Texas TEKS 4.11.C

Science4th GradeEarth and space

The Standard

determine the physical properties of rocks that allow Earth's natural resources to be stored there.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students examine pores, cracks, and spaces between rock grains. They use observations or test data to explain how those spaces can hold water, oil, or natural gas.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students identify which rock can store more of a resource and support the choice with evidence. They explain that pore spaces hold resources and connected spaces let liquids or gases move through rock.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think solid rock has no empty spaces or that only large, visible holes can store resources. They may confuse storing a liquid with dissolving it, or assume the fastest-flowing rock always holds the most.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Rock A has many connected pores and holds 8 mL of water. Rock B has few pores and holds 1 mL. Which better stores groundwater, and why?

Lesson moves

Weigh dry sandstone, limestone, and granite samples, soak each for five minutes, then reweigh them to compare water held in pore spaces.
Ask, “Why can sandstone hold groundwater while solid granite usually holds less?” Require evidence about pores, grain spaces, or cracks.
Run a card sort matching rock photos and property clues to likely storage of water, oil, or gas, then check partners’ reasons.
Show a local aquifer diagram and have students mark the porous rock layer, stored water, and a possible well location.

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