DLESE description of Rock Hounds with Rocky

Rock Hounds is a group of activities, puzzles, literature sources, and quizzes that may enhance any K-12 geology unit. Rocky, the Rock Hound, leads learners through an adventure and gain an understanding of the rock cycle including how sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks form. A lesson plan included in the Teaching Connections section compiles these resources into a progression that could be used as a mini geology unit for learners K-8. The lesson plan begins by suggesting an introductory activity, entitled Rock Swap, where learners collect rocks, then swap the rocks with other classes or learners world wide. Guidelines for the collaborative rock swapping are provided within Teaching Connections. Other activities include a slide show that describes the tools that geologists use and how to collect rocks safely, an online safety quiz, making a volcano, creating a rock collection, and specific activities that place emphasis on how the 3 rock types form.