Changing Earth 5E NGSS Science Unit Plan

This Changing Earth 5E Science Unit Plan is an inquiry-based unit where students learn about the movement of the Earth and how it affects physical features over time. The unit focuses on tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanoes, different types of rocks, and the rock cycle. The unit includes three parts for each of the 5E’s (Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate) and more.

KEY CONCEPTS IN THIS CHANGING EARTH UNIT INCLUDE

• Fossils
• Plate tectonics and plate boundaries
• Processes that change the Earth over time including the formation of rocks
• Sedimentary rock, metamorphic rock, igneous rock
• Earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis

Included in this Structure and Function Science Resource

• Teacher Notes that provide an overview of the resource and explanation of the NGSS standard for Changing Earth 4-ESS1-1
• Common Misconceptions about the Changing Earth
• Teaching Timeline available with four different options, including a correlation with the Fourth Grade Science Stations
• Vocabulary Cards to reinforce key terms throughout the unit. These are similar vocabulary cards available in the Fourth Grade Science Stations
• Big Idea Posters that illustrate the main concepts students will learn
• Exit Tickets in three formats: short answer, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice

What is the 5E Instructional Model?

The 5E Model is student-led, with the teacher acting mainly as the facilitator. Through open-ended questions, real-life experiences, guided investigations, and research, the students gain a deep understanding of the scientific topics that are covered in the lessons. Each stage of the model serves as a foundation for the next, creating a coherent model that frames lessons, activities, and units.

Find out more about the 5E Unit Plans in this blog post.

Objectives and Timeline for Each Section of the 5E Changing Earth Unit

ENGAGE

Objectives:

• Students will access their prior knowledge about fossils and plate tectonics.
• Student interest in fossils and plate tectonics will be elicited.
• The teacher will be able to identify student misconceptions about the changing Earth.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (What Is This?):  10 minutes
• Part 2 (My Experiences):  15 minutes
• Part 3 (Introducing…The Changing Earth):  15 minutes

EXPLORE

Objectives:

• Students will work together to investigate how the Earth has changed over time.  They will do this by investigating what happens as parts of the Earth move.
• Students will gather general information about the changing Earth.
• Students will begin to think about the effects of the changing Earth on how the Earth looks now.
• Students will analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that different factors affect the rate of change in the Earth.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (Check It Out):  15 active minutes
• Part 2 (Read This): 15 minutes
• Part 3 (You Try It):  15 minutes

EXPLAIN

Objectives:

• Students will work collaboratively to observe plate tectonics in action.
• Students will listen to the teacher’s explanation about the changing Earth.
• Students will use the new information to revise their explanations about the processes that have shaped the Earth over time.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (What Does It Mean?):  20 minutes
• Part 2 (What Is The Changing Earth?):  20 minutes
• Part 3 (Putting It All Together):  15 minutes

EXTEND

Objectives:

• Students will apply what they have learned about how Earth has changed over time to a new situation.
• Students will deepen their understanding of the different ways that the Earth has and continues to change, gaining a more generalized knowledge of this specific scientific concept.
• The teacher will resolve all persisting student misconceptions about the changing Earth.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (Where Is The Changing Earth?):  20 minutes
• Part 2 (Show What You Know): 15 minutes
• Part 3 (Have Fun With It):  20 minutes

EVALUATE

Objectives:

• Students will evaluate their own understanding of the changing Earth.
• Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and vocabulary.
• The teacher will encourage students to ask questions that could lead to future investigations.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (What I Know):  15 minutes
• Part 2 (Showing the Changing Earth): 30 minutes
• Part 3 (Going Forward): 15 minutes