6th - 8th Grade Module 13 Concept 3

Cycle 2

How are igneous rocks made, and how do we use them?
Cycle Summary

In this cycle, students will construct an explanation that answers the guiding question: How are igneous rocks made, and how do we use them? Students will answer this guiding question by developing models of melting and crystallization. They will use these models to explain how

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Session 4
Elicit

Students recall the process of sedimentary rock formation and consider other ways that rocks may be formed.

Engage

Students observe igneous rock and mineral samples to make observations and ask questions. Students watch a video to observe a rock melting and crystallizing.

Explore

Students work in groups to model how melting point affects the arrangement of crystals.

Session 5
Explore

Students do a lab to show how temperature affects crystallization, and kinesthetically model crystallization and igneous rock formation.

Session 6
Explain

Students read about the processes of melting, cooling and crystallization, answer questions, and discuss how these processes create igneous rocks..

Session 7
Elaborate

Students participate in a gallery walk and use informational cards to connect igneous rocks to everyday materials and the processes that may have formed them.

Evaluate

Students evaluate a physical model to demonstrate their understanding of igneous processes and explain how those processes are driven by energy from Earth’s core and lead to changes in Earth materials.

Extend
Extend

Students listen to a podcast about the eruption of Kilauea in Hawaii, to obtain information about how scientists use their understanding of crystallization to determine the age of magma.