rock formation lesson 1.4: sedimentary · sedimentary rock form? lesson 1.4: sedimentary rock...

© The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Earth’s Features

Lesson 1.4: Sedimentary Rock Formation

Lesson Purpose: Students begin to construct ideas about how sedimentary rock forms and gain an initial understanding that it forms from sediment that builds up in water and is covered with more sediment.


Investigating MapsActivity 1

10 MINLesson 1.4: Sedimentary Rock Formation


Let’s use what we read about how fossils form to figure out the best places in North America to search for fossils.

Activity 1Lesson 1.4: Sedimentary Rock Formation


💬 Suggested teacher talk:We want to figure out where in North America would be the best places to search for fossils. To do this, we'll use a tool that geologists often use--a map.

💬 Suggested teacher talk:Let’s observe the map like a geologist would and look for patterns. Turn and talk to a partner about what patterns you notice on the map.

👉Teacher action:After a couple of minutes, have students share what patterns they notice. If students do not mention it, draw attention to the types of rock in various places and the pattern of volcanoes near the coast on the border of the continent and the ocean.

💬 Ask students:Where do you think fossils are most likely to be found?

🙋Students may respond:In the white region where sedimentary rock is on the surface.


sedimentary rock

Vocabulary


a type of rock formed from sediment that compacts and cements over time

👉Teacher action:Post the sedimentary rock vocabulary card to the classroom wall.


Today we’re going to investigate this question:

How does sedimentary rock form?


💬 Suggested teacher talk:Remember that we are trying to figure out how the fossil in Desert Rocks Canyon got inside the rocky outcrop. We know that for fossils to form, organisms are first covered with sediment. The sediment eventually hardens to form sedimentary rock. Fossils are therefore found mostly in sedimentary rock. But how does the sedimentary rock around the fossil form? In this lesson, we’ll begin investigating the question How does sedimentary rock form?


Observing RocksActivity 2



Observe a real rock to start thinking about how it formed.


💬 Suggested teacher talk:You will observe a rock sample with a partner and discuss what you observe. You can look at and touch the rock to make detailed observations of texture and color.

👉Teacher action:Have students turn to page 1 in their notebooks and read along as you review each safety guideline.

👉Teacher action:Distribute one rock sample and one hand lens to each pair. Students may begin observing their rock samples with the hand lens when they receive them. Circulate as students make their initial observations and discuss in pairs. Listen for what students observe about the rocks and whether they are noticing the sediment.


💬 Suggested teacher talk:Geologists use data, such as written observations and drawings, to make inferences about rocks and fossils.You will record your observations now and then use your data to make inferences about how this rock formed.

💬 Suggested teacher talk:This is an example of a drawing a geologist would make. The drawing and labels show detail about texture and color. You should add similar detail to your own drawings.


Turn to page 12, Rock Observations, in your notebooks.

You will draw your rock sample in the box on this page.



Observe Rock Sample

Touch the rock to observe how it feels.

Use your observations to make a drawing. Label the details.

Step 2Use the hand lens to observe the rock. Take turns.

Step 1


👉Teacher action:Circulate to listen to what students are observing as they work with their partners to observe their rock samples.


What did you observe about how the rock looks and feels?


👉Teacher action:As students share what they observed, highlight student observations about the texture of the rock sample.

💬 Suggested teacher talk:The rock has a rough texture because of the large size of the sediment that makes it up.

💬 Suggested teacher talk:When geologists observe sedimentary rock, one detail they observe is the size of the sediment that makes up the rock. This rock is made of large sediment mixed with smaller sediment.


The rocks are made of larger sediment like this gravel mixed with smaller sediment like sand.



How do you think these rocks could have formed from gravel and sand?


👉Teacher action:Have students turn and talk to a partner. Then, ask them to share their ideas with the class.

💬 Suggested teacher talk:You will have more time to investigate this in the next activity.


Rock Formation in the Simulation

Activity 3



We will use the Earth’s Features Sim to gather information to answer the question How does sedimentary rock form?


