Lesson Plan Template

Subject(s): Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic Rocks Date: 10/23/16

Teacher: Elise Foley School: California State Dominguez Hills

1. Objective (What is the topic of discussion and reason for learning?)

This lesson plan focuses on igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Through this
lesson, students will be able to use their five senses to distinguish between each rock type
and name by learning terms that describe each rocks texture and composition. They will be
able to identify which rocks belong to each group, as well as the dominant minerals that are
found in each rock. They will become familiar with a rock identification key, and be able to
use this key in identifying these rocks, and the common environments where they can be
found.

2. Learning Target(s): (What will students know & be able to do as a result of this
lesson?)
After this lesson, students will be able to explain that most rocks are aggregates (mixtures) of
mineral crystals or fragments (gravel, sand). They will be able to explain that igneous rocks
are the solidified products of once-molten material that was created by melting in the upper
mantle or crust. In relation to this, a rock is called magma when it is found at depth, and lava
when it erupts. The most distinguishing feature of these rocks that fall under this group is
their unique crystalline structure. In terms of distinguishing each igneous rocks from the
other, students will learn that igneous have 6 different textures that are used to identify
them. This first is course grained or Phaneritic texture, where these types of rocks have
intergrown crystals that are roughly equal in size and large enough to be seen with the
unaided eye. The second is fine grained, Aphanitic texture, which are composed of individual
crystals that are too small to see without strong magnification. The third texture is Porphyritic
texture, which results when molten rock cools in two different environments and the
resulting rocks consists of larger crystals embedded in a matrix of smaller crystals. The fourth
texture is Glassy, where molten rock is ejected into the atmosphere, where it is quenched
(cooled to a solid state) very quickly. The texture then resembles manufactured glass or fibers
of spun glass. The fifth texture to distinguish different igneous rocks is Vesicular texture,
where voids are left by gas bubbles that escape as lave solidifies and this creates spherical
openings on the rock. The sixth texture is called Fragmental (pyroclastic) texture, where
there are molten blobs, or angular blocks torn from the walls of the vent into the air during
eruptions. Students will then learn about another factor that is used in distinguishing these
rocks, which are their Compositions. Students will learn about the 4 groups that igneous rocks
are put into in terms of their composition, which are Felsic, where this group is mainly made
of light colored minerals such as quartz and potassium feldspar, with lesser amounts of
plagioclase feldspar. The second group is Intermediate or (andesitic), where these rocks are
mixtures of both light-colored minerals, and dark colored minerals. The third group is Mafic
or (basaltic), where these rocks contain abundant dark-colored minerals (mainly pyroxene
and olivine) that account for between 45% and 85% of their composition. The fourth and final
group is called Ultramafic, where these rocks are composed almost entirely of the dark
silicate minerals pyroxene and olivine and are seldom observed at earths surface.
Students will then learn about Sedimentary rocks, which form at or near Earths surface from
the products of weathering. The processes of lithification transforms these sediments into
solid rock. This type of rock has layers, or strata, that usually accumulate in nearly horizontal
sheets that can be as thin as a piece of paper or tens of meters thick. Over a long period of
time, cementation, and compaction turn solid particles of sediment whereas material
dissolved in water may be precipitated as a crystalline rocks. Sedimentary rocks may originate
as solid particles from weathered rocks which are called Detritus. Detrital rocks consist of
mineral grains or rock fragments derived from mechanical and chemical weathering that are
transported and deposited as solid particles. The second major source of sediment is soluble
material produced by chemical weathering. These are products of mineral matter that were
dissolved in water and later precipitated. These rocks are classified into 2 texture groups,
Clastic and Nonclastic. Rocks that display clastic texture consist of discrete particles that are
cemented and compacted together. Rocks that have a nonclastic texture are often crystalline
and consist of minerals that form patterns of interlocking crystals. Sedimentary rocks can also
be classified in terms of their composition, where they contain a high percentage of either:
Clay minerals,-are very fine grained, soft, and can be scratched with an iron nail, Quartz-
usually consist of sand-size particles that are hard and can scratch glass, Calcite- rocks
effervesce when a drop of dilute HCI is applied, Evaporite- contain salts, usually halite or
gypsum, that are deposited when saltwater evaporates, and Altered plant fragments- usually
black in color, have a low density, and are easily broken.

