Rocks are Kool!

A WebQuery for 4th Grade

Designed by

Ms. Remington
remingtont@cwu.edu

rock with a leaf

Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction

What is a rock you say? Rocks are seen every where you go. They range in sizes as large as a house and as small as a penny. Rocks are made of minerals, non-living substances made up of more than one element, and no two rocks are alike. That is what makes rocks so interesting to examine. The 3 basic types of rocks are Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rocks and they are all formed differently.How do you differentiate one rock form another?  You will learn more about rocks in this exciting project!

back to top

Task

Class, today we are going to pretend that we are archeologists studying the rocks of the earth. The main rocks of study will be in the the categories of Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic types of rocks. These are amazing rocks with many different characteristics. To begin you and three partners will study each of the three types of rocks that have different names for each. You will create a table, as a group to put the characteristics of each rock in the Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rock category. I have some links below that you may go to to get the information on the rocks. You will discover the main differing characteristics that tell each rock apart. When your group is done studying the rocks and filling out a chart that includes each rock, you will be given a box of rocks  that are labeled 1-10 and you will look closely at each rock and look at your chart to determine the name of each rock. Good Luck on this amazing science project! Do not hesitate to ask me any questions you may have during the science project. 

back to top

The Process

Here are some steps to guide you to identifying the Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rocks along with the rocks in each of the three types of rocks.
back to top

Resources

back to top

Evaluation

Identifying Rocks

CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Participation
Used time well in lab and focused attention on the experiment.
Used time pretty well. Stayed focused on the experiment most of the time.
Did the lab but did not appear very interested. Focus was lost on several occasions.
Participation was minimal OR student was hostile about participating.
Procedures
Procedures are listed in clear steps. Each step is numbered and is a complete sentence.
Procedures are listed in a logical order, but steps are not numbered and/or are not in complete sentences.
Procedures are listed but are not in a logical order or are difficult to follow.
Procedures do not accurately list the steps of the experiment.
Journal/Notebook
Clear, accurate, dated notes are taken regularly.
Dated, clear, accurate notes are taken occassionally.
Dated, notes are taken occassionally, but accuracy of notes might be questionable.
Notes rarely taken or of little use.
Background Sources
Several reputable background sources were used and cited correctly. Material is translated into student's own words.
A few reputable background sources are used and cited correctly. Material is translated into student's own words.
A few background sources are used and cited correctly, but some are not reputable sources. Material is translated into student's own words.
Material is directly copied rather than put into students own words and/or background sources are cited incorrectly.
Analysis
The relationship between the variables is discussed and trends/patterns logically analyzed. Predictions are made about what might happen if part of the lab were changed or how the experimental design could be changed.
The relationship between the variables is discussed and trends/patterns logically analyzed.
The relationship between the variables is discussed but no patterns, trends or predictions are made based on the data.
The relationship between the variables is not discussed.
Safety
Lab is carried out with full attention to relevant safety procedures. The set-up, experiment, and tear-down posed no safety threat to any individual.
Lab is generally carried out with attention to relevant safety procedures. The set-up, experiment, and tear-down posed no safety threat to any individual, but one safety procedure needs to be reviewed.
Lab is carried out with some attention to relevant safety procedures. The set-up, experiment, and tear-down posed no safety threat to any individual, but several safety procedures need to be reviewed.
Safety procedures were ignored and/or some aspect of the experiment posed a threat to the safety of the student or others.
Scientific Concepts
Report illustrates an accurate and thorough understanding of scientific concepts underlying the lab.
Report illustrates an accurate understanding of most scientific concepts underlying the lab.
Report illustrates a limited understanding of scientific concepts underlying the lab.
Report illustrates inaccurate understanding of scientific concepts underlying the lab.
Appearance/Organization
Lab report is typed and uses headings and subheadings to visually organize the material.
Lab report is neatly handwritten and uses headings and subheadings to visually organize the material.
Lab report is neatly written or typed, but formatting does not help visually organize the material.
Lab report is handwritten and looks sloppy with cross-outs, multiple erasures and/or tears and creases.
Data
Professional looking and accurate representation of the data in tables and/or graphs. Graphs and tables are labeled and titled.
Accurate representation of the data in tables and/or graphs. Graphs and tables are labeled and titled.
Accurate representation of the data in written form, but no graphs or tables are presented.
Data are not shown OR are inaccurate.

back to top

Conclusion

Congratulations class! You have completed this exciting project and learned more about rocks. You have taken the table your group created and identified each rock in the box using that table. You ought to be proud of yourselves. You are turning into great archeologiest! Go home and tell your parent(s) what you have learned from this project. Your parent(s) will be very proud of you.

back to top
Home Page