The three categories of rocks are igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic.
Most of us look at rocks and we think they've always existed. However, rocks are created, destroyed and recreated every day in a process known as the rock cycle. There are three basic types of rocks in the earth's crust: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Rocks are categorized into one of these types based on how they were formed. Follow these steps to teach your young children about rock formation and the rock cycle.
Instructions
Foundation
1. Create or buy a poster-sized chart of the rock cycle, showing how rocks change from one form into another under the earth's surface. Make sure your chart has arrows linking the primary phases: volcanic activity, igneous rock, break up of rocks, sedimentary rock, and metamorphic rock. Place the chart on the wall so the students can see it.
2. Present samples of the three primary types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
3. Explain how the Earth's core under the surface is made of very hot magma. Describe that igneous rocks are formed when the hot, liquid magma gets cooler and hardens.
4. Select the igneous rocks to show. Examples of igneous rocks are obsidian, andesite, pumice, rhyolite, basalt, granite and gabbro.
5. Describe the next phase when wind, water and rain wear away rocks and break them into tiny pieces. This sediment is carried to the bottom of rivers where dead plants and animals also settle. Layers form creating pressure until sedimentary rocks are created underneath.
6. Choose the sedimentary rocks to show. Examples of sedimentary rocks are clay, shale, limestone, gypsum, conglomerate, sandstone and coal.
7. Use the chart to show the third type of rock called metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rocks start at either igneous or sedimentary rocks and change due to intense heat and pressure underground. Explain that the process is similar to baking where you mix flour, sugar, butter and eggs, put the pan of ingredients into a hot oven, and out comes a cake.
8. Show samples of metamorphic rocks. Examples of metamorphic rocks are marble, serpentine, slate, and gneiss.
Retention
9. Play games to develop creativity and retention of facts.
10. Divide the class into three groups and assign each group a rock category. Ask the students to formulate a group name, such as "Igneous Invaders" or "Sedimentary Submarines." Give the students time to develop a story about their group with references to how the rocks are formed and have them present the story to the rest of the class.
11. Make up questions about the rock cycle and write them all over an inexpensive, plastic beach ball. Divide the class into two teams and have them throw the ball back and forth to each other. Whoever catches the ball has to correctly answer the question where his right thumb lands to earn points for his team. Keep score.
12. Create flashcards with rock names or pictures on one side and rock categories on the other. Quiz the students with flashcards.
13. Divide the class into two teams and play Jeopardy where each rock cycle question is worth a certain amount of points if the student answers correctly. Keep score.
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