Making a Sedimentary Rock

Summary

Students will create a sedimentary rock by layering food items and putting pressure on them. They will model processes that alter sedimentary rocks.

Materials

• paper plates
• plastic knife
• any combination of: sliced bread, peanut butter, jelly, cereals, marshmallows, sugar, flour, salt, cornstarch, frosting, graham crackers, oatmeal etc.
• student worksheet (attached)

Student Prior Knowledge

Student should be familiar with the formation of sedimentary rocks and the forces that alter them. If this is an introductory activity, you may need to describe the processes of uplift, faulting, and folding.

Instructional Procedures

1. Read the introduction with students and describe where materials are located.
2. Students can work in groups as large as 4 but more than that is not recommended.
3. If desired, build "collars" for the rock formation made of poster board strips stapled together to form a circle a little larger than the paper plates you are working with:
   
4. Read directions with students and emphasize that the rocks need pressure, but not to the point that they squish out the sides.
5. Explain clean up procedures.

Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.