8th Grade Earth Science Objectives

ABACUS 01-SC08-35
PASS CS8.4.2

Links:

PASS Strand:
1. Structures of the Earth

Objectives:

7. The formation, weathering, sedimentation, and reformation of rock constitute a continuing "rock cycle" in which the total amount of material stays the same as its forms change.
   
   Local category: Geology

Time Range:
2nd Quarter; Four months

Suggested Teaching Strategies:

• Discussion of the rock cycle and how one rock can change into another given enough time and the right conditions inside Earth.
• Rocks are set out each day to show the difference between sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rock types.
• Using marshmallows, students demonstrate the formation of sedimentary rocks (stack tightly together), metamorphic rocks (press together with some force) and igneous rocks (apply heat to begin melting).
• Story of a rock: students write a creative writing story in which they change from one type of rock to the next as they pass through the rock cycle.

Aligned Resources:

• Core Lab 1: Determining Density
• Core Lab 8: Identify Minerals
• Core Lab 10: Using the Rock Record to Interpret Geologic History
• Chapter 2: Minerals
• Chapter 3: Rocks
• Chapter 8: Erosion and Deposition
• Chapter 9: A Trip Through Geologic Time

Revision Date:
June 2005