Unit Plan

Rocking the Cycle!

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Rocking the Cycle! unit plan also includes:

Time to rock out! Discover the "life" cycle of the average rock using an illustrative stations lab and stimulating pairs game. Roll the dice to determine your fate: will it be melting in magma or chilling out to form igneous rock? The content covers the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock types.

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CCSS: Designed
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • Consider making time for the rock cycle WebQuest, a great extension of what has been learned so far; assist the class in downloading the packet necessary in completing it and schedule a day in the computer lab or library 
  • After completing their journey during the rock cycle game, have student pairs collaborate to create a paragraph or two describing their journey; let them spice it up by making their stories funny, dramatic, action-packed, etc.
 
Classroom Considerations
  • These materials are a great introduction to the formation and composition of rocks; sixth graders with basic knowledge of physical properties, nonliving resources, and matter should be well prepared for this level of thinking
  • A subscription is require to view Discovery Education videos; locate alternatives to have cued up to aid in visualizing the rock cycle
Pros
  • Includes all printables are, as well as links to additional resources
  • The game is suspenseful for class members
  • Balance of materials focus on vocabulary and processes—essential learning for the topics that lie ahead
Cons
  • None