Day 3- Mock Rocks

Standards:
ALCOS Science
11.) Describe Earth's layers, including inner and outer cores, mantle, and crust.
o Classifying rocks and minerals by characteristics, including streak, color,
hardness, magnetism, luster, and texture
Student Objectives:
Student should be able to:
1. Make detailed observations of mock rocks
2. Use appropriate tools strategically
3. Compare observations with that of other students
Procedures:
Engage: Review with what a geologist is and explain that they will become the geologist
because they will be studying the mock rocks and be recording their observations.
Explore: The students will then use different tools to explore and analyze the rocks. Students
will record their observations on their observation sheet provided. Tools include: hand lens for
close, detailed observations and a meter tape to measure length. Other observations the students
will perform include: color, weight, texture, and hardness.
Explain: The students will then be able to compare their rocks with the rocks of other students
rocks and explain the details of their rock.
Evaluate: The students will be given a handout to record their observations on and the teacher
will have an assessment sheet that they record student participation on.
Extend: The teacher will challenge the students to find real rocks and perform the same
observations on them. The teacher will create a word bank on a piece of chart paper and ask
students to suggest words for the bank. Words should relate to the following: geology, geologist,
length, meter tape, hand lens, and observations. Post the word bank on the wall so students can
observe it and add to it during the unit.
Materials/Resources

Mock rocks (19)

Paper plate for each student (19)
Meter tape (19)
Hand lenses (19)

Teacher assessment sheet (1)

Chart paper and markers for Word
Bank
Student observation sheets (19)

Day 4- Taking Rocks Apart

Standards:
ALCOS Science
11.) Describe Earth's layers, including inner and outer cores, mantle, and crust.
o Classifying rocks and minerals by characteristics, including streak, color,
hardness, magnetism, luster, and texture
Student Objectives:
Student should be able to:
1. Observe safety rules while conducting a science lab
2. Use appropriate tools strategically
3. Make observations of mock rocks and record data on their observation sheet
Procedures:
Engage: The teacher will ask the student if they think the rocks are made out of one material
many materials. Ask them to give evidence to support their answer. Remind students that they
are geologists and that they will be taking apart their rocks to see what they are made of. The
teacher will introduce a new tool for students to use in order to take apart rocks (geologist pick)
Explore: The teacher will then allow students to break apart their rocks and sort the ingredients
into separate piles. Students will then write their observations on their observation sheet.
Explain: The teacher will ask the students to think about how all the different materials made
one rock. The teacher will ask the students to imagine putting all the ingredients back together
and how the new rock would be the same or different. Ask them how they would go about
putting the rock back together. Then the teacher will ask the students if the grey sludge can be
separated even more. How can this be done? Have the students do a think pair share.
Extend: The students will then fill water vials one-third full with grey sludge. They will add
water to the vials until it is about 1cm from the top. Students will snap on the cap and hold it
tightly while shaking for a few minutes. Students will then observe the contents and draw a
picture and write what they see. At the end of the lesson, the teacher will add more words to the
word bank: rock, dissolve,
Evaluate: The students will be given a handout to record their observations on and the teacher
will have an assessment sheet that they record student participation on. The teacher will also ask
the following questions:

How has adding water helped to separate the rock ingredients?

What do you notice about the materials as they begin to settle?
What do you think if the contents settle overnight and we look at them tomorrow?
Do you think any material dissolved in the water? How will you know if something
dissolves?