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Engaging Lessons for
Busy Teachers
Igneous,
Sedimentary, &
Metamorphic
Rocks
ROCK CYCLE
Differentiated Station Labs
Kesler Science Station Lab – Rock Cycle
If you have never used my Kesler Science Station Labs before please
download the FREE Start-Up pack from my TPT store. It will provide you
with all of the signage and best practices in order to run the station
labs in your classroom.
The large directions cards included in this file are intended to be read
by the leader of the group once the students get to the station. The
smaller task cards can be read by another group member.
I prefer that each student do their own lab write-up (included at the
end of this file), so that they may use it for reference at a later date.
The answer key is provided at the end of the document.
Lastly, if any of the internet resources no longer work for some reason
please let me know via email at [email protected]. I cannot
guarantee that all resources will be available, but I tried to choose
ones that have been around for many years.
Kesler Science Station Lab – Rock Cycle –
Teacher Directions
Explore It! – I will spend much of my time
at this station making sure that the
students understanding the rock samples
and not wasting time. You will need rock
samples or images of rocks for this
station. I listed some examples on the
answer document.
Illustrate It! – I do not have them draw
out the entire rock cycle due to time
constraints. Take the word bank away
for your higher level classes.
Read It! – Print several different copies (I
use 6) of the reading passage so that
multiple students can read at different
paces
Watch It! – The video is on YouTube and
my Google drive. Use YouTube unless
your school is blocked. The original link is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm6cCg_Do
6k
Note that both URL’s are case-sensitive.
Organize It! – The cards for this activity are
attached near the end of this file. Print
several sets and then just put them in the
basket for kids to pull from. This is also a
good one for later in the week to
demonstrate mastery too! Students should
be encouraged to do the Research and
Explore station before attempting this
one. I like to label the backs with set
numbers because they will get mixed up.
Write It! – Students should be encouraged
to do the Research and Explore station
before attempting this one.
Research It! – The goo.gl link on the task
card is case-sensitive. The original link is
https://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/types.html
Assess It! – Students should be
encouraged to do the Research and
Explore station before attempting this
one. If I grade anything I usually take a
close look at the answers from this station.
Write It! Station Directions
It is recommended that you have completed
at least two of the following stations before
working at this station.
-Read It!
-Explore It!
-Watch It!
-Research It!
Answer each of the task card questions on
the lab sheet in complete sentences.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Describe the process of
how an igneous rock is
created.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Describe the process of
how a metamorphic rock
is created.
© K eslerScience.com, 2015
Describe the process of
how a sedimentary rock is
created.
© K eslerScience.com, 2015
Assess It! Station Directions
It is recommended that you have completed
at least two of the following stations before
working at this station.
-Read It!
-Explore It!
-Watch It!
-Research It!
Each member will answer the questions from
the task cards on the lab sheet in the Assess
It! section.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
________________
B
________________ Rock
A
C
________________ Rock
D
________________ Rock
Use the diagram to
determine the process
happening at position B.
What type of rock is formed when
hot lava is cooled and hardened?
A. Igneous
B. Sedimentary
C. Metamorphic
D. Magma
A.
B.
C.
D.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Use the diagram to
determine what type of
rock is at position D (the
rock is above the label).
A.
B.
C.
D.
Use the diagram to
determine the process at
position A.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
Magma
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Cooling and hardening
Compacting and cementation
Heat and pressure
Heat and melting.
Cooling and hardening
Compacting and cementation
Heat and pressure
Rock is broken down by weathering and
erosion
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Read It! Station Directions
Each member of the group will read the
passage and answer the questions from the
task cards on the lab sheet in the Read It!
section.
It is important to remember that the answers
will come directly from the reading passage.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
In short, the rock cycle is the name for the processes that forms
and recycles the different types or rocks on our planet. Rocks
begin the cycle as igneous rocks, erode into sedimentary rocks
then change into metamorphic rocks, finally the rocks melt
back to magma and start the process again.
If a sedimentary rock gets buried deep in the Earth, heat and
pressure essentially bake the rock, changing it into something
new. This process is called metamorphosis, and the new rock is
called a metamorphic rock. Metamorphosis can happen to
igneous rocks as well.
Most rocks on earth began as igneous rocks. Igneous rocks are
formed from magma. Magma cools and solidifies into rock.
