WHAT IS A ROCK? Grade Level: First Grade Presented by: Carol Gilliam, Carolyn Pena, School of Excellence in Education, San Antonio, Texas Length of Unit: Four Lessons (Six to Seven Days) I.

ABSTRACT Emerging geologists dig into the earth’s crust to examine and explore the formation and make-up of the three major rocks: Sedimentary, Igneous and Metamorphic. Through their study of Petrology, they will be able to hypothesize about any rock they see, as to the major type and possible mineral make-up. The young geologist will learn that the classification of the three rock groups is in accordance with the major earth processes that formed them.

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OVERVIEW A. Concept Objectives 1. Students will understand that the earth is constantly changing. 2. Students will understand how the earth was formed. 3. Student will be able to understand how each major type of rock is formed, and how they may also change form. B. Content from the Core Knowledge 1. What’s Inside the Earth? a. Layers: crust, mantle, core b. High Temperatures c. Volcanoes and geysers 2. Rocks and minerals 3. Formation and characteristics of different kinds of rocks: metamorphic, igneous sedimentary 4. Important minerals in the earth (such as quartz, gold, sulfur, coal, diamond, iron ore, feldspar, mica, calcite) C. Skill Objectives 1. The student will be able to follow directions in the completion of activities and appendices. 2. The student will be exercising listening skills during oral participation and class discussion times. 3. The student will practice their webbing skills by the completion of the Metamorphic Rock Web. 4. The student will demonstrate problem-solving skills by answering key questions. 5. The student will exhibit comparing and contrasting skills with the rocks and minerals from the Region 20 Samples Kit. 6. Students will learn the make-up of a rock and be able to identify and recognize the three major types of rocks: Sedimentary, Metamorphic, and Igneous. 7. The student will be able to categorize and classify the rocks and minerals from the Region 20 Kit, and from a variety of book pictures into one of the three major rocks. 8. The student will perform generalization skills when exhibiting the understanding that all rocks are composed of a various minerals. 9. Students will learn the make-up of a rock and be able to identify and recognize the three major types of rocks: Sedimentary, Metamorphic, and Igneous. 10. Students will be able to explain how a Metamorphic Rock is formed. 11. Students will be able to distinguish a marble and a slate metamorphic rock. 12. Students will be able to distinguish the minerals calcite and shale.

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Students will gain knowledge of the uses for marble and slate.

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BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE A. For Teachers 1. Hirsch, Jr., E.D. What Your First Grader Needs To Know: Fundamentals of a Good First-Grade Education. New York: Dell Publishing, 1997. ISBN 0-38531987-8. 2. Staedter, Tracy. Rocks And Minerals: Pathfinders. New York: Reader’s Digest Children’s Publishing, Inc., 1999. ISBN 1-57584-298-x. 3. Symes, Dr. R.E. Rocks And Minerals: Eyewitness Books # 2. New York: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2000. ISBN 0-7894-5805-5. B. For Students 1. Kindergarten Science topics which provide students with necessary prior knowledge: a. Seasons and Weather b. Taking care of the Earth c. George Washington Carver. 1. Kindergarten Geography topics which provide students with necessary prior knowledge: a. Spatial sense b. An overview of the seven continents.

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RESOURCES A. Carruthers, Margaret W. & Ricciuti, Edward, Rocks And Minerals: First Field Guide. New York: Chanticleer Press Inc., 1998. ISBN 0-590-05484-8 B. Chasek, Ruth Rocks And Minerals: Cool Collectibles. New York: Rosen Book Works, Inc., 2000. ISBN 0-516-2333-5. C. Cole, Joanna The Magic School Bus Inside The Earth. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 1987. ISBN 0-590-40760-0. D. Gans, Roma Let’s Go Rock Collecting. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1984. ISBN 0-06-027283-x. E. Parker, Steve Rocks And Minerals: Eyewitness Explorers. New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc., 1993. ISBN 1-56458-394-5.

