ABU JOURNAL

Name of Student
Section
Group Name

The Galaxy Education System

University Road, Rajkot 360 005.
Website: www.tges.org

LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE ABU TRIP

Knowledge
Using on-field observations, students should be able to
1. Explain the formation of the following rocks
a. Sandstone
b. Limestone
c. Granite
d. Pegmatite
e. Gabbro
f. Marble
g. Granulite
h. Fault breccia
2. Explain the following geomorphic features
a. Chemical weathering in limestone
b. Chemical weathering in granite
c. Chemical weathering in gabbro
d. Exfoliation in granite
e. Asymmetry in depth of river channel
f. Point bar deposits
g. V shaped valley
3. Describe the following
a. Watershed management in Kui and Dongarpura
b. Operations at a marble mine
c. Open Cast mining at GMDC
Skills
Students should be able to do the following
1. Narrate their understanding about rocks, geomorphic features, watersheds
and mining operations for the purpose of video shooting
2. Video-shoot their experiences
3. Create a web-based digital portfolio
4. Critique their work
5. Present their learning about any one the following to a larger audience
a. Knowledge acquired
b. Skills developed / practiced
Values and Attitudes
Students are expected to demonstrate the following.
1. Punctuality
2. Working with a timeline and deadlines
3. Keep account of the money spent
4. Write reflections at the end of the day
5. Joy of sharing
6. Empathy for the underprivileged
7. Respect for the Environment
8. Spirit of adventure
9. Humility in dealing with people
10. Group Decorum

DETAILED ITENERARY OF THE ABU ROAD TRIP

Day 1
Time

Activity

1:00 p.m.

Report to SNK Main

1:30 p.m.

Leave for Abu Road

3:00 p.m.

Reach MCG Study Sandstone outcrop

4:30 p.m.

Leave for Ahmedabad

8:00 p.m.

Dinner at McDonalds, Ahmedabad

1:00 a.m.

Check in at Abu Road Hotel

Day 2

Time

Activity

7:30 a.m.

Breakfast

9:00 a.m.

Morthala Rock Site

10:30 a.m.

Banas River rock site

11:30 a.m.

DoG Rock

1:00 p.m.

Lunch

3:30 p.m.

Chandravati archaeological site

4:30 p.m.

Chandravati SUPW

6:30 p.m.

Visit to Brahmakumaris

8:00 p.m.

Dinner

9:00 p.m.

Report Writing

10:30 p.m.

Sleep
Day 3

Time

Activity

7:30 a.m.

Breakfast

9:00 a.m.

Delhi Highway rock site

10:30 a.m.

Kala Magra rock site

11:30 a.m.

Kui Dam

1:00 p.m.

Lunch

3:00 p.m.

Khapa Rock Site

4:00 p.m.

Dongarpura Rock Site

8:00 p.m.

Dinner

9:00 p.m.

Report Writing

10:00 p.m.

Dance / Camp Fire

11:00 p.m.

Sleep

Day 4
Time

Activity

7:30 a.m.

Breakfast

9:30 a.m.

Balaram Mines

10:00 a.m.

Balaram River

12:00 noon

GMDC Mine

1:00 p.m.

Lunch

2:30 p.m.

Trivedi Marbles

5:00 p.m.

Siyawa

8:00 p.m.

Dinner

9:00 p.m.

Report Writing

10:30 p.m.

Sleep
Day 5

Time

Activity

7:30 a.m.

Breakfast

10:30 a.m.

Guru Shikhar

12:00 noon

Blind School

2:00 p.m.

Lunch

3:00 p.m.

Nakki Lake

5:00 p.m.

Sun Set Point

6:30 p.m.

Leave from Mount Abu

8:00 p.m.

Dinner at Abu Road

9:00 p.m.

Leave for Rajkot

6:00 a.m. Next Day

Reach Rajkot

SITE INDEX
No.

Site Name

No.

