Eileen Castillo

10/20/2016

Activity:
This Science lesson plan on rocks- making connections, is designed for fourth grade students
where the main concept is for them to develop an understanding on different types of rocks. This
lesson is set up as a unit where portions of the content are broken up into days to more easily
teach the different components. Day one of this lesson serves as the introduction of observing
rocks. The activity for this portion is an observation game where students will ask yes or no
questions about the rock the teacher is holding. I feel that this activity could be extended to
where the students can also include other characteristics of rocks to figure out what rock is being
observed. After the students explore, they will be encouraged to describe the rock (color, texture,
size). Extending this part of the activity will challenge students to think more deeply on rocks.
Students will then observe and draw their rock dry and wet. Lastly, students will compare the
appearance and texture of the rock. The goal after this
Analysis:
A. Content: The standards for this lesson were not stated. The lesson plan does in fact
provide enough information for me to find a standard that specifically fits this lesson.
SC.4.E.6.1: Identify the three categories of rocks: igneous, (formed from molten rock);
sedimentary (pieces of other rocks and fossilized organisms); and metamorphic (formed
from heat and pressure). This lesson explicitly teaches these types of rocks throughout the
rest of the unit in detail. The connecting content for the observing portion of this lesson is

found when students are being asked questions to determine the characteristics of the
rocks. I also found content in this section that went into detail about what makes up a
rock (minerals). By the end of the lesson, students will become more familiar with the
different types of rocks, its characteristics, how to measure rocks and how to classify
rocks.
B. Process: Day one of this lesson focused on the process skill of observing. Students are
observing the characteristics of rocks and comparing their appearances. Another process
skill that I found in this lesson was charting their findings. Students are given a worksheet
where they have to record their observations, draw the rocks dry and wet and then list the
differences of each. Students will also be expected to describe the texture of their rock. In
the article of A Leg (or three) To Stand On by Weinbaugh it is important for primary
students to master skills such as observing, classifying, and communicating in order to
make conclusions. They are using the skills of observing, inferring, communicating and
making models when completing this worksheet and participating in this activity.

C. Nature of Science: In this lesson, I found two natures of science. These are, Science
explains and predicts and Science is a complex social activity. The lesson talks about
students observing and coming up with predictions based on those observations and with
facts. It also states that students will be recording/ sharing their ideas and data on the
worksheet provided and by doing the wet / dry activity.
Modifications:

A. Content: After reviewing day one of this lesson on observing rocks, I feel that there
needs to be more content since this portion of the lesson is also serving as the
introduction into the unit of rocks. I believe that infusing technology by showing the
students a brainpop video that introduces rocks and all that it entails (objective) so
students can have a better idea of what to look for throughout the activity (content goal). I
would also model and set expectations for the activity so students can more easily explore
and meet the overall goal of the activity.
B. Process: I believe that the process for this lesson was good. The only modification I
would make would be introducing students to a variations of rocks not just one to
conduct this activity and extend the exploration of rocks. This will allow students to
become more curious and gain interest in the content. In addition, it will promote both the
student and the teacher to ask those higher order questions throughout the lesson.
Exposing students to a variety of rocks will enhance the quality of the process skill of
inferring, where they can make statements based on the many characteristics of the
different rocks (size, color, texture, shape). It will prepare the students for day two of this
unit where they will be classifying these rocks based on their characteristics.
C. Nature of Science: When identifying the nature of science, I found two: Science explains
and predicts and Science is a complex social activity. I believe that these are appropriate
for this lesson. The modification I would make would be to be more explicit when
explaining the purpose of the lesson. I would explain the importance of observation and
how that recorded data could help build conclusions about determining the characteristics
of rocks and then use this data as a resource throughout the rest of the lesson.