RPSEC Student Programs for
South Carolina & Georgia Schools

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Georgia Schools

Grade 3: SCSS 3.1, 3.3

Grade 3 Science
Earth’s Materials and Changes
Standard 3-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s composition and the changes that occur to the features of Earth’s surface. (Earth Science)

Indicators:
3.1 Classify rocks (including sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic) and soils (including humus, clay, sand, and silt) on the basis of their properties.
3.3 Recognize types of fossils (including molds, casts, and preserved parts of plants and animals).

Grade 3: S3E1 a, b, d / S3E2 a, b

Grade 3 Science
S3E1: Students will investigate the physical attributes of rocks and soils.

Indicators:
a. Explain the difference between a rock and a mineral.
b. Recognize the physical attributes of rocks and minerals using observation (shape, color, texture), measurement, and simple tests (hardness).
d. Determine how water and wind can change rocks and soil over time using observation and research.

S3E2: Students will investigate fossils as evidence of organisms that lived long ago.

Indicators:
a. Investigate fossils by observing authentic fossils or models of fossils or view information resources about fossils as evidence of organisms that lived long ago.
b. Describe how a fossil is formed.