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LESSONS Lesson One: Rocks All Around Us A. Daily Objectives 1. Concept Objective(s) a. Student will be able to understand how each major type of rock is formed, and how they may also change form. 2. Lesson Content a. Rocks 3. Skill Objective(s) a. Students will learn the make-up of a rock and be able to identify and recognize the three major types of rocks: Sedimentary, Metamorphic, and Igneous. B. Materials 1. Region 20 Rocks and Minerals Samples Kit or sample rocks 2. Magic School Bus Inside the Earth 3. What Your First Grader Needs To Know pages 312 –313.

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4. Appendix A: Variety of pictures of three major rocks. 5. Appendix B: “Rocks On The Move” 6. Rocks And Minerals (Eyewitness Books #2) pages 38-39 C. Key Vocabulary 1. Rock – made up of minerals 2. Mineral – found in the ground, not made from living things. 3. Sedimentary Rock – made of grains of sand, mud and pebbles that settle down in layer upon layer. 4. Igneous Rock – made from cooled magma or lava. 5. Metamorphic Rock – an igneous or sedimentary rock changed by underground heat, weight or both. 6. Fossils – remains of prehistoric plants or animal that were trapped in rocks and turned to stone. D. Procedures/Activities 1. Place rocks (from Region 20 Kit) in a circle and have students state differences and similarities they observe. 2. Discuss observations together. 3. Place rocks in groups with similar characteristics. 4. Teacher leads discussion about rocks: a. Rocks cover the earth and continually change. b. Rocks can be worn down by wind, water, melted by heat, compressed to form new rocks. c. Over many years the rock pieces will pile up: layer upon layer: to make a solid rock called Sedimentary. d. Rocks that contain remains of shells or sea creatures are known as Fossils. (Read “Fossils” in Rocks And Minerals, Eyewitness Books #2, pages 38 – 39.) e. Rocks that hardened with tiny air bubbles in them and can float on water are called Pumice. Pumice is an example of an Igneous Rock. f. Igneous comes from a word that means “Fire.” g. Some rocks are so hardened they can be used in monuments and buildings. Granite, which is used in these items, is an Igneous Rock. h. Teacher reads Magic School Bus Inside The Earth pages 7 – 19. i. Metamorphic Rocks are igneous or sedimentary rocks that have been changed by heat or weight. j. All rocks can become metamorphic if exposed to heat or weight upon them. k. Slate is an example of Metamorphic Rock and is used in making chalkboards. E. Evaluation/Assessment 1. Evaluation will consist of oral participation and class discussion. 2. Evaluation will consist of completion of Appendix A. Lesson Two: Squeezed Rocks A. Daily Objectives 1. Concept Objective(s) a. Student will be able to understand how each major type of rock is formed, and how they may also change form. 2. Lesson Content a. Formation and Characteristics of different kinds of rocks: Sedimentary b. Important minerals in a sedimentary rock

