Plate Tectonic 
FIFTH GRADE
4 week unit

SCIENCE STANDARDS

1. Students should learn why there are many different types of volcanic rocks. They should know obsidian, scoria, and pumice. They should become familiar with other volcanic rocks like basalt and andesite.
2. Students should be able to distinguish which lava originally had gas released by observing which rocks are more holey.
3. Students should be able to compare books on whether they can relate scientific information within a story compared to a book that presents just the information.
4. Students should be able to distinguish a seismogram (the paper) with a seismograph (the instrument).
5. Students should be able to define a seismogram as a pictorial representation of the different waves that are generated by earthquakes.
6. Students should be able to define a seismic wave as energy released by an earthquake.
7. Students should be begin to realize that large earthquakes can cause considerable damage.
8. Students should know that earthquakes and volcanoes occur throughout the world, but are usually concentrated in certain areas.
9. Students should begin to recognize that earthquakes and volcanoes are the data that geologists use to interpret where there are plate boundaries.
10. Students should begin to question models of how the Earth's outer surface moves.
11. Students should begin to see the differences and similarities with earthquake and volcanic hazards.
12. Students should be able to determine why viscous material that flows down a volcanic mountain can cause damage.

WEEK 1.
PRE: Exploring the rocks produced by volcanoes.
LAB: Comparing igneous rocks.
POST: Critiquing books on volcanoes for their scientific content.

EARTHQUAKES

WEEK 2.
PRE: Analyzing the types of waves produced by earthquakes.
LAB: Interpreting seismograms with associated damages.
POST: Analyzing earthquakes around the world.

PLATE TECTONICS

WEEK 3.
PRE: Investigating the patterns produced by volcanoes and earthquakes.
LAB: Testing models of crustal movement.
POST: Defining plate boundaries.

HAZARDS

WEEK 4.
PRE: Comparing volcanic and earthquake hazards.
LAB: Determining what type of viscous mixtures can cause the most damage.
POST: Exploring earthquakes that are associated with volcanoes.