Topic or Theme: Science​
Grade: 3

Lesson Topic or Theme: Rocks and Minerals​

Lesson Objectives:
The student will be able to identify igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic​ rocks. The student will be able to define the various kinds of rocks and explain the formation of rocks. 

Instructional Technique:
Interactive website, group work (2 people)​

Theoretical Perspective:
It is important for my students to learn about rocks and minerals​ because most of the items around us come from rocks and minerals. Rocks contain clues that tell us what earth was like in the past, and potentially give us insight on the earth for the future.

Procedure:
As a teacher, I will introduce the basics of rocks including the rock cycle and the​ three types of rocks on earth. The students will work together in groups of two on the interactive website to learn more about rocks and get a visual idea on them. They will work together to answer questions on a worksheet; then we will go over the worksheet together as a class. 

A. Introductory Activity:
The class will separate into 3 groups; I will give them a handout with either​ igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary rock pictures, general information and a sheet with questions about their rock. Each group will go over the information given, and answer the questions on the sheet together, with my help. They will then tell the other 2 rock groups about what they learned about their type of rock and present the questions and answers to the class. If any clarification or guidance is needed, I will be there to do so. 

B. Step-by-step:

1.       Before students enter classroom, I will set the computers up so they are already on the interactive website page. All they will need to do when they get to their computers is type their name and hit GO.

2.       I will go over the rules of the computer (only to use the interactive website I have set up, etc.) and pair each student with one other student.

3. I will hand out the interactive website worksheet I made to each pair of students, then allow them to go to the computers.

4. They will be instructed to listen along with Geo, the geologist and learn about the different types of rocks and how they are formed by answering the questions and clicking “next.”

5. If the students have any questions while interacting with the website, I will be walking around to help and answer any questions they might have.

6. When everyone has finished, they will each print out the certificate with their names on it that shows me they have completed the activity and pass in their worksheets that went along with the assignment.

7. We will then go over each question and answer together as a class.

C. Adaptations for different learners:

For non-native speakers I will be sure to include information and worksheets in the language they are comfortable in, along with visual aids. Struggling readers should not have an issue on the website, because everything is read aloud. If they do have a problem I will be there to clarify and guide them through the assignment. 

E. Homework: 

For homework, the students will need to go outside to find a rock of their own and bring it back to school the next day. They will have to make observations on their rock (color, texture, etc.) and use their observations, along the information they received from the lesson to make an educated guess on what type of rock they believe it is. 

Evaluation:

I will evaluate my students progress and understanding of the criteria by seeing how well they answered the questions on the worksheet for the interactive website. I will also evaluate their observations made on their rock for homework along with making sure they used logical reasoning for their educated guess on the type of rocks they collected.

A. How/when will you determine if you have met your objectives?
I will determine if I have met my objectives by correcting the homework and seeing what answers the class gets correct and which ones need work on. If a majority of the class didn’t do well on the homework and worksheets, I will review the rock cycle with them the next day. The student will be able to identify igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. I will evaluate this by checking the answers on their worksheets. The student will be able to define the various kinds of rocks and explain the formation of rocks. I will evaluate this objective by checking over the answers to their worksheets and by looking over their observations for their rock homework to make sure they have a deep understanding of the various kinds of rocks.

B. Concerns or questions you have about teaching this lesson?
The only concern I would have is making sure my students have all the information they need. I would most likely print out more information on the various types of rocks for the sake of their homework. This way it would be easier for them to observe and identify what type of rock they collected, instead of trying to remember everything they learned in class. 

Instructional Materials:

Website:  http://www.e-learningforkids.org/science/lesson/rock-formation/​        

Handouts (link)

Worksheets (link)