CURRICULUM TOOL: ROCKS AND MINERALS
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
NYS Earth Science Core Curriculum
Curriculum-Based Questions
Performance Indicator 2.1 Use the concepts of density and heat energy to explain
observations of weather patterns, seasonal changes, and the movements of Earth’s
plates.
Major Understandings:
2.1m Many processes of the rock cycle are consequences of plate dynamics.
These include the production of magma (and subsequent igneous rock formation
and contact metamorphism) at both subduction and rifting regions, regional
metamorphism, within subduction zones, and the creation of major depositional
basins through down-warping of the crust
Performance Indicator 3.1 Explain the properties of materials
in terms of the arrangement and properties of the atoms that compose them.
Major Understandings:
3.1c Rocks are usually composed of one or more minerals.
 Rocks are classified by their origin, mineral content, and texture.
 Conditions that existed when a rock formed can be inferred from
the rock’s mineral content and texture.
 The properties of rocks determine how they are used and also
influence land usage by humans.
Some Past Part A Questions
1. A nonvesicular rock is made entriely of green 2-millimeterdiameter crystals that have a hardness of 6.5 and show fracture,
but not cleavage. The rock is most likely
(1) shale
(3) dunite
(2) phyllite
(4) schist
High School of Language and Innovation 2012 (draft)
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What processes can form a metamorphic rock?
What are the two textures of metamorphic
rocks and why does one have two parts?
Include why these textures occur.
What are the different types of
metamorphism? Explain the differences.
How are metamorphic rocks represented on
the Earth Science Reference Table? Complete
one Metamorphic Rock assignment from the
Rocks and Minerals Binder.
Earth Science Reference Table pg. 7
(related pages: 3, 6, 16)
Some Past Part B-2, C Questions
August 2012 Question 73
June 2012 Question 53
January 2012 Question 77, 81
*Released Regents Tests:
http://www.nysedregents.org/earthscience/
CURRICULUM TOOL: ROCKS AND MINERALS
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
2. Which rock is only formed by regional metamorphism?
(1) slate
(3) dunite
(2) hornfels
(4) marble
3. Which physical characteristic best describes the rock phyllite?
(1) glassy texture with gas pockets
(2) clastic texture with angular fragments
(3) bioclastic texture with cemented shell fragments
(4) foliated texture with microscopic mica crystals
Resources for Learning
Readings
Holt (yellow book) pg.
141-144
Glencoe (big blue book)
pg. 133-139,
143
McGuire (little blue
book) pg. 130136
Unison Reading Binder:
Rocks and
Minerals
Websites
Videos
Regents Exam Prep Center: Earth Science
http://regentsprep.org/Regents/earthsci/eart
hsci.cfm
What are metamorphic rocks?
http://video.about.com/geology/What-AreMetamorphic-Rocks-.htm
Geology: Rocks and Minerals
http://hmxearthscience.com/rocks_and_mine
rals.html
Metamorphic Rocks
http://www.videojug.com/film/geologymetamorphic-rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/geol http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?Vi
ogy/meta_intro.html&edu=high
deoID=51661&CategoryID=2426
Regents Review Materials
http://reviewearthscience.com/
http://regentsearth.com/
At Home:
Metamorphic Rock Chart
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL37057D7B
FD1608CB
Foreign Language:
Rocas Metamórficas
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/geol Metamorphic Rocks
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRUwchlza88
ogy/sed_intro.html&edu=high&lang=sp
High School of Language and Innovation 2012 (draft)
In-Class Activities
Rocks and Minerals Binder
Metamorphic
Comparisons
Metamorphic Memory
CURRICULUM TOOL: ROCKS AND MINERALS
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
High School of Language and Innovation 2012 (draft)