Description

Geology Unit

This Geology Unit comes with hands-on science lessons and assessments! Everything you need to teach the Earth’s layers, plate tectonics, the rock cycle, and fossils is included here. Save time planning, and your students will love completing the hands-on activities found in this unit.

For a closer look at the activities in this unit, see the product preview at the top of the page!

What topics are covered in this Geology Unit?

This Geology Unit includes 7 detailed lesson plans. All lessons are hands-on and incorporate literacy skills. Students will–

• Identify and describe Earth’s four concentric layers
• Explain that Earth’s thermal energy causes movement of materials within Earth and tectonic plates
• Identify and model tectonic plate movements (convergent boundary, divergent boundary, and transforms boundary) and explain the effects of each
• Model and explain the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition and explain how each process changes Earth’s surface
• Model and explain how igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks form
• Model the rock cycle
• Infer how fossils found in rock layers provide evidence about Earth’s past

What types of resources are included in the unit?

A variety of no-prep activities are included in these unit plans.

• worksheets
• hands-on activities, experiments, and demonstrations
• posters
• cut-and-paste activities
• entry tickets
• quiz
• test
• word wall cards
• timeline of suggested activities: Provides a timeline for using the activities included within this unit and provides links to websites featuring videos about concepts being taught.
• answer keys included throughout

Students will become fully immersed in learning about geology as they perform experiments, create models, and draw conclusions!

Are digital resources included?

Most worksheets, the quiz, and the test within this Geology Unit are also included in an interactive Google Slides format and can be shared with students using your Google Drive.

Video tutorials are included to help you share interactive Google Slides with your students.

What standards are covered?

This Geology Unit is specifically aligned with the Virginia science SOL 5.8, although it closely matches most science standards related to the Earth’s layers, plate tectonics, the rock cycle, and fossils.

This unit has been updated to align with the 2018 Science SOLs AND the 2025 Science Instructional Guides.

What are other teachers saying about this science unit?

• “This was a wonderful resource! It was easy to prepare, student-friendly, and aligned well with what I was teaching. My students were engaged, and the activities gave them meaningful practice with the skill. I especially appreciated the clear directions and thoughtful organization. I would definitely recommend this resource to other teachers!” (Mrs. Mark)
• “Love these SOL units!  Everything you could need and more!  I use some resources during the unit and save some for SOL Review!” (Amy D.)
• “I absolutely love all of your units! They are so complete – lesson plans, activities, resources…. everything I need is in one place. A true bargain for everything that is included.” (Angela F.)
• “Thorough, super-easy to use resource.  I loved the hands-on activities provided.” (Debra B.)
• “This resource has made my planning for the unit so much easier, and I love all of the hands-on activities. Definitely worth the money!” (Wiley)
• “My students have absolutely LOVED this unit.  We are almost finished with it, and they remember EVERYTHING they have been taught since the beginning of the unit (even with a week and a half off for Christmas break!).  All the hands-on activities are so easy to prep, and they are so meaningful for my special education 5/6 class.  My students are begging for Science each day!  Thank you so much!!  I will definitely be purchasing more of these units!” (Deanna I.)

Don’t Miss Out!

You don’t need to spend hours creating your Geology Unit! These lessons require minimal prep work and are easy to implement, whether teaching in-person or virtually. Students will also enjoy learning about the Earth through hands-on activities and experiments.

 

Want to save money?

This Geology Unit is included in my 5th Grade Science Unit Bundle for a discounted price!

 

More geology resources:

• Geology Task Cards
• Geology Study Guide
• Geology Escape Rooms
• Geology Jeopardy Game
• Geology Slideshow Presentation

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Other Information:

©Meghan Vestal, Vestal’s 21st Century Classroom LLC. All rights reserved. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for teachers, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Teachers may NOT upload the product to school/district servers, or to any website, or share digital or print copies. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All sales are final.