Learning all types of rocks can be challenging, but it’s also super cool. Creating rock units is finding fun activities and turning them into engaging class time spent with your students. Whether you’re focusing on observations of rocks or trying to find the perfect activity with rocks, we’ve got you!
Here are 20 mock rock and real rock activities for elementary students.
1. Starburst Rock Types
This is a super fun activity to add to your rock units. We all love TikTok’s teacher sharing, and @teachinganddreaming does it again! Coming up with great ways to remember each rock type and a hands-on study of the geologic processes.
Learn More: Teaching and Dreaming
2. Lava Flow Simulation
Fun science experiments are always a win in the classroom. This lava flow simulation will help students recognize the different types of lava. It’s the perfect way to introduce the topics and give our visual and kinesthetic learners a way to visualize throughout the entire science unit.
Learn More: Sam’s Volcano Stories
3. Real Rock Study
Make a lesson plan designed explicitly around actual rocks. This is an individual exercise that students will love! It’s a great way to get all of your students to look deeper into the different types of rocks and rock formations and make their own relationships with them.
Learn More: Heidi Bitner
4. Smore’s Mock Rock Melting
Okay, who doesn’t love Smores? Even your most experienced geologist students will love this activity. The experiment materials are super simple and even more exciting for students. Students will quickly learn about the field relationship and the different ways that simple materials change over time.
Learn More: Manuels River
5. Lava Rock Fortune Teller
Honestly, studying different types of volcanoes is coll in every grade. But finding different ways to model all of the information using simple materials can be challenging. With this fortune teller, it’s never been easier. Simply create a fortune teller and color/label all of the different parts of a volcano.
Learn More: Ms. Conner
6. Types of Rocks
Take your next science project outside. Can your students use their earth science skills and figure out the different types of rocks in the world? The best part about studying amazing rocks is that most of your science supplies are right in your backyard.
Learn More: Kcedventures
7. Pasta Rocks
Except when it comes to studying different rock formations using pasta. This is a great activity to get your students thinking about all of the different rocks out there. Along with that, it will help students to develop a better understanding of the special features of each type of rock.
Learn More: Abrazoandcoze
8. Rock Cycle Game
If you’re looking for a more engaging rock cycle activity. This board game might just be it. It’s simple and fun for students of all ages! You’ll love how much they’re learning about geology rocks and the social-emotional aspects of playing games with others.
Learn More: Teach Beside Me
9. Topography Flipbook
Flipbooks are an excellent way to take notes creatively and effectively. Creating this little flipbook is so simple and fun! Students will love drawing and coloring the mountain. Have students research each page and then write notes about their research.
10. Gummy Fossil Science Project
Study the rock layers using gummy worms and bears! Everyone loves a hands-on project and gummy candies, maybe just a little more. This is a great way to provide a visual of a rock sample in the classroom.
Learn More: Teach Beside Me
11. Weather and Erosion
Weather and erosion happen throughout the world. It’s also an extremely important concept to study in the classroom. Give your students a hands-on experience to learn exactly why it happens the way it does.
Learn More: Excellence in Teaching
12. Forming Craters
Have you ever wondered why there are craters on the moon? I’m sure you have, and I’m also sure your students have.
Start this lesson with a hook video to look at craters on the moon. Before getting into why these are formed, try out this activity. See if students can come up with their own ideas about how craters are formed.
Learn More: Science-Sparks
13. Moon Rock Activity
Create your very own moon rocks! How are moon rocks different from real rocks? This is a great activity for lower elementary students who are learning about all the different rocks worldwide.
Learn More: Glitter on a Dime
14. Rock Type Interactive Science Journal
I love a good interactive journal page. This can be purchased or created on your own! This is a great way to help students organize the different rocks. A visually pleasing way to collect their notes and study for the lesson assessment.
Learn More: Pinterest
15. Layers of the Earth Coloring Page
Did you know that coloring pictures help to remember different facts? It’s true! The attention to detail when coloring is much more intuitive than if we’re just listening to someone say something. This coloring sheet is a great way to get students used to seeing the different layers of the earth.
Learn More: Pinterest
16. Edible Science Rock Candy
Making rock candy is so much fun! It’s not only fun in the sense that it’s the perfect way to include science and observations of rocks together. But it’s also delicious; students will love watching the crystals appear on their candy sticks.
Learn More: Spark Science!
17. Build a Volcano
Building volcanos is always a super fun experiment for students. Assign different volcanos to students and talk about the eruption patterns of each. This is great for upper elementary students who can research and take notes on their volcanoes.
Learn More: The Good and the Beautiful Homeschool Science
18. Earth Quakes in the Classroom
Earthquakes are natural disasters that happen all too often. Over time, more earthquake-prone areas have developed infrastructures to withstand the shaking. Can your students become award-winning architects? Let them attempt to withstand the harsh weather that comes along with earthquakes!
Learn More: Teach Engineering
19. Virtual Field Trip
Take a virtual field trip! If you don’t have the materials or budget to bring in different rock types, then don’t worry! Thankfully, we live in a time where the most amazing areas of the world are literally at our fingertips. This great video takes students on a field trip to see some of the most beautiful rock formations.
Learn More: Super Simple Play
20. Understanding Climate Science and Global Warming
Let’s talk climate. In this experiment, students will see how global warming affects different geologic processes. It’s a great way to combine the study of chemistry and earth science together.
Learn More: SCI 206- MAED SCI. AND TECH.-LSPU SAN PABLO CITY
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