--- title: Earth’s Systems 12 description: Earth’s Systems 12 Construct explanations by citing evidence found in patterns of rock formations and fossils in rock layers that Earth changes over time through both slow and rapid processes. image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # Earth’s Systems 12 Construct explanations by citing evidence found in patterns of rock formations and fossils in rock layers that Earth changes over time through both slow and rapid processes. [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Asking questions and defining problems](https://www.knowatom.com/asking-questions-and-defining-problems) - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Analyzing and interpreting data](https://www.knowatom.com/analyzing-and-interpreting-data) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes](https://www.knowatom.com/the-roles-of-water-in-earth-surface-processes) - [Chemical Reactions](https://www.knowatom.com/chemical-reactions) Crosscutting Concepts - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Earth’s Systems 12 Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-02-47-23-7451-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/plate-tectonics-and-landform-patterns) ## [Plate Tectonics and Landform Patterns In this unit, students study Earth’s systems, analyzing the science phenomena of natural processes that shape Earth’s surface. In this lesson, students model the different ways that tectonic plates move to observe how landforms are created. This page showcases key aspects of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/plate-tectonics-and-landform-patterns) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/plate-tectonics-and-landform-patterns) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-02-50-14-1580-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/water-erosion) ## [Water Erosion In this unit, students stimulate the movement of tectonic plates and analyze maps to observe how plate boundaries create patterns in Earth’s features. In this lesson, they build on that knowledge to observe the science phenomenon of how water erodes sediment. This page highlights key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/water-erosion) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/water-erosion) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-02-54-06-8970-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/changing-earths-surface) ## [Changing Earth's Surface In this unit, students study Earth’s systems, analyzing the science phenomena of natural processes that shape Earth’s surface. In this lesson, students analyze clues in Earth’s rock to determine how Earth’s surface has changed over time. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/changing-earths-surface) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/changing-earths-surface) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-11-51-41-5726-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/heat-and-evaporation) ## [Heat and Evaporation In the last unit, students learned about matter as they explored Earth’s position in the solar system. In this unit, students discuss how the sun provides light and heat to Earth, powering the water cycle, which in turn influences weather and climate. Students analyze the science phenomena of weather patterns in specific regions during a particular season. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/heat-and-evaporation) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/heat-and-evaporation) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-09-2023-06-50-09-1556-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/convection-and-weather) ## [Convection and Weather In this unit, students explore the phenomena of convection by discovering how heat is transferred from warmer locations to cooler locations, which is a major cause of weather and climate. This page is a high-level extract of a lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/convection-and-weather) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/convection-and-weather) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-09-2023-06-50-09-1556-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/greenhouse-effect) ## [Greenhouse Effect In this unit, students figure out the relationship between human activities and the phenomena of global warming. This page highlights key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/greenhouse-effect) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/greenhouse-effect) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/properties-of-minerals.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/properties-of-minerals) ## [Properties of Minerals In this unit, students study the processes that shape Earth’s surface, focusing on the formation of minerals (such as diamonds) and rocks. In this lesson, they explore the phenomena exhibited in the properties of rocks and minerals to figure out how the properties of different minerals are a tool to identify them. This page is a high-level overview of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/properties-of-minerals) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/properties-of-minerals) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-08-2023-10-49-29-8108-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/Earths-surface-features) ## [Earth's Surface Features In this unit, students analyze the science phenomena of how elements make up minerals, which make up rocks. In this lesson, they explore geologic phenomena that cause Earth’s surface to change over time in predictable patterns. This page is an overview of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/Earths-surface-features) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/Earths-surface-features) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-08-2023-10-49-46-7511-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/weathering-rocks) ## [Weathering Rocks In this unit, students explore science phenomena including the processes that shape Earth’s surface. In this lesson, they figure out how weathering and erosion affect different categories of rocks. This page highlights key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/weathering-rocks) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/weathering-rocks) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. 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