Activity
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Observing,comparing and Classifying Rocks

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
An activity where students in teams observe and classify different types of rocks.
Handout
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Interactives: Rock Cycle

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the differences and similarities between the three different types of rocks on this page.
Unit Plan
E-learning for Kids

E Learning for Kids: Science: Norway: What Are Some Types of Rocks?

For Students 1st - 3rd
Astrid lives in Norway, and really likes Viking ships and rocks. She is visiting a Viking museum, and needs help learning about different types of rocks, where rocks come from, and the different characteristics of rocks.
Interactive
Utah Education Network

Uen: Rocks and Soils: What Kind of Rock Am I?

For Students 9th - 10th
Test your knowledge of different types of rocks by taking a quiz. Determine if each picture shows an igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary rock.
Unit Plan
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Rocks and Landforms

For Students 6th - 8th
Eight hands-on lessons module where students learn about rocks and landforms. These inquiry-based investigations explore the different types of rocks, how they are formed, the different types of landforms, and the effects of glaciers on...
Handout
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Rocks and Minerals

For Students 9th - 10th
Essential guide to geology of the National Parks focuses on minerals and the different types of rocks. Includes a visual glossary.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Earth Rocks

For Teachers 2nd Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about three different types of rocks: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in classifying and categorizing.
Activity
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigations Based on the Rock Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this lab investigation, students will study different types of rocks and formulate questions about the conditions under which they formed. This lab requires students to use the concepts learned about the rock cycle to develop a...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Rock Types Lab

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A well-designed lesson on rocks where students first learn about how the three categories of rocks form (sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic), then must examine the features of different rock samples, and determine which category each...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating the Rock Cycle: Looking at Similarities and Diff in Rocks

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity students will be given three rocks representing the three main rock types in the rock cycle. They will make observations on those rocks and develop a hypothesis on how each rock formed. We will meet as a class and...
Activity
Other

The Geological Society: Rock Properties [Pdf]

For Students 4th - 8th
In this activity, students investigate the properties of six different types of rocks, and answer related questions, e.g., ranking them in terms of durability, inferring possible uses of three rock types, etc.
Lesson Plan
ArtsNow

Arts Now Learning: Grade 3: Rock N Art

For Teachers 3rd
In this arts integrated unit, 3rd graders will explore Rocks and Soil. These projects focus on bringing multiple art forms to the Earth Sciences for third graders. Students will focus on comparing and contrasting the 3 types of rocks, as...
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Every Rock Has a Story

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart explains the differences between different types of rocks and how they were formed. The three main types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic) are shown.
Interactive
Other

Hard Rocks Interactive Crossword

For Students 9th - 10th
A fun way to review what you know about rocks! Play online, or print out and solve later.
Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Landforms, Rocks & Minerals: Igneous Rocks

For Students 3rd - 5th
A slideshow, a karaoke song to sing along to, and a short multiple-choice quiz on the topic of igneous rocks, how they are formed, and some different types.
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Rocks

For Students 9th - 10th
In this interactive tutorial you'll learn about rocks and the rock cycle. You'll be introduced to the three different rock types and what makes them what they are. You'll also learn about how the matter that makes up these rocks is...
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Types of Rock

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this flipchart, review different forms of rock. See examples of each and review vocabulary terms.
Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Landforms, Rocks & Minerals: Landforms

For Students 3rd - 5th
A slideshow, a karaoke song to sing along to, and a short multiple-choice quiz on the topic of landforms, some different types, and how they are formed.
Interactive
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Rock Cycle Interactive

For Students 6th - 8th
An interactive animation showing the rock cycle. By clicking on the different parts of the cycle, students can view definition of rock types and animations of the processes that happen within the cycle.
Lesson Plan
Other

Caterpillar: Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This set of lesson plans was developed to accompany Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future, a documentary film created by Caterpillar and Science North. They introduce students to the various phases involved in mining,...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Collecting and Identifying Rocks

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Students investigate rocks in an outdoor field trip, and then place them into groups by characteristics. The different groups could be the size, shape, color, and texture of the rocks. After classifying, students are introduced to the...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Igneous Rocks Model

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students use samples of four different types of igneous rocks to observe differences in texture, color, and grain size, and then make inferences about the relative cooling histories and silica content associated with each magma type.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Earth Science for Kids: Rocks, Rock Cycle, and Formation

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about the science of rocks and the rock cycle. How different types such as igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic form from minerals with the help of nature.
PPT
Other

Metamorphic Rocks [Ppt]

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains the different ways that metamorphic rocks can form. Looks at high temperature, high pressure, and chemically active fluids. Discusses structures created in metamorphic rocks by different forces and the classifications based on...