LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
Earth and Life Science
1st Quarter 2020-2021
TOPIC: CLASSIFICATION OF ROCKS Date: August, 2020
Week: 1 Lesson no. 4
OBJECTIVE
At the end of the day, the learners can classify rocks into igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic by:
1.1 classifying and describing the three basic rock types;
1.2 describing the different geologic processes involved in rock formation
1.3 showing the relationships between rock types and the origin and environment of
deposition/formation
I- ENGAGING ON TASK
1.1. Setting Emotional Climate
In this time of pandemic, we can see that a lot of garden shops selling plants, pots, soils
and even small rocks for gardening. If I were given a green thumb maybe I could do
landscaping and might as well sell plants. What catches my attention is the colourful rocks
that made the plants more attractive. Do we have the same thoughts? Below I want you to
guess what the picture is trying to tell us.
1.2. Refreshing of Prior Knowledge
Instructions: Guess the word by the clues given in each photo.
Four Pictures in one word: Can you guess what’s in the picture?
LINKING STATEMENT: How are you able to come up with the word? Rocks can be found
everywhere which also differ in sizes. Today, we are going to learn how to classify rocks into
igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic by classifying and describing them; showing the
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relationships between rock types and the origin and environment of deposition/formation and
describing the different geologic processes involved in rock formation. You will be working
by threes throughout the activity.
1. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
1.3. Summary of Essential Concept
Rocks are aggregate of minerals composed of a single mineral (e.g. Quartzite, a
metamorphic rock predominantly of Quartz) or commonly, as an aggregate of two or more
minerals. A mineral name can be used as a rock name (e.g. Gypsum Rock which is
composed predominantly of the mineral Gypsum (CaSO4).
Rock Classifications Rocks are classified on the basis of the mode of
formation.
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic rocks
Igneous rocks
formed from the solidification of molten
rock material (magma or lava). Molten rock
material can solidify below the surface of
the earth (plutonic igneous rocks) or at the
surface of the Earth (volcanic igneous
rocks).
Minerals are formed during the
crystallization of the magma. Note that the
rate of cooling is one of the most important
factors that control crystal size and the
texture of the rock in general.
Magma- molten rock beneath the surface of the
earth
Lava- molten rock extruded to the surface of the Granite (top left) with phaneritic texture
earth through volcanic or fissure eruptions. Rhyolite (top right) with aphanitic and
vesicular texture.
Diorite (middle left) with phaneritic
Plutonic or intrusive rocks solidified texture
Andesite (middle right) with aphanitic
magma underneath the earth gradual texture.
lowering of the temperature gradient at Gabbro (bottom left) with phaneritic
texture
depth towards the surface would cause slow
cooling/crystallization Basalt (bottom right) with aphanitic
texture
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Volcanic or extrusive rocks - solidified lava at or near To know more about igneous
the surface of the earth fast rate of rocks according to silica
content, you may visit the link
cooling/crystallization due to huge variance in the below:
temperature between Earth’s surface and underneath [Link]
common textures: aphanitic, porphyritic and vesicular 036333/
Sedimentary rocks-
Rocks that are formed through the
accumulation, compaction, and cementation of
sediments. They are generally form at surface or
near surface conditions.
Sedimentary processes:
1. weathering of rocks,
2. sediment transport and deposition,
3. compaction and cementation
Common sedimentary features:
1. Strata: >1cm is called bedding and anything
less is called lamination; layering is the
result of a change in grain size and
composition; each layer represents a distinct
period of deposition.
2. Fossils: remains and traces of plants and
animals that are preserved in rocks
Non-clastic / Chemical/Biochemical – (small Conglomerate (top left) large and
grain) derived from sediments that precipitated rounded clasts as compared to the
from concentrated solutions (e.g. seawater) or angular clasts of the Breccia on top
from the accumulation of biologic or organic right.
material (e.g. shells, plant material). Sandstone (middle left) with visible
Clastic/terrigenous – (dominant grain size) grains and prominent layering and
form from the accumulation and lithification of claystone on middle right with several
sediments derived from the breakdown of pre- embedded fossils. Non-clastic
existing rocks. sedimentary rocks limestone (bottom
left) and Coquina (bottom right)
Metamorphic rocks –
Rocks that are formed from the transformation of
pre-existing rocks: (igneous, sedimentary, or
metamorphic rocks) through the process of
metamorphism.
Metamorphism can involve changes in the physical
and chemical properties of rocks in response to
heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids.
Metamorphic rocks –
Contact metamorphism Heat as the main factor:
occurs when a pre-existing rocks get in contact with a
heat source (magma) Occurs on a relatively small
scale: around the vicinity of intruding magma
Creates non-foliated metamorphic rocks (e.g.
3 hornfels)
Metamorphic rocks –
Regional metamorphism Pressure as main factor:
occurs in areas that have undergone deformation during
orogenic event resulting in mountain belts Occurs in a
regional/large scale Creates foliated metamorphic rocks
such as schist and gneiss; Non-foliated rocks like marble
Non-foliated rocks: Hornfels (left),
Marble (right) is formed through the metamorphism of limestone or dolostone
Foliated rocks (bottom) from shale as precursor rock.
Metamorphic grade increases (from slate to gneiss) as pressure increases.
Adapted from: Calveria et al 2016 .
To know about the geological processes occurring both at the surface and
underneath the Earth’s surface, watch this link below:
[Link]
1.4. TESTING OF KNOWLEDGE
1. How does a vesicular texture in a volcanic rock develop?
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2. How do clastic rocks differ from non-clastic rocks in terms of process of formation?
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3. Explain how the physical features of sediments change during transport.
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4. Differentiate between foliated and non-foliated rocks.
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5. What do butterflies and metamorphic rocks have in common?
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III. DEEPENING EXERCISE
1.5. PRODUCTIVE TEAMWORK
STRATEGIES: ANALYTICAL TEAM- Team members assume roles and specific tasks
when critically reading an assignment, watching clips and demonstrations.
Instructions:
STEP 1: In a groups of three, assign each classification of rocks to your groupmates
Student 1: metamorphic Student 2: sedimentary Student 3: Igneous
STEP 2: Go to your backyard (if none, use your initiative) and look for a particular rock
that corresponds to the assigned classification given to you.
STEP 3: Take a selfie with the rock and state the reason why it belongs to the classification
assign to you. (It must be in a one paragraph form)
STEP 4: Consolidate your answers and encode it in a short bondpaper. (PDF form)
1.6. KNOWLEDGE SCANNING
Instructions: Answer the question below in 200 words.
“Why is it important to know about the classification of rocks?
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1.7. INTEGRATION OF LEARNING
Checklist:
I was able to classify and describe the three basic rock types
I can explain how and what type of environment each of these rock types are formed
I can explain how rocks are transformed from one rock type to another through the
rock cycle
I can identify and describe the different geologic processes that operate within the
rock cycle.
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IV. SELF DETERMINING PRACTICE
Instructions: Illustrate the process of the rock cycle.
V. REFLECTION/ACTION
Instructions: Read and answer the questions.
1. Have you tried to organize and classify things? If yes, why? If no, why not? You may
also share your experiences.
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2. What conditions/steps did you consider when organizing things? How did you feel
about your actions?
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VI: REFERENCES
Calveria, et al. (2016). Teaching Guide for Senior High School General Biology I. Quezon
City: EC-TEC Commercial
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[Link] on June 2020
[Link] on June 2020
Prepared by:
Judith Ann E. Pangan
Rowena D. Elias
Subject Teacher
Noted:
ROMEO J. GABITO, Ed. D
SHS, Assistant Principal
