How Are Rocks Classified Lesson Plan

Subject: Science
Lesson Plan: How are rocks classified?
Week 7: October 1 - 5
Teacher: Musab
Grade: 4G
School: Andalus International School
Session 1: Introduction to Rocks and the Rock Cycle (40 minutes)
Objective: Students will understand the basic concepts of rocks, learn about the three main types
of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic), and gain an overview of the rock cycle.
Materials:
Samples of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks (if available)
Whiteboard or chart paper
Markers or chalk
Rock cycle diagram handouts (one per student)
Introduction to Rocks (10 minutes):
Begin by asking students what they know about rocks. Write their responses on the whiteboard or
chart paper.
Explain that rocks are solid materials made up of minerals and can be found in different sizes,
shapes, and colors.
Show samples of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks (if available) and briefly describe
their characteristics.
Types of Rocks (15 minutes):
Write "Igneous Rocks," "Sedimentary Rocks," and "Metamorphic Rocks" on the whiteboard.
Explain the characteristics and formation processes of each rock type:
Igneous rocks: Formed from cooled and solidified molten rock (magma or lava).
Sedimentary rocks: Formed from the accumulation and cementation of sediments (such as sand,
mud, and shells) over time.
Metamorphic rocks: Formed from the transformation of existing rocks due to heat, pressure, or
chemical processes.
Rock Cycle Overview (15 minutes):
Distribute rock cycle diagram handouts to each student.

Discuss the rock cycle, explaining how rocks can change from one type to another over time.
Guide students through the different processes involved in the rock cycle, such as weathering,
erosion, deposition, heat, and pressure.
Have students label and color the various stages of the rock cycle on their handouts.
Page 1 | 4
Session 2: Igneous Rocks (40 minutes)
Objective: Students will develop an understanding of igneous rocks, their characteristics, and
examples of igneous rocks.
Materials:
Samples of different igneous rocks (if available)

Markers or chalk
Igneous rock identification handouts (one per student)
Introduction to Igneous Rocks (10 minutes):
Review the concept of igneous rocks and their formation from magma or lava.
Ask students to recall any characteristics of igneous rocks mentioned in the previous session.
Explain that igneous rocks can have different textures, including coarse-grained, fine-grained,
glassy, or vesicular (with air pockets).
Characteristics of Igneous Rocks (15 minutes):
Create a table on the whiteboard with two columns: "Characteristics" and "Examples."
Discuss the characteristics of igneous rocks (e.g., composition, texture, color) and record them in
the "Characteristics" column.
Encourage students to share any prior knowledge or observations about igneous rocks.
Provide examples of different igneous rocks (if available) and write their names in the "Examples"
column.
Igneous Rock Identification (15 minutes):
Distribute igneous rock identification handouts to each student.

Instruct students to examine the samples of igneous rocks (if available) or use pictures in the
handout to identify and label the different types of igneous rocks.
Encourage discussion and peer collaboration during the identification process.
Page 2 | 4
Session 3: Sedimentary Rocks (40 minutes)
Objective: Students will explore the characteristics of sedimentary rocks, learn about their
formation processes, and identify examples of sedimentary rocks.
Materials:
Samples of different sedimentary rocks (if available)

Markers or chalk
Sedimentary rock identification handouts (one per student)
Introduction to Sedimentary Rocks (10 minutes):
Review the concept of sedimentary rocks and their formation from the accumulation and
cementation of sediments.
Ask students to recall any characteristics of sedimentary rocks mentioned in the previous session.
Explain that sedimentary rocks can have layers or fossils embedded within them.
Characteristics of Sedimentary Rocks (15 minutes):
Discuss the characteristics of sedimentary rocks (e.g., layering, fossils, varied colors) and record
them in the "Characteristics" column.
Show samples of different sedimentary rocks (if available) and write their names in the "Examples"
column.
Sedimentary Rock Identification (15 minutes):
Distribute sedimentary rock identification handouts to each student.

Instruct students to examine the samples of sedimentary rocks (if available) or use pictures in the
handout to identify and label the different types of sedimentary rocks.
Encourage discussion and peer collaboration during the identification process.
Page 3 | 4
Session 4: Metamorphic Rocks and Review (40 minutes)
Objective: Students will explore the characteristics of metamorphic rocks, learn about their
formation processes, and review the concepts of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
Materials:
Samples of different metamorphic rocks (if available)

Markers or chalk
Introduction to Metamorphic Rocks (10 minutes):
Review the concept of metamorphic rocks and their formation from the transformation of existing
rocks due to heat, pressure, or chemical processes.
Ask students to recall any characteristics of metamorphic rocks mentioned in the previous
sessions.
Explain that metamorphic rocks can have unique textures and distinct patterns.
Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks (15 minutes):
Discuss the characteristics of metamorphic rocks (e.g., banding, foliation, changed minerals) and
record them in the "Characteristics" column.
Show samples of different metamorphic rocks (if available) and write their names in the
"Examples" column.
Metamorphic Rock Exploration (10 minutes):
If samples of metamorphic rocks are available, allow students to examine and handle them,
observing their textures and patterns.
Encourage students to describe and compare the metamorphic rocks they are examining.
Review and Recap (5 minutes):
Conduct a brief review of the three main types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
Ask students to share key characteristics and examples of each rock type.
Summarize the rock cycle and its connection to the formation and transformation of rocks.
Assessment or Activity (10 minutes):
Provide a small assessment or activity to gauge students' understanding of the topic. This can
include multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, or a short-written response about the rock
cycle or the characteristics of a specific rock type.
Page 4 | 4

How Are Rocks Classified Lesson Plan

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Subject: Science

Lesson Plan: How are rocks classified?

Session 1: Introduction to Rocks and the Rock Cycle (40 minutes)

Rock Cycle Overview (15 minutes):

Distribute rock cycle diagram handouts to each student.

Samples of different igneous rocks (if available)

Distribute igneous rock identification handouts to each student.

Samples of different sedimentary rocks (if available)

Distribute sedimentary rock identification handouts to each student.

Samples of different metamorphic rocks (if available)

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