ROCK CYCLE PROJECT
Rock Cycle Project
To demonstrate that you know and understand how the rock cycle works, you
will be creating a story that will follow a rock through the various parts of the
rock cycle. This project can be in the form of:
A Comic Strip
A Prezi with audio and video components
An Animated Slideshow
A News Cast
A Creative Story
A Poem with an illustration
A Song
Your project should describe how a rock travels through the rock
cycle, changing from one type of rock into another. Your project must
include the following words and show that you scientifically understand
how each process works.
Vocabulary
Sedimentary, Igneous, Metamorphic, Sediment, Magma, Lava,
Weathering, Erosion, Deposition, Compaction, Cementation, Intrusive,
Extrusive, Foliation
Make certain that you:

Describe what natural elements caused weathering and
erosion

Describe how the sediments traveled.

Describe what happens with magma and lava

Describe where the rock might be located when it is
forming.

Provide examples of the various rocks and show an
understanding of how they formed.
Assigned October 16, 2015
Due October 23, 2015
ROCK CYCLE PROJECT
Prior to starting your final project, you must complete a planning sheet. Your
planning sheet should include a prewrite and an outline of the ideas that will be
presented in your story. The outline should include any vocabulary or main ideas
that will be presented in your story. If your final project is a news story or a
video, a written copy must be submitted with your video.
Here are the required elements to receive a grade:
To receive a score of an ‘A’: All of the above vocabulary must be present and
used correctly. Several other vocabulary terms used in the rock unit, but not
listed as mandatory must also be present to show a strong understanding of how
the rock cycle works. Several paths through the rock cycle must be seen. The
project must be typed with little to no grammar or spelling errors. It must be well
organized, well thought out, and factual. Several examples of each type of rock
should be present. Your story, comic, song… should be unique and interesting to
the reader. This should have a thorough description of the rock cycle.
To receive a score of a ‘B’: All of the above vocabulary must be present. A few
other vocabulary words used in the unit can be used to show an understanding of
how the rock cycle works. The project must be typed with some grammar and
spelling errors. It should be organized, but one or two thoughts might be out of
place. One example each of a sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rock is
present. The story is of some interest to the reader, showing some unique
qualities.
To receive a score of a ‘C’: Most to all of the above vocabulary is present. A
moderate understanding of how the rock cycle works is shown. At least one path
through the cycle is correctly shown. The project is either typed or hand written,
with several grammar and spelling errors seen. There is some organization, and an
example or two of the rocks presented correctly. There is some uniqueness, but
often times it just describes the rock cycle without fitting into the story you are
creating.
Assigned October 16, 2015
Due October 23, 2015
ROCK CYCLE PROJECT
To receive a score of a ‘D’: The project is missing several of the required
vocabulary elements. Your project might not be completed, but still shows a basic
understanding of elements of the rock cycle. There are several glaring vocabulary
and grammar errors present. The story is hand written or turned in on messy,
wrinkled or even torn paper. Organization is minimal, and it tells a basic
description of the cycle, not keeping the reader’s interest.
The project will start on Friday, October 16. Students will be
given one class period and part of another to work on their
project. The rest will be completed at home. The final project will
be turned in on Friday, October 23.
The total point value for the rock project is 70 points in the
assessment section.
Students can use chapter 3 from their text books, notes, vocabulary, labs, as well
as the following sites to help them:
1) http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/
2) http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigation
s/es0602/es0602page02.cfm
3) http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/geology/rocks_intro.html
4) http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/thezone/rocks/games/level2.htm
Assigned October 16, 2015
Due October 23, 2015