The Rock Cycle Remix Script

Warm-up: What are Rocks? (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to embark on an exciting journey deep into the Earth. We're going to talk about something you see every day but might not think much about: rocks!"

Teacher: "To start, I want you to think for a moment. What do you think rocks are made of? And where do they come from? Turn and talk to a partner for about a minute, then we'll share some ideas as a class."

(Allow students to discuss in pairs. Circulate and listen to their ideas.)

Teacher: "Alright, who would like to share what they discussed? What are some of your initial thoughts about rocks?"

(Call on a few students to share. Acknowledge all responses, even if they are not entirely accurate, as this is a warm-up.)

Introduction to the Rock Cycle (10 minutes)

Teacher: (Display Rock Cycle Remix Slide Deck - Slide 1: Welcome to the Rock Cycle Remix!)

Teacher: "Excellent ideas! You've all got some great observations. Now, let's dive into the fascinating truth about rocks."

Teacher: (Display Rock Cycle Remix Slide Deck - Slide 2: Rocks: Always Changing!)

Teacher: "Believe it or not, rocks don't just stay the same forever. They are actually always on the move, changing and transforming over millions of years! This incredible, never-ending journey is what we call the Rock Cycle."

Teacher: "It's like a grand, super slow-motion dance that happens deep inside and on the surface of our planet."

Teacher: (Display Rock Cycle Remix Slide Deck - Slide 3: The Three Rock Stars)

Teacher: "Just like there are different types of animals or plants, there are also different types of rocks. Geologists, who are scientists who study rocks, classify them into three main groups. Can anyone try to pronounce these? Don't worry if it's tricky!"

(Point to and help students pronounce Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic. Give a very brief, high-level descriptor for each.)

Teacher: "Igneous rocks are born from fire, from melted rock. Sedimentary rocks are formed from tiny pieces of other rocks piled up and squeezed together. And Metamorphic rocks are existing rocks that get squished and baked into something new!"

Teacher: (Display Rock Cycle Remix Slide Deck - Slide 4: The Never-Ending Rock Cycle)

Teacher: "Remember, the rock cycle is continuous. There's no real beginning or end. A rock can start as one type, transform into another, and then another, over and over again! It's how our planet recycles its crust."

Deep Dive into Rock Types (15 minutes)

Teacher: (Display Rock Cycle Remix Slide Deck - Slide 5: Igneous Rocks: Born from Fire!)

Teacher: "Let's start with Igneous rocks. The word 'igneous' actually comes from the Latin word for 'fire.' And that's a perfect description, because these rocks are formed when molten rock, or melted rock, cools and hardens."

Teacher: "Does anyone remember the two words we use for molten rock, depending on where it is?"

(Pause for responses. Guide them to magma and lava.)

Teacher: "Exactly! When molten rock is under the Earth's surface, we call it magma. Think of it bubbling deep underground. But when that molten rock erupts onto the Earth's surface, perhaps from a volcano, it's called lava."

Teacher: "So, igneous rocks are formed when magma or lava cools and solidifies. Imagine how hot that would be!"

Teacher: (Display Rock Cycle Remix Slide Deck - Slide 6: Cool Examples of Igneous Rocks)

Teacher: "Some common igneous rocks you might have seen include Granite, often used in kitchen countertops; Basalt, which makes up a lot of the ocean floor; and Obsidian, a super shiny, black volcanic glass. Does anyone have granite in their kitchen or seen obsidian before?"

(Allow for a few quick student shares/observations.)

Teacher: (Display Rock Cycle Remix Slide Deck - Slide 7: Sedimentary Rocks: Layer by Layer)

Teacher: "Next up are Sedimentary rocks. These rocks tell a story about the past, often forming in layers. They are created from sediments – which are tiny pieces of other rocks, minerals, or even bits of plants and animals."

Teacher: "Think about sand on a beach or mud at the bottom of a river. Over long periods, these sediments get washed away, piled up, and then compacted – meaning squished together – and cemented – meaning glued together – to form new rocks. It's like making a giant, natural layered cake!"

Teacher: "What kind of things do you think might get trapped in these layers?"

(Guide them to answers like shells, leaves, bones, which hints at fossils.)

Teacher: (Display Rock Cycle Remix Slide Deck - Slide 8: Cool Examples of Sedimentary Rocks)

Teacher: "You're right! Sometimes, fossils get trapped in sedimentary rocks. Examples include Sandstone, formed from sand; Shale, formed from mud and clay; and Limestone, which often contains those fascinating fossils we just talked about."

Teacher: (Display Rock Cycle Remix Slide Deck - Slide 9: Metamorphic Rocks: The Great Transformation)

Teacher: "Finally, let's talk about Metamorphic rocks. The word 'metamorphic' means 'to change form.' And that's exactly what happens! These rocks are formed when existing igneous, sedimentary, or even other metamorphic rocks are changed by intense heat and pressure."

