Rock classification webquest

1. Classifying Rocks Title: Classifying Rocks Description: Characteristics used to identify rocks into 3 main categories Grade Level :4-6 Curriculum: Science Keywords: classify rocks, identify characteristics, color, texture, mineral composition, origin, igneous rock, sedimentary rock, metamorphic rock

2. Introduction OH NO! Professor Rockbottom asked you to retrieve his rock collection from the storage closet. On the way back to the laboratory you tripped! Several of the rocks have fallen out of the case. Now you have to determine whether the rocks should be returned to the Igneous Rock, Sedimentary Rock, or the Metamorphic Rock compartment. Complete the following web quest to help you repair the Professors collection and discover what characteristics geologists use to identify rocks.

3. Task Students will be given & shown three different rock samples. They will use geology websites provided by the web quest which contain charts and information to distinguish the rocks characteristics. Students will then classify each rock as either igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic. Once the rocks have been identified they can be returned to their proper places in Professor Rockbottom’s collection.

4. Process : Using at least 5 of the websites listed in the Resource Section to create a rock record sheet (see resources print one copy per rock sample) for each of the three rock samples. Answer the questions on the sheet to help you classify each rock sample as either, Igneous, Sedimentary, or Metamorphic. Use detailed observations. Be sure to make note of the websites you use on the record sheet. Rock#1 Rock#3 Rock#2