This resource provides a 5E style lesson (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) over the rock cycle, including a single-period lab using crayons to model the cycle.  It’s often a difficult concept for students to imagine that over millions of years, one kind of rock will change into another kind of rock.  This lab allows students to see the changes taking place, and learn important qualities of each type of rock and how they are formed.Photo:  Rainbow of Crayon Shavings by Richie Girardin via Flickr

This lesson is part of the Virginia K-12 Computer Science Pipeline which is partly funded through a GO Virginia grant in partnership with Chesapeake Public Schools, Loudoun County Public Schools, and the Loudoun Education Foundation.  During this lesson, students will investigate the effect of water on surfaces as well as on a structural model they create.  

Day OneHelp the students to choose the types of weathering and erosion for their project and then make like groups: Ice, water, and wind. After looking at several photos for inspirations the students will sketch the landscape depicting their chosen weathering and erosion.  Remind the students to think about their landscapes and choose colors and details that would help the audience understand the erosion that is taking place in the picture.Discuss painting techniques and how to create shades and tints of color to add depths and shadows to their paintings.