Mrs. Morton's 4th Grade Class WebQuest

Introduction  Task   Process   Evaluation  Conclusion  Home

Introduction
Welcome to the world of rocks!  The world is constantly changing around us. Natural resources help us everyday. We will get to explore rocks and minerals in our unit.  You will learn the difference between rocks and minerals and learn how rocks go through cycles. Through this unit you will become rock stars!!!

  Task
You will learn by reading our Eyewitness books, Audubon Rocks and Minerals Books, watching Eyewitness Videos, doing expriements with rocks and minerals and researching Internet links.  You will create a Hyperstudio Project to share with others. You will write a couplet about rocks and then as a class, will compose a song about rocks to perform for other classes.

  Process
1. Explore the world of rocks by reading books in the classroom and going on-line. Students keep notes and download interesting pictures to use later for their Hyperstudio Presentation.

Learn about rock cycles :
Brain Pop Rock Cylces
Geologic Mysteries 
Welcome to Our World
Rock Cycles

Learn about Minerals, Sedimentary, Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks:
Geologic Mysteries,
Rocks and Mineral Reference sheet
Rock Site
Rocks and Minerals
Rocks and Minerals Slideshow
Rock Hound
Rock Hound Site #2
Rock Pictures
Rock Glossary

2. In groups of four, examine rocks and minerals in the class kit, then test and sort them. Identify them and compare your list with others. Then check the actual list to see how acurate you were. Click here to see the rock examination sheet.

Examine with the electronic microscope
Examine using a penlight


3. Make a Hyperstudio Presentation that includes:
Click here to see the Rock Hyperstudio Check List
Click Here for a PDF of the check list
4. Write a  couplet using information learned about rocks and minerals.
A Couplet is a 2 line poem that rhymes. Pick a word that has something to do with rocks and minerals.  Now find a word that  rhymes with your rock word using this on-line rhyming site or the Scholastic Rhyming Dictionary.  Make a Couplet that will help someone remember something about rocks and minerals with your words.  For example: In a volcano, the magma builds up. Then it, starts to erupt.

5. As a class, arrange the couplets into verses and compose a "refrain" to create a song. (Click here to see our song)    Click here for a PDF copy of the song

6. Set the song to a familiar tune (Click here to hear song ideas), or work with the music teacher or musical parent with create accompanying music.

7. Optional activities:

  Evaluation:

  Conclusion
Now that you know more about the world around you, continue to observe how it is changing.  Try starting your own rock collection!  You are now......
Rock Stars!
Examination Sheet
Feel: How does the mineral feel?
Descriptive words:smooth, bumpy, rough, slippery, glassy, scratchy, soft, hard, heavy, light, crumbling, soft like powder
Streak:  Rub the mineral on the tile.
Descriptive words: yellow, white, gray, black, reddish brown
Smells: How does it smell?
Descriptive words: dirt, musky, sulfur (like matches), none nature, stinky lead, salty, ashy, oily, fishy
Luster: When you shine the light ­on it or looks like.
Descriptive words: dull, sparkly, shiny, metallic, glassy, waxy, pearly oily
Light: Shine the light through it.
Descriptive words: shines through a lot, yes, no,  foggy, bright,  
Magnetic: Put the magnet on the rock.
Descriptive words: yes, no  
Hardness: Rocks are rated by hardness on the Moh Scale of 1-10. Try scratching it with your finger first, if not then the penny, if not then the nail.
Descriptive words:finger-soft 0-2, penny medium soft 3-4, nail medium hard 6-7 and hard 8-10. 
Shape: How does the mineral look?
Descriptive words: thin, flat layers, clumps, crystalline sides,  cube, square, bumpy, square, flat sides, cleavage
Click here to go back

Rock Slide Show Check-list
Slide 1
  • Title
  • Picture
  • 4 buttons- One for Minerals, Sedimentary, Igneous and Metamorphic
Slide 2
  • Title (Minerals)
  • Picture of  minerals
  • Description –include a description of  minerals and something interesting about minerals
  • Button Home
Slide 3
  • Title (Sedimentary)
  • Picture of the rock
  • Description –include a description of the rock, a use for it and something interesting about the rock
  • Button Home
Slide 4
  • Title (Igneous )
  • Picture of the rock
  • Description –include a description of the rock, a use for it and something interesting about the rock
  • Button Home
 Slide 5
  • Title ( Metamorphic)
  • Picture of the rock
  • Description –include a description of the rock, a use for it and something interesting about the rock
  • Button Home
Mechanics:
  • Check spelling
  • Check capital letters
  • Fonts should be easy to read, size  and color
  • Buttons should go to the correct slide
  • Transitions should be smooth and not over done
Click here to go back


Rocks and Mineral Quiz
Fill in:
  1. A ____________________ is an opening in the earth’s surface that allows magma and gases to escape.
  2. Rocks that were formed from magma are called _____________________rocks.
  3. Rocks that have been changed by heat and pressure are called ___________rocks.
  4. Rocks that were formed out of material dropped in layers are called _____________________ rocks.
  5. What has combined in different ways  to form rocks? _________________________.
  6. The process of rocks forming, wearing away and changing is called the  ____________________.
  7. Large crystals are formed when the magma cools _____________________.
Circle the best answers:
8. What is molten rock inside the Earth  called?
            lava                              igneous rock                 magma
9. Which of these are igneous rocks?
            limestone                      sandstone                     granite              obsidian
10. Which of these rocks are sedimentary rocks?
            basalt                           sandstone                     slate                 limestone
11. Which of these rocks are metamorphic rocks?
            limestone                      marble                          granite              gneiss
12. What do we call  plant and animal life found in rocks?
            lava                  fossils               crystals

Draw and describe the rock cycle using paper or an electronic drawing program:

  • Draw and label a picture of the rock cycle.
  • Under the picture write  at least 6 sentences that describe the rock cycle. 
  • Include these words in your picture and description: volcano, magma, lava, river, sediment, erosion, igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, heat and pressure.