Kelly Gaule

Geo 201
Five E lesson plan outline

Under Pressure!
Metamorphism Rocks!
Grade: 6th
E.SE.06.41
Compare and contrast the formation of rock types (igneous,
metamorphic, and sedimentary) and demonstrate the similarities and
differences using the rock cycle model.
Objectives:
Students will be able to identify various types of metamorphic rocks.
Students will be able to describe different types of metamorphism.
Safety:
Requisite knowledge/skills for students:
Students must know how sedimentary rocks are formed when
sediment and other layers of material undergo intense pressure and
evolve into rocks. Igneous rocks are formed by melted rock or magma
cooling and solidifying into a rock.
Procedure:
This lesson will come after lessons on sedimentary and igneous rocks.
It will span approximately six 40-minute periods. Engage will take
approximately 20 minutes. Explore number one will be about 15
minutes. Explore number two will take 40 minutes and explore number
three will take about 80 minutes. Explain should last 20 minutes.
Elaboration will last around 40 minutes and 20 minutes for the
Evaluation.
Engage:
Rock Cycle Review
The students will engage in this lesson by reviewing what they already
learned on the rock cycle including sedimentary and igneous rock.
They will also explore what they already know about the formation of
metamorphic rocks. To do this the students will each receive Engage:
Rock Cycle Review worksheet (see page 21). The students will fill in
what they know about the rock cycle in each bubble.

Explore #1:

Metamorphic Rocks by Maria Nelson

Students will each take a turn to read a page out of the book
Metamorphic Rocks by Maria Nelson. This gives interesting insight as
to what metamorphic rocks are and how they are formed. Students
will be encouraged to write notes while reading.
Explore #2
Yummy Sediments Create Metamorphic Rocks:
You will need:
One plastic cup per child and to hold ingredients.
Spoons
Blue food coloring
Vanilla pudding (half colored blue, other half left white)
Chocolate pudding
Sprinkles (these will act as dinosaurs)
Crushed Oreos
Crushed Graham Crackers
E1 Yummy Sediments Create Metamorphic Rocks. Worksheet (see
page 7)
Divide students up into groups of five. Each group will have cup filled
with each type of pudding (chocolate, blue, and vanilla), sprinkles,
crushed Oreos, crushed Graham Crackers, as well as an empty cup per
student. All students will also receive a worksheet labeled E1 Yummy
Sediments Create Metamorphic Rocks.
Students will go through and complete the worksheet will creating their
own sedimentary rock layers and showing them how the lower layers

could be hotter and more compact in the earth which leads to

metamorphism.
When the students are finished with the worksheet have them all come
together for a discussion.
Ask the students the following questions:
1. What did you observe while following the steps? (Answers will
vary but should including seeing the layering or each sediment)
2. At the end, where did you decide the hottest layers would be?
(Answer: the bottom of the cup, lowest layer being the warmest
and top layer being the coolest.)
3. Which layer or layers have the most pressure on them? (Answer:
the bottom layer)
4. What would the pressure do to the sediments? (Answer: compact
them, form rock)
After discussing the results talk about metamorphism:
Metamorphism is the change in the rocks by heat or pressure.
We observed that the bottom of the cup would be the hottest. This
heat can change the rock into a new rock. We also see that the most
pressure is bearing down on the layers in the bottom of the cup. This
compaction can also change the type of rock.
Adapted from Sedimentary Rock Formation: Yummy Sediments!
www.primary-education-oasis.com/sedimentary-rock-formation.html>.
Explore #3
Guess the Metamorphic Rock!
You will need:
1 sample of six kinds of metamorphic rocks (Including phyllite,
quartzite, slate, marble, gneiss, and metaconglomerate)
E2 Guess the Metamorphic Rock Worksheet (see page 9)
E2 Guess the Metamorphic Rock Answers for Teacher (see page 13)
Create six stations around the room. At each station include one type
of metamorphic rock. Do not show the names of the rock instead label
the rocks like this:
Rock
Sample
number
Phylite
1
Quartzite
2
Slate
3
Marble
4
Gneiss
5
3

