Geology
Suggested Time: 60
minutes
Overview
Students will learn about various types of rocks and how they are formed
through geologic processes. Further exploring geology, students will
collect their own rocks, conduct a range of experiments, graph
relationships, and learn more about the interesting field of geology.
Vocabulary
- Rocks
-
Geology
-
Earth
-
Crust
-
Mantle
-
Outer and Inner Core
-
Tectonic Plates
-
Seismic
-
Volcanic
-
Mountains
Objectives
- Students will learn about various types of rocks and their physical
properties and uses.
-
Students will consider the history and configuration of Earth, and why
the study of geology is relevant to both history and daily life.
-
Students will gain skills as they practice the scientific method.
Next Generation Science
Standards
- ESS1.C. The History of Planet Earth
-
ESS2.A-B. Earth Materials and Systems; Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale
System Interactions
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ESS3.B. Natural Hazards
-
LS1-4. Developing and Using Models; Analyzing and Interpreting Data;
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
-
PS1-6. Asking Questions; Planning and Carrying Out Investigations;
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Common Core Mathematical
Standards
- OA. Operations and Algebraic Thinking
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NBT. Number and Operations in Base Ten
-
MD. Measurement and Data
Required Project
Materials
- Containers for rocks
-
A site nearby where rocks can be found
-
A kitchen scale or similar small scale
-
A tub or medium-sized container filled with water
Multimedia Resources
-
Looking at Rocks (My First Field Guides). Jennifer Dussling and
Tim Haggerty. http:// amzn.com/0448425165
-
Rocks and Minerals . National Geographic Readers.
http://amzn.com/1426310382
-
How Mountains are Made. Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld and James
Graham. http:// amzn.com/0064451283
Optional Multimedia
Resources
- National Geographic Kids Everything Rocks and Minerals: Dazzling
Gems of Photos and Info that will Rock Your World. Steve Tomecek.
http://amzn.com/1426307683
-
Various helpful diagrams of the Earth’s layers are available at
http://
www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/Inside.shtml
Before the Lesson/ Background
Information
- Bring your own collection of rocks to get the activity started.
Homework from Previous
Session:
- Have the students bring a bag or box of rocks they found at home or at
an outdoor site (if they don’t have a yard with rocks).
The Lesson
Part 1: Geology Basics (15
mins)
1. Read Looking at Rocks (My First Field Guides) and look through
the National Geographic pictures with the class.
Part 2: Native Rock Study! (30
mins)
- Take the students outside to collect rocks. Each student should bring
a container with them.
-
Once they return, the students will put all of the rocks they gathered
into one pile.
-
Students should then sort the rocks, attempting to separate them by
type. They should use the books provided as guiding material.
-
Once students have separated the rocks by type, have them begin their
“field notes”, using
Looking at Rocks (My First Field Guides) as a guide.
- They should start by writing down the various types and the number of
each type found.
6. Have the students inspect rocks within each type and write down
properties observed. They should include features that they can see
and feel by touching the rocks.
7. Have them perform experiments to discover additional properties. They
should use the scale to weigh the rocks. Which rock is the heaviest? Which is the lightest?
8. Have them put some rocks of different types in water. Which one sinks
the quickest?
9. Guide the students through a simple graphing exercise, where they
graph the relationship between the weight of each rock type and how quickly it sinks. What other graphs can they think of making?
Part 3: What’s So Important About Rocks? (15
mins)
- Relate the rock activity to the larger study of geology. Discuss
important discoveries made in the field, as well as its applications
to disaster response.
-
Read How Mountains Are Made with the students.