Rock Stars Slides Rock Stars
The Amazing Journey of Earth's Natural Building Blocks
Sedimentary
Igneous
Metamorphic
What is a Rock?
A rock is a solid, natural part of Earth's crust.
Rocks are made of minerals—the ingredients that give rocks their color, shape, and strength.
Did you know?
Rocks are natural resources we use for buildings, roads, and even jewelry!
Mineral Magic
1. Igneous Rocks
Formed from "fire" (hot, melted rock).
Magma
Melted rock underground. Cools slowly to make big crystals.
Lava
Melted rock on the surface. Cools quickly to make small or no crystals.
Examples: Granite (countertops), Obsidian (glassy), Pumice (holey).
2. Sedimentary Rocks
Formed from layers of sediment (sand, mud, pebbles) pressed together over time.
Look for visible layers!
This is where fossils are found.
Examples: Sandstone, Limestone (chalk), Shale.
Newest Layer
Middle Layer
Oldest Layer
3. Metamorphic Rocks
"Morph" means change.
These rocks are changed by extreme heat and pressure deep underground.
The Recipe:
Rock Heat Pressure
Limestone
MARBLE
Marble is used for buildings and statues!
The Rock Cycle
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
"Rocks are constantly being broken down, melted, or squished into something new!"
Weathering
Erosion
Melting
Rock Review!
1. Which rock type is formed from layers of sediment pressed together?
2. Name the two "ingredients" needed to create metamorphic rock.
3. Can an igneous rock ever turn into a sedimentary rock? Why?
Stone Stories Document Stone Stories
Exploring Earth's Natural Building Blocks
Name:
Date:
Reading: Nature's Recycle Program
Every rock you see outside has a story to tell. These rocks are part of Earth’s natural resources. We use them to build our homes, pave our roads, and even power our electronics. But where do they come from?
There are three main "families" of rocks. The first is Igneous rock. This rock is born from fire. Deep inside the Earth, it is so hot that rocks melt into a liquid called magma. When this liquid cools down and turns solid, it becomes igneous rock. Some igneous rocks, like granite, are very hard and make great kitchen countertops!
Next is Sedimentary rock. Over time, wind and water break larger rocks into tiny pieces called sediment. These pieces, along with sand, mud, and even old shells, settle at the bottom of lakes and oceans in layers. Over millions of years, the weight of the top layers squishes the bottom layers until they turn into rock. If you find a fossil, it is almost always hidden inside a sedimentary rock!
The third family is Metamorphic rock. The word "metamorphic" means to change. These rocks start as one type of rock but get buried deep underground. The extreme heat and heavy pressure from the Earth's crust bake and squeeze the rock until it transforms into something brand new. For example, soft limestone can be squeezed into beautiful, hard marble.
Check Your Understanding
1. Which type of rock is formed when magma or lava cools and becomes solid?
Sedimentary
Igneous
Metamorphic
Mineral
2. Why are fossils usually found in sedimentary rocks instead of other types?
Because sedimentary rocks are the only ones found near water.
Because igneous rocks are too soft to hold fossils.
Because the layers of sediment gently cover and preserve them over time.
3. Describe the two things needed to turn a rock into a Metamorphic rock.
4. Why do we consider rocks to be a "natural resource"? Give one example of how humans use rocks in daily life.
Vocabulary Match
A. Magma
1. Tiny pieces of broken rock, sand, and shells.
B. Sediment
2. Liquid, melted rock found deep underground.
C. Pressure
3. To change from one form into another.
D. Transform
4. A heavy weight or force pushing on something.
Geologist Key Teacher Resource Geologist Key
Teacher Resource & Answer Guide
Lesson Objectives
Identify the three main types of rocks.
Explain the formation process for each rock type.
Connect rock formation to the concept of natural resources.
Understand the basic concept of the rock cycle.
Common Misconceptions
Rocks are permanent: Students often think rocks never change. Emphasize the Rock Cycle.
Magma vs. Lava: Remind students that location (underground vs. surface) is the key difference.
Guided Notes Key
What is a Rock?
Crust, Minerals, Buildings
1. Igneous Rocks
Fire/Melted Rock, Underground, Surface, Obsidian
2. Sedimentary Rocks
Sediment, Fossils, Limestone
Layers: A: Newest (top), B: Middle, C: Oldest (bottom)
3. Metamorphic Rocks
Change, Heat, Pressure, Marble
Stone Stories Answer Key
1. Multiple Choice
Q1: Igneous
Q2: Because the layers of sediment gently cover and preserve them over time.
2. Short Answer
Q3: Extreme heat and high pressure.
Q4: Rocks are natural resources because they are found in nature and useful to humans (e.g., building, statues, jewelry).
3. Vocabulary Match
A. Magma: 2. Liquid, melted rock found deep underground.
B. Sediment: 1. Tiny pieces of broken rock, sand, and shells.
C. Pressure: 4. A heavy weight or force pushing on something.
D. Transform: 3. To change from one form into another.
Quick Activity: Crayon Rock Cycle
1. Sedimentary: Press shavings. 2. Metamorphic: Squish baggie with heat/pressure. 3. Igneous: Melt and cool.
Rock Stars Guided Notes Rock Stars
Guided Notes
Name:
Date:
What is a Rock?
A rock is a solid, natural part of Earth's _____________________________.
Rocks are made of _____________________________. These are the ingredients that give rocks their color, shape, and strength.
Rocks are natural resources. We use them for _________________________, roads, and jewelry.
1. Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks are formed from ____________________ (hot, melted rock).
Magma
Melted rock found __________________________.
Lava
Melted rock found on the _____________________.
Examples: Granite, ___________________________, and Pumice.
2. Sedimentary Rocks
Formed from layers of ___________________________ (sand, mud, pebbles) pressed together over time.
This is where fossils are usually found!
Examples: Sandstone, _____________________, and Shale.
Label the Layers:
Top: ___________________
Middle: ___________________
Bottom: ___________________
3. Metamorphic Rocks
The word "morph" means ___________________________.
These rocks are changed by extreme ___________________________ and ___________________________ deep underground.
Limestone + Heat + Pressure = ___________________________
The Rock Cycle
___________
___________
___________
Weathering
Erosion
Melting
Quick Check
One thing I learned today about rocks is...
