KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

PROFESSIONAL SEMESTER PROGRAM

Teacher Candidates: Jaymee Griffin & Janel Derr Date:

Cooperating Teacher: Coop. Initials:
Group Size: 25 Allotted Time: 45 minutes Grade Level: 3
Subject or Topic: The Rock Cycle Section: ELU 545

STANDARDS:

Pennsylvania Science Standard - 3.1.3.A9

● Ask questions about objects, organisms, and events.
● Plan and conduct a simple investigation and understand that different questions
require different kinds of investigations.
● Use data/evidence to construct explanations and understand that scientists
develop explanations based on their evidence and compare them with their
current scientific knowledge.

Pennsylvania Science Standard - S3.D.1.3.1

● Identify ways that cause Earth’s surface to be constantly changing (e.g., wind
and water erosion, contraction and expansion of surfaces).

Pennsylvania English Language Arts Standard - CC.1.4.3.A

● Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and
information clearly.

I. Performance Objectives (Learning Outcomes)

Learners will be able to:

● Recall the three main types of rock - igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.
● Take notes about the three main types of rock in their Science notebook.
● Label the parts of the rock cycle with a word bank.

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II. Assessment/Evaluation plan
A. Formative (informs instruction)

Assessment: Documentation Tool: Scale:

(e.g. product, quick (e.g. rating scale, (performance levels)
response, interview) rubric, checklist,
anecdotal notes)
● Learners will take ● Teacher will record ● "+” Learner had
notes in their learning using a “+”, accurate notes
Science “/”, or “-” rating for about each type of
notebooks about each learner. rock.
igneous, ● “/” Learner had
metamorphic, and accurate notes
sedimentary rocks. about 1-2 types of
rocks.
● “-” Learner did not
complete notes
about the types of
rocks.
● Learners will label ● Teacher will record ● "+” Learner labeled
the parts of the learning using a “+”, all parts of the rock
rock cycle on a “/”, or “-” rating for cycle correctly.
worksheet. each learner. ● “/” Learner labeled
some of the parts of
the rock cycle
correctly.
● “-” Learner did not
label any part of
the rock cycle
correctly or did not
finish the worksheet.

B. Summative
● No summative assessment will be given.

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III. Instructional Materials
● Computer and projector or Smart Board
● YouTube Video of the Rock Cycle Song
● Anchor chart for three types of rocks with markers.
● 25 copies of Types of Rocks graphic organizer
● 25 copies of The Rock Cycle worksheet
● 25 small jars of Playdoh (at least 3 different colors)
● Copy of I’m Trying to Love Rocks by Bethany Barton

IV. Subject Matter/ Content

A. Prerequisite Skills
● Learners have had a prior instruction on minerals and rocks.

B. Key Vocabulary
● Rock Cycle - The series of processes that change one type of rock into
another type of rock.
● Igneous - Rock formed by hardening of melted earth (magma or lava).
● Metamorphic - Rock changed into a more compact form by the action of
pressure, heat, and water.
● Sedimentary - Rock formed by or from sediment.
● Sediment - Small rock particles are formed when bigger rocks break down
into smaller pieces or that dissolve into water.

C. New Content
● The Big Idea: Igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary are the three main
types of rocks created through the rock cycle.

V. Implementation

A. Introduction
● Remind the class that we have recently been learning about rocks
and minerals.
● Introduce our big idea for the day and write it on the board:
Igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary are the three main types
of rocks created through the rock cycle.
● Play the Rock Cycle Song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7xFfezsJ1s&t=65s

B. Development
● Over the next few classes, we will be talking about the rock cycle

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 and the three different different types of rocks. After we learn all of
this awesome information, each of you will make your own book
about the rock cycle and rocks. So it will be important for you to
take notes so you can write many interesting facts in your books.
● Have learners cut and paste the Type of Rocks graphic organizer
into their science notebook.
− Turn and Talk: What did you learn in the rock cycle song
about igneous rocks? Write some key words in your science
notebook under igneous rocks. Warm call on 1-2 learners for
their thoughts. Write key terms on the anchor chart.
− Turn and Talk: What did you learn in the rock cycle song
about metamorphic rocks? Write some key words in your
science notebook under metamorphic rocks. Warm call on
1-2 learners for their thoughts. Write key terms on the anchor
chart.
− Turn and Talk: What did you learn in the rock cycle song
about sedimentary rocks? Write some key words in your
science notebook under sedimentary rocks. Warm call on
1-2 learners for their thoughts. Write key terms on the anchor
chart.
● I’m Trying to Love Rocks by Bethany Barton Read Aloud
− Introduce the book to the class.
− Identify the author/illustrator.
− Tell learners that this book will be available to look at in our
classroom book display.
− Ask if there are any predictions as to what the story might be
about.
− Encourage learners to note any new learnings about
igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks as we read
through the book. Also encourage learners to use the next
page to draw pictures or write any other interesting notes
that they learn about the rock cycle.
● Hand out The Rock Cycle Worksheet and have learners glue it into
their Science notebooks.
− Turn and Talk: From the video and the book, how would you
describe the rock cycle? Warm call on 1-2 learners for their
thoughts.
o Rock Cycle - The series of processes that change one
type of rock into another type of rock.
− Let’s look at the Rock Cycle Worksheet in your Science
notebook. You will have 5 minutes to complete the

