Musical Rocks By Karen Prusa Philippi Elementary School 1.Lecture/Discussion: Using the book, observe and discuss the differences between rocks and minerals, and then rock types (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic). 2.Activity: Bring out rock samples from each type (for example: igneous—granite, diorite, basalt; sedimentary—sandstone, shale, limestone, conglomerate; metamorphic—gneiss, marble, or slate). 3.Have students describe the rocks. Color, texture, size, mass (heft), roundness, angularity, etc may be important contributors to their instruments. 4.Have the students describe which work better at being shaken, struck, or scraped. 5.Create instruments from the rocks. Use other materials (toilet paper rolls, rubber mallets, paper, tape, etc.) to enhance sounds or to strike the rocks. For example, sandstone pieces can be scraped together, marble can be hit with rubber mallet, small pieces can be made into shakers with toilet paper rolls and tape. 6.Have a rock concert 7.Observe reasons for the different sounds. 8.Make suggestions about the composition and nature of each specimen. 1.Lecture/Discussion: Using the book, observe and discuss the differences between rocks and minerals, and then rock types (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic). 2.Activity: Bring out rock samples from each type (for example: igneous—granite, diorite, basalt; sedimentary—sandstone, shale, limestone, conglomerate; metamorphic—gneiss, marble, or slate). 3.Have students describe the rocks. Color, texture, size, mass (heft), roundness, angularity, etc may be important contributors to their instruments. 4.Have the students describe which work better at being shaken, struck, or scraped. 5.Create instruments from the rocks. Use other materials (toilet paper rolls, rubber mallets, paper, tape, etc.) to enhance sounds or to strike the rocks. For example, sandstone pieces can be scraped together, marble can be hit with rubber mallet, small pieces can be made into shakers with toilet paper rolls and tape. 6.Have a rock concert 7.Observe reasons for the different sounds. 8.Make suggestions about the composition and nature of each specimen. Approximately 40 minutes None listed Provide young students with an innovative way of seeing the differences in physical properties of rocks. Textbook Rock samples Toilet paper rolls Tissues Tape Paper Rubber mallets Textbook Rock samples Toilet paper rolls Tissues Tape Paper Rubber mallets Observe how the instruments work. Have students make suggestions for the noise each instrument makes. Grades are based on participation, creativity, and completeness of ideas about the nature of each specimen(s). Students reveal some understanding of the differences in rocks. Observe how the instruments work. Have students make suggestions for the noise each instrument makes. Grades are based on participation, creativity, and completeness of ideas about the nature of each specimen(s). Students reveal some understanding of the differences in rocks. None listed Objectives Materials and Equipment Materials and Equipment Time Procedures Assessment Further Challenges Further Challenges Overview Teaching Suggestions Safety Note