RockItOut_Thursday_12.19

4th Grade Science
Patterns on Earth
Lesson 16

Friday
December 20, 2024

2

Do Now

1. Liam has two rocks. Rock A is smooth,
shiny, and black, while Rock B is rough, dull,
and gray. He wants to identify which rock
could be polished into jewelry.
What should Liam focus on to make his
decision?

A.

The size of the rocks

B.

The weight of the rocks

C.

The shape of the rocks

D.

The hardness and luster of the rocks

2. Maria wants to determine the texture of
different rocks. Which method should she
use?

A.

Measure the weight of each rock

B.

Rub each rock to feel its surface

C.

Hold each rock up to a light to check its

luster

D.

Drop each rock to see how it sounds

3

Patterns on Earth

LO:SWBAT determine
physical properties of rocks that
allow Earth’s natural resources
to be stored there.

DOL: Given scenarios, SW correctly determine physical
properties of rocks that allow Earth’s natural resources to be
stored there in at least 4 of 5 questions.

SCI.4.11C Determine the physical properties of rocks that allow Earth's natural resources to be stored there
SEPs 4.1A, 4.1D, 4.1E, 4.3C, 4.4B
RTCs 4.5A

4

Essential Understandings &

Guiding Questions

What are the physical properties of rocks that allow Earth's natural

resources to be stored there?

5

Lesson Vocabulary

physical property

porosity

natural resources

Physical Property

A characteristic that
describes something

Natural Resources

Resources that can be
found in nature and are
used by people, such as
sunlight, air, water,
plants, and animals

Porosity

Tiny spaces or holes
where liquid or air may
pass

Multiple Choice

What are the 3 major types of rocks?

• Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary
• Metamorphic, Igneous, Cementation
• Brown, Red, Gray
• Streak, Hardness, Breakage

Multiple Choice

What type of rock is this?

• Sedimentary

• Igneous

• Metamorphic

• Sand

Multiple Choice

In which location would you most likely find an igneous rock?

Multiple Choice

What process is used to form metamorphic rocks?

• Lava cools and hardens to form a rock.

• Bits of sand gravel form layers that turn into rock from pressure.

• I don't know :(

• Extreme heat and pressure from inside the Earth turns rocks into new rocks.

Multiple Choice

This rock formed when bits of other rocks became pressed into a solid. What type of rock is it?

• Sedimentary Rock
• Metamorphic Rock
• Igneous Rock

9

What do you notice or wonder?

10

Investigating Physical Properties of Rocks

Materials

Instructions

1.

Feel and describe the clay and sponge.

2.

Place each material in a plastic cup.

3.

Use the measuring cup to
slowly pour water over each
material, observing if any
water is absorbed or if it
pools on the surface.

4.

Record your findings.

clay

sponge

Measuring cup
Water

Cup

11

Analyzing Results

Which material held the most water and

why do you think that is?

12

How are the physical properties of the sponge and the rock similar?

13

Understanding Porosity In Rocks

The sponge held the most water because

it is porous, meaning it has many tiny

holes that can store water. Its open

structure allows it to absorb and retain
water effectively, similar to porous rocks

like sandstone.

14

Why is porosity important?

Sedimentary Rock Layers

Sedimentary rocks often have porosity
(tiny spaces or pores) and the ability of
fluids to pass through.

These characteristics make them
ideal for storing and transmitting
natural resources like:

Oil and Natural Gas: Found trapped
within porous rocks.

Coal: A sedimentary rock that forms
from compacted plant material, used
as an energy source.

15

Natural Resources Found In Rocks

These characteristics make them ideal for storing
and transmitting other natural resources like:

Groundwater: Stored in aquifers made of
sandstone or limestone.

How did the sponge activity model an

aquifer?

The water in the sponge is like groundwater,

and the sponge itself is like an aquifer.

16

Why are geologists interested in studying rocks?

Geologists and engineers study sedimentary rock layers to locate
reservoirs of oil, gas, and water.

17

How do we get access to these resources?

Drilling wells and mining are common techniques for resource extraction.

18

Let’s revisit the phenomenon.

Salt Mine Train Carrying Loads of Salt

Workers in a salt mine mining and
extracting salt from underground
tunnels in the Earth.

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What is an example of a natural resource that can be
found in sedimentary rocks?

A. Diamonds from volcanic rocks

B. Coal, formed from plant material

C. Gold, formed from molten rock

D. Crystals formed in igneous rocks

Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.

What is the purpose of drilling wells into sedimentary
rock layers?

A. To study the color and texture of the rocks

B. To collect samples of rocks for decoration

C. To access underground resources like water, oil, or gas

D. To measure the temperature of the Earth’s core

21

DOL: Given scenarios,
SW correctly
determine physical
properties of rocks
that allow Earth’s
natural resources to
be stored there in at
least 4 of 5 questions.

Demonstration of Learning

●Some images used in this lesson are taken from Adobe Stock. Adobe Stock
https://stock.adobe.com

●Some images used in this lesson are taken from Great Minds. Great Minds
https://digital.greatminds.org

●Some images used in this lesson are taken from SAVVAS realize. SAVVAS
realize https://www.savvasrealize.com

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Copyright for Reference