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Skill Objective(s) a. Students will be able to identify the deposits involved in forming a Sedimentary Rock. b. Students will describe many uses served by these rocks. c. Students will define the minerals in the make-up of some Sedimentary Rock types. Materials 1. A copy of Appendix C, “Sedimentary Rock Forming”, for each student. 2. Rocks And Minerals: Pathfinders. Read pages 20-21. 3. Let’s Go Rock Collecting. Read pages 18-25. 4. Demonstration performed by teacher. Teacher’s copy of Appendix D*, “Hands On-Making Sedimentary Layers.” (*Note: Additional materials listed on Appendix D) 5. A copy of Appendix E*, “Witnessing A Squeeze” for each pair of students. (*Note: Additional materials listed on Appendix E) 6. Some pieces of Rock Candy. This is optional and is used as an example to show student “Crystal” form for Vocabulary Words: Mineral and Quartz. Key Vocabulary 1. Sedimentary Rock – made of grains of sand, mud, and pebbles that settle down in layer upon layer. 2. Pressure – a constant weight or force acting on a surface (example: wind, rain). 3. Weathering – the breaking down of the earth’s surface by running water, rain, wind and other forces that contribute to the formation of soil* from rock and other materials. (*Note: Rocks become dirt!) 4. Mineral – found in the ground; is not from living things, and has a regular crystal* form. (*Note: Rock Candy can be used to show a crystal.) 5. Quartz – very hard mineral commonly found in sand. Quartz crystals are six sided and come to a point. Colors vary from white, pink, tan and various other colors. 6. Dolomite – a mineral that is a small round grain (called oolites). Dolomite is used for magnesia for medicinal purposes. Procedures/Activities 1. Place all of the Sedimentary rocks and minerals from Region 20 Kit on display for student. 2. Give each student a copy of Appendix C. 3. Go over key vocabulary words list clarifying all definitions for student’s understanding. 4. Read and share pictures with students from Let’s Go Rock Collecting, pages 1825. 5. Discuss interesting notes from Rocks And Minerals: Pathfinders, pages 20-21. 6. Teacher leads discussion: a) Pyramids in Egypt are made of limestone and still standing although built 5,000 years ago. b) Limestone is composed of minerals such as “Quartz.” c) Quartz is hard and does not dissolve or decompose easily. d) Shelly (Fossiliferious) Limestone began to form when sea creatures died and their shells sand to the seafloor. Over time shells were cemented together into a solid lump. e) This kind of limestone (Shelly) contains the mineral “Dolomite.” f) Dolomite is used for magnesia for medicinal purposes.

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g) Chalk is also from a Shelly (Fossiliferious) Limestone that is very soft and fine-grained. 7. Student will color in the Sedimentary Rock section on Appendix B, which is found in their Rock Folders, and Appendix C. 8. Students will observe as Teacher demonstrates the “Hands On-Making Sedimentary Layers” activity. This is an application of Appendix D. Evaluation/Assessment 1. Evaluation will consist of student participation during oral class discussion. 2. Evaluation will consist of student distinguishing Sedimentary Rocks on Appendix B And C. 3. Evaluation will consist of student locating Sedimentary Rock and Minerals in Region 20 Kit. 4. Evaluation will consist of written results of Appendix E 5. “Hands On-Making Sedimentary Layers” from Appendix D.

Lesson Three: Spurt A. Daily Objectives 1. Concept Objective(s) a. Student will be able to understand how each major type of rock is formed, and how they may also change form. 2. Lesson Content a. Formation and Characteristics of different kinds of rocks: Igneous b. Important minerals in an igneous rock 3. Skill Objective(s) a. Student will be able to identify and name three minerals that make Granite from the Igneous Rock. B. Materials 1. Region 20 Kit or sample rocks 2. Pages 16-17 in Rocks And Minerals: Eyewitness Books # 2. 3. Pages 44-45 in Rocks And Minerals: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn Into Science Fair Projects. 4. Pages 16 and 20 in Rocks and Minerals: The Question And Answer Book. 5. Pages 12-15 from Let’s Go Rock Collecting. 6. Pages 18-19 in Rocks And Minerals: Pathfinders. 7. Scissors 8. Ruler 9. Four sheets of construction paper (yellow, pink, white, black 10. Glue for each student. C. Key Vocabulary 1. Igneous Rock – made from cooled magma or lava. 2. Mineral - found in the ground; is not from living things, and has a regular crystal* form. (*Note: Rock Candy can be used to show a crystal.) 3. Granite – is an Igneous Rock formed when magma cools underneath the earth’s surface. 4. Feldspar – crystal shaped mineral found in Granite. 5. Quartz – is a very hard mineral found in Granite. 6. Mica – a mineral that can be split into thin almost transparent layers. D. Procedures/Activities 1. Prior to this lesson Teacher prepares a Model of a “slice of granite rock.” (Appendix F)

