Rock, rock, mineral!

Rock Cycle:  The Hard Truth

Today’s science lesson was all about rocks!  After briefly reviewing the different layers of the Earth, students learned all about the Rock Cycle and the three main categories of rocks (sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic).  We discussed how all the rocks on the earth are constantly changing due to weathering and changes in pressure and temperature.  By examining and identifying samples of different rock types, the students developed a greater understanding for how each rock type is formed.  They also learned the differences between minerals and rocks and were introduced to Massachusetts’ state rock, the Roxbury Puddingstone, a stone used for building in the Boston/Roxbury area.

 

Additional Information:

This YouTube video offers a fun review of the three rock types. It’ll make you hungry to learn about rocks! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg_jKJFbA2A

Questions:

Explain how granite (a igneous rock) can be turned into gneiss ( a metamorphic rock).

How do sedimentary rocks form?

 

El ciclo de las rocas, una dura realidad

En la clase de ciencias del día de hoy hablamos sobre las rocas. Primero hablamos sobre las distintas capas de la Tierra, y luego aprendimos sobre el ciclo de las rocas y sobre las tres categorías de rocas que existen (sedimentarias, ígneas y metamórficas). Discutimos cómo las rocas en la Tierra están en constante cambio debido a la erosión y a los cambios de presión y temperatura. Los estudiantes lograron comprender cómo se forman los distintos tipos de roca gracias a que examinaron y identificaron diversas muestras de rocas. Los alumnos también aprendieron sobre las diferencias entre los minerales y las rocas. Finalmente, se les presentó la roca del estado de Massachusetts llamada “Roxbury Puddingstone”, que es una roca que se usa para la construcción en el área de Boston y Roxbury.

Información adicional:

Este video de YouTube ofrece una entretenida revisión sobre los tres tipos de rocas. Te motivará a aprender más sobre las rocas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg_jKJFbA2A

Preguntas:

Explica cómo el granito (una roca del tipo ígnea) puede ser transformado a gneis (una roca del tipo metamórfico)

¿Cómo se forman las rocas sedimentarias?

 

Author

Lauren Koppel

Lauren earned a Bachelor’s degree with a double major of Biology and Psychology from Clark University, and a Master of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. During her undergraduate years, she worked in a evolutionary neurobiology lab that studied the neural development of annelids (marine worms), with a focus on the sox family of genes. Lauren loves learning about how the world works (including everything from biology to chemistry to engineering), and is passionate about sharing that knowledge and enthusiasm with others. In the past, she has interned at the Museum of Science, where she educated learners of all ages through hands-on activities, games, and experiments. Other science education organizations with which Lauren has worked include The People’s Science, EurekaFest, and Eureka! of Girls Inc. of Worcester. Currently she lives in Boston, where devotes her free time to playing Quidditch, reading sci-fi novels, playing her ukulele, and enjoying all the culinary delights the city has to offer.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Categories
Open 7 days INFO
Our Young Pre classroom is for ages. This age group is working
BELL SCHEDULE