Earth Materials

Introduction	Standards Addressed	Tasks/Calendar	Assessments
Accommodations	Technology	Connections	Support Needs

Introduction~
The Earth Materials module consist of four activities dealing with observable characteristics of solid materials from the earth- rocks and minerals. The focus is on taking materials apart to find what they are made of and putting materials together to better understand their properties. (FOSS Overview). In addition, the students will be completing a web quest on rocks, layers of the earth, and the rock cycle created by classmate Tammy Barcalow.

Standards Addressed~
Many standards are addressed in this unit. A complete list of third grade standards can be found on the Springfield School District web site. These will be identified in the following manner. Goal 1; Std. A; Benchmark 5. The goal is for the state and the standard and benchmark are specifically for Springfield District 186. Springfield currently does not have any standards or benchmarks related to technology.

Goal 1; Std. A; Benchmarks 1,4-5 Apply meaning, structure, and visual clues when reading; use vocabulary skills; use dictionary, glossary to clarify meaning
Goal 1; Std. C; Benchmarks 1-3,5 Use prior knowledge, predicting, and questioning strategies; locate information in fiction and non-fiction selections; make inferences
Goal 3; Std. B; Benchmarks 1-4 Use pre-writing strategies to plan written work; write to maintain focus, organization, and support/elaboration; revise for meaning, organization, and support/elaboration; write for a variety of purposes and audiences
Goal 4; Std. A; Benchmark 1 Listen for a variety of purposes
Goal 4; Std. B; Benchmark 1-3 Use oral communication skills; plan and deliver an oral report; Particiapate in large and small group discussions
Goal 5; Std. A; Benchmark 1-2 Use a variety of sources to gather information; analyze and evaluate information required
Goal 5; Std. B; Benchmark 1 Create letters, reports, stories, charts and maps to communicate acquired information
Goal 10; Std. A; Benchmark 1 Collect, sort, classify, organize data using a variety of scales, graphs and make predictions and decisions based on data.
Goal 11; Std. A; Benchmark 2 Identify mineral properties by conducting a variety of geological tests
Goal 12; Std. E; Benchmark 1 Use tools and techniques of geologists to collect data and discover that rocks are made of different ingredients called minerals.

Tasks/Calendar~

Day 1	FOSS: Mock Rocks- Part 1
Day 2	FOSS: Mock Rocks- Part 2
Day 3	FOSS: Mock Rocks- Part 3
Day 4	Read articles in FOSS supplement
Day 5	Video: Treasures of the Mineral Kingdom (V1466) 30 minutes
Day 6	FOSS: Mock Rocks- Part 4
Day 7	FOSS: Scratch Test- Part 1
Day 8	FOSS: Scratch Test- Part 2
Day 9	FOSS: Calcite Quest- Part 1
Day 10	FOSS: Calcite Quest- Part 2
Day 11	Video: Gems, Metals & Minerals (V1889) 30 min.
Day 12	FOSS: Calcite Quest- Part 3
Day 13	FOSS: Take It For Granite- Part 1
Day 14	FOSS: Take It For Granite- Part 2
Day 15	FOSS: Take It For Granite- Part 3
Days 16-18	Pictorial assessment; Laser Disk- The Ultimate Rock Video (L7033)
Day 19	Hands-on assessment
Day 20	Video: Rocks & Minerals (V1767) 8 minutes; Introduce Web Quest
Days 21-31	Web Quest

Assessments~
The students will be assessed in a variety of ways over the course of this unit. They will take a pictorial assessment after each activity which will let me see how well the students can think through problems that require both knowledge and the integration of ideas. They will also take a "lab practical" in which they have to apply the knowledge learned to solve problems. In addition, the web quest has several assessment items.

Accommodations~
All of the students in my classroom are gifted, so the curriculum has been adapted to fit their needs. I will allow extra time to complete tasks as needed; offer before or after school help; and have computers available before and after school as well as other free time during the day.

Technology~
I will be using the TV, VCR, and computer. I will need to make sure that I have five computers connected to the internet in my class on days 26-32 so the web quest activity can be completed. During free time during the regular class day throughout this unit, students will be given the opportunity to use the Earth Quest CD-ROM (Order # 8490.1), a program that lets users explore the formation and evolution of our planet through 3D graphics and interactive exhibits.

Connections~
This is a unit that focuses primarily on science and technology. As usual, language arts standards are present.

Support Needs~
I will need a parent volunteer on days 21-31 to ensure that the students are able to complete the web quest. I will also need additional volunteers throughout the unit. Volunteer notices will be sent home as needed and their will be a volunteer web site for parents to check.