Rocks on the Move UBD (Understanding by Design)
Framework: Grades 6-8
Desired Results 

Goals of the Program 

Students will…
•	Enrich their understanding of a place through inquiry. 
•	Experience National Parks as places for learning and recreation and develop a personal connection with their local National Park. 
•	Gain first-hand experience with the results of plate tectonics and active geologic processes. 
•	Appreciate the Golden Gate Headlands as the epicenter of plate tectonic theory. 

Transfer 
•	Analyze the geologic processes in a landscape. 
•	Engage in an informed discussion of the possible future of a landscape. 
•	Consider how communities adapt to global climate change. 

Meaning 
Essential Question
How do I recognize geologic change in my environment?

Enduring Understandings: Students will understand that…

•	The physical characteristics of rocks influence landscapes. 
•	Landscapes change due to a variety of natural and human factors, both local and global. 
•	Every landscape contains clues to its past and future. 
•	Past and future climate change is a part of every landscape’s story. 
Acquisition

Students will know…
•	Names and physical characteristics of the primary rocks in the Franciscan Complex. 
•	Tectonic processes that formed the rocks and landscapes of the Golden Gate Headlands. 
•	Agents of weathering that formed and changed the rocks and landscapes of the Golden Gate Headlands. 

Students will be able to…
•	Identify the environments of formation of the Franciscan Complex rocks. 
•	Describe geologic events that occur as a result of plate movements. 
•	Describe the possible impacts of climate change on a landscape. 
Evidence 

Students will show their learning by…
•	Completing the post-visit geology and climate change reflection provided at the end of the field program. 
…and by doing the following: 
•	Describe and/or draw a geologic process they investigated during their field trip. 
•	How can knowing about geology help your community?
•	Who would you recommend this trip to and why? 
CA Next Generation Science Standards

MSESS2-1: Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth’s materials and the flow of energy that drives this process. 

MS-ESS2-2: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial scales. 

MS-ESS2-3: Analyze and interpret data on the disruption of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions. 

MS-ESS3-5: Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century. 

Source: NGSS for California Public Schools, K-12 - Science (CA Dept of Education)
CA Common Core Standards

LACC.68.RH.3.7: Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts. 

LACC.68.RH.3.8: Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text. 

Source: CCSS for ELA - Content Standards (CA Dept of Education)
Learning Plan 

Summary of Key Learning Events and Instruction 

•	Teacher attends teacher workshop (if new to the program). 
•	New teachers will pick up classroom kits at the teacher workshop. Returning teachers will have kits delivered by NPS staff. 

Classroom Preparation 

•	Before NPS pre-trip presentation teacher shows 8-minute ROTM video to introduce trip and over-arching concepts. 
•	Teacher leads students in two lesson plans: Vocabulary Builder and The Honest Truth about Geologic Change. 
•	Teacher helps students collaborate to write investigation questions (factual and critical thinking questions). 
•	Teacher conducts a 20-minute Magic Window (transparency images of the Golden Gate bridge in the past and future) activity, in order to familiarize students with this teaching tool, and to introduce observation of geologic change in landscape. Magic windows will be used again during the field visit. 
•	NSP staff visits the classroom (duration 45-55 minutes) prior to the field visit. During the in-person classroom visit, NPS staff will:
o	Edible Geology Activity-NPS staff facilitate an opportunity for students to apply their expertise with common candy to learn the physical characteristics of the Franciscan Complex rocks, consider the tectonic environments of these rocks, and generate questions about local geology. 
o	Candy, Franciscan Complex rock samples, dichotomous keys, and eye-loops will be provided by NPS staff. 
o	Beach Ball Earth: NPS staff access students prior knowledge of plate tectonics and class dynamics. 
o	Provide time to answer any burning questions about the presentation and field trip!  
Field Visit 

•	Teacher brings classroom kit and materials to the Marin Headlands on the day of the field visit. 
•	Students continue their exploration of the deep ocean at the Point Bonita lighthouse in the park. NPS staff facilitate a hike to the lighthouse and see evidence of underwater volcanoes and human activity.  
•	Geologic Investigations: During field visit teacher and NPS staff guide student observations by facilitating Magic Window investigations about the changing landscapes. Magic Window investigations include (teachers can choose up to 4 investigations):
o	Point Bonita (POBO) suspension bridge highlights the geologic process of erosion. 
o	Fog signal building highlights erosion and the 1906 earthquake.
o	Pillow basalt arch touches on sea level rise.
o	Marine Terrace beach uplift through plate tectonics. 
o	Inclined tram and boat landing destroyed by strong waves eroding the rock. 
•	Cookie Tectonics: During the field visit NPS staff facilitate student participation in tactile by using Oreo cookies to model the formation of the Franciscan Complex landscapes. 

Classroom Assessment 

•	NPS staff will provide teachers with a postage-paid envelope with student post-activity reflections to be completed by each student back at school, then mailed to us within 2 weeks. 
•	These reflections help us improve the program and support with transportation scholarships for students to visit the Marin Headlands.  (: