Introduction

Geology is not just the study of rocks, but rocks are important in the study of geology. Look around the room, think of the building you are in, think about what you have seen while riding in the car on the highways, think about your own backyard. Rocks. Lots of rocks. There all around us and used for many purposes in our lives. But they haven't always been there, and, believe it or not, they are changing (although usually quite slowly!) This webquest is designed to help you learn some basic facts about the three kinds of rocks and how they are formed.

Task

1. Use the resources below to complete the Rock Crossword Puzzle.

2. Draw and color the eleven rocks described in the resources on the Rock Drawing Sheet.

Resources

Sedimentary Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks

Igneous Rocks

Process

1. Be sure to read through all the clues on the crossword puzzle first. Then visit the three resources above to complete the puzzle.

2. Draw and color each of the rock samples.

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Teacher Tips

Evaluation

Conclusion

From this introduction to rocks, you can now see that a rock is not just a rock. Each one has particular characteristics and even its own history. By understanding the nature of rocks, you can hopefully see which rocks are more suited for bricks or concrete bridges or tiles on your bathroom floor. Next time you pick up a rock, examine it more closely, try to imagine where it came from and see if you can figure out what type it is.