Science Literacy Bag
Activities to do
3rd Grade
Welcome to the Types of Rocks Science Literacy
Bag! Please use this activity list as your guide for
fun and learning with this Science Literacy Bag.
1. Metamorphic Gumdrops: Complete the
activity to make a model of metamorphic rock.
2. Literature: Select and read a book:
a. Rock Reference Book
3. Making Words: Use the directions in the bag
to complete the making words activity.
4. Types of Rocks Sort: Sort the information
cards into the three types of rocks.
5. Student Comments: Write your thoughts in
the Student Comment Log.
6. Return: Put everything back in the bag.
Metamorphic Gumdrops
3.11A
Materials:
1 Ziploc bag of 10-15 gumdrop pieces
2 square pieces of wax paper
Directions:
1. Place gumdrops in the center of one square of waxed paper.
2. Place the other waxed paper on top of the pile of gumdrops.
3. Use your palm of your hand to press down on top of the gumdrop
pieces for 10 seconds.
4. Peel the wax paper off to see the colorful metamorphic rock.
5. Place wax paper back onto the rock and store in the Ziploc bag.
Compare the model of metamorphic rock to the sample in the bag.
Record some similarities and differences in the following table:
Similarities
Differences
Three Types of Rocks Sort
Igneous
Rock
Metamorphic
Rock
Sedimentary
Rock
Found in western U.S.
Found in eastern U.S.
Found all over the U.S.
and oceans
Granite
Marble
Limestone
Found on and beneath
the Earth’s surface
Begins as an igneous or
sedimentary rock
Contains fossils
Form by cooling of
magma or lava
Form by heat and
pressure
Forms by different
layers being
compressed
Three Types of Rocks Sort
KEY
Igneous
Rock
Metamorphic
Rock
Sedimentary
Rock
Found in western U.S.
Found in eastern U.S.
Found all over the U.S.
and oceans
Granite
Marble
Limestone
Found on and beneath
the Earth’s surface
Begins as an igneous or
sedimentary rock
Contains fossils
Form by cooling of
magma or lava
Form by heat and
pressure
Forms by different
layers being
compressed
Student’s Response
Draw or write what you liked about the article and activities in
this science/literacy bag.
References
THE MAILBOX, Investigating Science Rocks & Minerals, “A Rock
Reference,” pg. 13, 18-19.
THE MAILBOX, Investigating Science Rocks & Minerals, “Metamorphic
Gumdrops,” pg. 15.