Topic outline

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  • Identifying Common Rock Types

  • Rock Kit Possibilities For Year 8 File

    A list of places that rocks might be obtained for teaching kits.

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  General Rock Classification

  • Rock Classification - Student Activity File

    A simple rock classification activity to start students thinking about how rocks may be categorised.The teacher notes also include a demonstration to allow discussion on how the three rock types form.

  • Rock Classification – Teacher Notes File
  • Rock Classification - Dichotomous Key File

    A simple dichotomous key to assist with the classification of rocks.

  • Replica Rocks – Student Activity File

    Recipes to create your very own replica rocks. Good for schools with very few rock samples and to assist students with their understanding of rock formation.

  • Replica Rocks - Teacher Notes File
  • Examine the Evidence - Student Activity - NEW File

    Students consider a number of pebbles collected to work out the answers to a series of statements.

  • Examine the Evidence - Teacher Notes - NEW File
  • Identifying Metamorphic Rocks - Student Activity - NEW File

    Activities to distinguish metamorphic rocks from igneous ones, to examine differences between metamorphic rocks and their parents (protoliths) and to consider the temperatures and pressures involved in metamorphism.

  • Identifying Metamorphic Rocks - Teacher Notes - NEW File
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  Sedimentary, Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks

  • Identifying Sedimentary Rocks – Teacher Background File

    Important background information for teachers.

  • Recognising Sedimentary Rocks - Student Activity File

    Student identify a series of photographs of sedimentary rocks using a dichotomous key.

  • Recognising Sedimentary Rocks – Teacher Notes File
  • Recognising Igneous Rocks - Student Activity File

    Students research the terms intrusive and extrusive, mafic and felsic and then use these to classify a series of photographs of igneous rocks.

  • Recognising Igneous Rocks – Teacher Notes File
  • Recognising Metamorphic Rocks - Student Activity File

    Students consider what metamorphism is.

  • Recognising Metamorphic Rocks - Teacher Notes File