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Review/introduce words from key vocabulary for student’s introduction. Read pages 12 – 15 in the book Let’s Go Rock Collecting. Have students restate how an Igneous Rock is formed and name Granite as a type of igneous rock. 5. Read page 16 in the book Rocks And Minerals: The Question And Answer Book. 6. Have students identify and name the three minerals found in Granite. (Feldspar, Mica and Quartz.) 7. Students will make their own Model of a “slice of granite rock,” using the construction paper. This application will assist the student in distinguishing the three minerals found in this igneous rock. 8. Oral Question and Answer discussion with students will summarize that: a. Minerals are the make-up of a rock. b. Granite makes up a large portion of the earth’s crust. 9. Have students identify by name the Igneous Rocks from the Region 20 Kit. 10. Have students color the Igneous Rocks portion on Appendix B from their Rocks Folder. Evaluation/Assessment 1. Evaluation is Oral Participation during class discussion and restatement of information from books read to them. 2. Evaluation is through completion of a “slice of granite rock” model. 3. Evaluation is through completion of Igneous Rock colored correctly on Appendix B.

Lesson Four: Recycled Rock A. Daily Objectives 1. Concept Objective(s) a. Student will be able to understand how each major type of rock is formed, and how it may also change form. 2. Lesson Content a. Formation and Characteristics of Different kinds of rocks: Metamorphic. b. Important minerals in a metamorphic rock. 3. Skill Objective(s) a. Students will be able to explain how a Metamorphic Rock is formed. b. Students will be able to distinguish a marble and a slate metamorphic rock. c. Students will be able to distinguish the minerals calcite and shale. d. Students will gain knowledge of the uses for marble and slate. B. Materials 1. Region 20 Kit or Metamorphic Rocks 2. Pages 64-65 and 140-141 in the book Rocks And Minerals: First Field Guide 3. Pages 22-23 in the book Rocks And Minerals: Pathfinders. 4. Pages 12-13 and 30-31 in the book Rocks And Minerals: Cool Collectibles 5. Page 31 in the book Rocks And Minerals: A New True Book 6. Page 15 in the book Rocks And Minerals: The Question And Answer Book. 7. Pages 52-55 in the book Rocks and Minerals: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn Into Science Fair Projects. 8. Pages 26-29 in the book Let’s Go Rock Collecting. 9. Appendix G: One copy per each student. 10. Appendix H: One copy per each student. 11. Appendix B: Out of Rock Folders.

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Key Vocabulary 1. Metamorphic – an igneous or sedimentary rock that has been changed by underground heat, weight or both. 2. Pressure – a constant weight or force. The act of pressing or placing weight on something. 3. Marble – a kind of Metamorphic Rock made from Limestone. 4. Shale – a mineral that makes Slate. 5. Slate – a kind of Metamorphic Rock made from Shale. 6. Calcite – a mineral, found in Limestone that makes Marble. Procedures/Activities 1. Go over words from Key Vocabulary. 2. Read pages 26-29 from Let’s Go Rock Collecting. 3. Read pages 12-13 and 30-31 from Rocks And Minerals: Cool Collectibles. 4. Class discussion regarding the above pages read to them. 5. Have students work in pairs to finish the Appendix G: Reading Web. (Completion is based on prior discussion regarding the above books read to them.) 6. Share pictures on pages 64-65 and 140-141 in book Rocks And Minerals: First Field Guide. 7. Use pictures on page 31 of Rocks And Minerals: A New True Book, and page 15 from Rocks And Minerals: The Question And Answer Book. Explain observation of different types of Calcite and knowing how to determine if the mineral is truly Calcite. 8. Use Region 20 Kit and above books to categorize all the Metamorphic Rocks and Minerals. 9. Use Appendix H to make a Metamorphic Rock. 10. Complete Appendix I. 11. Explain that the Taj Mahal is made from Marble which is a Metamorphic Rock, and that our school blackboards are from the mineral Slate. 12. Use pages 22-23 from Rocks And Minerals: Pathfinders to review the formation of Metamorphic Rocks. Evaluation/Assessment 1. Evaluation will be completion of Appendix H and Appendix I. 2. Evaluation will be Observations made Orally over the Metamorphic Rocks and Minerals. 3. Assessment will be Oral Participation during Class Discussion. 4. Assessment will be completion of Metamorphic Reading Web. 5. Assessment will be correct categorization of Metamorphic Rocks and Minerals.

