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The following instructional plan is part of a GaDOE collection of Unit Frameworks, Performance Tasks, examples of Student
Work, and Teacher Commentary. Many more GaDOE approved instructional plans are available by using the Search Standards
feature located on GeorgiaStandards.Org.
Georgia Performance Standards Framework for Earth Science – Grade 6
Unit: Rocks and Minerals
Sternberg Task
Identifying Rocks by Their Process of Formation
Standards (Content and Characteristics):
S6P5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface is formed.
b. Investigate the contribution of minerals to rock composition.
S6E6. Students will describe various sources of energy and with their uses and
conservation.
b. Identify renewable and nonrenewable resources.
S6CS4 Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating
equipment and materials in scientific activities.
a. Use appropriate technology to store and retrieve scientific information in topical,
alphabetical, numerical, and keyword files, and create simple files.
b.
S6CS6 Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly.
c. Organize scientific information using appropriate tables, charts, and graphs, and
identify relationships they reveal.
S6CS10 Students will enhance reading in all curriculum areas by:
a. Reading in all Curriculum Areas
c. Building vocabulary knowledge
d. Establishing context
Enduring Understanding:
Many materials used by people come from rocks and minerals.
Essential Question(s):
1. How do natural objects compare to manufactured objects?
2. How are rocks and minerals used by 6th graders?
Georgia Department of Education
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
Earth Science  Grade 6  Rocks and Minerals
July 26, 2007 Page 1 of 3
Copyright 2007 © All Rights Reserved
One Stop Shop For Educators
Georgia Performance Standards Framework for Earth Science – Grade 6
Pre-Assessment:
Students answer a set of True/False statements about rocks and minerals.
1. _______ When you brush your teeth, titanium gets in your mouth.
2. _______ The paved roads in your town are made entirely of man-made materials.
3. _______ You use halite when you eat French fries.
4. _______ We do not use minerals to refinish furniture.
5. _______ Concrete can be cut by a steel blade as well as a diamond blade.
ANALYTICAL
Investigate the
contribution of
minerals to rock
composition.
Students will
research three
minerals and/or
rocks and make up a
chart and a visual
containing the
minerals, their uses
and whether they are
renewable or
nonrenewable.
PRACTICAL
Apply the contribution
of minerals to rock
composition to common
uses in your daily life.
Students will research
three minerals and /or
rocks of their choice;
make up a visual
presentation of the uses
of the minerals or rocks
in home construction or
any other real situations.
Teacher role?
Teacher provides a
chart layout and an
example of finished
product.
Teacher provides a chart Teacher provides a chart
layout and an example of layout and an example of
finished product.
finished product
Student role?
Students, using
Internet, will
research minerals,
make up chart, and
present their
findings.
Students, using Internet,
will research minerals,
make up chart, and
present their findings.
Outcome/
Performance
Level Indicator
Performance
Task:
(Detailed
Description)
Students should have
signed internet use forms
Students should have as required by the local
signed internet use
system.
forms as required by
the local system.
Georgia Department of Education
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
Earth Science  Grade 6  Rocks and Minerals
July 26, 2007 Page 2 of 3
Copyright 2007 © All Rights Reserved
CREATIVE
Using the contribution of
minerals to rock
composition, create a
different product.
Students will choose a
mineral or rock and
create a new use for it.
Students will present
their information in a
chart and make drawing
of the product. Students
must justify their choice
of mineral for that
particular product.
Students, using Internet,
will research minerals,
make up chart, and
present their findings.
Students should have
signed internet use forms
as required by the local
system.
One Stop Shop For Educators
Georgia Performance Standards Framework for Earth Science – Grade 6
Resources
Homework/
Extension
Instructional
Tasks
Accommodations
for ELL Students
Instructional
Tasks
Accommodations
for Students with
Disabilities
Instructional
Tasks
Accommodations
for Gifted
Students
Internet websites,
library books.
http://gpb.unitedstrea
ming.coal (Basics of
Geology: All about
Rocks and Minerals)
Students gather
product labels
containing different
minerals and/or
rocks and list
minerals found in
each product.
Internet websites, library
books.
http://gpb.unitedstreamin
g.coal (Basics of
Geology: All about
Rocks and Minerals)
Students gather product
labels containing
different minerals and/or
rocks.
Internet websites, library
books.
http://gpb.unitedstreamin
g.coal (Basics of
Geology: All about
Rocks and Minerals)
Students gather product
labels containing
different minerals and/or
rocks and create a
collage showing
renewable and nonrenewable resources in
the products.
Provide a chart of examples with pictures of minerals and rocks and
their uses
Provide a list of specific products students can look for in the extension
activity
Highlight key points/terms in written instructions
adjust teacher talk during direct instruction prior to initiating activity
(face students, paraphrase often, avoid “asides”)
Relate content to real life
Provide a blank chart in addition to the chart of examples with pictures
of rocks and minerals and their common uses
Seat students near center of direct instruction
Take time to develop students’ prior knowledge
Develop learning contracts with student’s input
Reduce the number of rocks and minerals students are investigating
Students will make a three-dimensional model of the product they
created
Students will analyze findings of their classmates in a report
Curriculum compacting
Students will write and illustrate a book on the biography of a rock or a
mineral located in their geographical location
Students will present their books at a book-signing engagement in their
school
Georgia Department of Education
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
Earth Science  Grade 6  Rocks and Minerals
July 26, 2007 Page 3 of 3
Copyright 2007 © All Rights Reserved