Unit Plan for “The Rock Cycle”
Instructional Process
Materials checklist:
 Microsoft© Excel
 Digital camera (optional)
 Scanner (optional)
 Internet browser
 Rock samples
Summary:
Students will research sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. They will learn the
processes of how rocks are formed and what traits scientists use to classify them. The
unit will culminate with students connecting together all the concepts of rock
classification and formation into an interactive rock cycle illustrating the processes that
change one type of rock into another using Microsoft© Excel. Student will find pictures
to represent the three types of rocks (using the Internet, a digital camera, or scanner).
These pictures will then be inserted into Microsoft© Excel and the drawing tools will be
used to illustrate the cycle by using arrows to connect them. The hidden comment feature
of Microsoft© Excel is then used to fully describe the processes that transform one rock
into the other by labeling each arrow. Students then will write a summary of the entire
rock cycle as part of this project. This demonstrates that rocks are not static, but part of a
dynamic cycle and allows the students to reconstruct this concept with their own words
and pictures. This unit is easy to implement in the classroom while still having powerful
learning outcomes for the students.
Curriculum-Framing Questions:
How does change affect cycles? How are rocks classified? How are rocks formed?
What processes occur to change one type of rock into another?
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
 Identify rocks
 Classify rocks
 Explain rock formation
 Connect the processes of rock formation to show the changes that rocks undergo
change
 Understand and explain that rocks are not “static”, but dynamic parts of a cycle
Skills that are helpful prior to beginning but not necessary (can be easily taught) :
 General Internet skills
 General Microsoft Office software skills
 Saving pictures from internet
 Scanning images (optional)
 Using a digital camera (optional)
 Inserting pictures into Microsoft Excel
 Using drawing tools in Microsoft Excel
 Inserting hidden comment in Microsoft Excel
Procedure:
Days One & Two
Introduce the three types of rocks: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic.
Spend 1-2 days on each type:
1. Begin with an introduction on how that rock type is formed and discuss how each type is
then further classified according to different characteristics.
2. Show examples.
3. Break class into groups of four and allow them to work with samples of rocks. Have
enough samples available that will illustrate their differences. Allow students to classify
the rocks according to their traits (ex. extrusive, intrusive, foliated, non-foliated).
Days Three & Four
Spend 1-2 days discussing the rock cycle. Use visuals aids to illustrate the changes.
Students can use samples of different types of rocks to construct examples of the rock
cycle at their table. Flash cards could be used to label the processes
Days Five through Seven
After students have a thorough understanding of how rocks are formed and classified,
they will connect all of the concepts into an interactive rock cycle.
1. Students will need to find a picture to represent the three main type of rocks. They can
do this on the Internet, by scanning in a picture from a magazine or book, or by taking a
digital picture of one of the rocks samples in class or outside.
2. Format the cells in Excel to make them small squares with no gridlines.
3. Insert the pictures into Excel.
4. Arrange the pictures into a triangle and then use the drawing tools to draw arrows
connecting them in both ways.
5. Insert hidden comments at each arrow point explaining the process that occurs to
transform the rock types.
6. Using a text box, students will write a one-paragraph minimum summary of the entire
rock cycle.
Student Instructions for Creating an Interactive Rock Cycle:
It may be helpful to copy these instructions to keep at each computer station.
1. Make all the cells small. Select all columns (Ctrl + A) and change width to 1.43 by going
to Format – Column – Width. Then change row height to 12 by going to Format – Row
– Height.
2. Make your gridlines invisible. Go to Tools – Option. On the View tab uncheck the
gridlines box and click OK.
3. Insert an image. Go to Insert – Picture – From File. Choose the image you want and
click Insert. Do this for all three pictures.
4. Arrange the pictures in a cycle. Draw arrows to connect the cycle.
5. You are now ready to put in the hidden comments to describe the processes of rock
formation. Click on the cell where you want to place your comment. You will want the
comments at the tip of your arrows. A tiny red flag will appear in the upper right corner
of the cell to mark your comment.
6. Right-click once with your mouse. Choose Insert Comment. Type your comment. If you
want to go back and change your comment later, right-click and choose Edit Comment.
If you want to delete your comment, choose Delete Comment. These commands are also
available under the Insert menu.
7. Insert a text box (button on bottom toolbar). In this textbox you are to write a oneparagraph minimum summary of the entire rock cycle.
7. Insert text boxes to label each picture, add a title, add your name and to cite pictures.