Carolyn C. Smith
The Story of Rocks
Objectives
The students will be able to:
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1. Identify the three groups of rocks found on the earth.
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2. Identify some of the kinds of rocks found in each group.
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3. Identify some of the common rocks found in New Haven and its neighboring towns.
Vocabulary
sediments, metamorphic, igneous, sedimentary, and pressure
Material Needed
Paper, pencil, outline map of New Haven or the state of Connecticut, and crayolas.
Procedures
Introduce the terms geology and geologist. Discuss rocks and the two most common minerals, feldspar and quartz, that are found in most rocks. Discuss sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Point out that sedimentary and igneous rocks are the most common kind found in the New Haven area. (The students can use their outline maps to show where the kinds of rocks are found.)
Questions for Discussion
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1. How are sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks formed?
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2. What are the characteristics of identifying rocks?
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3. How are rocks useful to man?
Related Activities
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1. Have the students use references to find out how rocks change from one kind to another. Ex. Limestone under pressure changes to marble.
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2. Make a chart of some common rocks and give their qualities: color, weight, composition, hardness, texture, and use.
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3. Make a display of the rocks found in their area.
Field Trips
Arrange a field trip to the Peabody Museum for a lecture on rocks found in the area of New Haven and to see the exhibit they have there.