Science lesson plan · 7th grade (Year 8 in England) · 60 minutes
The rock cycle
Earth and rocks
CCSS NGSS.MS-ESS2-1England: KS3 Chemistry: Earth and atmosphere (the rock cycle)
Objective and success criteria
Students will: The rock cycle.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
Leads to: The Earth's atmosphere
Materials: Rock samples, Hand lenses, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 6 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- What type of rock is basalt? (igneous / sedimentary / metamorphic) → igneousPrompt: Did it form from cooled magma, from layers of sediment, or from heat and pressure changing another rock?
- Which of these rocks is sedimentary? (obsidian / slate / shale / gneiss) → shalePrompt: Look for clues: interlocking crystals, layers of grains, or bands made by pressure.
- Pumice floats on water. Why? (It is made of wood / It is metamorphic / It is full of gas bubbles trapped when lava cooled quickly / It contains fossils) → It is full of gas bubbles trapped when lava cooled quicklyPrompt: Look closely at its surface.
Hook · 6 min
- Pass round different rocks and ask how each one might have formed.
- Share the objective: The rock cycle. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 12 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: In the path from igneous to sedimentary rock, what comes straight after "weathering breaks it into pieces"?
- Step 1: igneous rock at the surface → weathering breaks it into pieces → erosion carries the sediment to the sea → layers of sediment build up → compaction and cementation form sedimentary rock
- Step 2: So the answer is: erosion carries the sediment to the sea
- Answer: erosion carries the sediment to the sea
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 12 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- In the path from igneous to sedimentary rock, what comes straight after "igneous rock at the surface"? (compaction and cementation form sedimentary rock / layers of sediment build up / erosion carries the sediment to the sea / weathering breaks it into pieces) → weathering breaks it into piecesPrompt: Think about heat, pressure, melting, weathering and erosion.
- What makes metamorphic rock? (sediment settling in water / lava cooling quickly / wind blowing sand / heat and pressure changing existing rock without melting it) → heat and pressure changing existing rock without melting itPrompt: "Meta" means change.
You do: independent practice · 17 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- In the path from igneous to sedimentary rock, what comes straight after "weathering breaks it into pieces"? (compaction and cementation form sedimentary rock / igneous rock at the surface / erosion carries the sediment to the sea / layers of sediment build up) → erosion carries the sediment to the seaPrompt: Think about heat, pressure, melting, weathering and erosion.
- Why is it called the rock "cycle"? (Rocks never change / Rocks ride bicycles / Rock materials are recycled from one type to another over millions of years / It happens once a year) → Rock materials are recycled from one type to another over millions of yearsPrompt: Can any rock type become another?
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
- Use concrete materials: rock samples.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: The Earth's atmosphere.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-7.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder