Title of Book:
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN-10:
A Pebble in My Pocket: A History of Our Earth
Meredith Hopper
Viking/1996
0670862592
Grade Levels for Recommended Use: 4th -6th
TEKS
6. (10) Earth and space. The student understands the structure of Earth, the rock cycle, and plate
tectonics. The student is expected to: B) classify rocks as metamorphic, igneous, or sedimentary
by the processes of their formation
Brief Summary:
The story shares the history of a pebble, beginning with the cooling of lava from an ancient
volcano. The reader follows the pebble through changes in formation and development as Earth
changes over time.
Activity:
Engage- Give students some samples of metamorphic, igneous or sedimentary rocks. Allow them
to make observations about each rock sample and record in their journal filling in bubble map
using descriptive adjectives.
**Ask “By looking at these rocks how do you think these rocks were formed?”
“What do you notice about the sedimentary rock by looking at it?”
“Can you make guess as to how it was formed?”
“Which rock is the smoothest?”
Explore- Read the story A Pebble in My Pocket by Meredith Hooper. Stopping and discussing
what is happening to the pebble throughout the story. Focusing on when the pebble undergoes
changes where the rocks are being formed and create a timeline, while reading.
Evaluate: Now that students have an understanding of how each rock is classified by how it is
formed. They are going to write a creative story explaining how each rock is formed. Give
students the scenario.
Scenario
The Case of Mixed Up Rock
Metamorphic rocks have changed. Why? They were once
igneous or sedimentary rocks, but have changed under heat and
pressure. Sometimes metamorphic rocks feel “different”, but
they do not know why. Mildred Metamorphic is visiting her
rock doctor to cope with her past life. Write a story about her
“mixed up” emotions when she finds out that she might have
had more than one life.
Directions:
1. You must decide whether Mildred was an igneous or a
sedimentary rock in first life. Story should include some of
the following information
First LifeIGNEOUS-life was hot, but cooled down later inside the earth;
or had to escape to the surface to cool down quickly.
SEDIMENTARY-life was wet, but dried up; life was full of
movement and broken pieces; might involve fossils.
Second LifeMETOPMORPHIC-life changed; became punk rocker; pressure
was great; life got a little hot, but is stable now.
2.
The story needs to cover the process that occurred during the
changes and be weaved into the story.
3. Story
may include pictures that illustrate what is being
described.
Adapted by Leslie Startz, 2010
Rock Cycle Song
(Sing to the tune of “Row, Row, and Row Your Boat”)
SEDIMENTARY Rock has been formed in layers
Often found near water sources With fossils from
decoyers
Then there’s IGNEOUS rock Here since Earth was
born Molten Lava, cooled and hardened That’s how
it is formed
These two types of rocks Can also be transformed
With pressure, heart and chemicals
METAMORPHIC they’ll become
Igneous rocks are made from cooled and hardened magma. Magma is the hot molten
rock from deep inside the earth. Igneous rocks which formed inside the earth, like
granite, are intrusive igneous rocks. They were pushed into other rocks. They cool
slowly and have crystals. Mountain ranges are often made of these kinds of rock. Other
igneous rocks are called extrusive igneous rocks, or volcanic rocks. They were formed
when magma came to the surface (lava) and cooled.
Sedimentary rocks are the bits and pieces of rocks that were eroded, or worn away and
carried by wind, water, and ice large distances. These bits and pieces are deposited
and form layers. Over many years, these layers become cemented together and
become sedimentary rock.
Metamorphic or changed rocks, start as sedimentary or igneous rocks, and then are
remade into new forms by extreme heat and pressure. An example of metamorphic rock
is slate, formed when shale is exposed to great heat and pressure.