1. 4th grade

2. Rocks can be classified by their physical properties.

3. This summer I had to move to a new classroom. Since I knew I was returning to fourth grade and would be teaching about rocks and minerals, I got out my three boxes of special rocks I had stored in my classroom. While I was walking to my new classroom, I tripped on the cement step going into the room. All my rocks went flying out of my neatly classified boxes and scattered all over the floor. Since I had too much to do, I quickly threw them all back into one box. Now I need your help in deciding how to sort them back into their three different boxes.

4. How can the rocks be sorted into three different categories?

5. Hand lens Rock samples Index cards Sorting mat

6. I think that ________ because ________________.

7. How can we test our focus question using the materials in the kit inventory? We can put the rocks into three different groups based on how they look.

8. First, we will observe the rocks and discuss what they look like. Second, we will decide how we are going to classify them. Third, we will sort them on our mat into their categories. Next, we will label our index cards with their categories. Finally, we will present our findings. Operational Plan

9. Classify (sort) Igneous (volcanic) Metamorphic (changed) Sedimentary (layered) Word Wall

10. Rock Classification Igneous: rocks are formed from cooled lava. They may have crystals, air bubbles or a glassy surface. They can also appear hard and dense metamorphic- changed by heat and pressure, sometimes split into many layers that look like a stack of pancakes with different mineral grains running throughout the rock. Sedimentary- often formed from mud or sand settling at the bottom of water. The rock may contain fossils, have wavy horizontal lines, layers, grains you can see or be dusty.

11. I’m a Rock (to the tune I’m a Nut) I’m a rock, small and brown Buried deep within the ground Heated and squeezed for many, many years Changing form I’m not what I appear Tremendous pressure, intense heat, Constantly changing with the rock cycle beat Metamorphic Rock Going through the rock cycle that never stops I push and force, my way to the top Formed and hardened from melted rock Exploding from volcanoes! What a shock! Igneous Rock Weathered away transported down river Sediment settling to the bottom in layers Compacted, cemented, compressed over time Maybe you’ll see a fossil sometime Sedimentary Rock By Susan McCoy

12. SmallMediumLarge

14. ClaimsEvidence

15. Today we wondered______________. We predicted that _______________. We now know that ______________. We know this because ______________.

16. Today our big idea was _______________. How does what we learned today apply to the big idea? What other questions do you have about this topic?

17. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehcshoYIIM4