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
Utah Education Network

Uen: Rock Cycle

For Teachers 4th
Gain an understanding of the cycles that form metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rocks.
Activity
Children's Museum

Children's Museum of Indianapolis: Floating Rock Geo Mysteries

For Students 3rd - 8th
Did you know that there are some rocks that actually float? Follow this interactive investigation to find out which ones and why.
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Rock Cycle

For Students 4th - 8th
This tutorial explains the rock cycle--from beginning to end! It is full of activities, assessments, games, slideshows and all kinds of interactive material. Learn what rocks are made of and how they change from one form to another....
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.
Lesson Plan
Utah Education Network

Uen: Minerals and Rocks

For Teachers 4th
Explore the differences between minerals and rocks.
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.
Unit Plan
Vision Learning

Visionlearning: Earth Science: The Rock Cycle: Uniformitarianism and Recycling

For Students 9th - 10th
Instructional module focusing on the rock cycle. Discussion includes the concept of uniformitarianism and how earth materials change from one form to another. The site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links relating to the...
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: Igneous Rock O Logy Card

For Students 9th - 10th
What is igneous rock? How is it formed? What makes igneous rock different from sedimentary rock or metamorphic rock? This interactive OLogy card answers these and similar questions.
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Rocks and Processes of the Rock Cycle Study Guide

For Students 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Summarizes the key points about how the three types of rocks form and convert from one to another. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.
Unit Plan
Scholastic

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

For Students 3rd - 6th
A slideshow, a karaoke song to sing along to, and a short multiple-choice quiz on metamorphic rocks.
Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Landforms, Rocks & Minerals: The Rock Cycle

For Students 3rd - 5th
A video, a karaoke song to sing along to, and a short multiple-choice quiz on what happens during the rock cycle.
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.
Handout
Center for Educational Technologies

Earth Science Explorer: The Rock Cycle

For Students 3rd - 6th
This one-page explanation of the rock cycle contains a very helpful diagram and useful explanatory notes. Site explains how rocks are made and broken down.
Unknown Type
Soft Schools

Soft Schools: Geology Quizzes: Rock Types

For Students 9th - 10th
Assess your understanding of the three major categories of rocks with this interactive multiple choice quiz. Immediate feedback is provided.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating the Rock Cycle Through Writing and Illustrating

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this writing and illustrating activity, students will be able to follow a simple rock cycle to follow the life of "Rocky the Rock". After investigating the rock cycle, students will then be able to illustrate the rock cycle, along...
Lesson Plan
Other

My Science Box: Crayon Rock Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
A great lesson plan that uses crayon shavings, aluminum foil, and hot water to introduce the three main types of rocks and the processes needed to form them. Included are the lesson objectives, vocabulary, and step-by-step procedures to...
Lesson Plan
Utah Education Network

Uen: How to Make a Rock

For Teachers 2nd
Activity introduces students to the concepts of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Rock Jeopardy!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students reinforce their understanding of rocks, the rock cycle, and geotechnical engineering by playing a trivia game. They work in groups to prepare Jeopardy-type trivia questions (answers) and compete against each other to demonstrate...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Making & Breaking: The Rock Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students learn the components of the rock cycle and how rocks can change over time under the influence of weathering, erosion, pressure and heat. They learn about geotechnical engineering and the role these engineers play in the...
Unit Plan
BBC

Bbc Bitesize: Rocks

For Students 3rd - 6th
This learning module helps students understand the three types of rock: sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic and how they are formed.
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.
Lesson Plan
Minerals Ed

Minerals Ed: Introducing the Rock Cycle by Creating a 3 D Model [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
In this lesson geared toward primary students, they will learn about the three different kinds of rocks, how they are formed and how to recognize the unique characteristics by building a 3D model.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Virtual Rock Lab

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this instructional activity young scholars are asked to identify rocks based on their properties.