LiC: Concept Mapping
Lesson: Diagram the Rock Cycle (30 minutes)
Overview:
The LiC: Concept Mapping Tool can help your students create graphic organizers to
help visualize their learning across academic subjects. Concept mapping is
particularly useful in diagramming scientific ideas. In this lesson, students will learn
about the rock cycle and create their own visual representation with the Concept
Mapping Tool.
Objectives:
In this lesson, students will:
 Review the three main types of rocks by exploring an interactive Internet
resource
 Create a concept map diagramming the rock cycle
Materials/Technology:
 LiC: Concept Mapping Tool
 Samples of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks
 Rock Cycle Interactive on Annenberg Learner website
[http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html]
Instructional Plan:
1. Show students an igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock. Lead a brief
discussion to assess prior knowledge about the following topics:
 Characteristics of different rocks
 How rocks are formed
 How rocks change from one form to another
2. Ask students to navigate on their devices to the Annenberg Learner website
[http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html] about rocks.
3. Read together through the basic information on the different types of rocks
[http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/types.html].
4. Tell students to explore the interactive features in pairs. Ask them to watch
all the short animations.
5. When students feel comfortable with the content, ask them to create their
own representations of the rock cycle with the LiC: Concept Mapping Tool. If
students are unfamiliar with the app, they may need a short tutorial on its
basic functions. Encourage students to include key vocabulary and be
creative in their diagrams. Working individually or in pairs to create their
own representations will let students interact more with the content and the
app.
6. Reserve time at the end of the lesson to share final concept maps. Students
can print a hardcopy or save an image to their photo gallery.
Examples:
Sample 1
Sample 2
Assessment Strategies:
 Listen to student discussion comments
 Observe students interacting with the website and building their concept
map
 Ask students to share a digital copy of their final product with you
Standards:
This lesson is designed to address the Next Generation Science Standard for middle
school, MS-ESS2-1[http://www.nextgenscience.org/msess2-earth-systems].
Next Steps:
Diagramming the rock cycle is just one concept that can be explained with LiC:
Concept Mapping Tool. Extend the idea of creating visual representations to other
scientific concepts.