Rockin' N' Rollin' Rock Cycle

Introduction

A quick little riddle for you; I'm a very useful tool from nature, I'm found on the ground and sometimes reaching up to the sky. I can be sharp, hard, round, flat, thin, fragile, big or small. You can see my family and I if you just take the time to look around. What am I?

You guessed it! I'm a rock. Did you know that I was created through a process called the rock cycle? Begin the quest and Rock N' Roll through the Rock Cycle. You won't believe the information that you can "set in stone."

Task

You and your partner need to gather information with Rocky the Rock Hound that answers the following questions and create a presentation to represent the information that you gathered.

Answer these questions:

1) Define what rock is?
2) How rocks are formed? (Describe the process of each rock types)
3) Define the three rock types.
4) Identify characteristics of sedimentary, igneous,and metamorphic rock.
5) Identify the process of the rock cycle.

Be creative and let the learning begin!!

Process

Take the time to learn about rocks before you start your journey of discovery.

Step 1: Find a partner. If there is an odd number of students small groups of three are appropriate.

Step 2: Research the three types of rocks, their names, how they are formed, where they found, and sample photos. You can use any resources in the classroom you want and the following are some good internet resources.

General Descriptions and Naming

http://www.rocksandminerals4u.com/what_is_a_rock.html

http://jersey.uoregon.edu/~mstrick/AskGeoMan/geoQuerry13.html

http://www.rocks-rock.com/rock-types.html

http://www.athro.com/earth_science/rocks.html

Formation of Rocks

http://www.rocksforkids.com/RFK/howrocks.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwlr2uSSgcc

Photos

http://geology.about.com/library/bl/images/blrockindex.htm

http://www.dnr.mo.gov/geology/docs/rocksetbooklet.pdf

Step 3: Create a poster or a power point presentation that will help the class learn the information you found. Follow the rubric provided by your teacher (if you need another rubric click on the link to print a new one). Remember to provide examples of each type of rock!

Step 4: Present your findings to the class.

Note: There will be a lot of information. It may be helpful to make a flow chart or an outline to help you organize your information.

Evaluation

You will be evaluated on the information found in your presentation. You must define what a rock is, how rocks are formed and the process of each rock type, the three types of rocks, characteristics of each type of rock, and demonstrate/describe the rock cycle.

Please pay close attention to the rubric handed out by your teacher.

Conclusion

CONGRATULATIONS!!

You have rocked through the rock cycle to discover that there are three different types of rocks, how rocks are made, what exactly a rock is, and the process that creates the rock cycle. Now you have the knowledge to be a Junior Geologist! So the next time you are outside, put up some different rocks to identify and classify. Before long, you will have a spectacular rock collection and be the Rock Star of your neighborhood.

Credits
Teacher Page

This webquest is about the rock cycle. Students will learn information on the three types of rocks, theformation process each type of rock, characteristics of each type of rock, what exactly is a rock, and the rock cycle. A rubric and brochure will be provided to the students to help guide them in their quest of discovery. Students will be required to present the information they found and examples of the different types of rocks to the class.

In completing this webquest, students will have demonstrated the ability to research and use technology to create a presentation of their knowledge about rocks and the rock cycle.

Objectives: 

    • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the types of rocks and the rock cycle.
    • Students will identify the three types of rocks.

Standard:

    • 5.1.A.4b