Energy in the Rock Cycle

Summary

This activity will provide an opportunity for students to use their textbook and trace the flow of energy through the rock cycle. Students will write a short poem to finish the assignment.

Materials

• Energy in the Rock Cycle PowePoint (attached)
• textbooks
• student worksheet

Background for Teachers

The role of energy in the rock cycle is not addressed directly by most textbooks. Our Utah State Core specifically asks students to explain the role of energy in the rock cycle.

Student Prior Knowledge

Students should be familiar with the 3 types of rocks and how the rock cycle explains the changes they undergo.

Instructional Procedures

1. Handout assignment and go over directions.
2. To make the activity easier, locate the pages from your textbook most helpful to students and list the page numbers on the board.
3. Allow students time to complete the assignment. Discuss their results and have students make corrections. Allow time for writing the poem.
4. Ask volunteers to read their poems to the class.

Assessment Plan

Scoring Guide:

1. Students use text and complete rock cycle diagram………………4
2. Students make corrections to their diagram during discussion (see key attached)……..…..4
3. Student correctly answer analysis questions:
   1. volcanoes are heated by residual Earth heat or radioactive decay
   2. The sun powers the weather, causing sedimentation.
   3. Gravity breaks rocks when they fall off a cliff or are pulled downstream a river
   4. Ice wedging is related to the power of water expanding as it freezes and heat expansion is related directly to the sun.
4. Student write poems with 4 facts embedded in them……………….4

Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.