Mississippi Science E.8.9A.6

Science8th GradeEarth and Space Science

The Standard

E.8.9A: Students will demonstrate an understanding that physical processes and major geological events (e.g., plate movement, volcanic activity, mountain building, weathering, erosion) are powered by the Sun and the Earth's internal heat and have occurred over millions of years.

Design and conduct investigations to evaluate the chemical and physical processes involved in the formation of soils.

2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Earth’s Systems and Cycles

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students plan and run tests to see how rock breaks into pieces and reacts with acid. They use their observations to explain how rock adds mineral material to soil.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students compare equal limestone chips in water and vinegar for the same length of time. They use bubbles as evidence of a chemical reaction and smaller fragments as evidence of physical breakdown. They explain that soil also contains decayed material.
Common Misconceptions: Students may call a broken rock a chemical change, even when it has only split into smaller pieces. They may think vinegar simply washes rock away, or that rock powder alone is soil.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Plan a 10-minute test using limestone chips, water, and vinegar. Name the control and one observation that would show a chemical reaction.

Lesson moves

Give groups limestone chips, water, vinegar, and lidded jars; have them plan tests for shaking and acid, then record bubbles and fragments.
Ask: 'A rock chips in a jar, then fizzes in vinegar. Which change is physical, which is chemical, and what evidence proves it?'
Hand out cards showing cracked rock, fizzing limestone, and leaf litter; students sort them by physical breakdown, chemical change, or added organic matter.
Show a photo of a weathered limestone wall beside a garden; students identify chips, rain-exposed surfaces, and dead leaves that could add soil materials.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to E.8.9A.6, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.