Examining Rocks to Determine Type is Great Fun!

Today the sixth grade Earth Science students first watched an Edible Geology video about how to make the three types of rocks:  igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.  We will be making those rocks next week (AND EATING THEM, AS WELL)! :)

Afterwards, we examined different samples of rocks to determine which type of rock each was.  Students used what they have learned about how geologists classify rocks.  They looked at mineral composition, color, and texture of each sample through a magnifying glass.  Then, they recorded the name of the rock, its classification, and wrote a brief description.  Also, they were provided a chart showing the life cycle of a rock in order to understand exactly where their samples fall in that cycle.

Students Having Fun While Learning Earth Science

While our class has super intelligent students (83% class average on the Plate Tectonics Test--Woo! Hoo!), we still try to learn by doing (kinesthetically)!  Earlier this week we reviewed the layers of the Earth by doing an experiment involving Oreo cookies, Hershey Chocolate Syrup, and M&Ms!  First, students took the Oreo apart.  They ate the side having only the chocolate cookie.  The other side of the cookie, which included the cream filling, represented the crust (outer thin layer of cookie) and the mantle (cream filling).  Next, we added Hershey Syrup in the middle which represented the molten outer core, and a M&M was placed in the center (the solid inner core).  What a fun way to remember the layers of the Earth and have a delicious snack, as well!