The ROCK Buffet

We are buzzing through our final unit in science...and I do mean buzzing through. Pass is in just 12 days! Of course our final unit would have to be earth materials which is pretty blah...BUT...I am trying to turn drab into fab. I thought that a song to Cher Lloyd's "Want You Back" and some food would be the ticket to grabbing my kiddos attention when trying to teach them about rocks and minerals. Let me tell you...total buy in! Plus I won some cool points with the song. Glad third graders think I am cool...ya know? ;) 

We began by discussing how rocks are created. To demonstrate, we made rock krispie treats. We mixed several "minerals", added heat...and we had rock! 



During our observation, the students recorded how the rock was formed. 


Once we had this basic concept mastered, along with the three observable properties of minerals, we moved on to the three types of rocks. Yes, yes...all of this in just one hour. I told you...buzzing through. 

My BFF {YouTube} found me this fabulous video which demonstrates how to create the three types of rocks with food. 

  
Yes...his apron says kiss the geologist! :) The kids loved him. After each of his demonstrations, we tried making the rocks too. 





The students recorded observations, and created definitions to describe the process that each rock goes through. 


Once the students could consistently define and describe each type of rock, we feasted...on rocks, of course! 


Best way ever to teach rocks and minerals. The kids have this nailed. Now...moving on to soil types tomorrow. 

Okay 12 days to get it ALL in. Send some energy my way! :) 

Have a great night, friends! 

32 comments:

  1. Yummmm! I love adding food to lessons! They are so motivated when it's something they can eat!

    Teaching in the Tongass

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  2. AMAZING!!! Do you have this as a unit? I love it!!!

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  3. I loooove this!! I try to do yummy activities with my kiddos whenever possible :)

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  4. Wow!!! This is awesome!! I have to show our 4th grade team...and now I'm wishing I covered this unit in 5th grade, haha!

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  5. Um... Can I just come in and sit a while in your classroom? Yum! So fun and creative!

    Elizabeth
    Fun in Room 4B

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  6. That legitimately is the BEST way to teach rocks. Makes me wish we had rocks as a standard ... and so I could bring in those cool boxes with the tiny slivers of gems, you know what I mean?!!



    Ms. BBZ: Integrated Learning in Second Grade

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  7. I want to be you when I grow up!!!

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  8. Where can I get the recording sheets posted on this post - Rock Buffet? Thanks!

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  9. Do not let my students see this!!! :) What fun!

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  10. This is great. Are you going to make a unit for this?

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  11. I will buy that unit too! We are working on rocks and soil right now, and this is much cuter than what I have planned...

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  12. I'd love to know the words to the rock song.

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  13. This is great! I must try it next time we study rocks.

    Charlene/Diamond Mom

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  14. Hi Hope! Your science units are always so fantastic, I love reading your posts!! I'm a science teacher & I just received funds to buy a chick incubator- I'm so excited!! I have been reading all your chick posts- could you please let me know what do you do with the chicks? I know my kids would want to take them home but I don't think that will go over well with parents!! Also, I'm looking at a $200 incubator from Carolina Biological - do you recommend the one you used?? I would so appreciate your insights since you've done this before, thank you so much for any advice you can give!! My email is science4@verizon.net or blog is below. Thanks so much!!!

    ✿Sue✿
    Science for Kids Blog

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  15. This is an awesome activity and it's yummy too! We're doing rocks and minerals this week! I would love to do this with my kiddos!!Do you have it at your TpT store? Thanks! :)

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  16. Cool....we are so doing this next week! Thank you for sharing.

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  17. I love this unit! I will definitely need to add this to my tpt cart! Thanks for sharing!

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  18. This looks like so much fun .. we reading Let's Go Rock Collecting for out LA unit this coming cycle. Please post this unit on TPT! This would be prefect!

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  19. I agree! Please post on TPT! Awesome!

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  20. Is there anyway to get your resources? I will PAY!!!

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  21. Do you have the copies of the handouts?

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  22. This is awesome! Is there some where I can download the worksheets that goes with the lesson?

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  23. I too would love to purchase this lesson on TPT! This is a fun way to teach rock types that I am sure the kids wil love. Any plans on making this resource available?

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  24. Please post this on your TPT. I will purchase. Starting rocks and minerals on Monday! This is going to be a great unit!!

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  25. Is this rock candy a unit that is available Kathy Nestheide

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  26. Please post this on TPT! I am IN love with this idea and I am doing it with my second graders on Tuesday.. Would love to use your worksheets.

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  28. Is there somewhere to find this unit? I will pay!!! Thank you!!!!

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  29. Where can I find this? I love it!!

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  30. This really is a great idea. It makes me sad to see so many teachers asking for the information - that is why you shared it with us, right? - yet you have not answered any of them....and it's been almost a year! I would really love to follow you on here and your TpT store but I'll wait and see if you respond to your readers. I don't mean to be a brat but its frustrating to search the web for a new idea, find one, and get to the end of the post and ...nothing.

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