The rock cycle
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify the three main types of rocks, and recognise how they are formed by different processes.
Key learning points
- There are three types of rock; igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic.
- Igneous rocks are volcanic rocks and examples include basalt, obsidian and granite.
- Sedimentary rocks are formed from sediments and examples include sandstone, limestone and chalk.
- Metamorphic rocks are formed through heat and pressure and examples include slate, gneiss and marble.
Keywords
Rock - the solid mineral material forming part of the surface of Earth
Process - a process is an ordered series of actions, events or changes that make something happen
Pressure - pressure is a force pushing or pressing on a given area
Erosion - the process of Earth’s surface, e.g. rock or soil, being worn away
Weathering - The process of being worn down due to exposure to the atmosphere.
Common misconception
There is only one type of rock, and rocks can't change.
Students will explore the three main types of rock found on Earth, and understand how rocks are recycled through the rock cycle.
Teacher tip
You could use rock samples or edible models (e.g. crumbled cookies for sedimentary rocks, melted chocolate for igneous rocks, and compressed marshmallows for metamorphic rocks) to help students understand the differences between the rock types and how they change over time.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is geology the study of?
Q2.What is geological time?
Q3.What is the shortest unit of geological time?
Q4.What is used to divide Earth's history into different time periods?
Q5.What do fossils tell us about Earth's history?
Q6.What are the three main types of rock?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Can rocks change over time, and are there different types?
Q2.How do igneous rocks form?
Q3.What is weathering?
Q4.What causes metamorphic rocks to form?
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: The rock cycle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: The rock cycle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Rocks, weathering and soil: Why is geology important? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.