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CULMINATING ACTIVITY (Optional) A. If possible, go on a Field Experience to “Enchanted Rock” in Fredericksburg, Texas. If Field Experience is not possible, we will invite a local professor, from a nearby university’s Geology Department to be a guest speaker to the entire First Grade Class. They should address Rocks and Minerals found in your immediate area. They should also discuss other large deposits throughout the world. Make sure to have the students’ Rock Folders on display, at this time.

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HANDOUTS/WORKSHEETS A. Appendix A: Identify Rocks B. Appendix B: Rocks On The Move”

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C. D. E. F. G. H. I. VIII.

Appendix C: Sedimentary Rock Forming Appendix D: Making Sedimentary Layers Appendix E: Witnessing A Squeeze Appendix F: Sliced Appendix G: Metamorphic Rock Web Appendix H: Recycled Roc Appendix I: Shale Changed Into Slate - By Heat And Pressure

BIBLIOGRAPHY A. Carruthers, Margaret W. & Ricciuti, Edward. Rocks And Minerals: First Field Guide. New York, New York: Chanticleer Press, Inc., 1998. ISBN 0-290-05484-8. B. Chasek, Ruth. Rocks And Minerals: Cool Collectibles. New York, New York: Rosen Book Works, Inc., 2000. ISBN 0-15-239339-0. C. Christian, Peggy. If You Find A Rock. Singapore: Tien Wah Press, 2000. ISBN 0-15-239339-0. D. Cole, Joanna. The Magic School Bus Inside The Earth. New York, New York: Scholastic, Inc., 1987. ISBN 0-590-40760-0. E. Gans, Roma. Let’s Go Rock Collecting. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1984. ISBN 0-06-027283-x. F. Hirsch, Jr., E.D. What Your First Grader Needs To Know: Fundamentals Of A Good First-Grade Education. New York, New York: Dell Publishing, 1997. ISBN 0-385-31987-8. G. Marcus, Elizabeth. Rocks And Minerals: The Question And Answer Book. Mahwah, New Jersey: Troll Associates, 1983. ISBN 0-89375-876-0. H. Parker, Steve. Rocks And Minerals: Eyewitness Explorers. New York, New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc., 1993. ISBN 1-56458-394-5. I. Parker, Steve. Science Encyclopedia. Italy: Dempsey Parr, 2000. ISBN 1-84084-762-x. J. Podendorf, Iiia. Rocks And Minerals: A New True Book. Canada: Regensteiner Publishing Enterprises, Inc., 1982. ISBN 0-516-01648-2. K. Simon, Seymour. Science Dictionary. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1994. ISBN 0-06-0256303. L. Staedter, Tracy. Rocks And Minerals: Pathfinders. New York, New York: Reader’s Digest Children’s Publishing, Inc., 1999. ISBN 1-57584-298-x. M. Symes, Dr. R.F. Rocks And Minerals: Eyewitness Books # 2. New York, New York: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2000. ISBN 0-7894-5805-5. N. Van Cleave, Janice. Rocks And Minerals: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn Into Science Fair Projects. New York, New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996. ISBN 0-471-10269-5.

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Appendix F How to make a model of a “slice” of granite rock 1. Materials/students a. scissors b. ruler c. 4 sheets of construction paper: yellow, pink, white, and black d. glue 2. Cut (1) square from each sheet of construction paper in the following sizes a. yellow 5X5” b. pink – 4X4” c. white – 2X2” d. black-1X1” 3. Cut each square except the yellow one into number and shapes of pieces shown below:

Pink

White

Black 1. Glue all of the paper pieces to the yellow paper in a random pattern. Cover as much of the yellow paper as possible.

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Appendix G Metamorphic Rock Web

Changed

Metamorphic Rock

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