Site Name

Mini Grand Canyon, Near Chotila

Khapa

Morthala

10

Dongarpura

Banas River Bed

11

Balaram Quarry

DoG Rock, Talheti, Abu Road

12

Balaram River

Delhi Highway

13

GMDC Mine

Kala Magra

14

Trivedi Marbles

Eastern Flank of Kala Magra

15

Siyawa

Kui Reservoir

Site Index No: 1

Date:_________________

Site Name: Mini Grand Canyon, Near Chotila

Day: ______________________

Time: ___________

1. The rock that you observe is

A. Igneous
C. Metamorphic
B. Sedimentary
D. Cant Say
2. Which of the following observations supports your answer to the question
above?
A. Complex folds are visible in the rock
B. The rock is formed in layers
C. The rock is massive and there is no prominent structure
D. None of the above
3. The colour of the rock is
A. Reddish brown
C. Black
B. Pure white
D. Grey
4. Which of the following best describes the appearance of the rock?
A. Pink, black and white crystals are visible
B. Tiny grains of sand are cemented together
C. The rock contains flat black and white grains
D. The rock has a glassy texture; no mineral crystals are visible
5. The most prominent mineral in the rock seems to be
A. Quartz
C. Feldspar
B. Mica
D. Calcite
6. Which of the following is the reason for the colour of the rock?
A. Iron oxide cement
C. Silica cement
B. CaCO3 cement
D. None of the above
7. Which of the following best describes how the rock was formed
A. Cooling and solidification of lava on the earths surface
B. Cooling and solidification of magma deep inside the earths crust
C. Deposition of sediments followed by compaction and cementation
D. Limestone subject to heat and pressure
8. Under which of the following conditions must the rock have been formed?
A. Deltaic conditions
C. Convergent plate boundary
B. Divergent plate boundary
D. Over a hot spot
9. Which of the following pair of observations supports your answer?
A. Columnar joints, hexagonal formation
B. Cross bedding, ripple marks
C. Intense folding, Pegmatite intrusions
D. Glassy texture, greenish layer on rock
10. Which of the following has been built using this rock?
A. Both Taj Mahal and Red Fort
B. Taj Mahal, but not Red Fort
C. Red Fort, but not Taj Mahal
D. None of the above

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 1 (MGC, Near Chotila)

Date:

Day:

Time:

REFLECTIONS OF DAY 1
Date:

Day:

Site Index No: 2

Date:_________________

Site Name: Morthala, Near Abu Road

Day: ______________________

Time: ___________

1. The rock that you observe is

A. Igneous
C. Metamorphic
B. Sedimentary
D. Cant Say
2. Which of the following observations supports your answer to the question
above?
A. The rock is formed in layers
B. The rock is massive and there is no prominent structure
C. The rock is in the form of massive rounded boulders
D. None of the above
3. What is the colour of the rock?
A. Reddish brown
C. Jet Black
B. Greyish white
D. Pure White
4. The name of the rock is
A. Sandstone
C. Granite
B. Limestone
D. Gabbro
5. The rock seems to have been subject to a force. Which of the following
observations is NOT a result of the force?
A. The rock layers are almost vertical, not horizontal
B. The rock layers have been folded
C. The rock exhibits a honey comb structure at a few places
D. The rock seems to have been compacted due to pressure
6. Which of the following best describes the formation of the rock?
A. Cooling and solidification of lava on the earths surface
B. Cooling and solidification of magma deep inside the earths crust
C. Compaction and cementation of shells under marine water conditions
D. Compaction and cementation of shells followed by low degree
metamorphism
7. Which of the following is the cause of the force that has acted on the rock after
its formation?
A. Igneous intrusion
C.
Burial deep into the earths crust
B. Acid rain
D.
None of the above
8. What is the name of the rock that has altered the already existing rock?
A. Gabbro
C. Pegmatite
B. Dolerite
D. Basalt
9. Which of the following best describes the appearance of the rock in the
question above?
A. Large Black crystals of plagioclase feldspar
B. Pink orthoclase feldspar, black biotite mica and white quartz crystals
C. Shiny flakes of mica along with huge quartz grains and a bit of feldspar
D. Invisible and unidentifiable crystals
10. The rock in the question above is a hypabyssal variety of
A. Basalt
C. Gabbro
B. Granite
D. Andesite

