5.1 Strand
Earth’s major systems are the geosphere (solid and molten rock, soil, and sediments), the hydrosphere (water and ice), the atmosphere (air), and the biosphere (living things, including humans). Within these systems, the location of Earth’s land and water can be described. Also, these systems interact in multiple ways. Weathering and erosion are examples of interactions between Earth’s systems. Some interactions cause landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions that impact humans and other organisms. Humans cannot eliminate natural hazards, but solutions can be designed to reduce their impact.
Standard(s) 5.1.1: Analyze and interpret data to describe patterns of Earth’s features. Emphasize most earthquakes and volcanoes occur in bands that are often along the boundaries between continents and oceans while major mountain chains may be found inside continents or near their edges. Examples of data could include maps showing locations of mountains on continents and the ocean floor or the locations of volcanoes and earthquakes. (ESS2.B)
Practices
Analyzing and Interpreting Data Analyzing data in 3–5 builds on K–2 experiences and progresses to introducing quantitative approaches to collecting data and conducting multiple trials of qualitative observations. When possible and feasible, digital tools should be used.
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Analyze and interpret data to make sense of phenomena using logical reasoning.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS2.B: Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions
The locations of mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, ocean floor structures, earthquakes, and volcanoes occur in patterns. Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur in bands that are often along the boundaries between continents and oceans. Major mountain chains form inside continents or near their edges. Maps can help locate the different land and water features areas of Earth.
Cross Cutting Concepts
Patterns
Patterns can be used as evidence to support an explanation.
Storyline Narrative
To begin this storyline students will investigate the phenomenon, a volcano rapidly formed in a field in Paricutin. Students will obtain information about a volcano that grew in a field in Paricutin, Mexico over the course of 9 years, destroying the village.
Then students will obtain information about other North American examples of volcano and earthquake activity and mountain ranges to analyze patterns in the data. They will look at volcanoes in the area of Paricutin to understand and reason that the occurrence of that volcano was part of a pattern rather than a random act. From there, students will look at examples and nonexamples of volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain ranges to further analyze and interpret data to find patterns of Earth’s features. Finally, when given a map with known volcano and/or earthquake occurrences, students identify which location is more likely to have the next occurrence and support their answer using the data from their investigations?
Site Feedback
Utah Science
Curriculum Consortium
Tyson Grover
Annette Nielson
Storyline Narrative 7.2.6
Standard 7.2.6: Make an argument from evidence for how the geologic time scale shows the age and history of Earth. Emphasize scientific evidence from rock strata, the fossil record, and the principles of relative dating, such as superposition, uniformitarianism and recognizing unconformities.
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Student Friendly Objective: I can make an argument using evidence that the geologic time scale shows the age and history of the earth.
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Anchor Phenomenon: The cliffs in Capitol Reef National Park have observable layers (see image on unpacked document).
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Big Idea: Layers of rock provide evidence of Earth’s history.
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Students are engaged by working their way through stations that teach them aspects of geology that help scientists determine the age and history of the Earth (episode 1). They are introduced to the law of superposition and explore how the rock layers and fossil record could be evidence of the past.
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Students investigate the geological history of Utah and explain how the fossil and rock layer evidence supports the story of Utah’s changing landscape (episode 2). Creating a timeline elaborates how layers of rock provide evidence of Earth’s history.
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Students are evaluated as they make an argument from evidence to explain the location and age of fossils in a particular mountain side.
Episode 1
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Question
What do the layers in a cliff face tell us?
Snapshot
Students work through stations to discover how layers of rock provide evidence of Earth’s history.
Conceptual Understandings
The layers in a cliff face tell us information about the age and history of the earth.
What evidence do we have of Utah’s geologic past?
Conceptual Understandings
Utah’s environment and geology have changed over time, as shown by the evidence provided by the fossil record and rock layers.
Snapshot
Students prepare a timeline of Utah and observe the changing geological landscape that is supported by fossil and rock layer evidence.
Episode 2
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Question
What evidence do we have of Utah’s geologic past?