Curated OER
Rock Hounds
Learners receive a basis for understanding the three main classifications of rock: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. They engage in a hands-on activity designed to give them an appreciation for rocks and minerals.
Curated OER
Everybody Needs a Rock
Here is a lesson that rocks! Young scientists choose a rock and list words that describe it. They estimate the mass of their rocks and rank them within a group. They measure their rocks for volume and write a story that somehow includes...
Curated OER
Classifying Rocks
Young scholars classify rocks into groups after they observe the rocks and identify properties that can be used to divide them into groups. They then identify other properties that could be used to classify other objects into groups.
Curated OER
Science: Fossil of a Carbonized Plant
Pupils classify leaves by shape and margins and use them to create models of plant fossils. By using paper over a leaf, they simulate fossilization of organisms onto sedimentary rocks. Following instructions on worksheets, students...
Curated OER
Sampling Rocks
Students examine rocks. In this geology lesson, students collect rocks from the schoolyard and classify them by color, weight, and size. Students use a rock guide to identify each of the rocks.
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Classifying Rocks and Minerals
Students identify rock types by observing key characteristics. Describe the differences between minerals and rocks. Observe rocks using a magnifying glass and draw shapes and colors of the minerals.
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Rock Cycle SIOP Unit
Students collect rocks, identify them, classify them, investigate their properties, and more. For this rocks lesson plan, students also experiment with soil and erosion and weather.
Curated OER
Mohs Hardness Test
Fifth graders listen as they are told about another way to classify rocks; by their hardness. They observe the Mohs Hardness Test overhead, discover how the test works, and then use materials such as pennies, butter knives, nails, and...
Texas State University
Earth: Deposition and Lithification
Geology geniuses analyze sediment samples with a hand lens and sort according to physical characteristics. They also learn about the processes of cementation, compaction, and lithification within the rock cycle. The lesson plan is...
Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
Sedimentation
Starting with a presentation, pupils learn about how sedimentary rocks form. They then create their own sedimentation bottle to observe the process.
Curated OER
A Rock’n Earth
Seventh graders identify the three types of rocks. In this earth science instructional activity, 7th graders model the rock cycle using crayon shaving. They explain how rocks change as they go through the cycle.
Curated OER
Sampling Rocks
Students examine how to take a sample by looking at rocks in the schoolyard. In this sampling instructional activity, students discuss ways to classify rocks by color, size, and weight. They think about how many rocks would make a good...
Curated OER
Rocks and Minerals
Students are able to describe earth processes (e.g., rusting, weathering, erosion) that have affected selected physical features in students, neighborhoods. They are able to identify various earth structures (e.g., mountains, faults,...
Curated OER
First Grade Science Rocks!
First graders examine rocks. In this rock lesson, 1st graders look at the properties of rocks and classify them. They discover the three types of rocks: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.
Curated OER
Exploring Rocks
Pupils collect and examine rocks. They record information about the rocks they have collected in their notebooks. They compare and contrast different rocks and complete a class chart at the end of the lesson plan.
Curated OER
Observing Rocks
Fifth graders explore the various properties of earth and rocks. They play "Twenty Questions" with the teacher, and analyze a rock using a magnifying glass. They record their rock observations and list the differences between the wet...
Curated OER
Famous Rock Groups
Students define igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary, and use rock identification books to identify igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Students then discuss which rocks early man would have found useful for tool creation.
Curated OER
Rock Around the House
Students discover the three types of rock. They weigh and examine rock specimens.
Curated OER
Classification Introduction
Young scholars simulate classifying rocks using different colored skittles. For this earth science lesson, students create a Venn diagram according to their compiled information. They share this diagram in the class.
Curated OER
The Rock Cycle
Students explore the concept of the rock cycle. In this geology lesson, students identify, classify, and observe three different types of rocks. Students then list and char the characteristics of their rocks.
Curated OER
Rock Talk
Students read a book about rocks and complete a rock analysis activity. In this rock study lesson, students read the book Everybody Needs a Rock and select a rock to observe and describe. Students record the properties of rocks, classify...
Curated OER
Rocks, Gems, and Minerals
Fourth graders review by sorting and classifying minerals. They describe the composition of a mineral and use rules to classify that mineral. They complete a mineral scratch test and place the results in a table in the second activity.
Curated OER
What on Earth is in the Earth?
Students explore the physical properties of sand, soil, and rocks and sort, classify, compare, and contrast the materials found in the soil. The differences between the living and non-living parts of the soil is discussed.