4th grade

Rocks can be classified by their physical properties.

This summer I had to move to a new classroom. Since I knew I was returning to fourth grade and would be teaching about rocks and minerals, I got out my three boxes of special rocks I had stored in my classroom. While I was walking to my new classroom, I tripped on the cement step going into the room. All my rocks went flying out of my neatly classified boxes and scattered all over the floor. Since I had too much to do, I quickly threw them all back into one box. Now I need your help in deciding how to sort them back into their three different boxes.

How can the rocks be sorted into three different categories?

• Hand lens

•Rock samples

• Index cards

• Sorting mat

I think that ________ because ________________.

How can we test our focus question using the materials in

the kit inventory?

We can put the rocks into three different groups based on how they look.

• First, we will observe the rocks and discuss what they look like.

• Second, we will decide how we are going to classify them.

• Third, we will sort them on our mat into their categories.

• Next, we will label our index cards with their categories.

• Finally, we will present our findings.

Operational Plan

•Classify (sort)

•Igneous (volcanic)

•Metamorphic (changed)

•Sedimentary (layered)

Word Wall

Rock Classification

•Igneous: rocks are formed from cooled lava. They may have crystals, air bubbles or a glassy surface. They can also appear hard and dense

•metamorphic- changed by heat and pressure, sometimes split into many layers that look like a stack of pancakes with different mineral grains running throughout the rock.

•Sedimentary- often formed from mud or sand settling at the bottom of water. The rock may contain fossils, have wavy horizontal lines, layers, grains you can see or be dusty.

I’m a Rock (to the tune I’m a Nut)

I’m a rock, small and brownBuried deep within the groundHeated and squeezed for many, many yearsChanging form I’m not what I appearTremendous pressure, intense heat, Constantly changing with the rock cycle beat

Metamorphic RockMetamorphic Rock

Going through the rock cycle that never stopsI push and force, my way to the topFormed and hardened from melted rockExploding from volcanoes! What a shock!

Igneous RockIgneous Rock

Weathered away transported down riverSediment settling to the bottom in layersCompacted, cemented, compressed over timeMaybe you’ll see a fossil sometime

Sedimentary RockSedimentary Rock

By Susan McCoy

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Claims Evidence

Today we wondered______________. We predicted that _______________. We now know that ______________. We know this because ______________.

• Today our big idea was _______________.

• How does what we learned today apply to the big idea?

• What other questions do you have about this topic?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehcshoYIIM4