LESSON PLAN- January 9th - January 11th
Focus: Geology  Rocks
Dates: 1/9 – 1/11
Instructional Objective (use an action verb in a
description of a measurable outcome):
Students will be introduced to how a rock can move
through the different stages of the rock cycle.
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:
Objective #:6.E.2.3
Explain the process of the Rock cycle.
Analyze the differences and similarities between rocks and minerals,
characteristics of rocks.
1. Articulate the difference between a rock and a
mineral.
2. Describe the rock cycle
3. Demonstrate understanding of the three types of
rocks, characteristics, similarities, differences
*demonstrate mastery of these objectives through
- input in their guided notes sheet
- quiz
- exit slip
Essential Questions:
What is the difference between a rock and a
mineral? How do rocks change? What are rocks
used for?
Warm Up:
A.
Students will fill in the blanks with the correct key
concept. Luster, cleavage, fracture, dense, hardness,
streak
1. When a mineral breaks smoothly, it is called
____________.
2. ___________ is when a mineral breaks into jagged
pieces.
3. A mineral’s _____________ is its resistance to being
scratched.
4. Hematite leaves a reddish powder when scratched
along a surface; this powder is called
_______________.
5. The particles in gold are more tightly packed than the
particles in ice. Gold must be more ___________ than
ice.
6. A mineral that is very shiny has a metallic
___________.
B.
Why are minerals important?
How are minerals formed?
Is a bone a mineral? Explain your answer!
What are the three rock families?
What types of rocks can turn into metamorphic rock?
How do you know if a rock is a sedimentary rock?
Teacher Input:
Teacher will explain what a rock is and the difference
between rocks and minerals while students fill in guided
notes.
Teacher will show video about rocks and minerals.
Then, teacher will distribute samples of rocks and
minerals and will instruct students to use a magnifying
glass to investigate the differences between rocks and
minerals and will record their observations in a Venn
Diagram.
Teacher will lead a class discussion on similarities and
differences between rocks and minerals.
Teacher will discuss the three different types of rocks
and the rock cycle and students will fill in guided notes.
Teacher will reach auditory learners through playing
different songs on rocks and the rock cycle.

C. Vocabulary review
Student Output:
Students will complete guided notes about the difference
between rocks and minerals.
Teacher will distribute samples of rocks and minerals.
And will instruct students to use a magnifying glass to
investigate the differences between rocks and minerals
and will record their observations in a Venn Diagram.
Students will fill in guided notes when instructed by
teacher.
Students will diagram the rock cycle and
explain/describe the rock cycle in words.  creative
assignment
Students will watch video clip.
Students will work with a partner on tracing through the
rock cycle.
Link plate tectonics and rock cycle
http://mazz.com/education/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Real-World-ScienceRocks-and-Minerals.pdf
Closure/ Assessment:
Homework:
Creative Assignment
Read article – write a story about how you use
minerals
Quiz
Exit Slip / Reflection
“As an expert geologist, provide a diagram of the rock
cycle for a student who missed this lesson”
Resources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTXSwnkieZc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkGVE6wNAzo
http://www.pbs.org/americanfieldguide/teachers/rocks/rocks_sum.html
http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/diagram.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwlr2uSSgcc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53lMdHzvGCQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mfpmUNMtNc
http://goffstown.k12.nh.us:8100/~kshaka/Rock_cycle_project.pdf
Rock Cycle Review
Step 1. Roll one dice.
If you roll a 1 or a 2, you are a sedimentary rock.
If you roll a 3 or a 4, you are a metamorphic rock.
If you roll a 5 or a 6, you are an igneous rock.
Step 2. Write down your rock on your paper.
Step 3. Roll again
Step 4. Write down what you changed into.
Step 5. Explain the process of HOW you changed between the two types of rocks.
Example: If you rolled sedimentary and then metamorphic, you would write HOW a
sedimentary rock changes into a metamorphic rock.
REPEAT these steps!!!!
Scientific Notes:
We learned about the three types of rocks. What is interesting is that any of these rocks
can become other types of rocks through the rock cycle.
The rock cycle is a diagram showing ways that rock families can always become a
different type of rock family.
You “read” the rock cycle diagram by following the arrows and seeing the steps that rock
must go through.
