Rocks of Idaho
handout exercisesuggested grade levels: 9-12

view Idaho achievement standards for this lesson


Overview:
Rocks are consolidated materials made up of grains of one or more minerals. Rocks are grouped into different categories depending on how they are formed. By doing this activity, students will become much more familiar with the different kinds of rocks and how they are formed.

Objectives:
1. Students will be become familiar with some geologic history.
2. Students will learn how to do research.
3. Students will be exposed to the Digital Atlas of Idaho.

Procedure:
Use the Digital Atlas. To get there: Click on Idaho Overview, then on Rocks. Have your students read through the material on rocks and click on the links to look at the diagrams and pictures. Have them use the information to answer the following questions. (Click below to print the handout sample)

Handouts/Activities:
These are links to access the handouts and printable materials.
geo15ho.pdf | geo15AK.pdf | Rocks

Handout Sample:
The sample questions below are shown in the printed handout.

Rocks are consolidated materials made up of grains of one or more minerals. Rocks are grouped into different categories depending on how they are formed. By doing this activity, you will become much more familiar with rocks. Use your knowledge and the digital atlas to answer the following:

   1. What are the three basic categories of rocks?
   2. How is each one formed?
   3. What can the color of a rock tell you about its composition?
Sedimentary Rock:
   4. If shale is a sedimentary rock, how is it made? What material is shale made from?
   5. What is the difference between rounding and sorting?
Igneous Rock
   6. What is plutonic rock?
   7. What are some characteristics of granite?
Metamorphic Rock
   8. How does heat help the formation of metamorphic rock?
   9. Compare and contrast the two different types of metamorphism.

Related Lesson Topics:
Geology: Geology Topics


Lesson plan by Stefan Sommer and James Scannell, 2001
Idaho Achievement Standards (as of 7/2001) met by completing this activity:
352.01
357.01.02
401.01.04.05
402.01.03.06