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Rock Cycle Activities for Middle School Science

The resources below will provide students a comprehensive understanding of the rock cycle. All of the following lessons are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Rock Cycle 5E Lesson includes materials for every "E" phase, including the Rock Cycle Station Lab for Exploration and an interactive PowerPoint with digital INB templates for Explanation. 

The lesson also includes introduction materials for Engagement, student-choice project ideas for Elaboration, and assessments for Evaluation.

After completing the Rock Cycle 5E Lesson, students will be able to classify rocks as metamorphic, igneous, or sedimentary by the processes of their formation.

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The Rock Cycle Inquiry Lab is a hands-on activity that is differentiated for advanced, on-level, and modified middle school students.

Students will test and compare various rock samples for classification into igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

The Rock Cycle Inquiry Lab includes a brief reading passage, comprehension checks, hands-on activities, reflection questions, and a CER conclusion.

 

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Rock Cycle Classroom Experiences

Create a powerful student experience to help solidify students' understanding about the rock cycle. All of the following experiences are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Escape Rooms

The Rock Cycle Escape Room is an immersive experience for your students. It allows them to demonstrate their knowledge of the rock cycle through interactive puzzles and challenges.  

Students must use what they have learned about the processes in the rock cycle (weathering, erosion, compaction, cementation, heat & pressure, and cooling) to solve the puzzles and escape.


Year-Round Resources

These year-round activities will increase your students' understanding of many middle school science topics. All of these activities are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Visual Data & Graphing

You're not alone if your students struggle with understanding graphs, charts, and tables. It's a skill that takes an enormous amount of practice. This resource will help students build a strong foundation in analyzing data and creating their own data visualizations.

Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups

These middle school science bell ringers are an excellent way to engage your students as soon as they walk into your classroom. This comprehensive FULL YEAR resource includes everything you need to start off each science class with an interesting warm-up activity.

Review Board Games

Each game board has been carefully designed to keep students engaged. There are 10 different action spaces on each board and dozens of question cards. All of the actions are related to science concepts and keep the students motivated throughout the game.

Each game is ready to play. Simply print out the board and the cards and let the students enjoy reviewing nine different units.


Essential Questions and Standards

Below are the essential questions and standards associated with the lessons and activities included in the rock cycle unit. The rock cycle is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Essential Questions
  • What processes are involved in the formation and classification of metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rocks?
  • What processes cause rocks to change from one type to another?
Standards
  • TEKS Science 6.10 B - Classify rocks as metamorphic, igneous, or sedimentary by the processes of their formation
  • MS-ESS2-1 - Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth’s materials and the flow of energy that drives this process

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Kesler Science Membership

Imagine never having to search for another middle school science lesson again. The membership gives you access to ALL of the Kesler Science products in one place (Yes, including everything above).

Say goodbye to long hours of lesson prep.