Extended response task: diary of a rock

From the rocks you have learned about so far, choose one (except for the example granite)

that you would like to write about. There are three parts to this task that are to be submitted

electronically upon completion.

Part 1: A diary

Write a series of diary entries that describe the history of your rock, its description, formation

and place in the rock cycle. Make predictions about its future as a rock. Your diary entries

should be written in first-person perspective (e.g. I saw a rock …).

Your diary entries should include the full rock cycle, indicating the processes of formation for

each rock type, regardless of where your specific rock is placed. The information in your diary

should include:

• The type of rock

• What part of the rock cycle it is in now

• A description of its physical appearance and all the physical properties it has now

• Where it formed in the Earth’s crust

• What minerals it is made up of now

• The crystalline structure it has now

• A description of the physical and chemical weathering changes it may be exposed to in

the future

• A description of the processes involved in the formation and destruction of your rock

• A description of the processes involved in the formation and destruction of all rock

types

• How humans have used your rock in the past, present and future

Your diary entries should finish with a prediction about what will happen to your rock next,

where in the rock cycle it is likely to end up and of what type of rock.

This task should be written in a narrative style, telling a story. It can be as creative as you

wish; as long as you include the key information mentioned that is scientifically correct. You

must present your diary in a digital format. (Google docs)

A planner has been included on the following page to assist you in turning scientific facts into

a diary entry. The first diary entry for granite has been included as a guide for you.

Part 2: A timeline

Reflecting on the above information, construct a timeline of your rock, using flow charting

software, highlighting any significant events on the timeline. This does not have to be

presented in a diary entry format.

Part 3: Evaluating research and bibliography

It is very important that you learn to evaluate the quality of the information researched on the

internet. For each website you access and use information from, you need to complete the

evaluation table below. This table also guides you in converting information from the websites

into your own words. Toassist you, go to http://kathyschrock.net/abceval/5ws.pdf and follow

the guidelines on website evaluation. You will need to include a bibliography as part of the

task.