GIZMO Copy of 2.9 Rock Classification SE
Name: Meijoi Murrell Date: 06/07/2018
Student Exploration: Rock Classification
Vocabulary: classify, extrusive igneous rock, foliation, fossil, igneous rock, intrusive igneous rock,
metamorphic rock, mineral, sedimentary rock, strata, texture
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
When you classify objects, you organize them into groups based on common characteristics.
1. What are some different ways you could classify these marbles? They’re
colors, weight, size
2. What characteristics do you think scientists use to classify rocks? material, color,
Gizmo Warm-up
Rocks are classified by how they formed. The three types
are:
● Igneous rocks form from cooling magma or lava.
● Sedimentary rocks form from the bonding of rock
fragments such as sand, silt, or clay; from organic
materials; and from chemicals dissolved in water.
● Metamorphic rocks form when other rocks are
changed by heat and pressure.
In the Rock Classification Gizmo™, you will get to explore these three types of rocks. Think about how each
type of rock is formed.
1. Fossils are the remains of ancient plants and animals. Which type of rock do you think is most likely to
contain fossils? sedimentary
2. Foliation occurs when minerals are flattened by heat and pressure. This results in a layered or banded
texture. Which type of rock do you think is foliated? metamorphic
3. Air pockets can form in rapidly cooling magma or lava. In which type of rock would you expect air pockets?
igneous
, Activity A: Get the Gizmo ready:
Classifying rocks ● Click Reset.
Introduction: You can classify rocks by examining characteristics such as texture. A rock’s texture is
determined by the sizes, shapes, and positions of the grains that make up the rock.
Goal: Classify rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.
1. Summarize: The three groups of rocks each have unique characteristics. For example, many igneous rocks
have a texture of interlocking mineral crystals. Sedimentary rocks may have distinct layers of sediments,
known as strata.
To learn other characteristics of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, turn on Show common
characteristics in the CHARACTERISTICS pane. In the table below, summarize the textures that will
allow you to identify and classify these rock types.
Rock type Characteristics
rcontains small holes , interlocking crystals with no layering or color
Igneous
banding
formed of particles such as pebbles,sand, silt or clay cemented. may
Sedimentary
contain fossils
Metamorphic layers of light and dark sections
2. Classify: Select Name on the SIMULATION pane. Move your cursor over the rock pictures. Based on what
you see, classify the rocks by dragging them into the correct box on the CHARACTERISTICS tab. Record
your classifications (in pencil) in the table below.
Rock type Rock names
Igneous pumice, basalt, gabbro, granite
Sedimentary conglomerate,siltstone,sandstone,limestone
Metamorphic schist,slate,marble,gneiss
Name: Meijoi Murrell Date: 06/07/2018
Student Exploration: Rock Classification
Vocabulary: classify, extrusive igneous rock, foliation, fossil, igneous rock, intrusive igneous rock,
metamorphic rock, mineral, sedimentary rock, strata, texture
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
When you classify objects, you organize them into groups based on common characteristics.
1. What are some different ways you could classify these marbles? They’re
colors, weight, size
2. What characteristics do you think scientists use to classify rocks? material, color,
Gizmo Warm-up
Rocks are classified by how they formed. The three types
are:
● Igneous rocks form from cooling magma or lava.
● Sedimentary rocks form from the bonding of rock
fragments such as sand, silt, or clay; from organic
materials; and from chemicals dissolved in water.
● Metamorphic rocks form when other rocks are
changed by heat and pressure.
In the Rock Classification Gizmo™, you will get to explore these three types of rocks. Think about how each
type of rock is formed.
1. Fossils are the remains of ancient plants and animals. Which type of rock do you think is most likely to
contain fossils? sedimentary
2. Foliation occurs when minerals are flattened by heat and pressure. This results in a layered or banded
texture. Which type of rock do you think is foliated? metamorphic
3. Air pockets can form in rapidly cooling magma or lava. In which type of rock would you expect air pockets?
igneous
, Activity A: Get the Gizmo ready:
Classifying rocks ● Click Reset.
Introduction: You can classify rocks by examining characteristics such as texture. A rock’s texture is
determined by the sizes, shapes, and positions of the grains that make up the rock.
Goal: Classify rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.
1. Summarize: The three groups of rocks each have unique characteristics. For example, many igneous rocks
have a texture of interlocking mineral crystals. Sedimentary rocks may have distinct layers of sediments,
known as strata.
To learn other characteristics of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, turn on Show common
characteristics in the CHARACTERISTICS pane. In the table below, summarize the textures that will
allow you to identify and classify these rock types.
Rock type Characteristics
rcontains small holes , interlocking crystals with no layering or color
Igneous
banding
formed of particles such as pebbles,sand, silt or clay cemented. may
Sedimentary
contain fossils
Metamorphic layers of light and dark sections
2. Classify: Select Name on the SIMULATION pane. Move your cursor over the rock pictures. Based on what
you see, classify the rocks by dragging them into the correct box on the CHARACTERISTICS tab. Record
your classifications (in pencil) in the table below.
Rock type Rock names
Igneous pumice, basalt, gabbro, granite
Sedimentary conglomerate,siltstone,sandstone,limestone
Metamorphic schist,slate,marble,gneiss
