Raven Bozek

SCE 320, Fall 2023

Subject: Science Grade Level: Seven

Standards:

Standard - 3.3.6.A1- Recognize and interpret various mapping representations of Earth’s

common features.
Standard - 3.4.6.C2- Show how models are used to communicate and test design ideas and
processes.

Objectives:
- Students will be able to identify the three different types of rocks: Igneous, Metamorphic,
and Sedimentary.
- Students will be able to distinguish the characteristics of each rock.
- Students will be able to create each type of rock using what they already know about the
different types of rocks.

Vocabulary:
Rock Cycle- The continuous process of change in which new rocks are formed from old rock
materials.
Igneous Rock- Rock formed by magma or lava
Metamorphic Rock- Rock formed from existing rock; heat and pressure cause the minerals to
form new combinations or new crystal
Sedimentary Rock- rock formed by compacted sediment

Materials:
- One bag of Starbursts (assorted candies) (two bags optional)
-Scissors
-Heat source (blow dryer)
-Tongs
-Wax paper (cut into 15 – 20 cm squares, one for each group)
-Aluminum foil (cut into 20 – 25 cm squares, with edges folded up like a dish)
- Rolling pin or heavy book
- Rock description chart
- Rock worksheet
- Real examples of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks

Prep:
- Get materials
- Pre-cut wax paper and aluminum foil
- Bring blow dryer
- Plant the real examples of the three types of rock outside
- Print out charts (one for each person)

Anticipatory Set:
Ask students questions such as “What are the different types of rocks? As well as the
characteristics of these rocks and the rock cycle which was learned previously. Give students the
first worksheet with the descriptions and images of the three types of rocks. This will prepare
them for what they will be looking for when you take them outside. The students will be taking
them outside to look for the three different rocks that the teacher has already planted outside.
Before going outside split students into groups of two. Students will then work in pairs to find a
real example of each rock. After each group has found all three rocks come back to the
classroom and discuss observations of each rock. The teacher will then tell students that they will
be creating their own rocks.

Learning Activity:
1. Discuss and review the three rock types and the rock cycle that was previously learned last
class.
2. provide each student with four Starburst® candies, one of each color.
3. Have each student unwrap the four Starburst® candies.
4. Use scissors to cut each piece of candy into four small pieces.
5. Mix up the candy pieces. This would resemble the wave action of mixing pebbles on a rocky
beach.
6. Rub the palms of your hands together quickly for several seconds to warm them, then pick up
your piles of candy and push the pieces together to form balls. The balls should appear lumpy,
with visible candy pieces. At this stage, you have created a type of “sedimentary rock”.
7. Describe the color, texture, and pattern. Students should draw a picture of the rock under the
sedimentary section.
8. Use a blow dryer to slightly warm your “sedimentary rocks,” but not to the point of melting.
When the “rocks” have been warmed, place them on one half of your waxed paper sheets and
fold the other half over top.
9. Apply pressure to the covered candy by using a rolling pin or placing a book on top and
pressing down on it. After pressure has been applied, remove your flattened candy lumps from
the waxed paper, fold them in half, place them back in the waxed paper, and repeat the process
of applying pressure. At this stage, you have created “metamorphic rocks”.
10. Ask students what they look like now. Describe the color, texture, and pattern. Have them
Draw a picture of the rock under the metamorphic section.
11. Have students shape their aluminum squares, turning up the edges to make dishes. Place your
“metamorphic rocks” in the aluminum foil dishes.
12. Using a blow dryer, the students will ask the teacher to help them melt the flattened lumps of
candy until it is completely liquified.
13. The teacher should use tongs to remove your foil containers from the blow dryer and place
them somewhere out of reach to let them cool.
14. The teacher should advise students to not touch aluminum dishes or hot candy with their
fingers.
15. Once the heated candy has cooled, carefully peel your “rocks” from the foil dishes. You have
created “igneous rocks”.
16. Ask students what they look like now. Describe the color, texture, and pattern. Have them
Draw a picture of the rock under the igneous section.

Formative Assessment/ Closure:

The teacher can assess this assignment by reviewing the final worksheet they have drawn on.
The teacher can see if the students are understanding the different types of rocks, how they are
formed, and their characteristics.
To close this lesson the teacher can ask what the students have learned and ask questions based
on how sedimentary rocks form metamorphic rocks by applying heat and pressure which then
can transform into igneous rocks by melting and cooling process.
The extra bag of Starburst® candies is optional. At the end of this lesson, you may give your
students some candies for them to eat. It is important for teachers to not teach students to eat the
objects they are investigating due to the spread of germs or may be dangerous top ingestion. It is
also important to understand they are children, and they will want to eat the candies, having an
extra bag will prevent a bad situation.

Resources
Share suggestion. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pdesas.org/Standard/View
(N.d.). Retrieved from https://miningmatters.ca/docs/default-source/mining-matters---
resources/activities-and-lesson-plans/starburst-v1.pdf?sfvrsn=701abd98_4
(N.d.-a). Retrieved from https://www.scribd.com/document/413503448/Types-of-Rocks
Worksheet 1
Worksheet 2

*note*- in worksheet 2 the definition section would be changed to color, texture, and pattern