Rocks and MineralsRocks and Minerals

Middle School ScienceMiddle School Science

Alan HutchensAlan Hutchens

State StandardsState Standards

• 7.3.8Describe how sediments of sand and smaller particles, sometimes containing the remains of organisms, are gradually buried and are cemented together by dissolved minerals to form solid rock

State StandardsState Standards

• 7.3.9Explain that sedimentary rock, when buried deep enough, may be reformed by pressure and heat, perhaps melting and recrystallizing into different kinds of rock. Describe that these reformed rock layers may be forced up again to become land surface and even mountains, and subsequently erode.

State StandardsState Standards

• 7.3.10Explain how the thousands of layers of sedimentary rock can confirm the long history of the changing surface of Earth and the changing life forms whose remains are found in successive layers, although the youngest layers are not always found on top, because folding, breaking, and uplifting layers.

State StandardsState Standards

• 8.2.5Use computers to store and retrieve information in topical, alphabetical, numerical, and keyword files and create simple files of students’ own devising.

National standardsNational standards

• UCP-3, A-1, A-2, B-1 Mineral Identification

• UCP-1, UCP2, A-1 B-1 B-3, D-1 Mineral Characteristics

• UPC1, UCP3, B-1, D-1 Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic Rocks

UnderstandingsUnderstandings

• How rocks are formed

• Three major groups of rocks

• The major groups of minerals

• The major types of rocks native to Indiana

• The major characteristics of each rock group

Essential QuestionsEssential Questions

• What are rocks formed from sediments

• What are rocks formed from cooling of molten material

• What are rocks formed from heat and pressure

• What is the definition of a mineral

• What is the definition of a rock

Knowledge and SkillsKnowledge and Skills

• Be able to recognize and identify rocks from the three major rock groups

• Be able to tell the difference between minerals and rocks

• Be able to verbalize the process of rock formation

Performance TaskPerformance Task

• Collect and identify 20 rocks and or minerals with a PowerPoint presentation describing the characteristics of the rocks.

ActivitiesActivities

• Use internet exploration

• Use outdoor classroom experience to collect rocks and minerals

• Use classroom samples and books to identify rocks and minerals

• Use streak plates, hardness items, acid test and other tests to identify the rock sample

Student ProductsStudent Products

• A 20 item rock collection with proper identification

• PowerPoint presentation of uses and characteristics of each rock or mineral

AssessmentAssessment

• Students will be assessed on the effective use of technology and the student products that will be produced

All pictures in webquest and PowerPointtaken with Kodak digital camera provided in this workshop.