Rock Raiders: The Subterranean Quest takes students deep underground on a thrilling mining expedition to explore igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks! As they navigate dangerous caverns and tunnels, they’ll need to use their rock knowledge and skills to escape. Along the way, they can reference an informative “field guide” video, packed with essential information to help them through the adventure and master the mysteries of rocks!
Lesson Plan: Types of Rocks (Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic)
Grade Level: Elementary
Duration: 1 hour
Subject: Earth Science – Types of Rocks
Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to identify and describe the three types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
- Students will understand how each rock type is formed and recognize key characteristics of each.
- Students will apply their knowledge to answer questions and solve challenges in the online escape room.
Materials:
- Video: Instructional video covering igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
- Online Escape Room: Interactive escape room designed for student engagement and assessment.
Lesson Outline:
1. Introduction (5 minutes):
- Begin with a brief introduction to the three types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic).
- Introduce the video as a helpful resource to learn about each rock type.
2. Video Instruction (15 minutes):
- Play the video that explains how each type of rock forms, along with examples and key characteristics.
- Igneous Rocks: Formed from cooled magma or lava.
- Sedimentary Rocks: Created from compacted sediments, often containing fossils.
- Metamorphic Rocks: Transformed by heat and pressure from existing rocks.
3. Discussion and Vocabulary (10 minutes):
- Discuss key vocabulary related to each rock type:
- Igneous – Rocks formed from cooling magma/lava.
- Sedimentary – Rocks created from compacted sediments.
- Metamorphic – Rocks transformed by heat and pressure.
- Magma – Molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface.
- Fossil – Remains of ancient life found in sedimentary rocks.
- Encourage students to ask questions about the video content.
4. Online Escape Room (20 minutes):
- Transition to the online escape room for an interactive challenge.
- Students will answer questions and solve puzzles about igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
- Remind students they can refer back to the video using the “Field Guide” button on each question page.
5. Review and Closing (5 minutes):
- Review the three types of rocks and their formation processes.
- Highlight key takeaways from the escape room.
- Congratulate students on completing the escape room and mastering the rock cycle.
Assessment:
- Formative assessment through participation in the online escape room.
- Engagement and understanding will be demonstrated by successfully answering the questions and completing the challenges.
Relevant Vocabulary:
- Igneous
- Sedimentary
- Metamorphic
- Magma
- Fossil
Supplemental Resources:
- Instructional Video (for core content)
- Online Escape Room (for interactive learning and assessment)
Teacher Reference Guide
This reference guide provides all the key information needed to teach the lesson on Types of Rocks (Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic) in one hour.
Igneous Rocks:
Igneous rocks form when molten rock, known as magma (when beneath the Earth's surface) or lava (once it erupts onto the surface), cools and solidifies. This cooling process can occur either beneath the surface, forming intrusive igneous rocks such as granite, or on the surface, forming extrusive igneous rocks such as basalt. Igneous rocks often contain visible crystals, which form as the magma cools slowly. If magma cools quickly on the surface, it results in smaller crystals or none at all. Common characteristics of igneous rocks include a solidified, often crystalline texture and mineral-rich composition.
Sedimentary Rocks:
Sedimentary rocks form from layers of sediments that are deposited over time, usually in bodies of water like rivers, lakes, or oceans. These sediments, which can be made of sand, silt, clay, or even the remains of living organisms, become compacted and cemented together over long periods of time, forming rocks such as sandstone, shale, and limestone. One important feature of sedimentary rocks is that they often contain fossils—the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms. Sedimentary rocks typically form in horizontal layers called strata, and they often have a soft, grainy texture.
Metamorphic Rocks:
Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have been changed from their original form (either igneous or sedimentary) through extreme heat and pressure deep within the Earth. This process, known as metamorphism, alters the rock’s structure and composition, creating new types of rock. Examples of metamorphic rocks include marble, which forms from limestone, and slate, which forms from shale. Metamorphic rocks often have a layered or banded appearance, and they tend to be denser and harder than their original form due to the intense conditions they undergo.
The Rock Cycle:
It’s important to note that these three types of rocks are part of the larger rock cycle. Rocks continuously change from one type to another over time due to processes such as melting, cooling, erosion, compaction, and heat and pressure. For example, igneous rocks can break down into sediments to form sedimentary rocks, or sedimentary rocks can be buried deep within the Earth and transformed into metamorphic rocks.
Key Vocabulary:
- Igneous – Rocks formed from cooling magma or lava.
- Sedimentary – Rocks formed from compacted sediments, often in layers.
- Metamorphic – Rocks transformed by heat and pressure from existing rocks.
- Magma – Molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface.
- Fossil – Preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, often found in sedimentary rocks.
Student Instruction:
The students will begin by watching a video that explains the formation, characteristics, and examples of each type of rock. The video will provide all the information they need to succeed in the escape room. After watching the video, students will participate in an online escape room that challenges them to apply their knowledge by answering questions and solving puzzles related to igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Students will be reminded that they can reference the video by clicking the “Field Guide” button at any point if they need assistance.
Teacher Answer Sheet
Lava-Filled Cavern (Igneous Rocks)
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What type of rock forms from cooled magma or lava?
- Answer: A) Igneous
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Which igneous rock forms when magma cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface?
- Answer: A) Granite
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What are the visible crystals in igneous rocks a sign of?
- Answer: A) Slow cooling
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Lava that cools quickly on the Earth's surface forms which type of igneous rock?
- Answer: A) Basalt
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Challenge: Which igneous rock can you find near volcanoes and is often used in building roads?
- Answer: A) Basalt
Ancient Riverbed Tunnel (Sedimentary Rocks)
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Sedimentary rocks are formed from layers of sediments that are compacted and cemented together.
- Answer: True
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Fossils are most commonly found in metamorphic rocks.
- Answer: False
-
Sandstone is an example of a sedimentary rock.
- Answer: True
-
Sedimentary rocks are formed by the cooling of magma or lava.
- Answer: False
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Challenge: True or False: Sedimentary rocks are often found in layers and can sometimes contain fossils of ancient life.
- Answer: True
Pressure Chamber (Metamorphic Rocks)
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What type of rock forms when heat and pressure change an existing rock?
- Answer: A) Metamorphic
-
Which of these is an example of a metamorphic rock?
- Answer: A) Marble
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What process transforms sedimentary or igneous rocks into metamorphic rocks?
- Answer: A) Heat and pressure
-
Slate is formed from which type of rock?
- Answer: A) Shale
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Challenge: What rock type can form from intense heat and pressure deep inside the Earth?
- Answer: A) Metamorphic