Students review samples to gather evidence about unidentified rocks that need to be organized into the three categories of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the properties of different rocks

• Identify, classify, and discuss different rocks in Nebraska including their geologic regions (where they can be found)

• Discuss and communicate the uses of rocks

Language Objectives:

• Listen and orally respond to discussions about rock properties

• With a partner or in a small group, discuss and explain method for sorting rocks

• Write or draw a reflection to defend reasoning for grouping rocks

Materials Included in Kit:

• 30 individual rock/mineral sample sets (rocks/minerals are a mix of 25 numbered varieties- identification is linked here)

• 30 hand lenses

• Extra rocks for use with Pet Rock activity if needed- please have students bring in their own if possible

Set Up:

• Each student gets rock sample set and a hand lens

• Students can work/discuss in pairs or small groups as they work with their own materials

• Students can use the provided padlet to help with rock identification https://padlet.com/dferreyra/181x44nszup9

Lesson Introduction:

Note: If you have not yet worked with your students on the three types of rocks, you may want to teach this concept before starting this activity.

A geologist at UNL is trying to sort through a pile of rocks that their students left in the repository/ lab...

"My students are driving me crazy. We went on several geology field trips last semester and they left the lab in shambles when they went home for the break. Such a mess! Now we don't know which samples go together or where they came from. I heard you guys might know something about rocks and I came to get your help."

(a geologist is a scientist who studies rocks and minerals to help us learn about the formation of the earth)

Explore:

Explain to students that they will be assistant geologists to help sort and organize rock samples into groups. Have students examine the samples with a hand lens before discussing their observations. After students have examined each rock, allow them to begin grouping samples. Possible questions: What rule did you use to form this group? Do you think all of the groups are sorting the rocks this way? Have students explain their reasonings about their sorts- ensure they provide evidence to support their ideas. (This is an open sort- sorted by students based on their own observations.)

When all of the student groups finish sharing ask the class why all of the students did not use the same rules when sorting the rock samples. Discuss with the class whether or not it would be hard for scientists to study rocks if all of the scientists used different rules to organize them. Lead the class to the realization that by using common rules scientists are better able to study rocks. Explain that one way scientists could put the samples into different groups would be to separate them by rock type.

Elaborate:

Review the provided padlet to review igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock https://padlet.com/dferreyra/181x44nszup9 Review the characteristics with students and where these types of rocks can be found in Nebraska.

Have the students try to place their rocks into these three different groups. Encourage them to use their hand lenses to observe the many physical properties of their rocks. Visit the different groups and ask them questions such as: How are these rocks alike? How are they different? How can you tell that these rocks are made of more than one material? Have the students start collecting information about their rocks in their science notebooks. As they begin to make connections about which rocks they think go together ask them to draw their rocks and record observable properties of the rocks in their science notebooks. Make sure that they also record the number on the rock so that they can accurately identify the rock. Ask students to try to identify the types of rocks they are observing and explain their reasoning.

Extend with STEAM:

Ask students to bring in a rock from home (or provide to the students- do not use rocks from the kit) that is either a igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary. It their science notebook, have students write the characteristics of their rock using personification (as if their rock was a person) and have them describe the area of Nebraska where they can be found (where they live). Provide students with makerspace design items such as markers, glue, pompoms, feathers, pipe cleaners, etc. Students will use the provided materials to create a pet rock that matches its characteristics.

Standards Addressed:

Science

• SC.4.13.4.A Identify evidence from patterns in rock formations and fossils in rock layers to support an explanation for changes in a landscape over time.

• SC.4.13.4.C Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth's features.

Social Studies

• SS 4.3.1.c Determine why things are located where they are in Nebraska.

Art

• FA 5.2.1.a Develop ideas using a variety of materials

• FA 5.2.1.b Use observation, imagination and interpretation in creating artworks that reflect a variety of styles, themes, and subjects.