NGSS Standard:
4-ESS1-1. Identify
evidence from patterns in rock formations and fossils in rock layers to support
an explanation for changes in a landscape over time.
·
Start lab with three different centers to
classify the types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Students
can take notes and draw pictures in a journal about the characteristics of the
different rocks and any patterns that they see.
·
Creation of a sedimentary rock using Starburst
candies – cut up three candies with scissors into tiny pieces or into quarters.
Then, press the “sediments” together to make a sedimentary rock.
·
Next, create “metamorphic” rocks by having the
students hold their “rocks” in their hands and blow on them. The candy begins
to warm and then students can fold their “rocks” a few times, creating “metamorphic”
rocks.
·
Teacher can demonstrate “igneous” rock by
melting the Starburst candies in the microwave – teacher demonstration rather
than independent student practice.
·
To conclude the lesson, the teacher can lead a
whole-class discussion about how the rock cycle causes rocks to change over
time and how these changes affect the landscape.
Pedagogical Reflection
The
Starburst Rock Cycle lesson is great for students because it is hands-on and
gives students the opportunity to visualize the changing of “rocks” over time.
First, the students are able to form an understanding of different rocks by
investigating igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks at different centers.
Then, they have the opportunity to actually create these “rocks” using
Starburst candies. Students create the rocks one-by-one and show how they
change throughout the cycle. I would not change the hands-on part of the lesson
– as a former elementary school student, a hands-on activity like this would
have allowed me to grasp the idea of a rock cycle very clearly. However, I
would definitely have the students take notes during the investigation of the
different rocks at the beginning of the lesson. It is important that the
students write down observations and make drawings in a notebook of what they see
throughout the experiment. In addition, I would conclude the lesson with a
whole-class discussion about the rock cycle and how it affects changes in the
landscape over time. This gives students a chance to reflect on what they have
learned and think about the rock cycle more broadly.
Assessment:
·
Students will be assessed through a lab report
that…
o Explains
observations about the rock investigation and rock cycle experiment.
o Includes
drawings of the types of rocks and the changes throughout the cycle.
o Includes
discussion of the materials used.
o Demonstrates
understanding of the scientific concepts used in the experiment.
Rubric
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