Observing+Rocks+Lesson+Plan

__ Observing ____ Rocks __ A two part first grade lesson plan

Young learners benefit from discovery-based activities in science. You'll be surprised what they will learn about rocks when given the time and materials needed to really observe them. This lesson plan on rocks for first grade is a great introduction to a unit about earth science.

In this lesson, first grade students will learn about rocks by observing properties of a variety of different rocks. This is a great hands-on lesson to introduce students to rocks.

1. SC.K.P.8.1: Sort objects by observable properties, such as size, shape, color, temperature (hot or cold), weight (heavy or light ) and texture. 2. SC.1.E.6: Humans continue to explore the composition and structure of the surface of the Earth. External sources of energy have continuously altered the features of Earth by means of both constructive and destructive forces. All life, including human civilization, is dependent on Earth's water and natural resources.
 * __ Sunshine __****__ State __****__ Standards __**


 * __ Objectives __**
 * 1) First grade students will observe rocks by using all of their senses (except taste).
 * 2) Students will produce observations of each different rock.
 * 3) Students will discover properties of the rocks by using hands-on learning.
 * 4) Students will apply knowledge of a Smartboard to compare photos of rocks to their observations.
 * 5) Students will use learned knowledge from the first lesson to compare to the outcome of the second lesson.
 * 6) Students will compare their observations with their classmates on the Smartboard.
 * 7) Students will be able to explain how a rock cycle works in elementary terms.

__**Procedure:**__   Each table will be set up with 10-20 rocks, a scale and enough hand lenses for each student.  They will be told to observe each rock by using their senses (all except taste).  Each student will be given paper and will be told to write down everything that they observe about each rock.  Make sure each student is familiar with how to use a scale and a hand lense. Have questions on the Smartboard for students to refer to if they are unsure what to look for in each rock. Examples: Which rocks are the heaviest, lightest? Which ones are shiny or dull? Rough or smooth? Do any of them have a distinct smell?
 * __ Materials __**
 * 1) Rocks of different sizes, shapes, and textures. 10-20 per table.
 * 2) Hand lenses, one per student
 * 3) Balance scales, one per table
 * 4) Paper or journals, one per child
 * 5) Pencils, crayons, crayon sharpeners
 * 6) Bowls of water
 * 7) Aluminum foil
 * 8) Smartboard with internet access

 Once the students have finished the first part of the activity, ask them to choose one rock from the pile and have them draw it on a piece of paper. Remind them to use their observations to draw it. Once they have done that, have them group up in front of the Smartboard. Using this technology you can pull up a chart and enter their observations to show them how each of their observations were similar or different.

 For the next day lesson, you will follow up from the day before with all the same materials, as well as a bowl of water. This activity will allow them to observe what happens when the rocks are washed in water. Have them write down their observations as before. Then have the students sort the rocks into categories based on their properties.  When they have finished the activity, let them play a partner game in which one partner sorts the rocks, and the other partner guesses the sorting rule.  After this, you will move into explaining the rock cycle. Y our students will learn how the rock cycle works, so they fully understand why the rocks they observed had different layers of things in them. With a box of crayons for each table, and a few crayon sharpeners, show them how to create piles of crayon shavings. Have each group take a pile of the shavings, wrap them inside a pocket of aluminum foil, and pound them with the edge of a large book. When they unwrap the foil, they should find a solid piece of crayon made up of different colors. This is when you can explain that sedimentary rocks are made when pieces of rock are packed tightly together to form one.