Subject: SCIENCE

Grade Level: Grade 5

Objective: Describe how rocks turn into soil

Learning across curriculum:

1) Mathematics: Understanding the concept of erosion as rocks break down into

smaller particles can involve measuring and calculating the rate of erosion,
connecting the physical changes to numerical data.

2) Language Arts: Writing a creative story or poem about the journey of a rock
transforming into soil can help students explore the process in a narrative form,
enhancing their language skills while reinforcing the scientific concept.

3) Social Studies: Studying the impact of soil formation on ancient civilizations can
provide historical context and show how the availability of fertile soil influenced
human settlements and agricultural practices.

ENGAGE:

[Teaching Strategy: Interactive Quizzes]

[Instructional Materials: Pictures of Rock and Soil Samples]

1) Idea - Conduct a "Rock or Soil?" Quiz where students have to identify whether the
image shown is a rock or soil sample.

2) Idea - Mystery Box Activity: Place different rock samples in a box, and students
have to touch and feel them to guess the type of rock and predict how it could turn
into soil.Explore:Explore:

Activity 1: Rock Cycle Relay

[Teaching Strategy: Cooperative Learning]

Materials - Various rock samples, diagrams of the rock cycle

Significance - Students will physically move through stations representing different

stages of the rock cycle, reinforcing the process of rock transformation into soil.

Instructions - Divide students into groups, assign each group a rock type, and have
them race through the stations to demonstrate the rock cycle.

Rubric - Accuracy of station completion - 20 pts.

Assessment Questions:

1) What are the three types of rocks involved in the rock cycle?

2) How does the rock cycle contribute to soil formation?

3) Describe the process of weathering in the rock cycle.

Activity 4: Soil Formation Experiment

Materials: Sand, clay, silt, water, jars, rocks

Significance: This hands-on experiment allows students to observe the process of

soil formation by simulating natural conditions.

Instructions:

1) Fill three jars with sand, clay, and silt respectively.

2) Add water to each jar until it covers the material.

3) Place a rock in each jar to represent the parent material.

4) Observe and record any changes in the jars over a week.

Rubric:

- Observation accuracy - 15 pts

- Recording changes in soil composition - 10 pts

- Explanation of how rocks turn into soil - 15 pts

Assessment Questions:

1) What role does water play in the process of soil formation?

2) How can the type of parent material (rock) affect the resulting soil composition?

3) Explain the significance of observing the changes in the jars over time.

Activity 5: Soil Profile Analysis

Materials: Soil samples from different layers, magnifying glasses, pH paper

Significance: Analyzing soil profiles helps students understand the layers of soil and
how they relate to the process of rock transformation into soil.

Instructions:

1) Examine soil samples from different layers using magnifying glasses.

2) Test the pH of each soil sample using pH paper.

3) Identify and document the characteristics of each layer.

4) Compare the soil profiles and discuss how they indicate the process of soil
formation.

Rubric:

- Soil profile analysis accuracy - 20 pts

- pH testing proficiency - 10 pts

- Connection between soil layers and rock transformation - 15 pts

Assessment Questions:

1) How do soil profiles provide information about the history of soil formation?

2) What factors can influence the pH of soil in different layers?

3) Discuss the relationship between soil layers and the concept of rock turning into
soil.
Activity 6: Fossil Exploration and Soil Formation

Materials: Fossil replicas, soil samples, magnifying glasses

Significance: Exploring fossils in soil layers connects the concept of deep time with
the gradual process of rock transformation into soil.

Instructions:

1) Examine fossil replicas and discuss their significance in understanding Earth's

history.

2) Analyze soil samples to identify any fossils or remnants of ancient life.

3) Connect the presence of fossils to the formation of soil layers over time.

4) Discuss how the decomposition of organic matter contributes to soil fertility.

Rubric:

- Fossil identification and analysis - 20 pts

- Connection between fossils, soil layers, and rock transformation - 15 pts

- Explanation of the role of organic matter in soil formation - 10 pts

Assessment Questions:

1) Why are fossils important in studying soil layers and rock transformation?

2) How can the presence of fossils in soil provide clues about past environments?

3) Explain the relationship between organic matter decomposition and soil fertility in
the context of rock turning into soil.

EXPLAIN:

In this section, the teacher will explain the concept of weathering and erosion
through a discussion-based approach, encouraging students to ask questions and
provide examples from their own experiences. The teacher can use visual aids such
as diagrams and videos to enhance understanding.
ELABORATE:

[Teaching Strategy: Project-Based Learning]

Task 1 - Create a Model: Students will create a diorama illustrating the rock cycle
and the transformation of rocks into soil, explaining each stage in detail.

Task 2 - Soil Investigation: Students will collect soil samples from different
locations, analyze their composition, and compare them to the rock types in the rock
cycle model.

EVALUATE:

[Teaching Strategy: Differentiation]

[Instructional Materials: Soil and Rock Specimens]

Question 1 - How does the process of weathering contribute to the formation of soil?

Question 2 - Explain the role of living organisms in the breakdown of rocks into soil.

Question 3 - Compare and contrast the characteristics of rocks and soil in terms of
texture, composition, and color.

Assignment:

1) Conduct a Soil Survey: Students will survey the soil in their backyard or local park,
documenting its characteristics and hypothesizing about the types of rocks that may
have contributed to its formation.

2) Rock Cycle Comic Strip: Students will create a comic strip illustrating the journey
of a rock as it undergoes weathering and erosion to become