Students will learn that metamorphic rocks are produced from preexisting igneous,
sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks that have been subjected to conditions within
Earth that are significantly different from those under which the parent rock originally
formed. The resulting parallel, linear alignment of mineral crystals that are formed in
metamorphic rocks is called foliation. Foliation is associated with these rocks and gives them
a layered or banded appearance. The four types of foliation used to describe these rocks are:
Salty or rock cleavage-refers to closely spaced, flat surfaces along which rocks split into think
slabs when struck with a hammer, Phyllite texture- develops when minute mica crystals in
slate begin to increase in size, and these surfaces have a shiny, somewhat metallic sheen and
often have a wavy surface, Schisosity-identified by a scaly layering of glittery, platy materials
that are often found in association with deformed quartz, and Gneissic texture- forms during
high-grade metamorphism when ion migration results in the segregation of light and dark
minerals.

Students will be given an igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic identification key, and will
be able to study and use this key to identify each rock in each of these three groups.

3. Relevance/Rationale: (Why are the outcomes of this lesson important in the real
world? How will it benefit students to know this topic?)
Through this lesson, students will in turn be able to use the information they have
learned to these rocks in different environments, and use what they have learned
about their textures and compositions in real life applications.

4. Formative Assessment Criteria for success: (How will you & your students know if
they have successfully met the outcomes? By what criteria will they be assessed?)
Checking for understanding: I will be going around during the activity and making sure every
group is on task, and see if there are any questions raised about the lesson. I will also give
them a quiz that will demonstrate their understanding of the lesson.

1. What kinds of rocks from when molten rocks cool and crystallize?
Answer: igneous rocks
2. Which of the following is not a texture used to identify igneous rocks? Phaneritic,
Porphyritic, Clastic, or Glassy?
Answer: Clastic
3. In terms of the composition of igneous rocks, which group is classified as having the
composition of the minerals quartz and potassium feldspar?
Answer: Felsic igneous rocks
4. Which group of rocks and products of mineral matter that were dissolved in water
and later precipitated? Igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks?
Answer: Sedimentary rocks
5. Clastic or No clastic texture consists of discrete particles that are cemented or
compacted together are a further based on particle and size?
Answer: Clastic
6. Which of the following is a foliated texture of metamorphic rocks? Vesicular,
Nonclastic, Mafic, Schisosity
Answer: Schisosity
7. True or False: Nonfoliated metamorphic rocks consist of intergrown crystals of
various size and are most often identified by determining their mineral composition.
Answer: TRUE

8. Activities/Tasks: (What learning experiences will students engage in?)

GUESS THE ROCK: Students will understand the meaning of properties by grouping rocks by
their texture and composition. Students will get into groups of 5 and will be given 10 index
cards, and a box of 5 igneous rocks. 6 index cards will be labeled Phaneritic, Aphanitic,
Porphyritic, Glassy, Vesicular, and Fragmental, and the other 4 cards will be labeled the
compositions: Felsic, Intermediate, Mafic, and Ultramafic.

Before the activity, students will be provided with a definition chart. We as a class will go
over what igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks are, and the different compositions
and textures that are used to identify each. They will be provided with a definition chart that
they will fill out to become better familiarized with each rock group and their
textures/compositions. Using their definition sheet, an igneous rock identification key, a
magnifying glass, and a diluted HCI solution, each group will take turns looking at only one
rock. They will describe its texture and composition, and place the 2 index cards that they
think the rocks fall under. They will then pick one student in the group to use the igneous rock
identification key to guess which rock they think it is. Each student will take turns and get to
guess one of the 5 rocks. They will do this again with sedimentary and metamorphic rocks,
using the index cards to write each of their differing textures and compositions.

After this activity, I will show a few rocks from each rock group, and call on a group to see
what rock they chose. If there is any confusion, we will go over as a class why they chose the
rock they chose, and what the correct rock is and why.
 As a closing activity, I will have students chose their favorite rock. I will have them draw,
color, and label it, and will then hang them around the classroom.

9. Resources/Materials: (What texts, digital resources, & Materials will be used in this
lesson?)
3 packs of index cards
Magnifying glasses- 1 per group
Diluted HCI solution to test for calcite- 1 per group
Colored pencils
Rock identification keys
Assortment of rocks= 3 sets of 5 igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks-1 per group
Definition sheet
Construction paper