Australian National
Curriculum
Content Description
Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals and are formed by processes that occur within Earth over a variety of timescales.
(ACSSU153)
Key Concepts

All minerals have physical and chemical properties that result from their unique composition, crystal structure and determine their identity. (LT: 1-2)

Rocks have characteristic properties and can be classified into three main groups based on the dynamic earth processes that formed them.
(LT: 3-5)

Rocks are continuously broken down and reformed by the
8
Learning Targets
Students should know and understand that:
1.
Minerals are naturally occurring solids and are composed of the same substance throughout their structure.
2.
Minerals can be classified based on tests of characteristics such as lustre, hardness,
Crystal structure, cleavage/fracture and streak colour.
3.
Rocks are aggregates of two or more minerals.
4.
There are three types of rock: sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. These rocks contain evidence of the minerals, temperatures, and forces that created them.
5.
Igneous rocks form from the cooling of magma/lava. The rate of cooling of igneous rocks can affect the size of mineral crystal formations.
6.
Weathering of rock into smaller materials occurs either by chemical, biological, or physical processes or a combination of the processes.
7.
The components that make up rocks are continuously recycled over time as new rocks are formed from old rock materials.
8.
Successive layers of sedimentary rock and the fossils contained within them can be used to confirm the age, history, and changing life forms of the Earth.
Behavioural Objectives
Students should be able to:
1.1
Compare the similarities and differences between common minerals.
2.1
Identify common minerals by testing their properties.
3.1
Investigate different rocks and identify the minerals found within them.
4.1
Compare and contrast differences and similarities between the three classes of rocks.
4.2
Create a rock collection and experimentally classify the rocks into the three classes by using specific criteria.
4.3
Model the formation of sedimentary rocks.
4.4
Model the formation of metamorphic rocks.
5.1
Investigate the effect of temperature on the size of mineral crystal formation.
6.1
Test and analyse the effects of the different weathering processes on rocks.
6.2
Model and summarise the role of erosion in the transportation of weathered rock.
7.1
Explain how the rock formation process changes rocks from one form to another.
7.2
Create a visual representation to illustrate the formation of different types of rock.
8.1
From a list of events, create a geologic time scale that represents the sequence of these events in earth’s history.
8.2
Investigate the formation of fossils in
VELS Performance Expectations
Science Knowledge and
Understanding
4.25 Awareness of change over time in scientific ideas within earth and or space science contexts. Knowledge of the function/s of the components of systems; for example the rock cycle. Awareness of how models are used to explain scientific phenomena and processes related to geological time scale.
4.5 Knowledge of the relationships between components of systems, including understanding of changes over time; use and limitations of models and laws of science to explain scientific phenomena and processes.
4.75 Comparison of alternative viewpoints about existing scientific ideas within chemical, physical, biological, earth and/or space science contexts. Analysis of the impact of factors which cause change in living and non-living systems over short and long
Page 1 Strathmore Secondary College DESI Curriculum Mapping Project – August 2012

Australian National
Curriculum
Content Description process of weathering erosion, heat or pressure, caused by many different natural phenomena.
(LT: 6-7)

Rocks provide evidence of geological and biological change over time.
(LT:8)
8
Learning Targets
Students should know and understand that:
Behavioural Objectives
Students should be able to: sedimentary rock.
8.3
Correlate the age of fossil to the layer it is found in.
VELS Performance Expectations
Science Knowledge and
Understanding periods of time; for example, rock formation, use of renewable and non-renewable energy resources. Application of models and laws of science to familiar and unfamiliar situations related to matter, space, energy and/or time; for example, modelling of the geological layers of the Earth to predict tsunamis and earthquakes, use of the Law of
Conservation of Energy in making predictions about sustainable use of natural resources.
Essential Vocabulary: erosion, igneous, metamorphic, sediment, sedimentary, weathering.
Worthwhile Tasks:
Research the importance of the different types of rock in the prospecting for and mining of minerals and precious metals.
Page 2 Strathmore Secondary College DESI Curriculum Mapping Project – August 2012