RS4K Book 5 — Geology (Ch 14–17): Grade 5 atoms-first chapters. Foundation 100%, Gap 0.0%, Map Error 0.0%, Practices 71%, no FSEs. Minerals as ordered atoms, silicate tetrahedra, mantle heat as atomic vibration, convection as molecular motion. Recommended Deep.
| Program | RS4K - Science Book 5 — Geology |
| Unit | Ch 14–17: What Is Geology? | Rocks, Minerals, and Soils | Earth’s Layers | Earth’s Dynamics |
| Publisher | Gravitas Publications Inc. |
| Year | 2024 |
| Grade Band | Grade 5 (3-5 calibration applied) |
RS4K Book 5 Geology scores Foundation 100%. 10 passages (7 mechanism, 3 observational), all mechanism passages atomically grounded. Zero map errors. Zero confirmed FSEs.
Minerals are defined by ordered atomic arrangement; silicates are oxygen-silicon tetrahedra. Mantle heat is explained as atoms vibrating fast, driven by radioactive decay. Convection is molecular motion (hotter molecules spread apart, cooler denser fluid sinks). Earthquakes involve atoms in rock being pushed against each other at plate edges.
“In order for a material to be considered a mineral it must have an internal structure, or organization, of the atoms.” (Ch15, p.132)
“Silicates contain the chemical compound silicate, an oxygen-silicon compound that has four oxygens bonded to one silicon in a tetrahedral shape.” (Ch15, p.133)
“The atoms in the asthenosphere have been vibrating very fast since Earth first formed, and radioactive atoms in the mantle keep making nearby atoms vibrate faster.” (Ch16, p.149)
Practices: 71% (green). 4 PRESENT, 2 PARTIAL, 1 ABSENT. Ch15 ‘Mud Matters’ soils investigation with pH, texture, and nutrient testing. Mohs-scale scratch test and acid test. Argument from evidence ABSENT in geology chapters.
A structured argumentation task would lift the one ABSENT practice. Content is sound.
| Total Passages Scored | 10 |
| Raw Gap Error | 0.0% FALSE = atoms/molecules not present before students are asked to explain. The student is navigating without a starting point. |
| Adjusted Gap Error | 0.0% 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 | 71% - 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. |
Geology is atoms-grounded where it counts: minerals as ordered atoms, silicate tetrahedra, mantle/asthenosphere heat as atomic vibration driven by radioactive decay, convection as molecular motion. Descriptive rock and layer content is observational.
Silicate tetrahedral structure at Grade 5. Mantle heat as atomic vibration from radioactive decay. Convection as molecular density difference. Soil testing with pH, nutrients, and texture.
Recommended (Deep) — Deep by design -
Evidence for every entry is published at three levels. Each level states what it contains and what it leaves out.
Scores, verdict, and the full pattern count for this unit are above: adjusted gap, REI / LAE / AEC counts, FSE status, and the seven-practice score. Passage-level detail for this unit is carried in the downloadable evidence file.
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