The Rock Cycle

By: Carly Florence, Kayla Hatch, Alex Orzolek, Kimberly Pinto                               
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Unit Topic/ Theme: Rocks

Grade Level: Third Grade

Lesson Topic/ Theme: The Rock Cycle

Lesson Objectives:

●     Students will be able to define and identify igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks with regard to the rock cycle.

●     Based on images, students will be able to identify specific types of rocks within the three main categories.

●     Students will gain an understanding of how a rock can move through the different stages of the rock cycle.

Instructional Techniques:

●     Introduce subject with a KWL chart and then go into a video on rocks, and rock cycle

●     Individually exploring the interactive website and filling out the guided worksheet.

○     Provided rocks will be given numbered 1-5, where the students will have to identify two characteristics about the rocks, then identify them, and sort into the three main types

●     Return as a group for a share aloud about what they learned, interesting facts,

Instructional Materials:

●     The two websites

○     http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html 

○     www.studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/rocks-minerals-landforms/rock-cycle.html

●     A KWL chart

●     The worksheet as well as a pencil.

●     Divided compartment box (each with at least 6 different compartments)

●     Different types of rocks with easily identifiable characteristics

Theoretical Perspective:

●     This topic is being taught because it is in the standards and students will need to know about the different types of rocks and how they are formed in the future.

Procedure

A. Introductory Activity

●     Do a KWL (Know, Would like to know, Learned) chart to see what the students already know about the topic to get a basic understanding of what we are about to go into.

●     Watch a video about the rock cycle. This will introduce the students to the topic, and if the students already know about the rock cycle it will act as a reminder of what the rock cycle is.

●     www.studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/rocks-minerals-landforms/rock-cycle.html

B. Step-by-step (descriptive outline)

●     The students will start out with an introductory activity where they will do a KWL chart where they tell the teacher about what they already know about it and about  what they want to get out of the lesson. This will lead into the video so they can get a basic understanding about the rock cycle to lead into the main activities that are planned by the teachers.

●     They will then go to the computers and work on the website where they will work on the worksheet (posted below) where they will follow the directions and fill in the blanks as well as hand in the worksheet later on. The teacher will check on their progress and make sure that they are on task during the activity.

●     After they finish the worksheet, we will have the students go to the carpet/ back to their desk where we will have a discussion about what they learned while working on the website, and during the video. This is where they will ask any questions and get any clarification on what they just did.

C. Closure

●     To close the lesson the students will come together as a class and discuss what they have learned, any interesting facts and how they can use this information in real life, such as exploring in the wild.

D. Adaptations for different learners (i.e. non-native speakers, struggling readers or math phobic learners, students with poor study skills)

●     Students who need the website information spoken or read to the will be able to have a read a loud version. This can apply to english language learners, students with hearing disabilities, as well as students with visual disabilities.

●     The website is very interactive, as well as using the physically available versions of rocks to categorize will help students apply this topic and keep their attention

Evaluation:

A. How/ when will you determine if you have met your objectives?

●     Students will be able to define and identify igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks with regard to the rock cycle. Using the website, the students will figure out identifiable characteristics of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, and then will write down these characteristics. They will also need this knowledge when sorting the different rocks.

●     Based on images, students will be able to identify specific types of rocks within the three main categories. The students will again be using the information that they have gathered to identify the characteristics of rocks on the worksheet, and will also sort rocks in the divided compartment box, where they will have to know these characteristics in order to complete both tasks.

●     Students will gain an understanding of how a rock can move through the different stages of the rock cycle. Students will use the website and then fill out the information they learned from the website and record it on the worksheet.

B. Concerns or questions you have about teaching this lesson?

●     Some concerns that we have about teaching this lesson would be what would we do if we can’t get online during the class time, since the whole lesson is online activities, and we don’t have a backup plan about it.

●     Due to it happening ever so often, the links of the sites and videos may “expire” and not become useful anymore.

Rock Cycle Webquest!     Name: _______________________             Date: _____________   Period: ___

Part 1

1. Go to the following website:  http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html 

2. Click on “Begin with Types of Rocks”. Read over the description of Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary rocks. Then scroll to the bottom and examine the “What to look for” chart!

3. Write down the six clues below:

a) ___________  b) _________  c) ___________  d) ___________  e) ___________f) ___________

4.  Then click “Next: Start your collection”. Click Begin. Click on each of the six rocks to identify them and read a brief description.

Name of Rock Share two facts about this rock!

Igneous, Metamorphic or Sedimentary?  (Do your best to use your knowledge to classify each rock!)

5. Now click “Next: Identify Rock Types” and read the directions for how to play.

6. Now click on the next chapter, titled “How Rocks Change”. Read the section on how heat and pressure changes rocks and watch the animation by clicking Start.

a) Heat and pressure causes _______________ rock to turn into ______________ rock.

7. Click “Next”. Read the section on Heating and Cooling. Click on the animation for Melting.

a) Melting causes _______________ rock to turn into ______________.

8. Click on the animation for Cooling. You may need to replay the animation more than once to answer the following questions.

a) How does extrusive igneous rock form?

____________________________________________________________________.

 b) How does intrusive igneous rock form?

____________________________________________________________________.

c) Which cools faster? __________________ 

d) Which has crystals? _________________

 9. Click “Next”. Read the section on Weathering and Erosion and Compacting and Cementing. Watch both animations.

10. Click on “Transform the Rock”. Read the directions for how to play and press “Begin”. IMPORTANT: Fill out the table below before submitting each answer! The words disappear very quickly!

 11. Go onto the Next Chapter. Explore the rock cycle diagram. When ready, click the Next to “Complete the Cycle!” Read the directions to learn how to play! You do not have to write your answers down, the computer will score you!

12. After completing the diagram you are ready to test your skills! Click Begin! Final score ____ / 15.

Part 2

13. Go to the following website: http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/thezone/rocks/games/level1.htm

a) Drag the images on the left to their correct positions in the Rock Cycle! Best time: __________

b) Move on to the next level! Best time: __________

Take the “Graded Quiz” once the video is over. Write the correct answers to each question below:

1) What are the three main types of rocks that are part of the rock cycle? ______________________________

2) What do you need in order for an igneous rock to form?       ___________________________________

3) Name a type of igneous rock.

 ______________________________________________

4)How is a sedimentary rock formed?

 ___________________________________________

5) Name a type of sedimentary rock?  __________________________________________________

6) How is metamorphic rock formed?

________________________________

7) Where might you find metamorphic rock?

 ______________________________________

8)Name a type of metamorphic rock?

 _______________________

9) When does an igneous rock become a metamorphic rock? ________________________________________

10) When does a sedimentary rock become a metamorphic rock? _________________________________

Click View your results. How did you score? (Raise your hand to have someone come check you.)