Project Planning Template
Title of Unit: The Rock Family Reunion
Level and Year: Third Grade
Designed by: Kathy Engblom and Marilyn Sherling
Amount of time estimated for implementing this unit: One - Two weeks
We will create a web site where students can review their navigational skills while learning information about the three types of rocks.
- Students will be able to navigate a website.
- Students will gather information from a website and transfer it to a different form-final project.
- Student will name the three types of rock, describing appearance, location and method of formation.
How will this unit help students work toward the goals reflected in the EALR Benchmarks for this level?
Science
1.1 Use properties to identify, describe, and categorize substances, materials, and objects, and use characteristics to categorize properties of earth materials. Observe and examine physical properties of earth materials such as rocks and soil. Classify rocks and soils into groups based on their chemical and physical properties; describe the processes by which rocks and soils are formed.
Reading
1.3 Read fluently, adjusting reading for purpose and material. Read familiar text with ease. Read word by word or line by line when incorporating new skills or reading new materials.
Writing
2.2 Write for different purposes, including:
to respond to teacher's prompt
to tell about something
to name something
to describe something
to direct
to imagine
to learn
Geolink.Com's Virtual Classroom
Links for Mineralogists
A. We will introduce the rock cycle environment and the three type of rocks. We will show examples of each type of rock and how they are formed
B. Choices for final project include:
Rock Cycle/Samples poster
Collect and organize an actual rock collection with using identification learned from web site
Design a pamphlet to explain about the three types of rocks
Choose a rock and have the rock tell its life story
C. Teacher's Component
We will present the information in a story-like format. The setting will be a rock cycle neighborhood with rock family members.
D. Student Activities
Web Data Recording Sheet
Pancake Rocks
Scrape sandstone to break it down an observe particles
Classify actual rocks on recording sheet using info on web site
Class demo on igneous rocks with boiling water and sugar
Sedimentary peanut butter and crackers
Metamorphic taffy
Making your own sediment
Students will be able to navigate a website.
Teacher observation and completion of activities
Students will gather information from a website and transfer it to a different form.
Student will name the three types of rock, describing appearance, location and method of formation
Three extentions to this project would be spelunking (cave exploration), vulcanology, and gemology.
Only internet resources were used.