What must sedimentary rock go through to become metamorphic rock?
______________________________________________________________________
What must metamorphic rock go through to become magma or lava? ______________
Tag-Team Science:
Together, you and a partner will trace a rock’s path through the rock cycle.
As I go through the rock cycle, trace my steps.
I started as ___________________  then I ______________________  and turned
into ______________________. Then I ________________________  and turned
into ______________________. Then I ________________________  and turned
into ______________________. I ended up as ________________________.
Directions: Use today’s notes and the word box to help you complete the rock cycle.
SOME WILL BE REPEATED!!!!
1
2
3
5
4
6
7
8
WORD BOX
Volcanic Activity
Deposition
Melting
Erosion
Heat and Pressure
Scientific Study:
1. Think of sedimentary rock. If it goes through melting, what does it become?
_____________________________________
2. Think of sedimentary rock. If it goes through melting and volcanic activity, what
does it become?
_____________________________________
3. Think of igneous rock. If it goes through erosion and deposition, what does it
become?
_____________________________________
4. To become a metamorphic rock, what process does a rock need to go through?
______________________________________________________________________
5. To become an igneous rock, what process does a rock need to go through?
______________________________________________________________________
6. What does a rock need to turn into before it can become sedimentary rock?
______________________________________________________________________
7. What process does sediment need to go through to become sedimentary rock?
______________________________________________________________________
8. Describe one path a sedimentary rock can take to become an igneous rock.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Select the term that best completes the statement.
Cleavage, hardness, luster, fracture, streak, rock, rock cycle, igneous rock, sedimentary rock,
metamorphic rock, sediment, magma, fossil
1. The bonds between layers of graphite are weak. Graphite easily breaks along the surfaces of
these layers. This is an example of ___________________________.
2. _________________________ is the tendency of a mineral to break into irregular pieces.
3. A mineral’s ______________________ is its resistance to being scratched.
4. Hematite leaves a reddish-brown powder behind when it is scratched along a surface. The color
of this powder is hematite’s _____________________.
5. A mineral looks like it is made of metal when light reflects from its surface. Such a mineral has
a metallic _______________________.
6. forms when molten rock cools and becomes solid _____________________________
7. includes the many ways that rocks form, change, break down, and re-form
_________________________
8. forms as heat and / or pressure causes changes __________________________________
9. a naturally formed solid that is usually made up of one or more types of minerals ___________________
10. the most common type of rock on Earth’s surface ________________________________
11. material that settles out of wind or water __________________________
12. the remains or traces of an ancient organism that has been preserved in rock ______________________
13. rock inside Earth that has melted into a liquid ____________________________
14. made from pieces of rock, mineral, or plant remains and animal remains that have been pressed
or cemented together ________________________________
Rockin’ Through the Rock Cycle
Here is your chance to be creative while reviewing the rock cycle. You are going to be
writing a story from the point of view of a rock. This rock will be traveling through the rock
cycle and changing from one type of rock to another.
You have two options to choose from. You will be graded on accurate information about
the rock cycle as well as your use of correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Let your
creativity shine!
Option #1
Write a 5-paragraph narrative story from the point of view of a rock. You should include
an introduction to grab your reader’s attention, three body paragraphs (one for each
different type of rock) and a conclusion. Each paragraph should be 5-6 sentences long.
You may use dialogue between your “characters”. You must also include at least 12
science vocabulary words throughout your story.
So, I have been sitting on top of a mountain for the last, well, million years and I
was getting kind of bored. Suddenly, the unexpected happened to me… let me back up a
little, my name is Rocketta, but my friends call me Rockey…
Option #2
Create a 10-block comic strip either from the point of view of a rock or using a rock as the
main character. You will be writing 2 sentences for each block to describe the rock cycle
throughout your comic. You must also include at least 12 science vocabulary words and
cover each of the three types of rock. Your blocks should be colored and you may also
include “dialogue” within your comic.
____________________
__________________
____________________
____________________
__________________
____________________
Rock Cycle Rubric
_____/20
Uses 12 science vocabulary words
_____/20
Contains accurate information
_____/20
Meets all requirements- length, set-up, etc.
_____/20
Correct spelling/grammar
_____/20
Creativity/neatness
_____/100
TOTAL