Name _____________________________________________

The Rock Cycle

Directions: This rock cycle is labeled with words. As you learn about the rock cycle, draw
small images next to these words to visually show what happens.

m
s

ed

imen t
s

ma g m a

a mo r p
t
e rock

hi

en
d im t a
rock

ry

se

neou s
i grock

melting
cooling
heat and pressure
weathering and erosion
compaction and cementation

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#50737Activities for a Differentiated Classroom, Level 5

Shell Education

Name _____________________________________________

Rock Investigation
Part 1
Directions: Select a rock. Investigate the rock by completing all the tests below.
Test 1: Describe It
Look at your rock carefully. Note the color, patterns, shape, crystals, and other features.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Test 2: Magnify It
Use a magnifying lens to look at your rock. On the back of this paper, sketch a detailed view
of your rock under magnification.
Test 3: Identify It
What type of rock is it? Explain your answer. _______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Test 4: Scratch It
Find out how hard your rock is by trying these tests. Assign the rock a hardness number
based on the tests below. Scale Number: ____________
Scale

Scratch
Test

1
Leaves
a mark
when
rubbed
on the
skin

2
Can be
scratched
by a
fingernail

810

Can be
scratched
by a
penny

Can be
scratched
easily by
a butter
knife

Can be
scratched
by a butter
knife after
much
effort

Can be
scratched
with a
steel nail
but not
glass

Can
scratch
glass

Too
hard
to be
tested
on this
scale

Test 5: Attract It
Use a magnet to test if your rock contains magnetic material. Describe what happened.
____________________________________________________________________________
Part 2
Directions: Write a creative story about your rocks history. Personify your rock with a name
and an interesting life story. Include scientific facts about the rock cycle and creative details.
If time allows, turn your story into a picture book or an animated movie.

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103

Name _____________________________________________

Rock Investigation
Part 1
Directions: Select a rock. Investigate the rock by completing all the tests below.
Test 1: Describe It
Look at your rock carefully. Describe the color, patterns, shape, crystals, and other features.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Test 2: Magnify It
Use a magnifying lens to look at your rock. On the back of this paper, sketch a detailed view
of your rock under magnification.
Test 3: Identify It
Is it a sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous rock? Explain your answer. ________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Test 4: Scratch It
Find out how hard your rock is by trying these tests. Assign the rock a hardness number
based on the tests below. Scale Number: ___________
Scale

810

Scratch
Test

Leaves
a mark
when
rubbed
on the
skin

Can be
scratched
by a
fingernail

Can be
scratched
by a penny

Can be
scratched
easily by
a butter
knife

Can be
scratched
by a butter
knife after
much effort

Can be
scratched
with a
steel nail
but not
glass

Can
scratch
glass

Too
hard
to be
tested
on this
scale

Test 5: Attract It
Use a magnet to test if your rock contains magnetic material. Describe what happened.
____________________________________________________________________________
Part 2
Directions: Write and illustrate a comic strip about the life of your rock. Give the rock a
name and an interesting story. Include facts about the rock cycle and creative details.

104

#50737Activities for a Differentiated Classroom, Level 5

Shell Education

Name _____________________________________________

Rock Investigation
Part 1
Directions: Select a rock. Investigate the rock by completing all the tests below.
Test 1: Describe It
What color is the rock? ______________________
What patterns do you see on the rock? ___________________________________________
Describe the shape of the rock: _________________________________________________
What other things do you notice about the way the rock looks? _______________________
Test 2: Magnify It
Use a magnifying lens to look at your rock. On the back of this paper, sketch a detailed view
of your rock under magnification.
Test 3: Identify It
SedimentaryHardened sediment with layers of sandy or clay-like stone; gritty feeling;
brown or gray; may have fossils and water or wind marks Yes/No
MetamorphicHard rock with layers of light and dark minerals; curved shape; various
colors; may be glittery from mica Yes/No
Igneous rockSolid rock with little texture or layering; mostly black, white and/or gray
minerals; may look like granite or like lava Yes/No
Test 4: Scratch It
Find out how hard your rock is by trying these tests. Assign the rock a hardness number
based on the tests below. Scale Number: ___________
Scale

810

Scratch
Test

Leaves
a mark
when
rubbed
on the
skin

Can be
scratched
by a
fingernail

Can be
scratched
by a
penny

Can be
scratched
easily by
a butter
knife

Can be
scratched
by a butter
knife after
much effort

Can be
scratched
with a
steel nail
but not
glass

Can
scratch
glass

Too
hard
to be
tested
on this
scale

Test 5: Attract It
Use a magnet to test if your rock contains magnetic material. Describe what happened.
____________________________________________________________________________
Part 2
Directions: On another sheet of paper, sketch your own diagram of the rock cycle.
Shell Education

#50737Activities for a Differentiated Classroom, Level 5

105