Rock Formation Lesson 1.4: Sedimentary · sedimentary rock form? Lesson 1.4: Sedimentary Rock Formation Activity 3 💬 Suggested teacher talk: The Sim is a model. Scientists use
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Lesson Purpose: Students begin to construct ideas about how sedimentary rock forms and gain an initial understanding that it forms from sediment that builds up in water and is covered with more sediment.
💬 Suggested teacher talk:We want to figure out where in North America would be the best places to search for fossils. To do this, we'll use a tool that geologists often use--a map.
💬 Suggested teacher talk:Let’s observe the map like a geologist would and look for patterns. Turn and talk to a partner about what patterns you notice on the map.
👉Teacher action:After a couple of minutes, have students share what patterns they notice. If students do not mention it, draw attention to the types of rock in various places and the pattern of volcanoes near the coast on the border of the continent and the ocean.
💬 Ask students:Where do you think fossils are most likely to be found?
🙋Students may respond:In the white region where sedimentary rock is on the surface.
💬 Suggested teacher talk:Remember that we are trying to figure out how the fossil in Desert Rocks Canyon got inside the rocky outcrop. We know that for fossils to form, organisms are first covered with sediment. The sediment eventually hardens to form sedimentary rock. Fossils are therefore found mostly in sedimentary rock. But how does the sedimentary rock around the fossil form? In this lesson, we’ll begin investigating the question How does sedimentary rock form?
Observe a real rock to start thinking about how it formed.
Activity 2Lesson 1.4: Sedimentary Rock Formation
💬 Suggested teacher talk:You will observe a rock sample with a partner and discuss what you observe. You can look at and touch the rock to make detailed observations of texture and color.
👉Teacher action:Have students turn to page 1 in their notebooks and read along as you review each safety guideline.
👉Teacher action:Distribute one rock sample and one hand lens to each pair. Students may begin observing their rock samples with the hand lens when they receive them. Circulate as students make their initial observations and discuss in pairs. Listen for what students observe about the rocks and whether they are noticing the sediment.
💬 Suggested teacher talk:Geologists use data, such as written observations and drawings, to make inferences about rocks and fossils.You will record your observations now and then use your data to make inferences about how this rock formed.
💬 Suggested teacher talk:This is an example of a drawing a geologist would make. The drawing and labels show detail about texture and color. You should add similar detail to your own drawings.
What did you observe about how the rock looks and feels?
Activity 2Lesson 1.4: Sedimentary Rock Formation
👉Teacher action:As students share what they observed, highlight student observations about the texture of the rock sample.
💬 Suggested teacher talk:The rock has a rough texture because of the large size of the sediment that makes it up.
💬 Suggested teacher talk:When geologists observe sedimentary rock, one detail they observe is the size of the sediment that makes up the rock. This rock is made of large sediment mixed with smaller sediment.
We will use the Earth’s Features Sim to gather information to answer the question How does sedimentary rock form?
Activity 3Lesson 1.4: Sedimentary Rock Formation
💬 Suggested teacher talk:The Sim is a model. Scientists use models like simulations to investigate things that they cannot observe happening in the real world. We cannot see rocks forming because it takes a long time, but we can see rocks forming in the Sim. The Sim will help us better understand this process.
Turn to page 13 in your notebook, Rock Formation in the Simulation.
Activity 3
Record your observations and make a drawing to explain your thinking about how rocks form.
Lesson 1.4: Sedimentary Rock Formation
💬 Suggested teacher talk:You will record your observations and questions in your notebook as you explore the Sim.
👉Teacher action:Distribute one digital device to each pair of students and have them access the Earth’s Features Sim via the Student Apps Page.
👉Teacher action:Circulate to support students. Give students 10 minutes to gather observations in the Sim. If necessary, remind students how to move time forward in the Sim. You may choose to remind students of the difference between observations and inferences and encourage them to just record observations at this time.
What happened to the sediment before the rock formed?
Did you notice anything about where the rock formed and where it did not form?
Activity 3Lesson 1.4: Sedimentary Rock Formation
🙋Students may respond:● The sediment was covered with more sediment.● The rock was forming only in the water.
👉Teacher action:Ask students to summarize how sedimentary rock forms. Make sure students explain that sedimentary rock forms when sediment builds up in water and is covered with more sediment.
Use your observations of the rock sample and of the Sim to make an inference about how the rock sample formed.
Lesson 1.4: Sedimentary Rock Formation
👉Teacher action:Read aloud page 14 in the notebook, Making Inferences About How Rocks Form.
On-the-Fly Assessment: How Sedimentary Rocks FormStudents write about how sedimentary rocks form. As students write, circulate and make note of their understanding of how sedimentary rocks form.
Look for: Student writing is an opportunity to informally assess their early understanding of how rocks form. Based on their experiences in the Sim, students should be able to infer that their rocks must have formed when sediment built up in an environment with water, then was covered with more sediment and hardened over time. Students are not expected to be specific about the environment that the rock formed in, other than that it formed in water. This is also an opportunity to assess how students are able to make inferences by combining observations of the rock with scientific ideas from the Sim. Even though students did not observe their rock sample form, they should be able to combine their observations of the rock sample with their understanding of how rocks form to infer that it formed when sediment built up and was covered with more sediment.
Now what? If students seem to have trouble understanding how sedimentary rock forms, discuss this with the class using the Sim. Project the Sim in Mode 1. Without changing the environment, move time forward. Point out the sediment building up in the beach environment. Ask students to keep their eyes on the sediment in the beach
environment as you move time forward again. Point out that as more sediment piles on top, the sediment below forms into solid rock. Reset the Sim and then move time forward twice again, this time asking students to watch the floodplain environment. Point out that in the Sim, sedimentary rock only forms where the sediment can build up underwater. Reset the Sim once more and ask students to watch what happens to the upper river environment as you advance time forward. They should notice that no rock forms in this environment where the sediment is not underwater.