ES-ESS2.E-1

Biogeology: Bedrock Race - Super Study Buddies

Experience Awakening - Our open-world educational game

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Game Info for Teachers

COMBINED RATING

4.3 Stars

TEACHERS (132)

4.3

STUDENTS (50687)

4.3

LENGTH

14 Minutes

GRADES

CAPABILITIES

iPad Support

Spanish Language Support

Text-to-Speech Support

Description

Hold on to your textbooks! Dig fast to prevent the Evil Prospector from stealing the Professor's research. Learn how living things affect their habitats in amazing ways. Fast forward time and see how soil is formed. Do you have what it takes to conquer the Bedrock Guardian's trial of knowledge?

Vocabulary Words

bedrock

biogeology

habitats

vegetation

silt

soil

weathering

erosion

rocks

roots

living

physical characteristics

oxygen

photosynthesis

conserved

loam

decomposition

humus

topsoil

organic material

subsoil

Instructions

Play through this interactive game to learn about Biogeology. Suitable for Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5.

Main Concepts

Weathering is the process by which rocks, soil, and sediments are broken down into smaller particles.

Sediment is a small piece of weathered rock.

Some agents of weathering include water, ice, wind, gravity, and living organisms.

Rocks are hard materials found on Earth’s surface made of one or more minerals.

Soils are formed by the weathering of rock and the decomposition of plant and animal remains.

Living things affect the physical characteristics of their regions in many ways.

Vegetation affects the rate of weathering and erosion of rocks and soil in that region.

Soil takes a very long time to form, so it is a resource that should be conserved.

Plants release oxygen into the atmosphere as a result of photosynthesis.

The primary rock particles that make up soil are rock, silt, sand, clay, and humus.

Humus is decayed organic material in soil that contains many nutrients.

Clay contains tiny particles of soil and holds water well.

Sand is made of small grains of rock and does not hold water well.

Silt contains small rock pieces that are larger than clay and smaller than sand.

Loam is soil with roughly equal parts of silt and sand, and some clay.

The color of soil depends on the types of minerals in the rock particles.

The texture of soil is determined by the different amounts of silt, sand, and clay in the soil.

The capacity of soil to retain water depends on the type of rock particles that make up the soil.

Water drains fastest through soil with large rock particles, such as sandy soil.

Water drains slowest through soil with small rock particles, such as clay soil.

There are three layers of soil: topsoil, subsoil, and bedrock.

Topsoil contains humus, which makes it good for plant growth.

Subsoil and bedrock are layers of soil under topsoil that are formed over a long period of time.

The more organic material in soil, the better it can support the growth of plants.

Subsoil and bedrock do not have much humus and so are not good for plant growth.

The decomposition of plant and animal wastes and remains adds nutrients to soil.

Discussion Questions

Before the Game

In this game you will learn about rocks and soil - why is soil important on Earth? What is the surface of the Earth made of? Our land does not stay the same - what are some things that causes it to change?

After the Game

How do plants affect weather and erosion? Which soil in the game held the water best and why? Which rock layer is best for plant growth and why? Explain how soil is formed? Where would you find bedrock? What might you find in topsoil? What is the difference between sand, clay, and silt? What is organic material, and what happens when it decomposes?

Ratings & Reviews

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Game Details

Difficulty

Content Integration

Lexile Level

905