Metaconglom
erate

Divide students up into six groups, a group at each station. The groups
will spend about 5-10 minutes at each station. Students will study the
rock using the worksheet that includes boxes asking what the rock
looks like, feels like, what they think the parent rock is, foliation, and
other observations.
While the students are making their observations the teacher will be
walking around making sure they are on the right track. When they all
went through each station have them come together so you can
discuss results. Go through each sample having the students tell you
what each group got for each question. Using the E2 Guess the
Metamorphic Rock Answers for Teacher explain to the students the
sections they might have gotten wrong or confused about so they all
have the correct answers.
Explain:
Explain that today we are going to watch a video exploring the
formation of metamorphic rocks. There are two types of formation:
Contact and Metamorphism.
The video is called Metamorphic Rock Video from Michael Sammartano,
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oQ1J0w3x0o)

Elaboration#1
Metamorphic Rock Video Worksheet
After watching the video have the students fill out the worksheet
called E3 Metamorphic Rock Worksheet (see page 20) based on what
they learned in the video. Have 2-4 students draw what they drew for
their pictures of the type of metamorphism on the board. Have
students explain what they drew.
Elaboration #2
Metamorphic Life Story
You will need:
1 sample of each of the metamorphic rocks we discussed before.
(phyllite, quartzite, slate, marble, gneiss, and metaconglomerate) Use
different samples than the one used in explore 2 and assign
different sample numbers to them.

Divide students up into 6 groups however the students will work

independently. Give each group a rock sample. The students must
write a one-page paper describing the life story of their rock. To do
this they must identify the number sample they have, the type rock,
discuss how it was formed, parent rock, type of metamorphism, where
it could be found in the U.S., and a general history about the rock. This
could include a fun story about how someone or an animal picked it up.
The students are able to use their notes and worksheets from previous
classes but they cannot talk to their classmates. The students will be
graded on correct scientific content, creativity, and grammar. Give the
students 40 minutes to write their story.
While the students are writing the teacher should walk around and
observe what they are writing. When the students are done have them
turn it in.
The teacher will then grade the students papers off of the rubric titled
E4 Metamorphism Life Story Rubric (see page 17)
Evaluation
Under Pressure! Metamorphic Rock Quiz
You will need:
A Sample of a metamorphic rock for each student (include phyllite,
quartzite, slate, marble, gneiss, and metaconglomerate) Label each
rock with a number.
Under Pressure! Metamorphic Rock Quiz (see page 18).
Hand out the quiz to each student along with a rock sample. Be sure
that students next to each other do not have the same type of
sample. Read the directions on the quiz out loud. Explain that each
student will have five minutes with their first rock sample and answer
the four questions about that sample. When the five minutes are up
the students will then pass their sample to the left and receive a new
sample from the person on their right. They will then answer the
questions about that sample. Then they will use the rest of the time to
answer the last two questions. In total it should take about 15 minutes
to complete.
Scientific Background
Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have been changed in some
type of way that involves recrystallization in the solid state, often with
little change in overall chemical composition(Metamorphic Rocks).
They started out as some other type of rock, but have been
substantially changed from an igneous, sedimentary, or another type
of metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rocks form when rocks are

subjected to high heat, high pressure, hot fluids or, more a

combination of all of these factors. Conditions like these are found
deep within the Earth or where tectonic plates meet. In metamorphic
rocks most or all of the minerals in the original rock are replaced to
form new minerals. Metamorphic rocks are often crushed and folded.
Foliation forms when pressure squeezes or elongates grains within a
rock so they become aligned. These rocks become a sheet-like
structure that reflects the direction that pressure was applied in. Slate,
schist, and gneiss are all foliated metamorphic rocks. Non-foliated
metamorphic rocks do not have this sheet-like structure. There are
several ways that non-foliated rocks can be produced. Some rocks are
made of minerals that do not elongate no matter the pressure. Another
type of metamorphism, contact metamorphism, occurs when hot
igneous rock intrudes into some pre-existing rock. The pre-existing rock
is heated enough to change the mineral structure of the rock without
pressure.

