SI
| (a) |
Pose scientific questions about the characteristics and formation of rocks and minerals. (S, STSE) |
| (b) |
Identify the characteristics geologists use to determine whether an Earth material is a mineral. (K, A) |
| (c) |
Compare the three primary methods of mineral formation (i.e., precipitation of mineral matter, crystallization of molten rock and deposition resulting from biological processes). (S, K) |
| (d) |
Observe and classify mineral samples using standard physical properties (e.g., cleavage, fracture, crystal form, hardness, lustre, colour, magnetism and streak). (S, STSE) |
| (e) |
Differentiate among the three main rock groups (i.e., igneous, sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic) by their processes of formation, including the roles of time, heat and pressure. (K) |
| (f) |
Outline the basic transitions inherent in the rock cycle, and the forces that disrupt equilibrium to cause these transitions. (K, A) |
| (g) |
Classify igneous rocks according to criteria such as method of formation (i.e., intrusive or extrusive) and mineral composition (e.g., felsic or mafic). (K) |
| (h) |
Explain how geologists can infer how an igneous rock was formed by examining its texture (i.e., intrusive or extrusive). (K, STSE) |
| (i) |
Describe how the general mechanisms of mechanical and chemical weathering processes, erosion and deposition contribute to the development of sedimentary rocks. (K, A) |
| (j) |
Compare the major features of continental, marine and transitional depositional (sedimentary) environments through structures such as grain size, bedding, ripple marks, mud cracks and fossils in various sedimentary rock formations. (S, K) |
| (k) |
Describe how the agents of metamorphism (i.e., heat, pressure, directional stress and chemically active fluids) influence the formation of metamorphic rocks. (K, STSE) |
| (l) |
Compare the characteristics of foliated and non-foliated metamorphic rocks. (K, S) |
| (m) |
Explain why locations where igneous activity and metamorphic rocks occur correlate with plate boundaries and plate movement. (K, STSE, A) |
| (n) |
Correlate the location and composition of depositional layers to major events such as volcanic eruptions, glaciation, flooding, mountain building and metamorphism. (K) |
| (o) |
Create, and validate with the help of others, a resource such as a field guide for a specific mineral or rock group. (S, A) |
| (p) |
Research the ways in which society makes use of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks for various purposes such as art, architecture, industrial materials and energy resources including petroleum, natural gas, potash and uranium. (STSE, S, A) |
