The Rock Cycle

Introduction

Each group of students in the class has chosen a different type of cycle found on earth. 

Congratulations! You chose the Rock Cycle. This is a fascinating cycle that has shaped the earth for billions of years!! 

Through out this discovery you will be asked to explore the different kinds of rocks, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic and how they relate to each other.

By the end of this exercise you will develop a Powerpoint presentation on the rock cycle to share with the class. In your Powerpoint you will be asked to focus in on one specific example of each and share with the class why you choose it and what makes it so amazing.


Task


Each group of students in the class has chosen a different type of cycle found on earth. 

Congratulations you chose the Rock Cycle. This is a fascinating cycle that has shaped the earth for billions of years!! 

As stated in the introduction you and your partners will be making a presentation on the Rock Cycle.

Each member of the group will have to present one aspect of the Rock Cycle.

The presentation should be informative, entertaining and easy to understand. Be prepared to answer questions other students may have for you during your presentation

Process

Please explore the Internet and research all you can on the rock cycle. You should be able to address the following questions within your presentation. 

1. Where do the different types of rocks come from?

2. How do they change over time?

3. Why is it called the "Rock Cycle"?

4. What forces drive the Rocks through the cycle?

5. How might you identify these types of rock?

6. Give an example of one types of Rock from each igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic and how people use it. 

Check out some of the follwoing links for information on the Rock Cycle. Don't feel limited to these sites. 

The Rock Cycle

https://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/diagram.html

What are metamorphic rocks used for? 

http://www.mylearning.org/rocks-at-cliffe-castle-museum/p-1154/

What are igneous rocks used for? 

http://www.mylearning.org/rocks-at-cliffe-castle-museum/p-1152/

What are sedimentry rocks used for? 

http://www.mylearning.org/rocks-at-cliffe-castle-museum/p-1153/

Rock Identifiicaiton

http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/rockkey/

Evaluation

Conclusion

Thank you so much for your work on the Rock Cycle!!

I hope you have had a fun time exploring the ever-changing earth through the cycles. I hope this project helps you better understand all the geological cycles of the earth. 


Credits

Teacher Page

This Web quest is designed for a 6-8 graders. Each of four groups picked a different cycle:Water, Rock, Carbon, and Oxygen Cycles. This lesson is intended to take three class periods: one for research data gathering, one for creating the presentation and one for the presentation. 

NGSS for Rock Cycle-

MS-ESS1-4. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth's 4.6-billion-year-old history.