Rock Cycle Children’s
Storybook
A Culminating Project for a Middle School Science Unit on Rocks
from Create ‘n Time
Name: __________________
Science Project Assignment Sheet
Rock Cycle Children’s Storybook
Assignment: Create a children’s storybook about the rock cycle suitable for grade
2, 3, or 4 using appropriate vocabulary and illustrations to explain the rock cycle.
The purpose of this assignment is for you to review and explain –in an interesting
and creative way—the three types of rocks, their properties, and the ways these
rocks are formed. You will also give examples of each type of rock.
A Checklist for each required step of the project will be used. Here are the
directions for each specific requirement of this project:
1. Choose a specific grade level for your book (grade 2, 3, or 4).
2. Read at least 5 (short) library books at the grade level you have selected so you
become aware of vocabulary, font size, use of pictures, characters that appeal to
younger children. At least one book must be non-fiction. Make a list of the
books you read and their authors.
3. Fill out the Rock Cycle Information Sheet handout.
4. Use the completed Rock Cycle Information Sheet and the diagram of the rock
cycle as references and write out in your own words a description of the process
for how one rock type changes to another.
5. Plan the story for your book.
• Be sure to keep your intended audience in mind.
• Tell your story from a third person point of view (an outside narrator)
or by having an imaginary character talk to your audience.
• Decide on the setting (time/place) for your story.
• What happens? Tell the story. (Remember you must explain the rock
cycle, define the 3 types of rocks, give examples of the 3 types, and
explain the characteristics or properties of each type).
• Write out a draft of the story.
6. Your final product will be presented in the form of a PowerPoint. You will make
a printed copy of the PowerPoint and also present the digital copy to the class.
Once you have written out your story (see above), plan the PowerPoint.
© 2011 Create ‘n Time
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Be sure to decide on a font and font size suitable for your audience.
The first page of the PowerPoint will be the title page. This page must
include your book’s title, your name as the author, the due date for
the project, and a suitable graphic to dress it up.
You must have 10 story slides (besides the title page) that develop
your story.
Each story slide must have an illustration (graphic).
Your story should be interesting to children.
Story vocabulary should be appropriate for grade level chosen.
Story must explain the rock cycle, give the 3 types of rocks and
examples for each type.
Story must describe some properties of each rock type and explain
how each type is formed.
Story must describe how one rock type changes to another.
7. After you have planned your PowerPoint text, use a computer to create the
actual PowerPoint. Be sure to save your work as directed by your teacher every
time you make changes.
8. When you have finished the PowerPoint, use the spelling/grammar check to
catch any errors and fix them. Then, have a friend preview your PowerPoint and
give you feedback. You may use the Project Evaluation Rubric as a guide.
9. Complete the Rock Cycle Project Evaluation Rubric as a self-evaluation. Print 1
copy of your PowerPoint (4 slides per page) to hand in with your completed selfevaluation. (See box below for instructions about the components that must be
submitted in your final project packet.) This final copy is due: _____________
10.(optional) If you want, you may also print out one full size copy of your book
that you may share with children of your selected grade level. Use cardstock for
the cover and bind the pages in book form with yarn or twine.
11.Present your completed PowerPoint to the class on the day designated by your
teacher.
Final Project Packet must include (in this order):
___ Signed Student Learning Contract for Project
___ Completed Project Check Sheet
___ PowerPoint copy (printed 4 slides per page)
___ Project Evaluation Rubric completed as a self-evaluation
© 2011 Create ‘n Time
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Student Learning Contract
Rock Cycle Children’s Storybook
Complete 2 copies of this agreement. Place your initials in the box before the
statement to indicate you read the statement and agree to it. READ THE
STATEMENTS CAREFULLY. Then, sign 1 Learning Contract and submit it to your
teacher. Sign the second Contract and keep it with your work. You will turn it in
with your final Project Packet.
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I agree to choose a grade level and create a children’s storybook
according to the guidelines for this project. I will read some children’s
library books to learn appropriate vocabulary and presentation, complete
the required handouts, draft a storybook, create a PowerPoint of it,
present my PowerPoint to the class, and complete any other activities
specified on the assignment sheet.
I will do my best work, and I will seek assistance when I need it.
I will meet the timeline for completing the project. Due Date:
I have read the Project Evaluation Rubric, and I understand how my work
will be evaluated.
I will complete my own individual project OR
I will work with a partner on this project. I understand that my partner
and I must each complete Project Checklists and submit separate Final
Project Packets and that we will earn the SAME final grade.
Student Name:
Student Signature:
Date:
Partner Name:
Partner Signature:
© 2011 Create ‘n Time
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Name:
Project Checklist
Rock Cycle Children’s Storybook
For each of these checkpoints, produce the evidence of completion so your teacher
may initial the checkpoint. Each point must be completed in order. Keep the
Checklist available so your teacher may look at it and sign it when she comes
around during the work period.
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Submitted Signed Student Learning Contract
Chose book audience grade level. Grade Level: ___________________
Read five (5) children’s library books at chosen grade level. Turned in list
of books with authors.
Completed Rock Cycle Information Sheet.
Created explanation of Rock Cycle change process in own words.
Planned and wrote draft copy of storybook.
