Unit Plan: Rocks and Minerals

1
Unit PlanRocks and Minerals

• Covering science and language arts (writing)
  standards.

2
Topic and Big Ideas

• Topic Rocks and Minerals
• Minerals-properties of
• Rocks- types of
• Rock Cycle
• Big Ideas
• Scientific investigations may take many different
  forms, including observing what things are like
  or what it happening somewhere, collecting
  specimens for analysis, and doing experiments.
  (nature of science)
• Students will understand that the rock cycle
  helps explain how our earth is constantly
  changing. (life science)
• Writing is a form of taking your understanding
  and helping others understand your content
  knowledge.

3
Differentiation of Key Terms

• Describe the properties of minerals such as
  luster, color, streak and hardness to identify
  different minerals. (Memory)
• Find examples of cycles and apply them to real
  life situations. (Practical)
• Synthesize information from mineral properties
  and rock cycle to create story based a on
  personified character. (Creative)
• Compare and contrast what makes a rock different
  from a mineral and vice versa. (Analytical)

4
Core Proposition 3Teachers are Responsible
for Managing and Monitoring Student Learning.

• This unit embodies different forms of assessment
  which range from standard worksheet
  (question/answer) to creative means (through
  creating a rock and story) to writing. This way
  I can see which students are succeeding based on
  multiple views. Some students may struggle with
  the writing part, but if I can see clear
  understanding in other areas, I can then tailor
  my teaching to fit my students individual needs.
  
• Also by using various teaching techniques
  (discussion, direct, group work, individual work)
  my students will see how the knowledge they learn
  can be applied and tested in many different
  avenues.
• Using the different techniques also keeps
  students engaged more than just using direct
  instruction. Therefore keeping the students
  interested.