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 2 (Morthala)

Date:

Day:

Time:

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 3 (Banas River Bed)

Date:

Day:

Time:

Site Index No: 4

Date:_________________

Site Name: DoG Rock, Talheti, Abu Road

Day: ______________________

Time: ___________

1. Which of the following best describes the nature of boulders and hillocks very
prominent all around you?
A. The boulders have very prominent layers which are evident folds
B. There is extensive soil cover and vegetation on the boulders and
hillocks
C. The boulders and hillocks are bare, mostly without soil cover and
rounded with cavities
D. The hillocks are in the form of elongated ridges
2. Which of the following best describes the appearance of the rock you are
standing on when observed closely?
A. The rock is formed in layers
B. Mineral crystals are not at all visible in the rock
C. The rock consists of large mineral crystals
D. The rock consist of complex folds
3. Which of the following about this rock is correct?
Rock Type
Rock Name
A

Sedimentary

Sandstone

Sedimentary

Limestone

Igneous

Basalt

Igneous

Granite

4. Which of the following best describes how the rock must have formed?
A. Cooling and solidification of lava on the earths surface
B. Cooling and solidification of magma deep inside the earths crust
C. Compaction and cementation of shells under marine water conditions
D. Deposition of sand followed by compaction and cementation
5. Which of the following observations is termed as exfoliation?
A. Pitted appearance on the surface of the rock
B. Separation of thin successive layers from the surface of the rock
C. Honey-Comb structure
D. Large Cavities seen on this rock and similar rocks all around
6. Which of the following is the cause for exfoliation?
A. Rock exposed to a high temperature during the day and low
temperature during the night for thousands of years
B. Rock subjected to several phases of compression
C. Rock metamorphosed due to extreme heat and pressure
D. Rock subjected to acid rain attack
7. Which of the following is a correct description of the process of exfoliation?
A. Rock layers are folded intensely due to repeated cycles of compression
B. Upper surface of rock expands due to high temperature during the day
and contracts due to low temperature in the night
C. Chemically weaker minerals in the rock are washed away
D. Minerals and structures in the rock are altered

8. At some places the rock is unusually rough and has a black tint. This is due to
A. Exfoliation
C. Metamorphism
B. Chemical weathering
D. Folding
9. Which of the following is the reason for the roughness?
A. Chemically weaker minerals like feldspar and mica have been removed
B. Chemically and physically strong crystals of quartz remain in the rock
C. Either A or B
D. Both A and B
10. Which of the following will be a consequence of physical and chemical
weathering of the rock?
A. The quartz gains will be transported by flowing water, deposited and
lithified to form sandstone
B. The debris or regolith so produced will mix up with humus to form soil
C. The hills will be reduced in size (degradation)
D. All of the above

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 4 (DoG Rock)

Date:

Day:

Time:

REFLECTIONS OF DAY 2
Date:

Day:

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 5 (Delhi Highway)

Date:

Day:

Time:

