Investigations based on the rock cycle.

1. Students will come to a deeper understanding of the rock cycle.
I. Concept: We have three basic rock types separated by how they were formed.
II. Vocabulary: A. sedimentary B. igneous C. metamorphic. D. limestone E. sandstone
2. Students will use the scientific method to develop and investigate a question dealing with the rock cycle.
I. Concept: The scientific method is a way of discovering information about the material world.

This field investigation is intended for use in a middle school class of about 40 students in an alternative school setting. The field work can be done in one day with additional time for presentation and preparation. The total time is one to two weeks. The students will need earth science materials such as a rock hammer, magnifying lens, scale, graduated cylinder, and scratch plate. The students should be introduced to the rock cycle and earth processes so as to be better able to develop questions.

As part of an on going study of earth science students will participate in a field investigation comparing the sites at Minnehaha Falls, Mounds Park, and the Lilydale Brickyard. After participating in activities that review the rock cycle such as a smart board vocabulary game and a short rock cycle skit, students will be encouraged to ask questions that they would like to investigate in the field. I expect that some students will not come up with questions until actually in the field, but they will be guided until they form groups based on natural curiosity.
Although students will come up with different questions, I anticipate some questions will have to do with classifying rocks, some will have to do with the types of fossils in the brickyard, and some I will not be able to anticipate. The students will then develop procedures to test their questions. I expect that the students will need: rock hammers, magnifying lenses, rock samples for comparison, balances, graduated cylinders, water, streak plates, hardness testing materials,and notebooks. I will exemplify the lesson with a fictitious rock classification group.
The students will bring the listed materials to the field. They will collect samples and perform tests for hardness, density, and streak. They will observe known samples and compare crystal shape and luster and record their observations. Upon returning to the classroom they will continue to collect data or work on a presentation. When all groups have completed their presentations they will share their findings with the class. Although students are assessed throughout the lesson, assessment must be evident during the presentations (they will get their grade then). Each presentation will have time for questions.

I have done this activity in the past but it will be different because I have more knowledge as a result of the MnSTEP program. Also, before it was more of a field trip instead of an investigation. I will stress inquiry more and the presentation part is new.

The students will be assessed during their presentations. Questions will be asked to check concepts and vocabulary.

Grade 8 Strand III. earth and space science Sub strand A. Earth Structures and Processes. Standard The student will identify Earth's composition, structure and processes.