The Rock Cycle

Soooo, after listening to some of my students, and going through some of their work, I decided to dedicate one post to just the rock cycle. This is sometimes a hard topic for students to understand and it can be confusing. So, here we go! 

Once a rock becomes a rock, it doesn't always stay that type of rock. There are three types of rocks and rock can change between the three. The three types of rocks are sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. A sedimentary rock is formed when sediments are compacted and cemented together over time. A metamorphic rock is formed by heat and pressure deep within the earth. An igneous rock is formed when magma or lava cools down. 

A metamorphic rock can be broken down in sediments and become a sedimentary rock or become melted and eventually become an igneous rock. A sedimentary rock can melt to lava and become an igneous rock or get pushed deep into the earth were heat and pressure change it to a metamorphic rock. And, an igneous rock can be broken down and become a sedimentary rock to pushed into the earth to become metamorphic. So, the rock cycle, like any cycle never ends and the rocks are constantly changing! 

To view and interact with the rock cycle, use my smart-board lesson found here. Or, you can view this Rock Cycle from the Khan Academy found here.