"Physical-science.geology.images."
Works Cited

"Sedimentary Rock Formation: Yummy Sediments!" Primary Education

Oasis. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014. <http://www.primaryeducation-oasis.com/sedimentary-rock-formation.html>.
"Metamorphic Rocks." Metamorphic Rocks. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec.
2014.
<http://pages.geo.wvu.edu/~kammer/g100/MetRocksText.htm>.
"Metamorphic Rocks Video." YouTube. Michael Sammartano, n.d. Web.
23 Oct. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oQ1J0w3x0o>.
Nelson, Maria. Metamorphic Rocks. New York: Gareth Stevens Pub.,
2014. Print.
"Physical-science.geology.images." Www.mesacc.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 2
Dec. 2014.
<ttp://www.mesacc.edu/sites/default/files/pages/section/academicdepartments/physical-science/geology/images/mmrkid1.jpg>

E1: Yummy Sediments Create Metamorphic Rocks

pg1
Name:____________________________________________________
Date:_____________________________
In class we have already discussed the formation of sedimentary rocks.
Today, we are going to see how sedimentary rocks can form into
metamorphic rocks. We are going create our own rocks using food and
a little imagination. To do this we must first travel way back to the time
of the dinosaurs so see where it all begins.
Step 1. Imagine you are walking on a huge river. Place a thin layer of
the blue pudding in the bottom of your cup.

Step 2. Travel in time a few hundred years where the dinosaurs have
died in that river. Scatter a few sprinkles across your river.
Step 3. Mud and sediment covered these dinosaurs. Place graham
cracker cookie crumbs over the dinosaurs.
Step 4. Over many years and years more mud, rocks, and other
sediment deposited on this land. Layer chocolate pudding, white
pudding, and Oreo crumbs. Continue the layers until the cup is filled.
After years of compressing the layers would create a sedimentary rock.
At this point try to draw exactly what your cup looks like in the cup
below. Include the different layers and what makes up those layers.

E1: Yummy Sediments Create Metamorphic Rocks

pg2
So where is the metamorphic rock? Think about this:
If this were apart of the earths crust where would the hottest
temperature layers be? __________________________
What do those warmest layers in your cup consist of?
________________________________________________________________________
_________________________

Which layers have the most pressure on them?

________________________________________________________________________
_________________________
When you are done with the worksheet you may eat your creation. We
will then discuss the results all together.

E2 Guess the Metamorphic Rock

Name:________________________________________________
Date:________________________________
Directions: Your group will have 5-10 minutes at each station. Using
each sample try to fill out the chart with the best of your ability. Make
observations and think logically about what the answers could be.
Using these observations try to assign a name to each sample. The

names of the rocks are below, not all names are used. Make sure to
leave room in each box for when we go over the worksheet later.
Names of metamorphic rocks:
Metaconglomer Phylite
ate
Quartzite
Gneiss

Mica Schist

Slate

Amphibole
Schist

Marble

Sample #1
Name_________________________________________________________
What does the
What is the
Where do you
What kind of rock
rock look like?
texture?
think it was
do you think is
formed?
the parent rock?

What types of
minerals are in
the rock?

Is it foliated?
(does it have a
striped or layered
look?

Other observations:

10

Sample #2
Name _________________________________________________________
What does the
What is the
Where do you
What kind of rock
rock look like?
texture?
think it was
do you think is
formed?
the parent rock?

What types of
minerals are in
the rock?

Is it foliated?
(does it have a
striped or layered
look?

Other observations:

Sample #3
Name: _________________________________________________________
What does the
What is the
Where do you
What kind of rock
rock look like?
texture?
think it was
do you think is
formed?
the parent rock?

What types of
minerals are in
the rock?

Is it foliated?
(does it have a
striped or layered
look?

Other observations:

11

Sample #4
Name_________________________________________________________
What does the
What is the
Where do you
What kind of rock
rock look like?
texture?
think it was
do you think is
formed?
the parent rock?

What types of
minerals are in
the rock?

Is it foliated?
(does it have a
striped or layered
look?

Other observations:

Sample #5
Name_________________________________________________________
What does the
What is the
Where do you
What kind of rock
rock look like?
texture?
think it was
do you think is
formed?
the parent rock?

What types of
minerals are in
the rock?

Is it foliated?
(does it have a
striped or layered
look?

Other observations:

12

Sample #6
Name _________________________________________________________
What does the
What is the
Where do you
What kind of rock
rock look like?
texture?
think it was
do you think is
formed?
the parent rock?

What types of
minerals are in
the rock?

Is it foliated?
(Does it have a
striped or layered
look?

