The Rock Cycle is the process by which the rocks in the Earth's crust are transformed. The Earth's surface is continually changing, and as a result the rocks and minerals that make up the outer layer of the planet alternate between Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary. These activities are designed to help you learn about the similarities and differences between these three rock types.
Let's begin by exploring the Rock Cycle using an interactive website. Please open up Firefox (the websites use Flash!) and then open up this web page: Annenberg Learner Interactive Rock Cycle.
Begin with the Introduction page, and then follow the instructions as they guide you through the various pages of the activity: Types of Rocks, How Rocks Change, The Rock Cycle Diagram, and finally Test Your Skills. There are several quizzes along the way: please take the time to complete these quizzes.
Once you have completed this introduction to the Rock Cycle, please proceed to this online rock identification lab that will test you on what you have learned so far about the rock cycle. Complete each of the following rock identification activities: the Virtual Igneous Rock Drawer, the Virtual Sedimentary Rock Drawer, and the Virtual Metamorphic Rock Drawer.
Now, let's examine some real rock samples in the classroom. For each rock sample, identify the following:
a) is the rock coarse-grained or fine-grained?
b) does the rock exhibit foliation?
c) are there any fossils in the rock?
d) what color(s) are found in the rock?
e) are any minerals in the rock shiny or glassy?
f) Is the rock Igneous, Sedimentary, or Metamorphic? Explain how you arrived at your answer.
g) if the rock is igneous, is it an intrusive igneous rock, or an extrusive igneous rock?