Windows to the Universe Activity

Title:	Roger the Rock
Summary:	Students will write and illustrate a children's book to demonstrate their knowledge of the Rock Cycle.
Source:	Adapted Exercise from Casey Knoop, Huron High School, Ann Arbor, MI
Grade level:	6 - 12
Time:	preparation time is the teaching of the rock cycle and students could be given 3 class periods for in class work
Student Learning Outcomes:	Students will show their understanding of the Rock Cycle by writing and illustrating a children's book.
Lesson format:	Writing and artwork exercise
National Standards Addressed:	5-8: Content Standard D: Properties of Earth materials 5-8 Content Standard D: Structure of the Earth system 5-8 Content Standard D: Earth’s History 9-12 Content Standard D: Origin and evolution of the earth system

MATERIALS AND WORKSHEETS:

Paper
Pen or pencil
Art supplies like construction paper or markers if students are working on book in class

Worksheets:

Roger the Rock Student Worksheet

DIRECTIONS:

Copy the Roger the Rock Student Worksheet (link above). Hand one to each student.
Go through this worksheet with the class to explain what will be expected of each student. Stress important points.
Allow students as much in class time to work on children's book as you would like.

ASSESSMENT:

Suggested Assessment Worksheet

Do keep in mind that the rock cycle is nonlinear so that Roger the Rock could take any of a variety of pathways through the cycle (i.e., there are many "correct" answers to the students' stories).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

It has often been said that the best way to demonstrate one's knowledge of a given area is to teach someone else about that area. Students are given that chance here while creating a storybook about Roger the Rock.

Collect good student examples of the book from year to year. It is helpful to show students examples and have them aspire to do great work!

Additionally, this is an excellent opportunity to have older students teach younger students about the rock cycle through their books. Suggesting a service learning/mentoring project with younger students could add significant depth to this assignment.

All rock (except for meteorites!) that is on Earth today is made of the same stuff as the rocks that dinosaurs and other ancient life forms walked, crawled or swam over. While the stuff that rocks are made from stays the same, the rocks do not. Over millions of years, rocks are recycled into other rocks. Moving tectonic plates help to destroy and form many types of rocks.

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