💬 Suggested teacher talk:The Sim is a model. Scientists use models like simulations to investigate things that they cannot observe happening in the real world. We cannot see rocks forming because it takes a long time, but we can see rocks forming in the Sim. The Sim will help us better understand this process.


Turn to page 13 in your notebook, Rock Formation in the Simulation.

Activity 3

Record your observations and make a drawing to explain your thinking about how rocks form.


💬 Suggested teacher talk:You will record your observations and questions in your notebook as you explore the Sim.

👉Teacher action:Distribute one digital device to each pair of students and have them access the Earth’s Features Sim via the Student Apps Page.

👉Teacher action:Circulate to support students. Give students 10 minutes to gather observations in the Sim. If necessary, remind students how to move time forward in the Sim. You may choose to remind students of the difference between observations and inferences and encourage them to just record observations at this time.

http://apps.learning.amplify.com/elementary


Click on the Student Apps Page in your bookmarks.

Scroll down and click on the Earth’s Features unit.

Click on the orange box with a 1 to access the Sim.

Access the Sim

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

Lesson 1.4: Sedimentary Rock Formation Activity 3

https://apps.learning.amplify.com/elementary

https://apps.learning.amplify.com/elementary


image

Earth’s Features SimMove time forward to observe rock forming and how it forms.

Do not change the sea level.

Make observations about how rock forms.



What happened to the sediment before the rock formed?

Did you notice anything about where the rock formed and where it did not form?


🙋Students may respond:● The sediment was covered with more sediment.● The rock was forming only in the water.

👉Teacher action:Ask students to summarize how sedimentary rock forms. Make sure students explain that sedimentary rock forms when sediment builds up in water and is covered with more sediment.

👉Teacher action:Collect digital devices.


Reflecting on How Rocks Formed

Activity 4



Turn to page 14 in your notebooks.

ON-THE-FLY

Activity 4

Use your observations of the rock sample and of the Sim to make an inference about how the rock sample formed.


👉Teacher action:Read aloud page 14 in the notebook, Making Inferences About How Rocks Form.

On-the-Fly Assessment: How Sedimentary Rocks FormStudents write about how sedimentary rocks form. As students write, circulate and make note of their understanding of how sedimentary rocks form.

Look for: Student writing is an opportunity to informally assess their early understanding of how rocks form. Based on their experiences in the Sim, students should be able to infer that their rocks must have formed when sediment built up in an environment with water, then was covered with more sediment and hardened over time. Students are not expected to be specific about the environment that the rock formed in, other than that it formed in water. This is also an opportunity to assess how students are able to make inferences by combining observations of the rock with scientific ideas from the Sim. Even though students did not observe their rock sample form, they should be able to combine their observations of the rock sample with their understanding of how rocks form to infer that it formed when sediment built up and was covered with more sediment.

Now what? If students seem to have trouble understanding how sedimentary rock forms, discuss this with the class using the Sim. Project the Sim in Mode 1. Without changing the environment, move time forward. Point out the sediment building up in the beach environment. Ask students to keep their eyes on the sediment in the beach

environment as you move time forward again. Point out that as more sediment piles on top, the sediment below forms into solid rock. Reset the Sim and then move time forward twice again, this time asking students to watch the floodplain environment. Point out that in the Sim, sedimentary rock only forms where the sediment can build up underwater. Reset the Sim once more and ask students to watch what happens to the upper river environment as you advance time forward. They should notice that no rock forms in this environment where the sediment is not underwater.


How do you think the rock you observed formed?


🙋Students may respond:The rock formed when sediment built up in water and then was covered with other sediment. Then the sediment hardened into rock.

💬 Suggested teacher talk:We will continue to explore how rocks form in the next lesson and gather information from books and models.


End of Lesson

Published and Distributed by Amplify. www.amplify.com


rock formation lesson 1.4: sedimentary · sedimentary rock form? lesson 1.4: sedimentary rock...

Documents