Georgia S3E1

S3E1 is a Georgia science standard. These are the elements under it.

• S3E1.a

  Ask questions and analyze data to classify rocks by their physical attributes (color, texture, luster, and hardness) using simple tests.

• S3E1.b

  Plan and carry out investigations to describe properties (color, texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support growth of plants) of soils and soil t...

• S3E1.c

  Make observations of the local environment to construct an explanation of how water and/or wind have made changes to soil and/or rocks over time.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students inspect rock and soil samples with hand lenses and simple tests. They describe color, texture, hardness, and particle size, then compare, sort, and explain their observations.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students record accurate observations for an unfamiliar sample. They classify samples using more than one physical property and support their choices with specific evidence.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may sort only by color or assume all hard samples are the same rock. They may treat soil as one material rather than a mixture of different particles.

04

How to Assess It

Place a rock and a soil sample at each desk. On an exit slip, students record two physical properties of each and one evidence-based comparison.

1. 01

   Give pairs rock and soil samples, hand lenses, and sorting trays; students observe color, texture, particle size, and hardness, then label groups.

2. 02

   Ask students to write: Which properties best separate these samples, and what evidence from your observations supports your groups?

3. 03

   Play Sample Detective: one student reads three property clues, and teammates identify the matching rock or soil sample and explain their choice.

4. 04

   Compare playground, garden, and potting soils, then recommend one for planting beans using texture, particle size, and drainage observations.

• SKE2

  Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to describe the physical attributes of earth materials (soil, rocks, water, and air).

• S6E5

  Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to show how Earth's surface is formed.

• SKP1

  Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to describe objects in terms of the materials they are made of and their physical attributes.

• S5E1

  Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to identify surface features on the Earth caused by constructive and/or destructive processes.