Download Exemplar Response

Exemplar Response
Question posed to student: “How are rocks formed? Explain and include a diagram as part of
your answer.”
Level 4 Response:
“Sedimentary rocks form when wind, water and ice cause igneous, metamorphic or
other sedimentary rocks to erode. Sediments form layers to make sedimentary rock.
Any type of rock can be made into an igneous rock if it melts. Igneous rocks come from
magma, deep within Earth’s surface that has cooled. If it cools very quickly it might
make pumice. If it cools very slowly, rocks with visible minerals in them. Metamorphic
rocks can form from all three types of rocks, sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous.
When they are changed in some way because of heat and pressure, that makes a
metamorphic rock. An example of this is shale (sedimentary rock) and slate
(metamorphic rock). Rocks are always changing, breaking down and making new rocks.
This is called the rock cycle and keeps happening over and over.” (121 Teachers
Resources)
Includes a visual such as the one in response 3.
Level 3 Response:
Rocks come from other rocks. This happens when rocks break down, melt, or change
because of earth’s heat and/or pressure. These rocks then re-form into the same or a
different type of rock. Igneous rocks come from rocks that have melted into magma or
lava (liquid rock) and cooled. Sedimentary rocks come from rocks that have broken
down into sediments and then hardened together. Metamorphic rocks come from rocks
that have changed as a result of earth’s heat and/or pressure. (121 Teacher Resource)
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<http://teachersnetwork.org/teachnet-lab/ps101/bglasgold/rocks/EFCycleP2.gif>
Note: This is a sample diagram. It does not include rocks
reforming into the same rock type.
Level 2 Response:
Igneous rocks come from volcanoes and cooling magma. These have lots of minerals
in them. Wind and water can break these rocks up. This is called sediment.
Sediments can mix with dead plants and animals and make sedimentary rocks. These
can be pressed down into the earth and become magma again and the whole process
is repeated.
Level 1 Response:
All rocks come from volcanoes and mountains. When a volcano erupts, rocks come out
and go everywhere. The wind might blow some of the rocks off the mountain.