Science·Matter & Materials·conceptual
The Rock Cycle
Explain the rock cycle: how igneous rocks form from magma, sedimentary rocks from compressed sediment, and metamorphic rocks from heat and pressure, and how all rock types can transform into one another over geological time
Suggested ages 12–14
Evidence of understanding
- Describes how each rock type (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) is formed
- Gives an example of each rock type and its formation (e.g. granite, limestone, marble)
- Traces a rock sample through possible transitions in the rock cycle
- Explains what geological time means and why rock cycle changes are slow
Assessment prompt
If The Rock Cycle picked up a piece of marble on a school trip, could they explain how it was originally limestone, what changed it into marble, and how long that process took?
Standards alignment
MS-ESS2-1US · ngss-ms
MS-ESS2-1
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Middle School
KS3.Sci.Chem.EA.4GB · uk-nc-2013
The Rock Cycle
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3