When igneous rocks are exposed on the surface, time and
weather break the rock down into smaller and smaller pieces.
This process is called weathering and erosion. Wind and water
carry the smaller pieces of igneous rocks into piles called
sediment beds. Over time the sediment beds get buried and the
pieces of rock become cemented together to form a new type
of rock called a sedimentary rock.
There are three main types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic. Each of these types of rocks are formed in
different ways and each type of rock can be changed into
each of the other types of rock. Geologists call this process the
Rock Cycle. Essentially the rock cycle is the process that makes
and recycles rocks.
The Rock Cycle
According to the
passage, what type
of rock do most
rocks start out as?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
Magma
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
What is the process
that turns a
sedimentary rock into
a metamorphic rock?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Cooling and hardening
Compacting and cementation
Heat and pressure
Heat and melting.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
What would be the
best title for this
passage?
A. Rocks are Fun to Throw
B. How Rocks are Cooled and
Hardened
C. The Processes of How Rocks
are Formed
D. 5 Main Types of©KeslerScience.com, Rocks
2015
According to the
passage, what is
the rock cycle?
A. The circular path the rock takes
B. How rocks are created from dirt
C. Process of how rocks are formed
from dead plants and animals
D. The process that forms and recycles
different rocks
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Watch It! Station Directions
Each member of the group will go to the
website listed on task card #1
Complete the task cards in order.
Every student will answer the questions from
the task cards on the lab sheet in the Watch
It! section of the lab sheet.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
YouTube http://goo.gl/dEDwGy
G Drive https://goo.gl/4Dgl6h
Both URL’s are case-sensitive
1. Click Play on the video.
2. Answer questions from cards
#2-4 on your lab sheet.
What did the jellybeans
represent in the demonstration?
YouTube
List the 3 main types of rocks
and the processes of how they
are each created.
Explain why the rock cycle
doesn’t have to go in order.
Research It! Station Directions
Each member of the group will go to the
website listed on task card #1
Complete the task cards in order.
Every student will answer the questions from
the task cards on the lab sheet in the
Research It! section.
1. Go to https://goo.gl/ERYGnk
2. Read about the 3 types of
rocks and then click Next:
Start your rock collection
(bottom right).
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
1. Collect each of the 6 rocks
and read about them.
2. Click Identify Rock Types and
see how well you can identify
each of the rocks
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Answer the following
questions on your lab
sheet.
1. Click the Rock Cycle Diagram
on the green bar at the top.
2. Watch each of the
animations
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
1. What is something new you
learned?
2. What was your score on the
Identify the Rock game?
3. Why do you think it is
important to study rocks?
Explore It! Station Directions
One member of the group will read the task
cards in order. The group will be responsible
for completing each of the tasks that are
being read.
Each member of the group will then write
their conclusions down on the lab sheet in
the Explore It! section.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
1. Look at rock
sample(s) in
container #1.
2. On your lab sheet write down
some of physical properties
about the rock(s).
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
1. Look at rock
sample(s) in
container #2.
2. On your lab sheet write down
some of physical properties
about the rock(s).
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
These rocks are igneous
rocks and are created
when magma or lava
cools and hardens.
When the lava cools very quickly
the rocks appear glass-like and
shiny. When the lava cools slowly
gas bubbles are trapped inside
leaving tiny holes.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
These rocks are called
sedimentary rocks. After
sediment is eroded away
through weather and
erosion it ends up on the
ground or bottom of the ocean.
The sediment is compacted and
cemented together to form
sedimentary rock. Fossils are
often found in this type
of rock.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
1. Look at rock
sample(s) in
container #3.
2. On your lab sheet write down
some of physical properties
about the rock(s).
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
These rocks are
metamorphic rocks and
are created by lots of
heat and pressure over
a long period of time.
Metamorphic rock is created
deep within the Earth and can
have ribbon-like layers with
straight or wavy lines. Crystals
are sometimes present
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Each of the 3 types of
rocks can transform into
one another.
1. List the 3 types of rocks on your
lab sheet.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Illustrate It! Station Directions
Each member of the group will draw a quick
sketch on the lab sheet that shows they
understand the concept that is being taught.
Use the colored pencils and markers that are
provided.
