Rocks and Minerals
Tara Sterneker
Goals:
Students will be able to understand rocks and minerals.
Objectives:
Students will:
-know the 3 types of rocks
-know the rock cycle
-know what a mineral, luster and hardness is/are
Materials:
1. Sedimentary Rock Collection
2. Metamorphic Rock Collection
3. Igneous Rock Collection
4. Colorful Mineral Collection
5. Rock Power Point
6. Observation Worksheets
7. Vocabulary Cross Word Puzzle
Alignment with State Standards:
Science:
STANDARD 1: SCIENCE AS INQUIRY Grades 5-7: The student will develop the
abilities to do scientific inquiry, be able to demonstrate how
Scientific inquiry is applied, and develops understanding about scientific inquiry.
Benchmark 1: The student will demonstrate abilities necessary to do the processes of
scientific inquiry.
The student....
1. ▲ identifies questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.
STANDARD 4: EARTH and SPACE SCIENCE Grades 5-7: The student will apply
process skills to explore and develop an understanding of the structure of the earth
system, earth’s history, and earth in the solar system.
Benchmark 1: The student will understand that the structure of the earth system is
continuously changing due to earth's physical and chemical processes.
1. ▲ identifies properties of the solid earth, the oceans and fresh water, and the
atmosphere.
a. classifies rocks, minerals, and soil by properties.
English:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and
convey ideas and information clearly.
-CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2e Provide a concluding statement or section related to
the information or explanation presented.
Background Information:
mineral: a solid, natural material made from nonliving substances in the ground.
luster: the way a mineral reflects light from its surface.
hardness: the measurement of how well a mineral resists scratching.
sedimentary rock: a rock that forms from sediments.
igneous rock: a rock that forms as lava cools and hardens.
metamorphic rock: a rock that forms when sedimentary and igneous rocks change
under heat and pressure without melting.
rock cycle: changing of rocks over time from one type to another.
Engagement:
I will walk around the class showing them a mineral, a sparkly one, to grab their
attention. They will briefly describe what they noticed about the mineral.
Exploration:
Students will gather into 6 groups of 3. They will make observations of the rocks I
provided them at their table. They will use a magnified glass and will have a group
discuss on what they have observed. They will critically think about what they learned in
the power point from rocks and apply that information to their observations. They will
make a hypothesis as to which rock type they observed. Each group will have 2
sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks.
Application:
Students will gather into 6 groups of 3 people each. They will observe their rocks and
journal about their observations.
My Records:
Group 1:
1. Conglomerate- sedimentary
2. Arkose- sedimentary
13. Serpentine Marble- metamorphic
15. Anthracite- metamorphic
9. Rhyolite- igneous
8. Basalt- igneous
Group 2:
3. Sandstone- sedimentary
4. Quartz Sandstone- sedimentary
7. Amphibolite- metamorphic
12. Marble-metamorphic
1. Pegmatite-igneous
2. Granite- igneous
Group 3:
5. Oil Shale- sedimentary
7. Breccia- sedimentary
9. Phyllite- metamorphic
8. Talc Schist- metamorphic
13. Pitchstone- igneous
14. Pumice-igneous
Group 4:
8. Limestone-sedimentary
11. Dolomite- sedimentary
4. Chlorite Schist- metamorphic
6. Slate-metamorphic
3. Pyroxenite- igneous
4. Anorthosite- igneous
Group 5:
9. Gypsum- sedimentary
12. Travertine- sedimentary
3. Mica Schist- metamorphic
5. Garnet Schist- metamorphic
6. Rhyolite Porphyry- igneous
11. Tuff- igneous
Group 6:
13. Rock Salt- sedimentary
15. Bituminous Coal- sedimentary
1. Gneiss- metamorphic
2. Graphite Schist- metamorphic
10. Andesite- igneous
12. Obsidian- igneous
Closure:
The class will join back together and each group will present one rock from their
collection. They will hypothesis what type of rock it is and tell the rest of the class why
they believe their rock is that type of rock.
Evaluation:
Students will be given a worksheet, which I will provide for them. The worksheet will
consist of 2 rock observation journal, 1 crossword puzzle with vocabulary words and 2
critical thinking questions. The rock observations will be graded on in class
participations as well as they must have the main ideas written in their journal. The
crossword puzzle and critical thinking worksheet will be graded on right and wrong.
Differentiation:
English as a Second Language: I will use an iPad app, provided by the school district, to
translate any unknown words with the student.
Learning Disability: I will pair them with a higher level student to help with their zone of
proximal development.
Higher Level Learner: I will provide the student with a worksheet of 6 observation
journals.
References:
http://havefunteaching.com/worksheets/reading/note-taking/rock-observationworksheet.pdf
http://www.exploreiowageology.org/assets/text/ClassRoomActivities/rockcycle.gif
http://newyorkscienceteacher.com/sci/files/user-submitted/rock_cycle_diag.pdf
http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/code/BuildCrissCross.asp
Management:
1. Do not touch any of the tools on the tables
2. Do not peel off the number stickers on the bottom of the rocks
3. I have selected 6 groups with 3 people each
4. When I am done giving instructions you will gather with your partners
5. Do not damage rocks and do not mix rocks with other groups
6. Write group number on your paper
7. Write rock name at the top of the box
8. On the last line to write on, write your hypothesis on what type of rock you believe
your rocks are
9. Homework is due at the beginning of class on Wed.
Group 1:
1. Conglomerate
2. Arkose
13. Serpentine Marble
15. Anthracite
9. Rhyolite
8. Basalt
Group 2:
3. Sandstone
4. Quartz Sandstone
7. Amphibolite
12. Marble
1. Pegmatite
2. Granite
Group 3:
5. Oil Shale
7. Breccia
9. Phyllite
8. Talc Schist
13. Pitchstone
14. Pumice
Group 4:
8. Limestone
11. Dolomite
4. Chlorite Schist
6.Slate
3. Pyroxenite
4. Anorthosite
Group 5:
9. Gypsum
12. Travertine
3. Mica Schist
5. Garnet Schist
6. Rhyolite Porphyry
11. Tuff- igneous
Group 6:
13. Rock Salt
15. Bituminous Coal
1. Gneiss
2. Graphite Schist
10. Andesite
12. Obsidian