1. Types of Rocks
LESSON 4.1
MIDDLE SCHOOL EARTH SCIENCE
UNIT 2 – CHAPTER 4
2. Lesson Objectives
In this lesson, students connect rock specimens to
the rock processes and cycles that form them. By
lessons end, students will be able to:
Define rock and describe what rocks are made of.
Know how rocks are classified and described.
Explain how each of the three main rock types are
formed.
Describe the rock cycle.
3. Standards
3.2.6.A1
Distinguish the differences in properties of solids, liquids, and
gases.
Differentiate between volume and mass. Investigate that equal
volumes of different substances usually have different masses.
3.2.6.A2 Compare and contrast pure substances with mixtures.
3.2.6.A3
Explain and give examples of how mass is conserved in a closed
system.
3.2.6.A4 Differentiate between physical changes and chemical
changes.
4. Note-taking
Before you begin to view this PowerPoint and the
remainder of the content for this lesson, please open
up your note-taking template.
It is under the “Note-taking Time” tab for this lesson.
At the end of this lesson, you will submit your notes
upon completion on the Lesson Journal.
5. Essential Questions
1. Describe the difference between a rock and a mineral.
2. Why can the minerals in a rock be a clue about how the rock
formed?
3. What is the difference between magma and lava?
4. What are the 3 main types of rocks and how does each
form?
5. Describe how an igneous rock can change to a metamorphic
rock.
6. Explain how sediments form.
7. In which rock type do you think fossils, which are the
remains of past living organisms, are most often found?
8. Suppose that the interior of the Earth was no longer
hot, but all other processes on Earth continued unchanged.
How would this affect the distribution of rocks formed on
Earth?
6. Vocabulary
chemical composition Description of the elements or
compounds that make up a substance and how
those elements are arranged in the substance.
deposited Put down or dropped by water or wind onto the ground.
lava Molten rock at the surface of Earth.
magma Molten rock below Earth’s surface.
mineral Naturally-occurring solid that has a definite crystal
structure.
molten Something that is melted.
organic Having to do with living things.
precipitates Solid substance that separates out of a liquid; a solid
substance that was once dissolved in
a liquid and gets left behind when the liquid evaporates.
sediments Small particles of soil or rock deposited by wind or
water.
7. Types of Rocks
You should have already watched the “Getting Started”
video entitled Geology Kitchen: The Three Types of Rocks
As mentioned in the video, there are different types of rocks
in our environment
There are 3 basic rock types;
1. Igneous Rocks
2. Sedimentary Rocks
3. Metamorphic Rocks
8. Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks are formed deep within the Earth.
They come from liquid hot magma, that cools and
transforms into a solid state.
10. Sedimentary Rocks
If Igneous rocks form deep within the Earth, then
Sedimentary rocks form right at the surface.
They are created by the sediment from air, water and
chemicals reacting in our physical environment.
12. Metamorphic Rock
Metamorphic rock is formed from altered pre-
existing rocks.
These rocks are altered by high heat and pressure
from deep burial .
14. Supplemental Learning Assignments
As a supplement to this PowerPoint, there are two other learning
activities that I feel will really help you to greater understand the types
of rocks and the rock cycle.
The second learning activity is a reading assignment from your Earth
Science Middle School textbook.
Please read pages 94-100
To access the 1st activity; go to
http://www.brainpop.com/search/search.weml?keyword=rocks
On this site there are two short cartoons entitled;
1. “Types of Rocks”
2. “Rock Cycle”
