How to Become a Geologist
Learning Sequence
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Introduction
Ask the children to watch the following video on Sandstone and the formation of various rock types and ask your class to take notes. The children will need to answer a series of questions following this. Teachers may need to pause the video throughout to allow children to take notes.
During this short course, we are going to explore ways in which rocks are created, and the way that we use them in our everyday lives.
We are going to take a look at ‘the rock cycle’ which explains exactly how each and every rock in the world is on a very long and arduous journey which may take hundreds of millions of years.
By the end of this course, we want children to understand exactly how rocks are created and how they may hold the secrets of the past within their structure.
During this short course we are going to explore the wonderful world of rocks.
Each rock you see on the ground is on one of the longest journeys in the world! This journey can take millions of years, involve many changes and even include a trip into the centre of the Earth.
This week we are going to explore the different varieties of rock, learn how they are formed, and start to understand what they do to improve our lives. .
We are also going to see if we can start our very own class rock collection and begin to search for clues from the past in our very own garden.
Watch the video opposite, and take note of key points or keywords as you will need to answer a series of questions based on the information within the video.
Let’s get ready for a journey into the past!
Weekly Keywords
Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary.
Copy the words into a spelling list/Vocabulary book for later reference.
Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil
Place the words in alphabetical order in a list.
Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
Try to represent each of the words using a picture or a symbol and play the guessing game. (which image is matched to which word)
Write a paragraph containing all of the new vocabulary.
Make a vocabulary wall containing all of the new words.
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words and create a synonym list.
These words will help you during this week’s lesson. You may already know some of these words however practice makes perfect!
First, read the words and then try to define them as simply as possible.
An example has been completed for you. You can write these into your books, and draw a picture to match or simply complete the task card.
Warm-up Activity - Comprehension
Allow the students to use the video to discuss and answer the questions, define the worlds and discuss the topics on the task card opposite.
This session should involve lots of verbal interactions and allow children to consolidate their knowledge through healthy discussion and sharing of ideas and concepts.
Take a look at the comprehension task card opposite.
First – Read the discussion questions and spend a few minutes talking about these before you start the task.
Once your discussion is over it is time to define the keywords within the vocabulary list. Take a look at these words and attempt to define them with your partner.
Once your discussion is over, try to answer the two sets of questions associated with the video you have just watched. You may want to watch the video again whilst you answer the questions.
Once complete, share your answers with your partner or the rest of the class and see if everyone else agrees with your answers.
Finally – take a look at the follow-up activity and end the session with a healthy chat and discussion about what you have just learned.
3 Major Types of Rocks
Allow the children to research each of the rock types on the task card. Children should be allowed to work in groups and at the end of this research session, the students should be given a chance to share what they have learned with the rest of the class.
During their research did they discover any other amazing facts about the various rock types?
As you are now probably aware, there are three major rock types that exist on Earth. Each and every rock on the planet is created in a very unique way, has unique characteristics, and is used for different purposes.
Take a look at the following task card, read the information and using the research tools around you, try to answer the questions about each rock and how it is used in our daily lives.
The Rock Cycle - How Does it Work?
During this activity, the children will consolidate their knowledge of the rock cycle and will begin to put all of the pieces together.
They will be working on understanding the process involved and then creating their own poster to explain the process in their own words. The emphasis on this part of the course is that the quality of their work must be of high quality, as they are expected to use this as a resource to teach others about the rock cycle at a later date.
When we talk about cycles, it is because they go round and round. Rocks are just the same. Each rock in your garden, in the mountains or at the bottom of the river is on a journey that will last millions of years. It is called the rock cycle.
Take a look at the following task card on the rock cycle. Read the steps, one at a time and try to create your own poster on the process of the rock cycle. Make sure that you use nice colours and write your information carefully because you may wish to use this poster to explain the rock cycle to somebody else.
Rock Investigation - Creating Flashcards
Allow the children to have the freedom to work with whom they choose and to use all available resources in the room to research each of the rocks on the flashcards opposite.
The children must decide if each rock is igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary. Once they have decided they will then find common uses for these rocks and make notes in the designated boxes.
NB -The children must be told beforehand that these resources will be used to teach younger children about rocks so they will need to produce a high-quality and well-presented finished product.
Now that you understand the 3 types of rocks and you are aware of how they are formed, it is time for you to conduct some research on what these rocks do to improve our lives.
Rocks have been around for millions of years. From carving pictures and words into rock faces in ancient times to providing the lead in the pencil you’re holding right now.
We want you to investigate the examples on the cards opposite and research how these rocks are used on earth to improve our lives. Use the template below and use a variety of research tools to find out as much as you can about each type of rock.
Remember – take your time when completing this task as you will be using these cards to teach a younger child about rocks later.
Teaching Somebody Else - Pay it Forward!
The purpose of this exercise is to allow the students to use their resources and newfound knowledge to pass on the information to a younger group of students.
When we use this as the goal, the children understand that the purpose of their learning journey is to use this information for the good of others.
It also deepens their understanding of the responsibility and leadership skills they have within.
Some children may need help when preparing their lessons and gathering their materials.
With your new understanding, your rock cycle poster and your research flashcards, It is now time for you to use these as a resource to teach somebody else all about the rock cycle.
First, make sure that your rock cycle poster is labelled correctly and that all the words can be read.
Second, cut out your flashcards and laminate them if possible.
Third, collect some rocks so that your students can feel the rocks as you talk about them. You may want to try and collect as many samples as possible and ask your student to try and identify them.
Finally, find a younger child, an adult or a group of children, ask them if they would like to learn something new, set up your materials and that’s it!
You’re a Geologist!!!
Creative Activity - Building your own Volcano
Watch the video with your class and ask them what materials they will need to collect to create their very own erupting volcano.
Once the children understand how to build their own volcano, allow them to gather the material and give it a try.
Now that you truly understand rocks and their formation, it is time to build your very own erupting volcano from the simplest materials.
Watch the video, make a list of the material you will need, find some friends to help you and start building your very own Mount Vesuvius.
Further Research - Volcanoes
For those children who have found the world of rocks and the rock cycle fascinating. This is the perfect opportunity to allow them to extend their research into the world of volcanoes. Watch the video together as a class and ask those children who wish to continue with their research, to choose a volcano from the list and start ther own research project immediately.
If you are interested in volcanoes and would like to continue with your research, watch the video recorded in Iceland opposite and try to think about what you are seeing. You may wish to ask yourself the following questions:
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What is the substance you are seeing?
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Where is it coming from and why does it need to escape?
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What happens when this substance dries?
Now conduct your own research on one of the world’s most powerful eruptions from the list below.
Good luck!
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Ambrym Island — Republic of Vanuatu, 50 A.D.
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Mount Pinatubo — Philippines, 1991.
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Novarupta — Alaska, 1912.
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Santa Maria Volcano — Guatemala, 1902.
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Krakatoa — Sunda Strait, 1883.
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Laki — Iceland, 1783.
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Huaynaputina — Peru, 1600.
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Mount Vesuvius — Italy, 79 A.D.