CAROLYN WALLACE
Unit Topic or Theme: Science

Grade: 4

•    Lesson Topic or Theme: Earth Science: The Rock Cycle

•    Lesson Objectives: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to identify the three main classifications of rocks through distinguishing characteristics of each type.

•    Instructional Technique: Video, Discussion, Group Work, Technology Applications

•    Instructional Materials:

              - Paper, Pencil

              - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGK1KkLjdQY

              - Overhead Projector

              - Computers

              - Plastic bins, with Rock Samples in each bin

              - Corresponding Rock Sample Worksheets

              - Computers

•    Theoretical Perspective:

              Not only is the rock cycle a crucial component in the Elementary Education MA Curriculum, but it is also important for students to learn about in order to succeed in their future education. Furthermore, rocks and minerals make up a large majority of Earth, and students should be aware of the process that can create and change rocks from one type to another.

•    Procedure:

A.   Introduction:

            The teacher will ask students to take out a piece of paper and divide it into 3 sections. While watching the video “3 Types of Rocks and the Rock Cycle: Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic – Free School” from YouTube, students should write down characteristics     of each of the 3 types of rock that are mentioned in the video.

            After the video, the teacher will ask students to turn to their partner and discuss the traits     of the rocks that they wrote down throughout the video. Encourage students to write down anything that their partner wrote down if they do not have it on their paper.

B.    Step-by-step (descriptive outline)

            The teacher will divide a paper into 3 sections, like the students did, and display it on the overhead projector. The teacher will ask students to share out their ideas that they gathered from the video, asking questions such as:

                         “Who can tell me one of the types of rocks?”

                        “Does anyone remember any facts about _______ rocks?”

            From there, students will be divided into groups of 3 by the teacher. They will travel around the classroom, looking at samples of rocks in labeled bins. Each bin will have a    rock sample in it, and 3 facts about that rock. For example, one bin could contain a   sample of granite, and the facts will read, “This rock is used to make countertops, is an INTRUSIVE rock, and can be formed by the cooling of magma.”

            Students and their peers will then fill out the following chart:

            After students have traveled to every bin and completed their charts, the class will have a discussion regarding what they believe each rock sample is, and why.    

C. Closure

            Students will use the website “A JOURNEY THROUGH THE ROCK CYCLE” to  review the knowledge that they have obtained throughout the Introduction and  Development of the lesson. This website will allow students to gauge what they need to study before any upcoming assessments that they may have.

·      Adaptations for Different Learners

            It is important for students to learn in an environment that suits them. Therefore, adaptations for various learners are made. For example, for students with visual impairments, Closed Captions can be added for the YouTube introduction. Furthermore, students with any motor skill disabilities or accommodations have the option to type their assignments rather than hand-write them.

D. Homework

            There is no written homework for this assessment. Students should review the information that they need to, for an assessment that will come in the future.

•    Evaluation:

    I can evaluate this lesson throughout by checking in with groups as they are working on the Development activity. Furthermore, through class discussions throughout the lesson plans, students can self-evaluate and check their understanding in the Closure website activity. This lesson does not include a formal assessment. However, this lesson leaves plenty of room for informal evaluation and self-monitoring for students.

•    Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to identify the three main classifications of rocks through distinguishing characteristics of each  type.
Through the Development and Closure of this lesson, students are able to informally assess their knowledge and the teacher can informally assess if students are able to classify and identify the three types of rocks by their characteristics.

Concerns or questions you have about teaching this lesson?

            The concern that a teacher may have in teaching this lesson is that the video is not suitable for English Language Learners, and neither is the website. If this website were to be needed for English Language Learners, the creator could make a website in an accommodating language.