The Rock Family
An exploration of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks using Internet, note-taking, and concept mapping skills.
Grade Level: 2 -3
Duration: Three class periods
Objectives:
Students will
- Describe characteristics of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks and provide examples of each.
- Analyze research needs and explore website options.
- Paraphrase information from an online source and organize it in a table.
- Complete an online concept/mind map describing characteristics of all three types of rocks and examples.
Standards Connections:
Common Core English Language Arts Standards » Reading: Informational Text » Grade 3, Standard RI.3.5
Materials:
• Downloadable worksheet – “Which do you like best?”
• Downloadable note-taking sheet – “Rock Chart”
• Access to Online Webbing Tool
Benefits of using interactive concept/mindmaps with students:
Organizing information and ideas can be a challenging task for many students. Learning how to structure new information in a meaningful way is vital to increasing understanding and mastery of content. Although concept maps can make a huge difference in helping students develop their thinking process, traditionally, they tend to be static diagrams that allow for little growth and adaptation. Using an online and interactive concept map, students can continuously play with ideas, arrange them and group them, fill in any gaps that exist, and add details with a click of the mouse.
This lesson plan addresses the concept-mapping issue through the use of one FREE online mind-mapping website. (There are many free mind-mapping tools out there.) We have chosen to use the ReadWriteThink Online Webbing Tool.