Rocks can bend? Pupils investigate how heat and pressure produce metamorphic rocks by modeling them using clay, and then categorize samples based on observable characteristics. The instructional activity ends with a metamorphic rock identification activity.

Concepts

metamorphic rocks, the rock cycle, types of rocks

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Find a metamorphic rocks identification chart to help pupils identify rocks

Classroom Considerations

• Activity requires modeling clay and rice, as well as a set of metamorphic rocks
• Lesson requires basic knowledge of metamorphic rocks and the rock cycle 
• The fourth installment of a five-part series on earth materials and processes

Pros

• Pupils use observations of actual metamorphic rocks to create a classification system

Cons

• Worksheet has a pre-lesson activity with candy, but there is no indication in the teacher's guide as to how to conduct this activity
• Foliated and nonfoliated texture is not defined in the worksheet
• Lesson does not cover parent rocks (e.g. that quartzite is metamorphosed sandstone)