Memorial Park - Montevideo Gneiss

Lisa Clifford Stop #3

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Lesson Plan Outline

 Prelab, Montevideo Gneiss, Memorial Park

 OBJECTIVE

The student will learn that the processes of heat and pressure work together to change the structure of rocks to form metamorphic rocks.

 ANTICIPATORY SET

Today, we are going to use play-dough to learn how metamorphic rocks are formed.

 INSTRUCTURAL INPUT

Metamorphic rocks are formed by the processes of heat, pressure, and chemical activity.  Rocks undergo these processes which change their physical and sometimes chemical structure to form metamorphic rocks.  We are going to use play-dough to simulate the formation of metamorphic rocks.

 MODELING

Show the students how to use the play-dough to simulate metamorphism.

You will need three to four different colors of play-dough.  First, take two to three colors and break of small dime size pieces.  Put these small pieces into a large baseball size solid color of play-dough, tying not to blend them together.  This represents the original rock.  Using your hands push down on the play-dough forabout a minute, mixing the colors together.  Your hands are simulating the forces of heat and pressure.  This play-dough now represents a metamorphic rock.  Explain that although you were able to simulate metamorphism in about a minute, it takes millions of years for metamorphism to occur.

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

Have the students, as a class, explain what they are going to do with the play-dough and what forces they are trying to simulate.

 GUIDED PRACTICE / INDEPENDENT PRACTICE

Have the students perform the procedure to simulate metamorphism.

 EVALUATION

Have the students right down their definition of metamorphism and observations about the play-dough before and after the simulated forces.  Discuss observations with the students and have them turn in their notes.