Curated OER
Brain POP - Volcano
In this volcano worksheet, students complete 15 fill in the blank questions on the basics of volcano structure and volcano trivia.
Curated OER
Jargon
Eighth graders investigate the concept of jargon and how it is used in different contexts in relation to the study of vocabulary. They practice interpreting jargon by concentrating on the comprehension strategy of using context clues.
Curated OER
Geologic Puzzles: Morrison Formation
Students make observations and present interpretations based on their observations and on their prior knowledge. They use images to answer questions and make formulate hypotheses.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Rock Cycle
This tutorial explains the rock cycle--from beginning to end! It is full of activities, assessments, games, slideshows and all kinds of interactive material. Learn what rocks are made of and how they change from one form to another....
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating the Rock Cycle Through Writing and Illustrating
For this writing and illustrating activity, students will be able to follow a simple rock cycle to follow the life of "Rocky the Rock". After investigating the rock cycle, students will then be able to illustrate the rock cycle, along...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Chocolate Rock Cycle
Students use chocolate in this activity to model sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks, mimicking what happens during transformations in the rock cycle.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Model the Rock Cycle With Crayons
Use crayons to model the rock cycle in this fun activity! You will make colorful sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous "rocks" from crayon shavings.
Other
Prince George's Community College: Reading the Rock Record [Pdf]
This is an in-depth activity where students create a rock layer formation using different colors of playdough and investigate the types of folds and rock formations that might occur. They take core samples through anticlines and...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Rock Jeopardy!
Students reinforce their understanding of rocks, the rock cycle, and geotechnical engineering by playing a trivia game. They work in groups to prepare Jeopardy-type trivia questions (answers) and compete against each other to demonstrate...
Utah State Office of Education
Utah Science: Rocks, Minerals, and Soils Introduction
Dig into the layers of activities exploring and investigating minerals and how they are related to both rocks and soil.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Virtual Rock Lab
In this lesson plan students are asked to identify rocks based on their properties.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Rocks and Soils: What Kind of Rock Am I?
Test your knowledge of different types of rocks by taking a quiz. Determine if each picture shows an igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary rock.
Utah Education Network
Uen: How to Make a Rock
Activity introduces students to the concepts of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
Other
Hard Rocks Interactive Crossword
A fun way to review what you know about rocks! Play online, or print out and solve later.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Earth History: Crayon Rock Cycle
Introduce to the students the three main types of rocks and the processes that form them. Wax crayons are eroded into sediment, compacted into sedimentary rock, partially melted and pressed into metamorphic rock, and finally melted and...
New York Times
New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: Rocks and Minerals
Here is an interactive and printable crossword puzzle developed by the New York Times Learning Network. The theme of this puzzle is Rocks and Minerals.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Rocks, Rocks, Rocks
Students test rocks to identify their physical properties (such as luster, hardness, color, etc.) and classify them as igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary. They complete a worksheet table to record all of the rock properties, and then...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Rock Cycle Skit
After learning about and researching the rock cycle, students create a skit about it that must include relevant vocabulary words. The final skits are videotaped.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: The Human Rock Cycle
Students act out a type of rock, igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic, for others to guess.
National Institute of Educational Technologies and Teacher Training (Spain)
Ministerio De Educacion: La Alteracion De Las Rocas Superficiales
This unit goes deeper into the knowledge of the three petro genetic environments: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. It includes 13 interactive activities.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Explore Nature: Views: Volcanism: Embark on a Journey
A journey into the depths of a volcano teaches students about volcanic rocks, eruptions, features, and locations. Also find out how volcanologists monitor activity and conduct scientific research on eruptions.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Essential Science for Teachers: Earth and Space 3
Visit an active volcano site to find out the connection between the movement of the Earth's plates and the processes deep within the Earth's interior. [58:23]
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute Science Museum: Rock Hounds With Rocky
Rocky the Rock Hound uses simple animations to show the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Includes teacher connections to lessons, literature, and activities along with online quizzes and puzzles on rocks and rock...
Quia
Quia: Dig Into Geology
Site provides games and activities that will allow students to have fun, and learn more about rocks and minerals at the same time.