Created written plan for PowerPoint slides.
Designed and created PowerPoint presentation for storybook. Friend
previewed finished product and provided feedback.
Completed Project Evaluation Rubric as a self-evaluation.
Printed final project PowerPoint (4 slides per page) to turn in.
Turned in Final Project Packet.
Presented storybook PowerPoint to class
Shared storybook with targeted audience (optional)
Turn in this completed Checklist as part of the Final Project Packet.
© 2011 Create ‘n Time
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Name:
Rock Cycle Information Sheet
Rock Cycle Children’s Storybook
Types of Rocks
Examples (3)
Properties (2)
How formed?
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
© 2011 Create ‘n Time
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Name:
Rock Cycle Diagram
Rock Cycle Children’s Storybook
In the space below (or on notebook paper), explain in your own words the change
process for rocks pictured in the diagram above.
© 2011 Create ‘n Time
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Name:
Storybook Plan
Rock Cycle Children’s Storybook
Complete the following and then write out a draft of your storybook on notebook
paper.
1. Audience: grade level ____________________________________________
2. Book Title: _____________________________________________________
3. Main Character (If you have one) ___________________________________
Briefly describe the main character:
4. Other Characters (If you have any) __________________________________
5. Setting: ________________________________________________________
What is the time and place of the story?
6. What happens?
Write out
your story
on
notebook
paper.
© 2011 Create ‘n Time
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Name:
PowerPoint Plan
Rock Cycle Children’s Storybook
Before you work on the actual PowerPoint, you must plan out the text for your
slides and get some ideas for graphics that you will insert as illustrations for your
storybook. A good source for free graphics is:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/
Write out the text that would go on each page in the images that follow. Be sure
your pages are numbered.
Title page
page 1
page 2
page 3
© 2011 Create ‘n Time
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Name:
PowerPoint Plan (continued)
page ___
page ____
page ____
page ____
page ____
page ____
© 2011 Create ‘n Time
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Name:
Final Evaluation Rubric
Rock Cycle Children’s Storybook
Criteria
Choosing and
relating to the
storybook
audience
Meeting
Project
Requirements
Used Checklist
and
Assignment
Sheet
Meeting
PowerPoint
Requirements
Exemplary
5
Met Standard
4-3
Promptly and
thoroughly
completed all steps
under “Met
Standard”
Chose a specific
grade level; read 5
library books at
grade level;
completed list of
books/authors;
wrote storybook
using vocab
appropriate to grade
level
Met all exemplary
requirements but
some work was not
neatly or completely
done
• Submitted signed
learning contract
• Completed Rock
Cycle Information
Sheet
• Created Rock
Cycle process
change definition
• Developed rough
draft of
storybook plan
and PowerPoint
slides
• Completed self
evaluation rubric
• All work
completely
finished
Completed all
standards for Met
Standard; also
helped others use
Checklist and
Assignment Sheet
as guides
Met all requirements with high
quality; story was
very interesting;
gave more
examples or
information than
required
© 2011 Create ‘n Time
Developing or
Unsatisfactory
2-1-0
Points
WT
x2
/10
Did not meet all
project
requirements
and all work
was not
completely
finished
X10
Used Assignment
Sheet as a guide for
completing project;
completed all steps
on Checklist in
order; Had Checklist
signed by teacher
• Used font and font
size suitable for
children
• Title page had title,
author, date,
picture
• Included 10 story
pages
• Each story page
had a graphic
• Story was
interesting
Total
Did not develop
storybook for 1
grade level OR
did not read 5
library books
and submit list
Did not refer to
Assignment
Sheet or use as
guide; did not
complete
Checklist or get
it signed
without
reminder
Did not meet all
requirement;
many errors
X5
/50
/25
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Class
Presentation
Final Project
Packet
Participation
Presented
PowerPoint story
to class by
showing
PowerPoint and
reading along;
spoke so all could
hear; ALWAYS
listened
courteously and
with attention as
other students
made
presentations
Submitted
complete packet
on time and with
all components in
correct order
ALWAYS prepared
and actively
working on
project; NEVER
disturbed others;
maintained ontasks behavior
• Vocabulary was
appropriate for
children
• Story explained
rock cycle
• Gave 3 types of
rocks
• Gave 1 example of
each
• Gave 2 properties
for each rock type
• Explained how
rocks form.
Presented
PowerPoint story to
class by showing
PowerPoint and
reading along; spoke
so all could hear;
usually listened
courteously and with
attention as other
students made
presentations
Submitted complete
packet on time and
with components
mostly in correct
order
Actively worked on
project most days;
did not disturb
others; maintained
on-task behavior
X12
/60
X4
/20
X3
/15
X4
/20
Did not do
presentation OR
did not listen
courteously and
with attention
when others
presented
Did not submit
packet on time
OR packet was
incomplete and
not in correct
order
Was often offtask and
disturbing
others; did not
have materials
or did not
complete
activities
/200
Sub TOTAL:
** EXTRA
CREDIT
Shared Final
Project
Printed out a full
size copy of the
storybook; bound
pages/cover into
book form; shared
story with a group
of primary students
by reading and
discussing the book.
X4
Final TOTAL:
© 2011 Create ‘n Time
/20
/200
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