Students are asked to bring in 5 different rocks. They will participate in small group rock sorts. Students will work together to find different ways to sort and categorize rocks. They will label and record their results and the properties they used to sort their rocks. In a class discussion, the students will share all of their sorting ideas and categories.

Sorting and classifying

FOSS activities to test other properties of rocks, minerals, and ways geologists sort and classify rocks. They will perform scratch tests, acid tests, and dissect mock rocks to find what is contained in a rock. Students will also learn the difference between rocks and minerals.

Properties of rocks and minerals, and how geologists classify each

Exploring the 3 types of rocks – access the activity

Students will explore the 3 types of rocks and how they are formed through hands-on activities and demonstrations.

Rock wheel – There are 2 pages [in the FOSS kit? if so, which kit???] to this. It allows students to see how a type of rock will change depending on if heat or pressure is applied

Connecting the unit activity with specific rocks

3 rock books – There are 2 pages for each book [FOSS kit???] on each of the 3 types of rocks. They give examples and show what they look like. Students will assemble the books and color the rock pictures according to the description below each picture.

Looking at examples of each of the 3 types of rocks

Rock exploration – let students examine and explore the rocks they brought in from the rock sort they did earlier and see if they can identify what types of rocks they are. If you have your own rock collection, set this up on a table with some rock books for students to look at and identify. (Otherwise see if your district has a collection that you can check out to use.)

Sorting and classifying once some more knowledge has been acquired

Sedimentary layers in the outdoor classroom. As a part of our field science, the student will go outside and look for sedimentary rocks and layers as well as fossils in the rock formations.

Observing sedimentary rocks in a field setting

Lesson, book, or video about volcanoes and earthquakes to expand upon the unit activity about igneous rocks

Learning more about igneous rocks

Lessons on the water cycle - can be demonstrations or hands-on activities. This will connect with the activity on sedimentary rocks

Erosion and sedimentation

Plate tectonic lesson – There are several ways to teach this, however it is important to show that the earth changes and why volcanoes and earthquakes occur. You can create models with clay, use oranges and their peels, create paper globes, or the worksheet that's included [in what?]. Note that this is a great tie-in to teach about the 7 continents.

How the earth is ever changing

Land features – discuss the different geological land formations, mountains, hills, and valleys, etc.

Learn about the land features and connect with volcanoes and plate tectonics

Earth's resources – discuss and teach about the natural resources: oil, minerals, and other things in the Earth

Natural resources – importance, conservation, limited

Discuss your state's geologic rock formations map prior to the hike

The rock formations that make up our area

Hike through geologic time – there are many places in Colorado where in a short time, you can go through many geologic zones and look for examples of the 3 types of rocks. The USGS is a good resource for finding suitable hikes that show changes in geology over time.

Observe rocks, plate tectonics and life zones in a field setting

Field trip to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. They have a Gems and Mineral Exhibit and an Ancient Denver's Exhibit that shows great examples of geologic change over time and samples of the different rocks and minerals. If you don't have a good museum nearby, visit the DMNS online and see if there are good materials for teachers.

Explore more rocks and minerals