Lesson Plan
Berkshire Museum

Backyard Rocks

For Teachers 2nd - 6th Standards
You don't have to travel far to learn about rocks, just step outside, pick up a stone, and begin investigating. After taking a class walk around the school grounds collecting rocks, young scientists practice their skills of observation...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Three Rock Groups

For Teachers 1st
Firts graders distinguish between sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. They group the rocks into the appropriate group. This is one of the best-organized plans I've seen! Learners watch a PowerPoint presentation which is embedded...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Layers of Rock

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Juvenile geologists drill clear plastic straws down into a playdough sedimentary rock model, pulling out sample rock cores. As they analyze their cores, they apply the law of superposition and discover that originally horizontal layers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thirsty Rocks: Please "Porous" a Drink!

For Teachers 4th - 10th
A simple activity goes a long way in demonstrating the property of porosity to your rock hounds. They will mass a specimen of dry sandstone and then soak it in a pre-measured amount of water. After seven minutes, they once again measure...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is the Rock Cycle and Its Processes?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Geology beginners examine three different rock samples and determine their origin by their characteristics. By making and recording observations, they become familiar with features of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock types....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks, Minerals, and Erosion

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders describe the difference between minerals (composed of the same substance throughout) and rocks (composed of two or more minerals). They recognize that there are three classes of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks in our Backyard

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine igneous and sedimentary rocks. They observe and identify geological formations in their community, analyze igneous and sedimentary geological layers using a geological map, and use GPS to locate geological formations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sediment Deposition Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students set up a stream table, observe erosion, and record data on where various sizes of sediments settle. They draw conclusions as to what kind of sedimentary rock form in what locations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Cycle

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a Rock Cycle game to gain an understanding of the cycles that form metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modeling the Rock Cycle

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the differences in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. They discuss the rock cycle of the different formations. Students discuss how rock is formed into different shapes. They explore, predict, and create each...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Petrology in the Gravel Pit

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students are introduced to a wide range of rock types when they examine pebbles and boulders exposed in a gravel pit. Students practice rock description and identification and categorize the rocks sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geologic Mapping I

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students create a geologic map and cross-section of an area of horizontal sedimentary rocks, exposed in several locations. Map must include a complete key or legend with rock descriptions of the various formations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Take a Stab!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Your geology class practices taking core samples of a potato to examine the stratigraphy. This is a terrific modeling lesson that helps youngsters visualize strata that cannot be seen from the surface of the ground. The directions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VARVES: Dating Sedimentary Strata: Geology, Paleontological Patterns

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students count the number of varves (annual layers of sediment) in shale billets, taken from the Green River Formation in Wyoming. The count is then extended to reflect the entire 260 meters of sediments where the billets originated.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Around the House

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students discover the three types of rock. They weigh and examine rock specimens.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Caldecott Tunnel

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students visit the Caldecott Tunnel. They examine dark brown basalt and the gray-green sedimentary rocks and draw picture of the rock layers in the cliff face. In addition, they write a short paragraph describing what you observe about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Special Relationship: Connecticut and Its Settlers

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students study both geological and geographical features of Connecticut and the New Haven area. They focus on map works and rock formation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gonna Take a Sedimentary Journey

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students collect water samples from a local source, test it, filter it and identify the materials suspended in it. Students disucss the possible sources of sediment in their watershed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Science Works: Fossil Record - Televised Debate

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students compare the three theories used tp interpret fossil records. In this earth science instructional activity, students create a production of a televised debate. They collaborate with group members to generate relevant questions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crayon Rock Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create the three types of rock using crayons. After observing sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rock, they identify the characteristics that make up each rock type. Students use crayons to model the process that helps to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Three Main Rock Groups

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students are introduced to igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. They use foods to demonstrate the basic formation of each type of rock, read books about rock formation and view related videos.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building-Stone Geology

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students examine building stones in downtown St. Petersburg in order t study igneous and metamorphic rocks in central Florida ( a huge area consisting solely of sedimentary rock). Each student picks a particular rock type used in a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are Rocks and Minerals? How can they help us?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate the difference between rocks and minerals. They name the three kinds of rocks (sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic) and know the differences between them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Franklin Mountains

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars review the steps of the rock cycle. In groups, they identify the natural forces that cause weathering and erosion. They describe how sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks might be formed in nature to end the lesson.