LESSON PLAN FORMAT

Name: Delia Martinez

Date: 9/30/15
I. LESSON FOUNDATION
Lesson Title: Rock Exhibition
Grade Level(s): 3rd Grade

Time Allotted: 35-40 minutes

Subject Area(s)/Subject Content Explanation: Science

Standard(s)/Anchors:
ALCOS #11: Classifying rocks and minerals by characteristics, including streak, color, hardness,
magnetism, luster, and texture.
Essential Question(s):
Why does it help to know where a rock is found?
(Knowing a rock or minerals natural setting can help identify it.)
How does color help us identify a rock?
(Color can be a clue to minerals. Iron, for instance, may give rocks a reddish color.)
What kind of clues can we gather if a rock Is smooth or rough?
(If its smooth then it's more likely to have been rounded by the action of water over long
periods of time.)
What clues can the luster of a rock give us (is it dull or shiny)?
(A shiny surface may indicate the presence of mica or quartz crystals.)
Instructional Objective(s):
Students will describe rock and/or mineral specimens based on close observation using an activity
sheet with 90% accuracy.
Formative Assessment:
-
All About My Rock
sheet
-Check at least one of the Field study observation sheets
-Anecdotal notes
II. LESSON BODY
**Days Before Lesson: Ask students to search their backyards, play areas, or rock collections for one
small rock they can bring into school. Give them a small plastic bag and have them label the bag with
their number to put their rock in. **NOTE: students might bring in minerals which is okay as well.
INTRODUCTION:
Read to students:
Rocks in His Head
by Carol Otis Hurst. Ask students:
What are some ways the character organized his rocks?
Why does it help to sort rocks into different categories?

TEACHING PROCEDURES:
Today were going to sort our rocks based on their characteristics, but before we do that, were
going to explore our own rocks first
Hand out each students rock along with with an index card
Have students fold their index card like a nameplate and write their name and number
on it. Have students display their name plate beside their bag.
Tell students: Were going to have a rock exhibit in a few minutes where everyone will get to
see your own rock.
What is an exhibit?
Since every exhibit tells us information about our object. Im going to give you a handout where
you fill out information about your own rock.
Hand out the activity sheet All About My Rock and have students fill it out.
Begin the exhibition
: Tell students that they are to observe the rocks as the walk around (do not
touch them).
Hand students two
Field Guide
sheets where they are to note two rocks they liked the
most.
The sheet requires students to observe the rock, list some of the characteristics they see
and state why they liked that particular specimen.
Have the groups move in a clockwise rotation by table groups.
If multiple students are huddled in one area as they write, suggest only 2-3 students per
rock.
After 5-10 minutes have students return to their desk.
CLOSURE:
Have students share which rock they wrote about.
Why did you like that particular rock?
As you were writing you were also characterizing the rocks based on their characteristics
Ask the essential questions.
Show students your chart and characterize the students rocks on the chart. Have them tape
them under any of the following categories: (color, texture, shape, luster, and hardness)
Display the chart around the room with everyones rock on it
III. LESSON ESSENTIALS
DIFFERENTIATED LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Students will be observing and classifying their rocks based on the rocks (or minerals) attributes.
Students will have a chance to bring in their item from home based on their choice. They will use the
scientific inquiry to engage, explore, explain, observe, note, and extend their thinking. Students will
also have the opportunity to move around the room as they conduct the rock exhibit. All students will
participate and the teacher will bring in additional rocks for those who forget. Students will be given
enough time to write down their observations and fill out their rock sheet. I will scaffold students when
needed, but will allow them to conduct their own observations throughout. The ELL student will
receive a modified observation sheet.

Materials:
Book:
Rocks In His Head
rocks * brought in by the students* (Have extra for students who forget)
magnifying glass
index cards
pencils and paper
crayons/markers