MISSION OVERVIEW

For this mission you are required to assume the identity of a rock in order to write a first person account of your life story.

Each of you will select a rock identity from the list of rocks in the left column (one student per rock).  As you write your life's story, be specific about important changes you have gone through (think about the Rock Cycle) to become the rock you are today.  How has the world treated you and the experiences you have had are important parts of your story.  Do you hold special value or play an interesting role in the world?  

Your story should be creative, but it also should be realistic... a key part of you story needs to reflect how rocks change and form through the Rock Cycle. Remember, as a rock, this cycle is constantly impacting you life.  Just as family, friends, school, work, health etc. impact your human life - your imaginary life as a rock is impacted by things like heat, pressure, erosion and the many other forces of nature... human actions might even play a role in your story.

MISSION OBJECTIVES 

To tell your story it is important to have the following knowledge about rocks:

  • Identify the three types of rock - Sedimentary, Metamorphic, and Igneous rock. 
  • Understand how each type of rock is formed through the Rock Cycle.
  • Determine what specific rocks are made of (types of minerals).
  • Identify characteristics of each of the four layers of earth (Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, Inner Core).
  • How rocks and minerals can be sorted and classified by their color, luster, texture, hardness, weight. 

Click here to print a guide for gathering information that will help build your knowledge of rocks. 
 

MISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Use the Mission Resources (below) to gain knowledge outlined above.  Your team should think about the topics above and how each might impact or relate to your imaginary rock life.

MISSION REPORTING

Toward the end of your mission you will need to write your life story, briefly in 2-3 paragraphs, which explains:

  • What kind of rock you are (Sedimentary, Metamorphic, Igneous) 
  • Where you came from 
  • How you were formed - what has caused you to change (Rock Cycle)
  • What are you made of (minerals)
  • Describe your physical characteristics (color, luster, texture, hardness, weight). 
  • Tell if you have any special abilities or "powers" that play an important role to humans. 
  • Finally, explain how you came to be found
     

MISSION RESOURCES

The Rock Cycle
Rocks and the Rock Cycle
Types of Rocks (Sedimentary, Metamorphic, Igneous)
The 3 Types of Rock
Rock Hounds*
Rocks and Minerals
The Stupid Page of Rocks *
Mineralogy 4 Kids
Characteristic of Rocks (properties - color, luster, texture, hardness, weight)
Search for Minerals by Name
Earth's Layers (interactive)*
Earth's Structure
Savage Earth 

MISSION EVALUATION

See Rock Rubric
Rock Report (Example Report)
Rock Quiz