Other observations:

E2 Guess the Metamorphic Rock Answers For

Teachers
Sample #1
Name: Phylite

13

What does the

rock look like?

What is the
texture?

Answers may
vary based on
sample mostly
dark, shiny

Answers may
vary based on
sample mainly
smooth

What types of
minerals are in
the rock?

Is it foliated?
(does it have a
striped or layered
look?

Where do you
think it was
formed?

What kind of rock

do you think is
the parent rock?
Mudstone or
shale

Other observations:

Mica
Foliated

Sample #2
Name Quartzite
What does the
rock look like?

What is the
texture?

Answer may vary

based on sample
but mostly no
color.

Sugary

What types of
minerals are in
the rock?

Is it foliated?
(does it have a
striped or layered
look?

Where do you
think it was
formed?

What kind of rock

do you think is
the parent rock?
Sandstone

Other observations:
Contact metamorphism
Scratches glass

Quartz
No foliation

Sample #3
Name: Slate
14

What does the

rock look like?

What is the
texture?

Answers may
vary based on
sample. Mostly
dark in color.

Smooth, flat

What types of
minerals are in
the rock?

Is it foliated?
(does it have a
striped or layered
look?

Where do you
think it was
formed?

What kind of rock

do you think is
the parent rock?
Shale

Other observations:
Sounds higher than glass.

None
Foliated

Sample #4
Name: Marble
What does the
rock look like?
Answers may
vary base on
sample

What types of
minerals are in
the rock?

What is the
texture?
Answers may
vary based on
sample mostly
shiny, crystal
faces
Is it foliated?
(does it have a
striped or layered
look?

Where do you
think it was
formed?

What kind of rock

do you think is
the parent rock?
Limestone

Other observations:
contact metamorphism

Calcite
No foliation

Sample #5
Name Gneiss

15

What does the

rock look like?

What is the
texture?

Light and dark

stripes

Bumpy, angular

What types of
minerals are in
the rock?
Answers may
vary based on
sample. Most
have quartz,
potassium
feldspar,
muscovite and
biotite.

Is it foliated?
(does it have a
striped or layered
look?

What kind of rock

do you think is
the parent rock?
Schist

Other observations:
Regional metamorphism

Foliated

Sample #6
Name Metaconglomerate
What does the
What is the
rock look like?
texture?
Answers may
vary light and
dark colors

Big course
grained

What types of
minerals are in
the rock?

Is it foliated?
(Does it have a
striped or layered
look?

Quartz, rock
fragments

Where do you
think it was
formed?

Where do you
think it was
formed?

What kind of rock

do you think is
the parent rock?
Conglomerate

Other observations:
Cuts right through the other rocks.

No

16

E4 Metamorphism Life Story Rubric

This is a checklist for the metamorphic life story paper.
Students will receive one point for each checkpoint they have.
There is a total of 10 points possible.
Content:
Student correctly identified the type of metaphoric rock
Student correctly identified type of formation the rock has
Student correctly explained how that type of formation
happens

17

Student correctly identified parent rock

Creativity:
Student included a nonscientific story about the rock
Student expressed creativity
Grammar:
Student used correct sentence structure.
Student had few to no grammar errors
Student has few to no spelling errors
Students paper made sense and has flow to their story

Under Pressure! Metamorphic Rock Evaluation

Name:_______________________________________________
Date:___________________________________
Directions: Each person will be given a rock sample. You will be given
5 minutes to answer four questions. The teacher will inform you when

18

5 minutes is up. Then you will pass your sample to the left of you and
receive a new sample. You will then answer questions on that sample.
Remember to write the rock sample number down for both
samples you receive. Each question is worth one point.
For part B answer the questions to the best of your ability. Each
question is worth two points. Good Luck!
PART A
Rock sample number ________________
1. What is the name of your rock?
____________________________________________________
2. Is it foliated? _______________________________________
3. What type of parent rock does it have?
_________________________________
4. Does it have minerals?___________________________

Rock sample number __________________

5. What is the name of your rock?
____________________________________________________
6. Is it foliated? _______________________________________
7. What type of parent rock does it have?
_________________________________
8. Does it have minerals?___________________________

19

PART B
4. What is contact metamorphism?

5.What is regional metamorphism?

20