3rd Grade Plants Unit Blueprint
Activity 6: Models of Weathering
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Delta Science Module: Soil Science

Pacing Suggestions:

Day 1—Session 1 on pages 51-54
Day 2—Session 2 on pages 54-56
Essential & Unit Questions 1 Benchmarks 2 Assessments 3 Using Assessments to Monitor Student Learning
What makes up soil? Where do the parts come from? 4C(3-5)#2: Rock is composed of different combinations of minerals. Smaller rocks come from the breakage and weathering of bedrock and larger rocks. Soil is made partly from weathered rock, partly from plant remains—and also contains many living organisms.

12D(3-5)#2: Make sketches to aid in [describing observations and] explaining procedures or ideas.

Class discussion of weathering and soil formation (See Guiding the Activity Step 10 on page 56 in the Teacher's Guide) Key Questions:

  1. What happens to all the small particles created by weathering?
  2. What do you think would happen if there were no weathering?
 Class Discussion:
  • Do students have a basic understanding of weathering?
  • Do students understand that the weathered rocks combine with plant/animal remains to form soil?
  • Do students understand that if rocks never broke down or weathered, there would be no soil? (Rather, there would only be humus—plant and animal remains.)
Student Drawings:
  • Do the drawings contain labels?
  • Do the drawings contain details of the soaked beans
  • Are the drawing clear enough that they would be understandable weeks and/or months later?
    Note: At this point, students' drawings should be improving in neatness, detail, and accuracy. Student should also be labeling the drawings with minimal reminders from the teacher.
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1. For conceptual benchmarks.
2. Bolded sections indicate portion of benchmark addressed
3. Unless noted as a Summative Assessment, the assessments are formative and should be used to guide teaching and learning.

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