9 More Rocks!

This past Monday, Laura and I did our second lesson plan on rocks and minerals with the fourth graders.  We brought name tags this time to give out to all of our students so we could start learning their names.  It was alot easier this way to call on students as well.  This time around, we weren't as nervous yet were not aware of how well the students were going to grasp the rock cycle concept being introduced.  Based on these questions, we decided that the best way to attack the rock cycle would be to read a book called "The Coolest Rock" on the rug, which explained the entire process in a fun way.  To make sure that the students were following along, I woud keep stopping during the story to ask them prompting questions.  The teacher also chimed in during the story to make a few interesting comments which seemed to help our lesson go a little smoother.

After reading the story, Laura went over the rock cycle to make sure that they fully understood what the process was made up of.  We then decided to take the Rock Cycle song and go through each verse piece by piece to fully understand the cycle.  Of course we couldn't just go over the song and not sing it, so the students showed off their wonderful voices after we discussed its meaning.

Before we got started with the lesson, we introduced one of the rocks with the students so that we could observe it together.  This way they could understand what kind of observations we were looking for within their investigations.  Some of the students were giving short, undetailed responses so it was a good way to inform them that they were not 1st graders, and therefore should state more detailed observations about each rock.  We discussed the three different senses they woud be using during the lesson, as well as the correct way to "waft."  We made sure to remind them that the rocks were their specimens, and therefore should be treated with respect.

The students went back to their seats with their partners, and began to observe the 12 rocks in front of them with their hand lenses.  Laura and I created a worksheet to organize each rock into their necessary categories (Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic) as well as spots for their observations based on their three senses of touch, smell, and sight.  We felt that the students woud have more room to write down their responses, and it was a way to have them realize that each rock could be classified into separate groups.  Even though were planned on discussing what they discovered with each of the rocks, we ran out of time.  Before we left the classroom, the teacher said she would continue observing with them, so we said our goodbyes and stated that we would be back next week to learn about minerals.

For the most part, I believe that Laura and I successfully taught lesson two on rocks and minerals.  We were able to introduce the lesson in an orderly fashion, and were sure to make sure that all the students understood what we expected from them at the end of the class.  As for material management, we set up all 12 rocks on trays before the kids came into the room, we passed out their necessary worksheets on each desk before they came back from lunch, and we were able to go through our lesson quickly.  Overall, the lesson met the frameworks based on the importance of the rock cycle and classification of each rock.  We were able to go into much detail about these concepts and I feel like the students understood all the information we gave them based on their questions they had, and the comments they made throughout the lesson.

The only problems we faced this time had to do with time management and the name tags.  We did not plan out how long each part of the lesson would take, and therefore were not able to discuss at the end of the lesson.  Laura and I discussed that for the next lesson we will put a time limit on each part of our lesson so that we will not run out of time.  As for the name tags, the students were having trouble getting the sticky part off the back so we will have to come up with an easier solution to learn their names.  Not sure what that will be so if anyone has any ideas, they would be greatly appreciated.  I look forward to teaching our lesson next Monday.  This one should be interesting!