The directions for the sketch are provided on
the task card at the table.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Word Bank
-
Sedimentary
Compaction and Cementation
Heat and Pressure
Igneous
Metamorphic
Cooling and Hardening
Sediment
Weather and Erosion
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Illustrate It! Station Directions
Complete the diagram on your answer document. Fill in letters
A-H
________________
_________
Type of Rock
Rock
_____________
G
B
F
A
________________
Type of Rock
C
H
E
D
________________
Type of Rock
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Organize It! Station Directions
It is recommended that you have completed at least two
of the following stations before working at this station.
-Read It!
-Explore It!
-Watch It!
-Research It!
Every student will answer the questions from the task cards
on the lab sheet in the Organize It! Section.
Please mix up the cards again before the next group
arrives at this station.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Match the Rock types with
their characteristics and
properties.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Have the teacher check your
chart to ensure it is correct.
They will sign your lab sheet in
the Organize It area.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Created when magma or lava is
cooled and hardens
Sedimentary
Rocks
Igneous
Rocks
Metamorphic
Rocks
Created when sediment is
compacted and cemented together
Created when rocks have heat and pressure
added to them over a long period of time
Glassy surface, or lots of small holes in
the rock
Conglomerate of many other
types of rocks or minerals
Ribbon-like layers, straight or wavy
stripes
Fossils are present
Crystals are present
©KeslerScience.com, 2014
Task Card #3:
Properties -­‐
Task Card #1:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Task Card #2:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Task Card #3:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Task Card #7
1.
2. 3.
Write It!
Task Card #5:
Properties -­‐
Name_______________________
Task Card #1:
Properties -­‐
The Rock Cycle
Explore It!
Organize It!
Task Card #4:
1.
2.
3. E.
F.
G.
H.
#1_____
#3_____
Read It!
#2_____
#4_____
Name_______________________
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
#2_____
#4_____
Research It!
#1_____
#3_____
Assess It!
A.
B.
C.
D. Illustrate It!
The Rock Cycle
Name_______________________
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Task Card #2:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Task Card #3:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Task Card #4:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Watch It!
The Rock Cycle
Task Card #7:
1. Igneous
2. Sedimentary
3. Metamorphic
Task Card #5:
Properties -­‐ will vary according to samples. Marble, Slate, and Gneiss are great examples
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Task Card #3:
Metamorphic rocks are created underground by lots of heat and pressure over a long period of time. Task Card #1:
____An igneous rock is created when magma or lava cools either inside the Earth or outside the Earth. The lava hardens and becomes an igneous rock.
Task Card #2:
__Sedimentary rocks are created when sediment is gathered and is compacted together over time. The process of cementation holds the sediment together and forms sedimentary rock.
Write It!
Task Card #1:
Properties – will vary depending on your samples. Try to include a glassy surface sample and one with air bubbles in it
Task Card #3:
Properties – will vary according to samples. Sandstone, limestone, and fossils would be great Write It!
examples
Explore It!
The Rock Cycle Answer Key
#2__B___
#4__D___
#2__C___
#4__D___
Sedimentary -­‐ created when sediment is compacted and cemented, conglomerate, fossils present
Metamorphic – Heat and pressure over time, crystals present, straight or wavy stripes on the rocks
3. This will allow students to reflect on the WHY of their learning. #1__A___
#3__C___
Read It!
E. Cooling and Hardening
F. Weathering and Erosion
G. Compaction & Cementation
H. Heat and Pressure
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Igneous -­‐ created when magma or lava cools or hardens, glassy surface or tiny holes present Organize It!
Task Card #4:
1. This will vary for each student
2. 2. Score for each student
Research It!
#1__A___
#3__C___
Assess It!
A. Igneous
B. Sediment
C. Sedimentary
D. Metamorphic
Illustrate It!
The Rock Cycle Answer Key
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Task Card #2:
The jellybeans represented pieces of sediment. Each color of the jellybean is a different rock or mineral.
Task Card #3:
___Igneous – cooling and hardening
Sedimentary – compaction and cementation
Metamorphic – heat and pressure over a long period of time
Task Card #4:
Rocks do not necessarily have to get created in a certain order. All of them can be broken down into sediment or maybe recycled back into the Earth. It is not a cycle like a life cycle that has to follow in a certain order.
Watch It!
The Rock Cycle Answer Key