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 worksheet in your table teams. Set a timer for 5 minutes.
After the 5 minutes, review to make sure learners have the
correct answers.
● Model the Rock Cycle with Playdoh
− Hand each learner a small container of playdoh (there
should be multiple colors evenly dispersed throughout the
classroom). Instruct learners to not play with playdoh until
instructed.
− Tell the class we will be modeling the rock cycle using
playdoh.
− First, model making a volcano and pumice rock with learners
following you. Break off a small centimeter to inch piece of
their playdoh and form into a small rock. Use the other part
of their dough to form a volcano. Use a pencil tip to poke
holes into the small rock.
o Let’s think (model thinking pose), who knows what
type of rock this is? Solicit 1-2 learner responses.
o This part represents the igneous rock called pumice
and a volcano. Magma or lava from volcanoes make
igneous rocks.
− Next, model breaking the small rock and part of the volcano
into little pieces with learners following you. Remind learners
that this is called weathering when the rocks are broken into
pieces, and the small pieces are sediments.
− Model how to build layers of sedimentary rock. Have groups
of 3-4 students work together to assemble the layers of
sedimentary rock.
− Let’s think (model thinking pose), who remembers what
needs to happen for sedimentary rocks to become
metamorphic rocks? Solicit 1-2 learner responses.
o Pressure or heat.
− Model squishing the rock together and encourage learners
to follow. So this is how our rock would change if we add
heat or pressure to make metamorphic rock.
− Turn and Talk: What would happen if our rock would melt?
Warm call on 1-2 learners.

C. Closure
● We all learned so much today about rock and the rock cycle. Next
class we are going to get to learn more about igneous rocks and
do some more fun hands-on activities!

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 ● If time, you can replay the Rock Cycle Song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7xFfezsJ1s&t=65s

D. Accommodations / Differentiation
● Learners with Disabilities – Instructional Support Teacher will sit near
learners and guide participation and behavior. Follow
recommendations in learners’ 504 plan and IEP.
● ELA – Follow recommendations from the learner's ELA report.
● Early Finishers – Learners may watch videos about the rock cycle
and different types of rocks posted on Google classroom or look at
books in the classroom rock book display. Encourage learners to jot
down any new learnings about the rock cycle or different types of
rocks in their science notebook.
● THE ROCK CYCLE SONG | Science Music Video
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7xFfezsJ1s&t=6
5s
● Types Of Rocks | The Dr. Binocs Show | Learn Videos For Kids
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeuYx-AbZdo
● Rock cycle video | Learn about Types of Rocks | Rock cycle
for kids
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP1qbwSGmNs
● BrainPop Jr Rock Cycle
o https://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/roc
kcycle/movie
● Behavioral Needs – Teacher will move from group to group to
monitor activities, discussions, and check in on any learners who
may need more guidance or support.

VI. Reflective Response

A. Report of Learners’ Performance in Terms of States Objectives (Reflection

on learners' performance written after lesson is taught, includes
remediation for learners who failed to meet acceptable level of
achievement.)

B. Personal Reflection
● How could this lesson be improved?
● How did the learners respond to the lesson?
● What did the learners enjoy about the lesson? What did they not
enjoy about the lesson?
● What other resources could be used in the future for a lesson like

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 this?
VII. Resources

Anna in Room 123. (n.d.). Types of rocks graphic organizer. Teachers Pay Teachers.
Retrieved April 16, 2022, from
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Types-of-Rocks-Graphic-Organiz
er-5520098

Barton, B. (2020). I'm Trying to Love Rocks. VIKING.

Britannica kids dictionary. Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16,

2022, from https://kids.britannica.com/kids/browse/dictionary

Jam Campus. (2018, April 8). The rock cycle song: Science music video. YouTube.
Retrieved April 16, 2022, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7xFfezsJ1s&t=65s

Kowalik Science. (2017, April 16). Playdoh rock cycle. YouTube. Retrieved April 16,
2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6CpFGzHFUo

McGraw-Hill Education. (2017). Earth & Space iScience, Teacher Edition (Vol. 1).

Playdoh activity instructions. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2022, from

https://d32ogoqmya1dw8.cloudfront.net/files/K8GeoTeachers/formation_earth_ro
ck_cycle_14558162201971545814.pdf

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 Appendix A
Types of Rocks Graphic Organizer

​https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Types-of-Rocks-Graphic-Organizer-5520098

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 Appendix B
Rock Cycle Worksheet