Download Rock Cycle

Yummy Gummy Rocks
Natalie Berra, Carey Peters, Ashley
Joern
Ohio Science Academic Content
Standards:
• Describe the rock cycle and explain that there
are sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic
rocks that have distinct properties (e.g. color,
texture) and are formed in different ways.
• Explain that rocks are made of one or more
minerals.
Materials
Procedure
• The teacher must distribute three pieces of wax paper
(approximately 6’’ x 6’’) to each group.
• First, students will make edible igneous rocks. In order
to do this, the teacher must first melt approximately
one bowl of chocolate chips in a microwave (or
another heat source such as an Easy Bake Oven).
• Next, the teacher will distribute one spoonful of
melted chocolate onto each groups’ wax paper.
Procedure (continued)
• The students will watch the chocolate cool and harden.
– It is important to relate the cooling and hardening of the
chocolate to the formation of igneous rocks.
• Be sure to give the definition of the igneous rock.
– Igneous: rocks that are formed by “freezing” of molten rock/ lava materials. *
– It may be helpful to have a chart of the rock cycle displayed on
the board or overhead projector, while indicating on the chart
where and how igneous rocks are formed.
– Also, show the students an actual sample of an igneous rock.
• Now the students will make edible metamorphic rock. First,
three different colored gumdrops should be passed out to
each group.
Procedure (continued)
•
Next, the students must rip each gumdrop into five or six tiny pieces and place
them on the wax paper.
•
Now, have the students place the remaining piece of wax paper on top of the
gumdrops, and press the two pieces of wax paper together, smashing the
gumdrops together.
•
Now remove the wax paper.
– It is important to relate the smashing of the gumdrops to the how heat and pressure make
metamorphic rocks (For example, relate the pressure from the students hands to the pressure
caused by existing rocks).
•
Be sure to give the definition of metamorphic rocks.
–
Metamorphic: rocks formed from the alteration of existing rock through heat or pressure. *
– Again, it may be helpful to have a chart of the rock cycle displayed on the board or overhead
projector, while indicating on the chart where and metamorphic rocks are formed.
– Make the connection between the different color gumdrops and the fact that various minerals
make up metamorphic rock.
– Also, show the students an actual sample of a metamorphic rock.
Procedure (continued)
•
Reward the students for their participation and cooperation by giving them Rice
Krispy Treats, but do not let them eat the rice krispies just yet!
– Teachers may choose to make these with the students in class; however, this may be very
complicated and often times resources are limited.
– It is important to relate the texture of the Rice Krispy to the large rock fragments and rough,
course texture that form sedimentary rocks.
•
Be sure to give the definition of sedimentary rocks.
–
Sedimentary: a rock made from the consolidation of solid fragments, as of other rocks or organic remains, or by
precipitation of minerals from solution. *
– Point out the rounder parts of the individual rice krispies and discuss that in sedimentary rock,
this usually means that they have been formed by river action.
– Make the connection between the individual pieces of rice and the fact that various minerals
make up sedimentary rock.
– Also, show the students an actual sample of a sedimentary rock, such as conglomerate rock.
•
Lastly, allow time for the students to compare the difference between the three
different types of edible rocks they have created.
– Be sure to point out the difference in texture, formation, and color.
Igneous Rocks
• Igneous: rocks that are formed by “freezing”
of molten rock/ lava materials.
Metamorphic Rocks
• Metamorphic: rocks formed from the
alteration of existing rock through heat or
pressure.
Sedimentary Rocks
• Sedimentary: a rock made from the
consolidation of solid fragments, as of other
rocks or organic remains, or by precipitation of
minerals from solution.
The Rock Cycle
Resources
• McConnell, David, David Steer, Catharine Knight, Katherine
Owens, and Lisa Park. The Good Earth: Introduction to
Earth Science. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2008.
• "Ohio's Academic Content Standards in Science." Ohio
Resource Center for Mathematics, Science, and Reading. 36
Mar. 2009
<http://www.ohiorc.org/standards/ohio/item/science/gli/4
4.aspx>.
• Sandy, Michael. "Rocks." GEO 204 Lecture. Science Center,
Dayton. 26 Jan. 2009.