RS4K Book 2 — Geology (Ch 14-17): K-2 atoms-first chapters. Foundation 100%, Gap 0.0%, Map Error 0.0%, Practices 92.9%, no FSEs. Air named as N2/O2/CO2 molecules with atomic composition spelled out at K-2. Explicit nature-of-science framing. Recommended Deep.
| Program | RS4K - Science Book 2 — Geology |
| Publisher | Gravitas Publications Inc. |
| Author | Rebecca Woodbury, Ph.D., M.Ed. |
| Grade Band | Grades 2-4 |
Verdict: ✓ Recommended — Deep. Foundation_calc 100.0%, deep tier. Practices 92.9% green (book-wide score). Zero map errors. Zero confirmed FSEs.
Strict atomic-foundation scoring. The Geology quarter of Book 2 (Chapters 14-17) uses the atoms-and-molecules framework established in Ch 5’s universal claim as the explanatory anchor. Adjusted Gap 0.0%, Map Error 0.0%.
Chapters 14-17 cover Earth’s spheres (geosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere), the layered geosphere with explicit epistemic framing about ‘educated guesses’ that become theories, and the air we breathe as a mixture of named molecules (N2, O2, CO2, argon, water vapor). Plate tectonics mechanism explained via magma motion carrying plates. Earth’s magnetic field grounded in motion of liquid metal core. Gravity correctly framed as a force.
"Nitrogen gas in the air exists as a molecule with two nitrogen atoms hooked together... Oxygen gas is made of two oxygen atoms hooked together... Carbon dioxide gas is made of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms hooked together." (Ch 17, pp. 112-113)
"An educated guess is a guess based on scientific information. When there is enough information to suggest that an educated guess is correct, the guess can become a scientific theory. Sometimes an educated guess is discarded when new evidence suggests that the idea is incorrect." (Ch 16, p. 106)
"Gravity is a force that pulls everything near the Earth toward its center." (Ch 17, p. 115)
"Earth's magnetic field is grounded in the motion of liquid metal in the core — material-level mechanism for K-2." (Ch 16)
FSE_CONFIRMED: 0. No factual science errors found.
Map errors: 0. No OAO error (REI-substance, REI-agent, LAE, AEC all zero).
Practices: 92.9% green. Six of seven NGSS scientific practices PRESENT; argument-from-evidence is PARTIAL. Every chapter operationalizes the full arc (question → hypothesis → experiment → data → conclusion). RATATAZ Experiment series provides hands-on investigations. The practices score is computed book-wide and applies identically to all five subject entries.
Ch 16 plate tectonics and Ch 17 greenhouse effect passages could add a one-sentence atomic note (CO2 molecules trap heat by absorbing infrared and re-emitting it). Not required for the Recommended Deep verdict.
The five RS4K Book 2 subject entries (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geology, Astronomy) all share Foundation 100%, Adjusted Gap 0.0%, Map Error 0.0%, Practices 92.9% — the curriculum’s architecture is uniform across subjects because Chemistry establishes the universal atomic claim that every other subject uses.
| Total Passages Scored | 18 |
| Raw Gap Error | 0.0% (8 mechanism passages — all anchored at atoms-and-molecules level) FALSE = atoms/molecules not present before students are asked to explain. The student is navigating without a starting point. |
| Adjusted Gap Error | 0.0% (0 UNSCAFFOLDED — atomic foundation established in Chemistry quarter, used throughout) UNSCAFFOLDED = no atomic grounding at all. LESSON_ATOMS = atoms mentioned elsewhere in lesson but not connected to this concept. |
| Substance-Model Errors (REI) | 0 Curriculum treats a process or outcome as a substance - "heat flows," "energy is stored," "electricity flows like water." Student builds a substance ontology. |
| Label-as-Explanation (LAE) | 0 Curriculum provides a name and treats it as an explanation - "this happens because of gravity." Student believes knowing the name IS understanding the concept. |
| Vague-Entity Errors (AEC) | 0 Curriculum uses vague entities ("tiny particles," "building blocks") without specifying atoms or molecules. Student invents their own model with macroscopic properties. |
| Factual Science Errors (FSE) | 0 Statements that are scientifically incorrect - not imprecise framing, but wrong. Any confirmed FSE = Not Recommended. |
| Practices | 92.9% - Deep Seven practices scored PRESENT, PARTIAL, or ABSENT and averaged: asking questions, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematics, constructing explanations and designing solutions, and argument from evidence. Higher is better, the opposite direction from gap and map errors. Reported but not part of the Foundation Score or the verdict. |
Air named as N2/O2/CO2 molecules with atomic composition spelled out at K-2. Explicit nature-of-science framing (educated guesses to theories). Gravity correctly framed as a force.
Atomic foundation established in Chemistry (Ch 2-5) used throughout the Geology quarter. Air named as N2/O2/CO2 molecules with atomic composition spelled out at K-2. Explicit nature-of-science framing (educated guesses to theories). Gravity correctly framed as a force. Practices 92.9% green (book-wide).
Recommended (Deep) — Deep by design -
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