What’s This Rock Observation and Classification T. Guide
Objectives: Students observe samples of rocks to identify their properties.
Students classify rocks based on their properties as sedimentary, igneous, and
metamorphic rocks using a What’s this Rock: Reference Sheet.
Materials:
What’s this Rock: Reference Sheet
What’s This Rock – Classification Organizer.
Two or more Igneous Rocks
Two or more Sedimentary Rocks
Two or more Metamorphic Rocks
If real rocks are not available use the What’s This - Rock Cards PDF handout.
Cards need to be cut up. Laminating is recommended.
Procedures for Exploration:
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Divide class into small groups of six students.
Pass out samples of rocks that include rocks from the 3 types or the What’ s This Rock Cards handout cards cut apart.
If real rocks are available: Students work together to observe the rocks, and
identify their properties in their journals.
If real rocks are NOT available: Students use the What’ s This - Rock Cards
handout cards cut apart.
Students use the What’s this Rock: Reference Sheet as a guide to classify their
group’s rocks or rock cards into the three types of rocks: sedimentary, igneous, and
metamorphic.
Students can place the real rock or the rock card in its Rock type category on the
What’s This Rock – Classification Organizer.
Students explain their classifying reasoning.
Evaluation: Students share their classification results and explain evidence for their choices.
**AIMS gr. 4 Earth Science has several lessons on identifying rocks.