Unit 1 Earth Science Assessment Learning Objectives PDF
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This document outlines learning objectives for a unit on Earth Science, specifically focusing on observations, inferences, and sedimentary rock formation. It describes how geologists use observations of rocks and fossils to make inferences about past environments. It emphasizes the importance of scientific methods and evidence in understanding Earth's processes.
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An observation is something you notice using any of the five senses. An inference is something you figure out based on observations and information you already know. Geologists use observations of fossils to make inferences about organisms that lived long ago. Making...
An observation is something you notice using any of the five senses. An inference is something you figure out based on observations and information you already know. Geologists use observations of fossils to make inferences about organisms that lived long ago. Making inferences when reading can help you understand informational text. Scientists use a variety of methods, tools, and techniques when they conduct investigations. Science findings are limited to what can be answered with evidence. A fossil forms when an organism dies and is covered with sediment that turns into rock. Sedimentary rock forms from sediment. Sedimentary rock forms when sediment builds up in water and is covered with more sediment. Geologists analyze and interpret maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features. Geologists use their observations of rocks to make inferences about how they could have formed. A sedimentary rock layer forms when sediment sinks and builds up in water, compacts under more sediment, and cements over time. Over time, a rock layer becomes thicker as sediment continues to build up. Models show some parts of the real world well, and others less well. As scientists learn more and investigate more, they answer some questions and generate even more questions. Geologists use observations of and ideas about rocks and fossils to make inferences about past environments. Inferences can be made based on what you observe combined with scientific ideas. Science theories are based on a body of evidence and many tests. Geologists can use differences between rocks to figure out what environment they formed in. Geologists use reference books for many purposes, including to help them identify types of rock. Different sediments build up in different environments. Therefore, different kinds of sedimentary rock form in different environments Different sedimentary rock layers in a place mean that the environment in that place has changed. Any place may appear to be stable day by day, but over a long period of time it can change. Newer rock layers form on top of layers that have already formed. New rock layers form on top of existing rock layers. Therefore, the environments that lower layers formed in came earlier. Geologists observe the order of rock layers to infer the order of past environments.
