The rock cycle

         The rock cycle is what we use to describe the change in the form of rocks. Where we tend to start in the cycle is with a normal rock. A normal rock that over time is eroded and weathered into particles of rocks. From here these particles usually collect in water. This is where they are compacted and cemented in with other particles call sediment. Over time this creates sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rock is usually soft and breakable. You can see different pebbles and rocks. This is also the type of rock most likely to contain fossils. Some sedimentary rocks include limestone and conglomerate. Over the next few million years this rock is heated and compacted under the earth's surface to create metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rocks have ribbon-like layers and usually contain crystals form the soft minerals growing on the rock over time. Metamorphic rocks include marble and gneiss. Then after a lot of heat the metamorphic rock turns to magma. When this magma cools it creates igneous rock. Igneous rocks are usually shiny and have gas bubbles. But because this rock cools so fast there are no crystals. This cycle then repeats.

S&EP
SP3: Conducting Investigations

We simulated the rock cycle using starbursts to deeply investigate the rock cycle. First we cut us the starbursts and squished them together to create sedimentary rock. Then we used the heat from our hands and pressed the starburst to create metamorphic rock. Then we used a microwave to melt the starburst and then let it cool into "igneous rock."

Crosscutting concepts
XCC:Cause and Effect

There are many cause and effect situations in the rock cycle. Like, because of the cementing and compacting the sediment turns into a sedimentary rock. Or, because of the heat and pressure the rock them turns into a metamorphic rock. This happens for every type of rock. The reason why the rock changes is the cause. The rock that has just recently changed is the effect.