Virginia SOL 4.8

4.8 is a Standards of Learning science standard. These are the key ideas and practices under it.

• 4.8.a

  watersheds and water

• 4.8.b

  plants and animals

• 4.8.c

  minerals, rocks, and ores

• 4.8.d

  forests, soil, and land.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students identify Virginia resources and group them as water, living, geologic, or land resources. They explain how people use each resource and why it needs protection.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students can classify a Virginia resource, describe where it comes from, and give a specific use. They can explain that a watershed is land where water drains to the same place.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think natural resources are only rocks and minerals. They may confuse a watershed with a body of water, or assume renewable resources cannot run out.

04

How to Assess It

Give students four items: river water, timber, coal, and soil. Ask them to classify each item, name one use, and suggest one way to protect it.

1. 01

   Set out soil, rock, leaf, and water samples for students to observe, classify, and match with Virginia resource cards.

2. 02

   Ask students to write which Virginia resource their community depends on most and support the choice with two examples.

3. 03

   Play a card sort race matching Virginia resources with their categories, uses, and conservation methods.

4. 04

   Trace the school’s drinking water to its source, then identify the watershed and actions that can keep the water clean.

• 2.8

  The student will investigate and understand that plants are important natural resources. Key ideas include

• 1.8

  The student will investigate and understand that natural resources can be used responsibly. Key ideas include

• K.11

  The student will investigate and understand that humans use resources. Key ideas include

• 5.9

  The student will investigate and understand that the conservation of energy resources is important. Key ideas include