Site Index No: 6

Site Name: Kala Magra

Date:_________________

Day: ______________________

Time: ___________

1. What change do you observe in the soil as you move from Delhi Highway to
Kala Magra?
Soil near Delhi Highway

Soil near Kala Magra

Black soil

Yellowish brown Alluvial soil

Black Soil

Red Soil

Yellowish brown Alluvial soil

Black soil

Yellowish brown Alluvial soil

Red Soil

2. What could be the possible reason for the presence of this soil around Kala
Magra?
A. Oxidation has resulted into change of colour
B. The soil has resulted due to denudation of rocks present in Kala Magra
C. Excessive addition of artificial fertilisers to the soil
D. The soil has been baked due to exposure to very high temperature
3. Which of the following do you observe on the surface of the rock which makes
up Kala Magra?
A. Pitted appearance due to chemical weathering
B. Exfoliation due to repeated cycles of expansion and contraction
C. Honey-Comb structure
D. Pistachio green layer on the surface of the rock
4. Which of the following is correct about the strength of the rock?
A. Breaks easily
B. Breaks into distinct layers
C. Very hard and difficult to break
D. Breaks into a powdery form
5. Which of the following best describes the appearance of the rock in hand
specimen?
A. The rock consists of flat mineral crystals and had a schistose texture
B. Mineral crystals are microscopically small in size and the rock has an
overall glassy texture
C. The rock has visibly large crystals which are pink, white and black in
colour
D. The rock has visibly large crystals which are black in colour
6. Which of the following about this rock is correct?
Rock type

Rock name

Igneous Extrusive

Basalt

Igneous Intrusive

Gabbro

Igneous Extrusive

Rhyolite

Igneous Intrusive

Granite

7. Which of the following best describes how the rock must have formed?
Type of magma

Location of formation

Granitic

On the earths surface

Granitic

Deep inside the earths surface

Basaltic

On the earths surface

Basaltic

Deep inside the earths surface

8. Which of the following has caused the rock to be present on the earths
surface?
A. Removal of overlying sediments
B. Eruption of lava followed by cooling and solidification on earths
surface
C. Formation deep inside the earths crust followed by tectonic uplift due
to internal forces
D. Meteor shower on the earths surface
9. Which of the following is a correct difference between the rock in Kala Magra
and the rock in DOG rock?
Kala Magra

DoG Rock

Fine grained

Coarse granied

Light coloured crystals

Dark coloured crystals

Coarse granied

Fine grained

Dark coloured crystals

Light coloured crystals

10. How is this rock different from the common rock found in Rajkot?
Kala Magra

Rajkot

Fine grained

Coarse granied

Light coloured crystals

Dark coloured crystals

Coarse granied

Fine grained

Dark coloured crystals

Light coloured crystals

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 6 (Kala Magra)

Date:

Day:

Time:

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 7 (Eastern Flank of Kala Magra)

Date:

Day:

Time:

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 8 (Kui Reservoir)

Date:

Day:

Time:

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 9 (Khapa)

Date:

Day:

Time:

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 10 (Dongarpura)

Date:

Day:

Time:

REFLECTIONS FOR DAY 3

Date:

Day:

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 11 (Balaram Quarry)

Date:

Day:

Time:

Site Index No: 12

Site Name: Balaram River

Date:_________________

Day: ______________________

Time: ___________

1. Which of the following is true about the river?

A. The river is in its upper course because it flows over a steep slope
through the mountains
B. The river is in its middle course because it flows over a gentle slope in
the plains
C. The river is in its lower course because it flows over a flat slope where
it is meeting the sea
D. The river is in its middle course because it flows over a highly
undulating slope
2. Which of the following is true about the presence of water in the river?
A. There is no water flowing in the river; it is dry
B. The water is flowing all across the river valley
C. The water is confined to a channel in the river valley
D. There is no flow of water; the water is stagnant at all places
3. Which of the following is true about the water flowing in the river?
A. The water flows only on one of the sides through the river valley
B. The water flows only through the central section of the river valley
C. The water flows in a looping manner from side to side across the river
valley
D. The river flows through multiple channels across the river valley
The diagram below represents one of the locations present in the river valley.

