Science Lesson 5: Edible Rock Simulation Lesson Plan

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Lesson 5: Edible Rock Simulation

Purpose: Simulate the rock cycle by creating sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks

Materials:
1. Chocolate Chips (you can substitute crayons if you prefer it not be an edible lab)
2. At least 4 different chip types
3. Grater or plastic knifes (use precautions when grating the chips)
4. Heavy Aluminum Foil
5. Large heavy books or a vice grip
6. Pie Plate – aluminum
7. Hot Plate
8. Oven Mitts
9. Paper towels or bowls
10. Small Plastic Cups

To execute lesson:
1. Before completing the lab introduce the following to students
a. Weathering
b. Erosion
c. Deposition

2. Part 1 – Weathering
a. Create a sheet that provides the following questions
i. In this simulation what will represent the rocks
ii. What will represent the weathering
iii. What are some real life examples of weathering

b. Have the students weather the chips. Using a grater or knife, they should cut the chips into small pieces. Give different students different types of chips. They will prepare shavings for their group. Have the students put the shavings on the paper towel or bowl.

c. Have students answer the questions
i. When rock is weathered with the shape and size fragments all be the same size – use the chips to explain

3. Part 2 – Create Your Sedimentary Rock
a. Have students define
i. Compaction (this lab will focus on compaction)
ii. Cementation

b. What item will you use to compact the sediments (mild pressure from book or even hands can compact the chips loosely)

c. Ask students to define sedimentary rock

d. Layer the chip shavings on the aluminum foil
i. Fold into a packet
ii. Place the packet under a book or under the weight of your hand and apply as much pressure as you can
iii. Unfold the packet
iv. Describe and sketch what you see

1. Are layers think or thin
2. Is the rock compacted in tight layers or lose layers
3. Can you still see the different sizes of the chips
4. Does it appear dull or shiny
v. Take out a small piece of your sedimentary rock and set aside

4. Part 3 – Create Your Metamorphic Rock
a. Have students answer
i. What do you think will happen when the rock goes through the metamorphic process?
ii. What process create metamorphic rock
iii. What will be used to recreate the two processes

b. Wrap the chip shavings back into a packet

c. Take a heavy book provided by your teacher – have the student stand on the book. You can also put the packet in a vice grip if you have one. Leave in vice or stand on book for 3-5 minutes

d. Open the packet describe and sketch your rock

e. Answer the following
i. Are the layers thick or thin?
ii. Can you still see different size chips
iii. Does the rock look dull or shiny

f. Save one piece of your metamorphic rock

5. Part 4 – Create Your Igneous Rock
a. Have students answer the following
i. How do igneous rocks form?
ii. What will be used to create melting and cooling
iii. What might happen if the rock cools slowly? Fast?

b. Fold the packet

c. Your teacher will place your packet over a heat source – you can alter the time on the hot plate so that the cooling rates will be different

d. Your teacher will open the packet

e. Pour the contents into a small cup

f. Let cool overnight

g. Describe and sketch your igneous rock
i. Do you think your rock cooled slowly or quickly
ii. What clues will tell you the cooling rate

6. Compare and contrast the rock chip samples using a Venn diagram

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Resource by Kelly

I am a former ESL teacher who loves helping adults learn new skills. I enjoy going to concerts and listening to great music when I'm not teaching. I currently live in Chicago, IL and really enjoy the city life.

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