Lesson 1

1.      The teacher will begin the lesson by telling the students that they will discover different ways rocks are formed and explain that these different formations are called sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous.

2.      Write these words on the board and have the students read and spell each word aloud.

3.      The teacher will then inform students that they will watch and interact with a learning website that will demonstrate the different rock formations and as they view this website they will be listening for the three key words, sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous.  (Website:  http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/faq1.html )

4.      Give the students handout #1 and the following instructions.

a.       While watching and reading the site the first time, look and listen for the words sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous.

b.      As these words are heard, place a tally mark in the box under each word.

(This is to allow students to become familiar with each word.) 

5.      View and read the website in its entirety, clicking on the words “Let’s Watch” to view each rock formation type. Be sure to call attention to the key words so that students can tally each occurrence.

6.      After the end of the first viewing, tell the students that they will watch the site again, but  this time they are to write important facts about each type of rock formation on the lines below each word. These facts should be written in complete sentence using correct sentence structure. Be sure to pause after each different type of rock formation to allow students to write a few facts.

7.      After this viewing is complete, the students are to use the space below their facts to draw each type of rock formation. The screen may be left open so that students can refer to it if necessary.

8.      If time allows, students may browse through the website for further enhancement of the rock formations.

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Lesson 2

1.      Briefly review each kind of rock formation.

2.      Add the word properties to the vocabulary list and explain its meaning.

3.      As a class, read and spell each of the words.

4.      Tell the students that in today’s activity they will learn and write different properties and types of sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rock and ways to tell how each one is formed. They will do this by helping Dino the dinosaur solve “The Mystery of the Floating Rock”.

5.      Pass out handout #2.

6.      Go to the bottom of the website from the previous day.or retrieve the following address:  http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/floatingrock/al.html

7.      Begin the website activity by reading and viewing the short video of the experiment with the floating rock.

8.      Read all the information on the page and explain to the students that to help Dino to solve the mystery they will look at each of the different rock formations and write down their properties and at least one example of each.

9.      Click on the pictures of the different types of rock formations at the bottom of the page and go through each.

10.  As each is being viewed, point out the different properties (whether they sink or not, as well as, any others that are relevant) and examples of each rock. Have students write these properties and types in the correct columns. They may even draw pictures of each.

11.  If time allows, the students may browse through the website for further enhancement  

      of the lesson.

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Lesson 3                   

The purpose of this lesson is to extend the students’ knowledge of igneous rock formation.

Materials:         Paper

                        Pencil

                        Website: http://virtual.er.usgs.gov/

Note: This activity can be done individually, in pairs or as a class. If individual or paired learning is chosen, be sure your students are familiar with computer and internet uses.

1.      Review the different types of rock formation.

2.   Tell the students that today’s lesson will focus on the formation of igneous rock.

They will explore the inside of a volcano through a website while they take notes and discover important facts pertaining to igneous rock formation.

3.      If the students are working individually or in pairs, write the following procedures on the board so that they will have directions for maneuvering the site.

Procedures: 1. Locate the website http://virtual.er.usgs.gov/ 

                    2. Click on the volcano picture named A Volcano Schematic

                          3. Read the information under the picture.

                          4. Click on the picture of the volcano to make it larger.

                          5. Click on the right button and find viewpoints.

                          6. Go to viewpoint tour to show the inside of the volcano

                          7. Click on the magma, then read the paragraph.

8.      Take notes that relate to igneous rock formation. Click on the blue words for more information about them.

9.      Click on the X in the top right corner.

10.  Click on the picture of the eruption column.

11.  Take notes again. (Again, click on the blue words for more information.

12.  Click on the X in the top right corner.

13.  Use the mouse to rotate the volcano by clicking on the right side of the mouse, find movement, then click on examine. Hold the left button on the mouse and move it to see different angles of the volcano.

 Assessments

1.      Completion of handouts one and two.

2.      Notes from lesson 3.

3.      Teachers observance of student participation during activity.

 

Handout 1

Handout 2

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