Teacher: "This usually happens deep inside the Earth, where temperatures are really high and there's a lot of weight from the rocks above. It's like taking a regular cookie and squishing it, then baking it at a super high temperature, but without melting it completely. It transforms into a brand new, tougher cookie!"

Teacher: "Can anyone think of something that changes form under heat or pressure in real life? (e.g., clay turning into pottery, a marshmallow toasting)"

(Allow for a few creative responses.)

Teacher: (Display Rock Cycle Remix Slide Deck - Slide 10: Cool Examples of Metamorphic Rocks)

Teacher: "Great examples! Some cool metamorphic rocks include Marble, which forms from limestone and is often used in statues and buildings; Slate, formed from shale, often used for roof tiles; and Gneiss (pronounced 'nice'), which can form from granite and has a banded, striped appearance."

The Rock Cycle in Action Activity (10 minutes)

Teacher: "You've just learned so much about the different types of rocks and how they form! Now, it's your turn to show what you know."

Teacher: "I'm going to hand out the Rock Cycle Worksheet. On this worksheet, you'll find a diagram of the rock cycle and some questions. Your task is to label the different parts of the cycle and answer the questions using what we've discussed and what you remember from the slides."

(Distribute the worksheets. Ensure each student has one and any necessary writing/coloring tools.)

Teacher: "Take your time, read the instructions carefully, and do your best. If you get stuck, try to remember the key ideas we talked about. I'll be walking around to help if you have any questions."

(Circulate, provide support, and answer questions as students work.)

Wrap-up and Cool-down (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright everyone, let's bring our attention back to the front. We're going to quickly review the Rock Cycle Worksheet answers together. This is a great way to reinforce what you've learned."

(Go over the answers to the worksheet as a class, clarifying any misconceptions. You can project the answer key or write answers on the board if available.)

Teacher: "Fantastic work today! Before we finish, I have one last question for you. What is one new thing you learned about rocks today that surprised you? Share it with your elbow partner quickly."

(Allow 1 minute for quick partner shares.)

Teacher: "Excellent! Thank you all for your hard work and great participation today. Please hand in your worksheets as you leave."

(Collect worksheets.)

The Rock Cycle Remix Worksheet

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Part 1: Label the Rock Cycle!

Use the words from the word bank to label the different parts of the rock cycle diagram below.

Word Bank:

• Igneous Rock
• Sedimentary Rock
• Metamorphic Rock
• Magma/Lava
• Sediments
• Weathering & Erosion
• Heat & Pressure
• Melting
• Compaction & Cementation

![Rock Cycle Diagram - Placeholder for image - Teacher may draw or provide a simple diagram here]






























## Part 2: Rock Type Questions

Answer the following questions using complete sentences.

1. What are the three main types of rocks?
   
   
   

2. How are igneous rocks formed?
   
   
   

3. Describe how sedimentary rocks are formed. What are sediments?
   
   
   
   
   

4. What causes metamorphic rocks to form?
   
   
   

5. Can an igneous rock become a sedimentary rock? If so, how?
   
   
   
   
   

The Rock Cycle Remix Worksheet Answer Key

Part 1: Label the Rock Cycle!

(Teacher Note: The diagram should be labeled as follows, typically in a cyclical flow. The exact placement depends on the diagram provided to students.)

• Magma/Lava (usually at the bottom, leading to igneous rock)
• Melting (process leading to magma)
• Igneous Rock (forms from magma/lava)
• Weathering & Erosion (process breaking down igneous, metamorphic, and sometimes sedimentary rocks)
• Sediments (result of weathering and erosion)
• Compaction & Cementation (process forming sedimentary rock from sediments)
• Sedimentary Rock (forms from sediments)
• Heat & Pressure (process transforming any rock into metamorphic rock)
• Metamorphic Rock (forms from heat and pressure)

Part 2: Rock Type Questions

1. What are the three main types of rocks?

   • The three main types of rocks are Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic.

2. How are igneous rocks formed?

   • Igneous rocks are formed when molten rock (magma, found underground, or lava, found on the Earth's surface) cools and solidifies.

3. Describe how sedimentary rocks are formed. What are sediments?

   • Sedimentary rocks are formed from sediments that are compacted and cemented together over time. Sediments are tiny pieces of weathered rocks, minerals, or organic matter.

4. What causes metamorphic rocks to form?

   • Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks are changed by intense heat and pressure, usually deep within the Earth.

5. Can an igneous rock become a sedimentary rock? If so, how?

   • Yes, an igneous rock can become a sedimentary rock. This happens when the igneous rock is broken down by weathering and erosion into sediments. These sediments are then transported, deposited, compacted, and cemented together to form a new sedimentary rock.