed on Earth. ● Does the data surprise you? Why? ● Does the information change the way you think about water usage? How?

Fresh water is classified as water having less than 0.1% salt concentration. Of the fresh water on Earth, 70% is in the form of glaciers and ice caps. About 30% of fresh water is . Fresh water that is is what organisms use to meet their needs. It is used for drinking, transportation, heating and cooling, industry, recreation, and other purposes. We use fresh water for many things. It is important for us to be mindful of how much we use. We need to conserve our freshwater supply. 2 Water Sources

Salt Water Of Earth’s water, 97% is salt water. Most of the salt water is found in the oceans, all of which are connected. They cover about 70% of Earth’s surface. Some salt water exists in the form of saltwater lakes, such as the Great Salt in Utah and many lakes in China. Although salt water provides a for many marine organisms, we cannot drink it. Nearly three-quarters of

earth’s surface is covered in water. Salt water is 97% of that. Only 3% is fresh water.

Because 97% of Earth’s water is salt water and undrinkable, many people have attempted to find ways to turn ocean water into . Scientists call this process .

Look at the example below of machinery used for the desalination of water, then answer the questions about it.

A desalination plant takes salt water and removes the salt and other minerals to make the water potable (drinkable) for people and animals.

Questions:

● Based on what you know about the evaporation of , how do you think desalination works? ● What are some benefits of building desalination plants? ● What are some drawbacks of building desalination plants? ● Where on Earth should these plants be built?

3 Water Sources

Fresh Water Although 3% of Earth’s water is fresh water, a large percentage of that water is actually unusable. Look back at the water distribution data. What do you notice about the freshwater portion of Earth’s water supply?

Ice Almost 69% of fresh water on Earth is stored in the form of ice caps and glaciers. The continent of and the island of Greenland are large land areas that are almost completely covered with ice. Water locked up in glaciers and ice caps cannot be used by humans as a drinking water supply. However, that water still plays an important role in the scientific world. Scientists monitor climate change and its effects on our world by observing these large areas of ice. The majority of fresh water is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps.

Groundwater Of the fresh water on Earth, 30% exists as groundwater. Groundwater is any water that lies underneath the surface of the land. Groundwater is essential to life on Earth and is an important part of the . A lot of precipitation that falls to Earth soaks into the soil and trickles through the ground until it collects in . Aquifers are used as – a body of rock that can sources of drinking water for people and hold water underground and that animals. Farmers use aquifers to water their allows water to flow through it crops.

4 Water Sources Surface Water The remaining 0.3% of Earth’s fresh water is surface water. Surface water is any water on top of the land. Most of this water is in the form of lakes, rivers, and marshes. Lakes are bodies of water that are completely surrounded by land and not connected to an ocean. Most lakes have rivers connected to them that allow water to move in and out. Rivers are natural, flowing sources of water. Rivers move from higher elevations to lower elevations. Smaller rivers act as tributaries to larger rivers. Most larger rivers eventually empty into larger bodies of water, such as oceans or lakes. Smaller rivers may be called brooks, creeks, or streams. Marshes, or , are shallow areas where land and water meet. A is flooded the majority of the time.

Lakes are large bodies Rivers are another Wetlands are important of fresh water. example of freshwater because they filter, surface water. clean, and store water.

Water in the Atmosphere A small percentage of water is always present in the atmosphere. Water evaporates when it has enough energy to leave its liquid form and become a gas called water vapor. The warmer the air is, the easier it is for available water to evaporate. When water vapor cools, it condenses back into liquid form or solid form and eventually falls out of the sky as precipitation. This is part of the water cycle. There will always be water in the atmosphere in the form of a solid, liquid, or How is water present in the gas, due to the water cycle. atmosphere as a solid, a liquid, and a gas?

5 Water Sources

Using the information you read about and the percentages that were given in the text, label the pie chart to accurately describe the distribution of Earth’s water. Be sure to look back and include the percentages in your pie chart.

Label: ● Surface Water ● Ice Caps and Glaciers ● Groundwater ● Salt Water

Questions: If there is no way to increase the amount of fresh water here on Earth, what are some ways in which we can conserve the fresh water we do have?

Do you think we will ever run out of fresh water? Why?

What do you think would happen to our planet and the organisms living here if we ran out of fresh water?

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