Standard #: SC.7.E.6.2


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Identify the patterns within the rock cycle and relate them to surface events (weathering and erosion) and sub-surface events (plate tectonics and mountain building).


General Information

Subject Area: Science
Grade: 7
Body of Knowledge: Earth and Space Science
Idea: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning
Big Idea: Earth Structures - Over geologic time, internal and external sources of energy have continuously altered the features of Earth by means of both constructive and destructive forces. All life, including human civilization, is dependent on Earth's internal and external energy and material resources.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes

Related Courses

Course Number1111 Course Title222
2002070: M/J Comprehensive Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2002080: M/J Comprehensive Science 2, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001010: M/J Earth/Space Science (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001020: M/J Earth/Space Science, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7820016: Access M/J Comprehensive Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2002085: M/J Comprehensive Science 2 Accelerated Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001100: M/J Coastal Science 1 (Specifically in versions: 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001105: M/J Coastal Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))


Related Access Points

Access Point Number Access Point Title
SC.7.E.6.In.2 Recognize that slow changes, such as mountain-building, and fast changes, such as volcanic eruptions, are caused by shifts below Earth’s surface.
SC.7.E.6.Su.2 Recognize that mountains change size and shape over a long period of time.
SC.7.E.6.Pa.2 Discriminate between surface features of ground on Earth, such as rocky/sandy, flat/hilly, rough/smooth, or solid/liquid.


Related Resources

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Florida's Rock Cycle (Part 3): The Weathering and Erosion of Coquina and the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

In this integrated lesson plan, students will reflect on their observations of weathering and erosion of Castillo de San Marco National Monument (from lesson 2) and the roles and responsibilities of those involved in its preservation. As a final product, they will draft a letter to the government official/agency responsible for the monument, detailing what they have learned about the Castillo monument, how the science of weathering and erosion apply, why it is important to prioritize restoration/preservation of the monument, and their ideas for better maintenance based on their research. As a culminating activity, students will peer review each others’ letters for improvement.

Florida's Rock Cycle (Part 2): Weathering and Erosion of Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

In this integrated lesson plan, students will investigate the weathering and erosion of coquina rock in the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument via Google Earth and will research the history of the monument and the government agency responsible for its preservation.

Florida's Rock Cycle (Part 1): Weathering and Erosion on Your School Campus

Students will identify signs of weathering and erosion on their school campus in a fieldwork investigation. They will then identify the appropriate school/district official to contact about their concerns, and create a professional email to that official advocating for the maintenance and repair of their school.

Bling Builders: Diamonds and the Rock Cycle

This is a 2-3+ day unit lesson plan that uses Diamonds as a case study into the Rock Cycle, and also incorporates other concepts from Geology and Physics.

Medium Needed

In this Model-Eliciting Activity (MEA), groups of students will evaluate the media for growing plants hydroponically in order to help restore some native species of the Everglades. Students will learn about hydroponics as an alternative agricultural practice, the rock cycle, types of landforms in Florida, and will use different methods to analyze data and arrive to conclusions, as well as present them in a detailed description of procedures and conclusions, including justification and evidence for each decision.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought processes. MEAs follow a problem-based, student-centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEAs visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx

Rocks Makin' Rocks: Rock Cycle Simulation

Students will participate in a simulation model of the rock cycle. Collecting data by throwing die, students will develop an understanding of the movement of atoms and rock particles through the rock cycle.

A Rocky Adventure

Rocks are continually changing. Forces inside the earth bring them closer to the surface and forces on the earth sink them back down.

Journey through the Rock Cycle

Students will understand how a rock can travel through the rock cycle by actively documenting their rock's journey.

Weathering and Erosion Photo Safari

Students will observe examples of weathering and erosion and relate these surface events to the rock cycle. Students should be able to identify which part of the rock cycle is represented by these events, and predict long-term changes to Earth's surface.

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Weathering, Erosion, and the Rock Cycle

Learn how to sequence surface events that lead to the formation of sedimentary rock in this interactive tutorial.

Perspectives Video: Expert

Name Description
Karst Geology

Geologist Harley Means discusses the characteristics of karst geology.

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiasts

Name Description
Solving Systems of Equations, Oceans & Climate <p>Angela Dial discusses how she solves systems of equations to determine how the composition&nbsp;of ocean floor sediment has changed over 65 million years to help reveal more information&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;climate change.</p>
Unit Rate and Florida Cave Formation

How long does it take to form speleothems in the caves at Florida Caverns State Parks?

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Resource Collection

Name Description
The Geography Site: Physical Geography

An educator, David Robinson, created this website to supply high quality materials dealing with various aspects of physical geography to educators and students. The website provides extensive information for five main categories: earthquakes, plate tectonics and continental drift, volcanoes and volcanics, glaciers and glaciation, and a physical geography glossary. Examples of the topics covered include an examination of the Mount St. Helens eruption, an introduction to predicting earthquakes, and the glacial formations of corries. Although the content was created primarily for twelve- to sixteen-year-old students, much of the material is applicable to all introductory earth science courses and can prove very beneficial for all interested in physical geography.

Video/Audio/Animation

Name Description
Plate Tectonics

Graphic 1 min video showing the layers of the earth and magma convection and it's effects on the surface of the earth.

Virtual Manipulative

Name Description
Rock Cycle Interactive Animation

Rock Cycle

Student Resources

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Weathering, Erosion, and the Rock Cycle:

Learn how to sequence surface events that lead to the formation of sedimentary rock in this interactive tutorial.



Parent Resources

Resource Collection

Name Description
The Geography Site: Physical Geography:

An educator, David Robinson, created this website to supply high quality materials dealing with various aspects of physical geography to educators and students. The website provides extensive information for five main categories: earthquakes, plate tectonics and continental drift, volcanoes and volcanics, glaciers and glaciation, and a physical geography glossary. Examples of the topics covered include an examination of the Mount St. Helens eruption, an introduction to predicting earthquakes, and the glacial formations of corries. Although the content was created primarily for twelve- to sixteen-year-old students, much of the material is applicable to all introductory earth science courses and can prove very beneficial for all interested in physical geography.



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