Louisiana Bench marks for Science- Students develop an understanding
that rocks are made of minerals and use established procedures
to identify mineral samples. Research on the rock cycle shows
student understandings of the dynamic processes that result
in the formation of other rocks. Ending with an awareness
of the four density layers of Earth, students gain an understanding
of the theory of plate tectonics
GLEs: SI-1,2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22,
23, 33, 34, 37; ESS- 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18
Guiding Questions:
1. Can students classify a given rock or a mineral by its
appearance and other physical characteristics?
2. Can students explain what changes the identity of
one rock formation to another?
3. Can students compare causes and locations of earthquakes and volcanoes?
4. Can students discuss convection currents as an explanation of plate tectonics?
5. Can students describe the historical background and present the current theory of plate tectonics?