Big Idea 6: Earth Structures

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Humans continue to explore the composition and structure of the surface of Earth. 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 water and natural resources.
General Information
Number: SC.2.E.6
Title: Earth Structures
Type: Big Idea
Subject: Science
Grade: 2
Body of Knowledge: Earth and Space Science

Related Benchmarks

This cluster includes the following benchmarks.

Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Independent

SC.2.E.6.In.1
Sort rocks according to size and shape.
SC.2.E.6.In.2
Identify components of soil, such as dead plants and pieces of rock.
SC.2.E.6.In.3
Recognize soil types based on color (dark or light) and texture (size of particles).

Supported

SC.2.E.6.Su.1
Sort rocks according to size.
SC.2.E.6.Su.2
Identify small pieces of rock in the soil.
SC.2.E.6.Su.3
Sort soil samples according to physical properties, such as color (dark or light) or texture (size of particles).

Participatory

SC.2.E.6.Pa.1
Recognize the ground in the environment.
SC.2.E.6.Pa.2
Distinguish examples of soil from other substances.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.

Image/Photograph

Rocks for Kids:

This resource collection includes information about rocks and minerals. Included are glossaries, photos/images, links to other rock/mineral websites, and other information to develop understandings of rocks/minerals and the processes by which they are formed. A table of contents is included to guide navigation.

Type: Image/Photograph

Lesson Plans

So . . . il Pick You!:

This is a Project-Based Learning Project, intended for second grade. It can be adapted and changed for other grades.

Type: Lesson Plan

What Soil!:

In this activity, students will analyze different kinds of soil.

Type: Lesson Plan

How Does Your Garden Grow?:

Within this MEA, the main problem the students will solve is to determine which brand of soil the client will use in their new garden center. The student teams will take on the role of an Agricultural Review Board that is composed of top scientists who will help organizations and companies review information related to plant life. The MEA will explore students reviewing different brands of soil that have been submitted by the Franklin Farming Agency that plans to develop community garden centers within the state of Florida. The students will need to examine the data submitted by the agency and respond in a letter as to what brand of soil they think is best. The students will consider price, composition, and consumer commentary to determine a ranking system. The students may need to reconsider their thought process if they encounter a conflict with any of the data points submitted by the agency.

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. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Jack's Magic Beans:

Jack traded the family cow for some magic beans. The woman traded Jack the beans, said that if he planted the beans in the best soil, something magical would happen. Students will examine the properties of different types of soils to recommend the best soil for Jack to use to plant his beans. They will ask and answer questions about informational text on soils from various websites.They will create a procedure for ranking soils and will present their recommendations to the class.

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. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Soil Solutions:

In this MEA students will explore the different factors that differentiate soils. They will determine, based on the given characteristics, which type of soil will best grow good produce.

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 process. 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 MEA’s visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx

Type: Lesson Plan

Rocks, Rocks, Everywhere:

The students will be able to sort rocks based upon color, hardness, texture, layering and particle size.

Type: Lesson Plan

Rock Hunters:

To observe rocks of various types and sizes and to record these observations through drawings.

Type: Lesson Plan

A Tour of Soils:

With teacher guidance students will have an opportunity to discover the makeup of different kinds of soils.

Type: Lesson Plan

Investigating Soil Composition - Soil Soaks Up Water:

This activity is a classroom lab where students explore sand, soil, and water in relation to absorption and permeability.

Type: Lesson Plan

Teaching Idea

More About Wet Soils:

Students discover unique components of soil when dry or wet.

Type: Teaching Idea

Unit/Lesson Sequences

Rock Composition and Classification:

In this unit, the class is introduced to how rocks are formed, where they come from, and the many shapes and sizes that they are found. A class rock collection is made from samples collected around the school and a final lab shows the concept of erosion through rock "shakers."

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Soil Composition and Classification:

This unit builds on the previous lessons about rocks to explore soil. Different types of soil samples are observed, classified by various attributes, and manipulated by adding water. Finally, the "Cement" lesson involves synthesis of information learned from previous lessons in an engineering design lab that asks students to build a wall from their own mortar mixture creation that will withstand the force of a rolling ball.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Image/Photograph

Rocks for Kids:

This resource collection includes information about rocks and minerals. Included are glossaries, photos/images, links to other rock/mineral websites, and other information to develop understandings of rocks/minerals and the processes by which they are formed. A table of contents is included to guide navigation.

Type: Image/Photograph