Refer to the diagram above and answer the following questions based on your
observations on site.
4. Which of the following is true about the speed of water in the river?
A. The speed is high at X and low at Y
B. The speed is high at Y and low at X
C. The speed is equal at both X and Y
D. There is no pattern of flow speed in the river

5. Which of the following is true about the depth of water in the river?
A. The water is deep at X and shallow at Y
B. The water is deep at Y and shallow at X
C. The depth is equal at both X and Y
D. There is no identifiable pattern of depth in the river
6. Which of the following is true about the work of water at Bank A and Bank B?
Bank A

Bank B

Erosion

Deposition

Deposition

Erosion

Deposition

Deposition

Erosion

Erosion

7. Which of the following is true about the location of geomorphic features at

Bank A and Bank B?
Bank A

Bank B

Cut Bank

Cut Bank

Point Bar Deposit

Point Bar Deposit

Cut Bank

Point Bar Deposit

Point Bar Deposit

Cut Bank

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 12 (Balaram River)

Date:

Day:

Time:

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 13 (GMDC Mine)

Date:

Day:

Time:

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 14 (Trivedi Marbles)

Date:

Day:

Time:

EXPLANATION OF SITE INDEX 15 (Siyawa)

Date:

Day:

Time:

ASSESSMENT SCHEME FOR THE ABU PROJECT

ASSESSMENT COMPONENT KNOWLEDGE (20 marks)
1) Complete and correct explanation of all 15 sites mentioned in the Site
Index (refer pages at the start of the journal) will be worth 20 marks
2) For every explanation not written, you lose 2 marks
3) For every incomplete or incorrect explanation, you lose 1 mark
ASSESSMENT COMPONENT SKILLS (20 marks)
1) Narration skills 10 marks
1) It is mandatory for all students to narrate their understanding of any 2
of the 15 sites mentioned in the Site Index (refer pages at the start of the
journal).
2) The narrations will have to be done on the site.
3) Each narration is worth 5 marks (total 10 marks maximum)
4) Video recordings of the narrations will be assessed based on the
following parameters.
a. Correctness of matter narrated
b. Reference to site observations
c. Body language, facial expressions and eye contact
d. Quality of speech
e. Correct use of language
2) Skill based roles 10 marks
1) Each student must identify one of the following skills which he wants
to be assessed upon
a. Additional Narration of 2 sites
i. Assessment will be as above
b. Video shooting and editing
i. Videos will be assessed based on the following
parameters
1. Coverage of all related aspects
2. Stability of picture
3. Lighting conditions used
4. Sound quality
5. Logical sequence
6. Removal of unwanted and unrelated stuff
7. Quality of transitions between shots
8. Annotations
9. Creative effects
10. Overall appeal
c. Creating a web-based digital portfolio
i. Assessment rubric for the skills of creating a web-based
digital portfolio will be crafted in consultation with
students

ASSESSMENT COMPONENT DIGITAL PORTFOLIO (20 marks)

1) Each member of the team will receive equal marks for the digital portfolio
2) The digital portfolio will be assessed based on a rubric which will be shared
with students after the trip
ASSESSMENT COMPONENT PRESENTATION OF LEARNING (20 marks)
1) Each member of the team will be required to present his / her learning in
front of a large audience using a digital portfolio.
2) Each will have to present his learning of rocks / geomorphic features / skills
learnt / values and attitudes gained.
3) The rubric for the presentation of learning will be shared with students after
the trip.
ASSESSMENT COMPONENT VALUES AND ATTITUDES (20 marks)
1) We assume that all students possess the values and attitudes expected from
them.
2) Therefore, each student will have 20 marks for this assessment component to
begin with.
3) However, there will be deduction of marks for each instance of infraction as
follows.
a. For the following components, 2 marks will be deducted for each
infraction.
i. Keep account of the money spent
ii. Write reflections at the end of the day
iii. Spirit of adventure
b. For the following components, 2 marks will be deducted for the first
infraction, 3 for the second, 4 for the third and so on.
i. Punctuality
ii. Working with a timeline and deadlines
iii. Empathy for the underprivileged
iv. Respect for the Environment
v. Humility in dealing with people
vi. Group Decorum

RECORD OF INFRACTIONS (for purpose of assessing values and attitudes)

Infraction

Parameter

Teacher Name

10

TOTAL MARKS DEDUCTED

RESIDUAL MARKS

Date and time

Marks deducted

Teacher
Sign