ROCKS: IGNEOUS, METAMORPHIC, SEDIMENTARY
Igneous Rocks
1. What are igneous rocks?
2. Where do igneous rocks come from?
3. How are igneous rocks classified?
4. Touch each of the igneous rocks. Describe how they feel and what they look like. (i.e.
smooth/rough, porous, sharp edges/smooth edges, colours).
Sedimentary Rocks
1. What are sedimentary rocks?
2. Touch each of the sedimentary rocks. Describe how they feel and what they look like. (i.e.
smooth/rough, porous, sharp edges/smooth edges, colour).
3. Take a close look at the examples of Sandstone (19), Shale (20), Arkose 21), and Limestone
(24). What do you notice about these sedimentary rocks? Can you see the different layers
of sediments?
4. Describe how Conglomerate and Tufa are different from the other types of sedimentary
rocks. Do they have the same composition?
Metamorphic Rocks
1. What are metamorphic rocks?
2. Touch each of the metamorphic rocks. Describe how they feel and what they look like.
(i.e. smooth/rough, porous, sharp edges/smooth edges, colours).
3. Take a close look at the edges of these rocks. What do you notice? Can you see the
different layers that make up the rock?
4. Metamorphic rocks are formed from rocks in the other two categories (igneous and
sedimentary). For the following metamorphic rocks, identify the igneous or sedimentary form
of rock:
Name of Metamorphic Rock
Slate
Quartzite
Gneiss
Marble
Name of Igneous or
Sedimentary Rock