25/03/22, 15:27 Elephango Educational Resources K12 Learning, Lesson Plans, Activities, Experiments, Homeschool Help
Classification of Rocks
Contributor: Roxann Penny. Resource ID: 12768
OK, so you know where baby birds come from, and where plants come from, but where do
rocks come from? Boring as they seem, they're fascinating when you get to know them! Wait
until you try stone soup!
CATEGORIES SUBJECT
Earth Science Science
LEARNING STYLE PERSONALITY STYLE
Auditory, Visual Otter
GRADE LEVEL RESOURCE TYPE
Intermediate (3-5) Quick Query
Get It!
Take a closer look at this image of a rock formation. Pretty wild, yes? How do you think it was
formed?
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25/03/22, 15:27 Elephango Educational Resources K12 Learning, Lesson Plans, Activities, Experiments, Homeschool Help
You don't have to go very far to find a rock.
In fact, you can say that the Earth's crust is one giant rock. Rocks come in all shapes, textures,
and sizes. Rocks may be formed deep beneath the Earth, or they may also form on its surface.
Wherever they are formed, rocks are interesting geological features to study. Geologists (people
who study rocks) have identified three main classifications of rocks. They are:
1. igneous rocks
2. metamorphic rocks
3. sedimentary rocks
As you watch the presentation below, make a brief note of the three types of rocks mentioned,
and some of the special features of each rock. Now, take a look at this SciShow Kids! video
presentation, Be a Rock Detective:
Now, take a closer look at some rocks from each classification. As you look at the images,
observe the characteristics of the rocks. For example, observe the shape, size, color, and
texture (how you imagine the rock would feel). Discuss your observations with your parent or
teacher.
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25/03/22, 15:27 Elephango Educational Resources K12 Learning, Lesson Plans, Activities, Experiments, Homeschool Help
Before you move on to the Got It? section, take a few moments to review the three
classifications of rocks by singing along to 3 Types of Rock - A Science Song, by Mr. R.'s Songs
for Teaching. Feel free to sing as loudly as you wish!
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Now that you have learned to identify the three categories of rocks, "rock on" to the Got It?
section to summarize what you have learned. Once you are there, you will have the opportunity
to name each rock group, and test your understanding of rock classification with a guessing
game.
Got It?
In the Get It! section, you learned to identify the three classifications of rocks.
In this section of the lesson, you will have the opportunity to test your ability to identify what
these classifications are. First, take a few minutes to review some basic rock facts by
completing the following summary. Once you have completed the summary, review your
responses, and make any corrections as needed:
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Next, test your skill at identifying the three types of rocks with this interactive. You may use your
notes to complete this activity. Be sure to read each question carefully before providing an
answer. Drag the answers on the right-hand side to the correct spaces on the left:
When you are finished with the interactive, consider the following questions:
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25/03/22, 15:27 Elephango Educational Resources K12 Learning, Lesson Plans, Activities, Experiments, Homeschool Help
What can rocks tell us about a particular region or place? For example, the picture above
portrays an area of sedimentary rock. How do you think this rock formation was created?
How do you imagine this area looked like thousands of years ago?
Share your thoughts with your parent or teacher.
When you are done with your discussion, continue to Go! to explore a few activities that will
expand your understanding of rock classification, including building your own rock collection,
and making rock soup!
Go!
Since rocks make up such a large part of Earth's natural environment, it is helpful to be able to
identify and classify the different types that can be found.
You can practice your knowledge of classifying rocks with some hands-on activities that you
can complete on your own. Take a look below at the activities listed, and select at least two to
complete. You may ask your parent or teacher for assistance if you feel the need to:
Start a rock collection.
1. Start by collecting different types of rocks near your home or in your community.
2. The rocks you collect should not be too large (this means no large boulders!) or too small
(this means the rock should be, at a minimum, as large as your left or right eyeball — it’s
your choice).
3. Place each rock in a clear container or clear plastic bag.
4. On a piece of paper, label each container or bag with the date the rock was collected, and
write a brief description about the rock. For example, you could say that the rock is
smooth, grey in color, and has a round shape.
5. Create a brief description for each rock you collect. In your description, you may make an
educated guess about how you would classify the rock (igneous, metamorphic, or
sedimentary) and why.
Prepare a PowerPoint presentation on the three main groups of rocks.
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1. In your presentation, include a brief description of each group, and how rocks within this
classification are formed.
2. Be sure to use an image depicting an example of a rock from each category.
3. Present your PowerPoint to a friend, or to your parent or teacher.
You might like to try this recipe for Ol' Fashioned Stone Soup by Sydney Mike (Scripps
Networks, LLC).
1. If possible, invite some friends or family members to share your soup.
2. You could also share your inspiration for making the soup.
3. To complete this activity safely, you will need your parent's or teacher's permission and
guidance, so be sure to let them know.
Now that you have concluded this lesson, why do you think it's important to study rocks? When
geologists study rock formations, they often look for clues about the Earth and events that may
have occurred in the past. For example, they may determine that there was once some volcanic
activity in an area, or that a river or lake was once present in an area, by carefully examining and
classifying the types of rocks they find nearby. Similarly, you can make determinations about
your environment by taking the time to look more closely at the rocks around you.
The next time you are outdoors, try to guess the classification of the rocks you see around you
— in fact, you may discover a whole new classification of your own!
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