1. Lesson 2
Date:
LT: I can make observations, analyze data, and identify patterns to make inferences about the history of a place.
Sponge: What is the name for a risen flat area of land?

2. To do…

3. Grand Canyon Model and Rocks
The Grand Canyon is a place that is famous for its geology. It is known as one of the most spectacular landforms on Earth. The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Over 4.5 million people visit Grand Canyon National Park each year. It is considered by many geologists to be an important place to visit when studying geology. Since we can’t visit the Grand Canyon today, let’s take a look at some images of it.
Most people have an idea that the Grand Canyon is “big.” But, how big is big? When we look at a picture, it can be hard to get a sense of scale unless we have something else with which to compare it. To get a better sense of the size of the Grand Canyon, let’s take a look at a scale model of some famous landmarks placed inside it. Who can remind me what it means for a model to be “to scale?”

4. Grand Canyon Scale Model – Note to Me

5. Look in our textbook at the pictures on page 118 and 119.
What do you notice about the Grand Canyon from these images?

6. Look in our textbook at the pictures on page 118 and 119
What do you notice about the Grand Canyon from these images?
It is made of rock.
It is very large.
It appears to have “stripes” when you look at it from a distance.
In our last lesson, we thought about lots of landforms, including the Grand Canyon, and wanted to know how they got here. We wanted to know, “What’s the story of this place?” When we look at the Grand Canyon we might want to know why it looks like it has stripes. When scientists want to understand the history of a place on Earth’s surface, they know that the answer can be found by studying rocks. That’s because Earth’s surface is, and always has been, made of rock. Today, we are going to look at some rock samples. Even though they didn’t actually come from the Grand Canyon, they are the same types of rocks that you would find there.

7. Rock Observations vs opinion
Note: There are 3 pages!
Refer to your textbook for “Observations from Photos”
What are some ways to describe color?
What are some ways to describe texture?
Leave the “Other” column blank for now!

8. Acid Test Information
This bottle contains dilute hydrochloric acid. You should treat this chemical with respect and take safety seriously when using it. Whenever we use it, we will always wear safety goggles. If you get some on your hands, wash and dry them. This is so you won’t accidentally get the acid in your eyes.
Place your goggles on now! You may not remove them until I collect acid bottles. Please send one person to get a bottle of acid and paper towels.

9. Rock Observations
Place the rock on a small paper towel, number side down.
Squeeze one drop of acid from the bottle onto the rock. Only one drop is needed per rock.
Observe what happens. Use the hand lens for a better view.
Record observations in your notebook under the “Other” column.
Use the paper towel to dry the rock.

10. Conclusions Using Rock Observation
Which rocks fizzed?

11. Conclusions Using Rock Observation
Which rocks fizzed?
4, 5, 9, 10
What else was similar about them?

12. Conclusions Using Rock Observation
Which rocks fizzed?
4, 5, 9, 10
What else was similar about them?
Smooth
Fine Grained

13. Conclusions Using Rock Observation
Which rocks fizzed?
4, 5, 9, 10
What else was similar about them?
Smooth
Fine Grained
The material in the rock that reacted with the acid is called calcite. Calcite is a common mineral that is composed of calcium, carbon, and oxygen. Calcite’s chemical formula is CaCO3, but you probably know it better by its common name: chalk. When the acid reacts with the calcite, a chemical reaction occurs that causes fizzing and bubbling. When geologists place a drop of acid on a rock and see fizzing, they can be pretty sure that calcite is one of the minerals that make up that rock.
The name that geologists have given to rocks containing calcite is limestone. The four rock samples that fizzed are all types of limestone.

14. Conclusions Using Rock Observation
Which rocks is most similar to rock 8? Why?

15. Conclusions Using Rock Observation
Which rocks is most similar to rock 8? Why?
Rock 6. Both are sandy and rough. Neither bubbled from the acid.
What happens when you rub them together?

16. Conclusions Using Rock Observation
Which rocks is most similar to rock 8? Why?
Rock 6. Both are sandy and rough. Neither bubbled from the acid.
What happens when you rub them together?
Sand sized particles fall off.
The name that geologists give to rocks that are made out of sand particles cemented together is sandstone. Rocks 6 and 8 are sandstone.

17. Conclusions Using Rock Observation
Which rock is left? What do you notice about it?

18. Conclusions Using Rock Observation
Which rock is left? What do you notice about it?
Rock 7. It did not fizz. It is smooth and black. Some contain leaf fossils.
Shale is a smooth-textured rock that doesn’t fizz in acid. It is made from clay. I am going to walk around the class with a cup of powdered clay and let you rub your fingers together to feel the clay. Just like sandstone has the texture of its particles (sand), shale has the smooth, slick texture of its particles: clay.

19. Return to your observations.
Under the rock number, label the type.
7: Shale
6, 8: Sandstone
4, 5, 9, 10: Limestone

20. Lesson 2
Date:
LT: I can make observations, analyze data, and identify patterns to make inferences about the history of a place.
Sponge: What three types of rocks did we learn about yesterday?

21. To do….

22. Sketch the rocks
Refer to the picture in your textbook on page Write the rock number on each layer.
Note: Rock 10, Kaibab Limestone, is not in this sketch. It is in the mile 20 sketch.

23. Add a key below with the specific rock names
Add a key below with the specific rock names. 4 = Muav Limestone 5 = Redwall Limestone 6 = Supai Sandstone 7 = Hermit Shale 8 =Coconino Sandstone 9 = Toroweap Limestone

24. On the page next door, copy this chart.
Shale
Sandstone
Limestone
Smooth
Contains fossils
Made of clay
Black, dark grey
Does not fizz
Rough
Made of sand
Contains calcite
Fizzes from acid!

25. Discussion
Many times when scientists uncover new information, it leads to even more questions. Now that you know more about the rocks that make up the Grand Canyon, what else does that information make you wonder? What new questions about the Grand Canyon do you have?

26. Discussion
Many times when scientists uncover new information, it leads to even more questions. Now that you know more about the rocks that make up the Grand Canyon, what else does that information make you wonder? What new questions about the Grand Canyon do you have?
How did the rock layers in the Grand Canyon get there? What caused the layers to form?
What is the purpose of the river?
Once a layer exists, does it stay the same forever?

27. Performance Assessment
Choose limestone, sandstone, or shale.
A rock that fizzes from acid.
A smooth grey/black rock that does not fizz from acid. It is made of clay.
A rough textured rock that can be crumbled into sand.
Give the landform name. Choose from plain, mountain, canyon, delta, island, peninsula, or plateau.
A large area of land that is raised higher than the area around it.
A piece of land completely surrounded by water.

28. Reading: Powell’s Grand Canyon Expedition: 1869
Textbook pages 8 -11
Write 10 facts from the reading on the back of your Performance Assessment notecard to turn in.