Rocks and Minerals by UTH Rocks and Minerals by UTH    

Lesson 18: Igneous Rocks

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

• Read the lesson.
• Review the synopsis.
• Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
• Study the rock and mineral of the week.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Igneous rocks are one of the three major groups of rock that make up the crust of the Earth: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Igneous rocks are formed by the cooling of molten rock, such as lava and magma. Igneous rocks are formed either below the surface of the Earth (intrusive) or on the surface (extrusive).

Vocabulary

Bedrock: The solid rock that exists at some depth below the ground surface. Bedrock is rock 'in place,' as opposed to material that has been transported from another location by weathering and erosion.
Rock: Any natural material with a distinctive composition of minerals.
Igneous Rock: A rock formed by the cooling of molten rock, either below the surface (intrusive) or on the surface (extrusive).
Metamorphic Rock: A rock that consists of pre-existing rock mass in which new minerals or textures are formed at higher temperatures and greater pressures than those present on the Earth's surface.
Sedimentary Rock: A rock formed by the deposition of either the weathered remains of other rocks, the results of biological activity, or precipitation from solution.

Rock or Mineral of the Week

Overview

• Basalt is a fine-grained rock forming from lava cooling at the surface of the Earth.
• Basalt is the most abundant bedrock on Earth.

Physical Characteristics

• Color: Gray to black
• Hardness: 6.0
• Streak: White to gray

Locations:

• Around the world, especially as bedrock and in ocean basins

Interesting Facts

• Basalt is a common rock on the Moon and on Mars.
• Formed from an ancient volcanic eruption, Giant's Causeway is created of polygonal (mostly hexagonal) basalt columns in Northern Ireland.

• Reynisfjara beach is a volcanic basalt black sand beach in Iceland.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

• After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Map the Lesson

Find the following on the map of Europe:

• Ireland, home of the hexagonal basalt columns of Giant's Causeway
• Iceland, location of Reynisfjara, the basalt black sand beach

Activity 3: Take a Nature Walk

• Embark on a nature walk.
• Collect one rock or mineral specimen.
• Use the gathered specimen to create the field book entry.

Activity 4: Complete a Field Book Entry   

After your nature walk, complete page 6 in 'Fifth Grade Science Rocks and Minerals Notebook Pages.'

Review

Question 1

Describe something about basalt.

1 / 5

Answer 1

Basalt is a black volcanic rock found around the world as well as on the Moon and Mars.

1 / 5

Question 2

What are the three major groups of rock that make up the crust of the Earth?

2 / 5

Answer 2

The three major groups of rock that make up the crust of the Earth are igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.

2 / 5

Question 3

Which rock group is formed from cooling magma or lava?

3 / 5

Answer 3

The igneous rock group is formed from cooling magma or lava.

3 / 5

Question 4

Which rock group includes rocks or minerals transformed by heat and pressure?

4 / 5

Answer 4

The metamorphic rock group includes rocks or minerals transformed by heat and pressure.

4 / 5

Question 5

Which rock group is made up of deposits cemented together?

5 / 5

Answer 5

The sedimentary rock group is made up of deposits cemented together.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. Describe something about basalt. Basalt is a black volcanic rock found around the world as well as on the Moon and Mars.
2. What are the three major groups of rock that make up the crust of the Earth? The three major groups of rock that make up the crust of the Earth are igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.
3. Which rock group is formed from cooling magma or lava? The igneous rock group is formed from cooling magma or lava.
4. Which rock group includes rocks or minerals transformed by heat and pressure? The metamorphic rock group includes rocks or minerals transformed by heat and pressure.
5. Which rock group is made up of deposits cemented together? The sedimentary rock group is made up of deposits cemented together.

References

'Igneous Rock.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igneous_rock. n.p.

'Basalt.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt. n.p.

'Giant's Causeway.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant's_Causeway. n.p.

Cited Physical Properties. Geology.com. geology.com/rocks. n.p.