High School Earth Science: Rocks and Rock Collections

There are rocks all around you – the canyons, mountains, and riverbeds, are all created from minerals. The earth’s crust is made of rocks and minerals with an inside core of molten rock and an outside crust covered by sand, water, soil, and ice. There are three main types of rocks which include igneous rock, sedimentary rock, and metamorphic rock. It’s important to study rocks as they suggest clues of the earth’s history. The breakdown of the rock layers show scientists how the land was formed and prior climate patterns in certain areas. To learn more about the various types of rocks and how they are formed, many people participate in rock collecting as a hobby. Below, you will learn about several aspects of rock creation and collecting.

Rock Creation

• Discover How Rocks are Formed: Learn how rocks are formed by following the animations for the creation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
• Sedimentary Rock Formation: Here you will find images and information on how sedimentary rocks are created.
• Metamorphic Rocks: Information on how metamorphic rocks are created and foliated and non-foliated rocks.
• Igneous Rock Identification: Learn how igneous rocks are formed and how they are classified.
• The Rock Cycle: Here you will find information on the rock cycle and how cooling and melting occurs to create the three main rock types from sediment.

Rock Identification

• The 3 Basic Rock Types: Find how common rock types are made including rocks from the igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic classification.
• Recognizing Rock Characteristics: Rock cycle lab that explains the characteristics of rocks with objectives and vocabulary words.
• Colors of Rocks: Generalizations about the color of rocks to help identify various types of rocks and minerals.
• Rock Identification: Examine images of rocks and describe each rock by composition and texture.
• Sedimentary Rock Identification: Here you will find a sedimentary rock identification chart that narrows down rock type by texture and composition.
• Identifying Rocks and Minerals: Learn about the difference between rocks and minerals and the properties of each.
• Identification of Igneous Rocks: Identify various types of igneous rocks while relying on color, as no minerals are visible.
• Ore and Host Rock Identification: Find objectives for students to identify and describe the origin and formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
• The Rock Image Gallery: Here you will find images for various igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks from the rock gallery.
• Interactive Rock Cycle: Information on the history of the earth’s system structure and classification of rocks.

Rock  Puzzles, Quizzes and Other Activities

• Rock Type Jigsaw Puzzles: Put together jigsaw puzzles to create a photograph of various rock types.
• Rocks and Minerals Word Search Puzzle: Printable word search puzzles about rocks and minerals for kids.
• Online Rocks and Minerals Quiz: Choose an online answer to complete the rock and mineral quiz.
• Igneous Mineral and Rock Self Test: Here is a self-test for the identification of mineral and igneous rocks.
• Rocks and Minerals Web Quest: Become a rocks and minerals detective through this web quest.
• Internet Web Quest on Rocks and Minerals: Learn about rocks and minerals with information on the process of rock formation.
• Rock and Mineral Lesson Plans: List of rock and mineral lesson plans for elementary aged children.
• Background Information and Activities: Rocks and minerals information and activities for kids.
• Literacy Activities About Rocks and Minerals: List of rocks and mineral activities and educational information.
• Rocks and Minerals Theme: Find printables, worksheets, quizzes, and reading comprehensions for grades 1 through 8.

Rock Collections

• Collecting Rocks and Minerals: Here you will find the basics of rock collecting, safety information, and where to get rocks and minerals for your collection.
• Making a Rock Collection: Rocks unit lesson plan on how to make your own rock collection.
• Starting a Rock Collection: Learn about common rock types, how to keep a collection, and questions to ask yourself.

Rock Collecting Safety

• Rock and Mineral Safety: Learn about the safety procedures that rock collectors should follow.
• Fossil Rock Safety: Safety concerns that one should think about when fossil collecting.
• Planning and Rock Hunting: Here you will find safety and precautions one should take while rock hunting.