How do scientists know the history of Earth before humans—or any mammals—existed? An epic "Eons" series video explains the larger history of geologic time. It highlights the eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages scientists use to divide...

Get earth science students excited about the formation of rocks with an engaging interactive resource. Learners analyze the composition of granite, then study the various processes that work together to make igneous, sedimentary, and...

Time to rock out! Discover the "life" cycle of the average rock using an illustrative stations lab and stimulating pairs game. Roll the dice to determine your fate: will it be melting in magma or chilling out to form igneous rock? The...

We name eras of human development such as the Stone Age, Copper Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age after rocks and minerals, proving how important these are to daily life. The applied STEM unit encourages scholars to act as geologists...

The three types of rock aren't classic, punk, and hard. The chapter covers everything scholars need to know about rocks. Pupils compare rocks, learn about their formation, see how rocks change, and follow every step of the rock cycle....

This video, meant for older students, clearly explains how each of the three types of rocks on the earth's surface are formed. I learned that 75% of the earth's land area is made up of sedimentary rocks! Interesting details about the...

Here is an outstanding video that is produced and narrated by a young scholar. He does a fabulous job explaining what the three types of rocks are and how they interact with each other in the rock cycle - which is how rocks actually...

Sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks are the stars of this interesting video produced by NASA. The rock cycle is when each of these three types of rocks transforms into another kind of rock - which happens under extreme...

Sedimentary rocks are the building blocks of this geology lesson. In it, learners discover what sedimentary rocks are and how they form. They understand the differences between the major sedimentary rock varieties and learn what types of...

These lessons produced by the Illinois State Museum are quite good. In this one, third and fourth graders are introduced to the three basic types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. They perform activities which help them...

More of a mini-unit than a lesson, these activities lead inquisitors through a survey of oil deposits. In the first part, they read about and view diagrams of sedimentary rock layers that trap oil. Next, they test porosity and...

Investigate rocks and non-fiction reading strategies. The class observes and sorts rocks, and then identifies non-fiction text features in Remarkable Rocks. Given strips of paper labeled with headings from the table of contents, pupils...

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...

Here is an excellent lesson on rocks! In it, learners explore the world of rocks through the use of video, hands-on activities, and cooperative projects. This outstanding plan is chock full of terrific activities, websites, streamed...

Two activities are included in this resource. In the first, junior geologists model sedimentary rock layers, apply the Law of Superposition, and demonstrate folding and faulting of the Earth's crust. The model is technically a sandwich....

After five class sessions, young scientists will be able to identify common rock types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. This plan involves hands-on activities, includes various handouts and worksheets, and requires there to be...

Eighth graders review the processes that form the rocks on the surface of the earth. They will rotate to three stations to replicate the processes that create igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. This lesson plan is based on the...

Time to rock and roll! Young scientists test their knowledge about rocks found on Earth and what they tell scientists. A 10-question quiz focuses on the different types of rocks, how they are formed, and what they are made of.

Meet some interesting rocks. Learners discover information about the three types of rocks and different rocks that are within each group. They read imaginary interviews with six rocks as each rock tells the story of their formation and a...

Why do rocks break down over time? Learners explore this concept by simulating physical and chemical weathering of different types of rocks. They use an abrasive to demonstrate physical weathering and acid to demonstrate chemical...

All rocks include two or more minerals but greatly vary in appearance. The online interactive encourages scholars to match the rock types to the facts they know about each. They then complete three grid puzzles reviewing the same...

If pupils think the three types of rock are classic, punk, and hard, these puzzles offer gentle correction. Scholars match the type of rock to how it formed and an example in four grid puzzles. Each requires problem-solving and...