Angela Hutchinson October 30, 2014

Topic: Rocks
Grade Level: 4
th
Grade
Materials:
Rocks
KWL chart
Book Rocks Dont Just Sit There by Timothy Nolan, Rocks
Rock cycle worksheet, crossword puzzle, word search, vocabulary list
Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Science journal
Rock PowerPoint
Video on rock cycle
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm6cCg_Do6k&index=2&list=PLQEVCIX
soZ3fAsjGhszpc-Sh3neeNpq9J )
Key Vocabulary Words: rock cycle, minerals, sediment, igneous, sedimentary,
metamorphic, weathering, erosion, compaction, cementation
Objectives:
Rocks are constantly changing and going through what is called a rock cycle.
Explore the workings of volcanoes.
Learning characteristics of rocks.
Compare and contrast sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks.
Instructional Strategies:
Begin with having the students fill out the KWL chart. List at least two
items in the what I know and what I want to know section.
Read Rocks Just Dont Sit There as a class then again in the students
individual groups.
Class discussion on the vocabulary words that were mentioned in the story
and how the rock cycle flows.
Watch the rock cycle video.
Give the students the instructions for the collaborative learning activity.
Major Concepts: Rocks change from one kind to another in the rock cycle. The
students should be able to describe how the rock cycles work. The processes in the
rock cycle include: weathering, erosion, melting, compaction/cementation,
sedimentation, and being subjected to great heat and pressure.
What is a rock?
What are the three major types of rocks?
How do igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks differ?
What is the rock cycle?
Activities:
Label rock cycle worksheet
Collaborative Learning:
Identification of Rocks Activity
o Students will identify rocks based on their characteristics to
determine whether they are sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous.
o Divide the students into small groups of 3- one rock per student.
o Observe the students while they are identifying their rocks to make
sure that they are placing them the rocks in the proper classification.
Differentiation of Instruction:
Use multiple learning technique tools: Visual PowerPoint with video about
the rock cycle. Auditory read assigned story to class. Kinetic classifying
rocks in a group setting.
Have low-ability students use pre-made rock cards (like baseball cards with
characteristics and significant features) to identify. Next, have students
use the cards to create categories based on characteristics and identify
which rock group they belong in.
Have high-ability students write stories about the different rocks and
identify differentiating characteristics of the rocks to help them remember
the characteristics.
Assessment:
Vocabulary assessment
Have the students draw and label a diagram of the rock cycle in their
science journal. Check the students rock cycle drawing in their journal.
Culminating Activity:
Have the students complete the what I learned area in the KWL chart.
Discuss some of the things that the students have learned.
Follow-Up Activity:
Morning work crossword puzzle of vocabulary words and word search.
Teacher Comments: Observe the students on their individual and group activities.
Assist the students as needed. The students can also bring in rock to observe and
classify. Ask the students about their experience in learning about rocks. What did
they like best? What did they like the least?



Vocabulary Words to use: metamorphic rock sediment igneous rock magma
Sedimentary rock volcanic eruption

Name:______________________ Date:____________________
Rock Cycle Vocabulary Match
____1. A series of processes on the
surface and inside earth that slowly
change rock from one kind to another.
A Igneous rock
____2. The chemical and physical
processes that break down rock and
other substances.
B Metamorphic rock
____3. Small, solid pieces of materials
that come from rocks or the remains of
organisms: earth materials deposited
by erosion.
C Sedimentary rock
____4. A rock type that forms from an
existing rock that is changed by heat,
pressure or chemical reactions.
D Compaction
____5. Solid materials found in nature
that is the same all over with
particular chemical composition and
physical properties and they make up
rocks.
E Cementation
____6. A type of rock that forms when
particles from other rocks or the
remains of plants and animals are
pressed and cemented together.
F Erosion
____7. The process by which water, ice,
wind or gravity moves weathered
particles of rock and soil.
G Rock cycle
____8. The process by which sediments
are pressed together under their own
weight.
H Sediment
____9. A type of rock that forms from
the cooling of molten rock at or below
the surface.
I Weathering
____10. The process by which dissolved
minerals crystallize and glue particles
of sediment together into one mass.
J Minerals


VOCABULARY WORDS
Igneous rock- A type of rock that forms from the cooling of molten rock at or
below the surface.
Metamorphic rock- A rock type that forms from an existing rock that is changed
by heat, pressure or chemical reactions.
Sedimentary rock- a type of rock that forms when particles from other rocks or
the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together.
Compaction- the process by which sediments are pressed together under their own
weight.
Cementation- The process by which dissolved minerals crystallize and glue
particles of sediment together into one mass.
Erosion- The process by which water, ice, wind or gravity moves weathered
particles of rock and soil.
Rock cycle- a series of processes on the surface and inside earth that slowly
change rock from one kind to another.
Sediment- Small, solid pieces of materials that come from rocks or the remains of
organisms: earth materials deposited by erosion.
Weathering- The chemical and physical processes that break down rock and other
substances.
Minerals - solid materials found in nature that is the same all over with particular
chemical composition and physical properties and they make up rocks.