Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences

The "Rockin' NC" educational materials were developed with the support of the Vulcan Materials Company Foundation. The learning modules are intended to provide formal and informal educators with ideas for teaching about the rock cycle in North Carolina and some important minerals in an engaging, interactive way. To see what's in a ROCKIN' NC CLASSROOM KIT, scroll down to the bottom of this page for an interactive photo. For information about upcoming Rockin' NC Teacher Workshops, visit the Material Loans and Workshops section.

We welcome feedback! The High Country Press featured an article about our collaboration with Vulcan Materials Company Foundation. Check it out to learn more. 

If you see anything that could be improved or want additional ideas for teaching a specific concept, please contact Marta Toran (toranml@appstate.edu).

All digital resources can be freely downloaded, if you don't have the physical materials (e.g. rocks and minerals) to implement the activities, we have them available for loan or can put something together for your class. Just let us know!

With the support of 

Rockin NC Digital Files:

NCSTA Attendees- Please check back a couple of days after the conference for updated links to the presentation, new activities, etc! Contact Marta for any questions (toranml@appstate.edu)

	See inside the Rockin NC kit - Scroll to the bottom of this page or click  on the link to "unbox" the Rockin' NC classroom kit for teaching about rocks and minerals of North Carolina (perfect for 4th or 6th Grade standards!)
	The Rock Cycle in North Carolina- Teacher Instructions (Includes description of 5E lesson and how to integrate activities listed below)   Rockin' NC Workshop Slides (Introduction to activities, information about Vulcan slides, question prompts for discussion, etc.)
	Let's Take a Rock Trip (Google slides that can be used to take students on a virtual "rock trip" around NC stopping at sites with key rock formations. This slideshow can be used with the rock cycle activities/ handouts listed below).  "Rock Cycle in NC" Student Trifold with Map -in color- (This trifold with blanks goes with the "Let's Take a Rock Trip" slides. Students look at six different rocks found in NC and how they fit into the rock cycle.) "Rock Cycle in NC" Student Trifold with Map -in B&W- (Same trifold as above but in black and white, students can color in the three regions of NC and the key identifying them)
	Rock Cycle Blank Diagrams (Two versions- one listing the processes, the other without processes. Perfect for laminating and having students place rock samples on the appropriate spot).  Rock Re-Cycle Student Worksheet and Answer Key (Can be used as a stand-alone review worksheet for learning the rock cycle or as a companion to the laminated blank diagrams and rock manipulative) Rocks Galore! Student Worksheet and Answer Key (Can be used to reinforce concepts about rock types, rock cycle and uses of different rocks)
	Don't Take it for Granite! Student Worksheet (A CER Lesson looking at different rock densities. For teacher directions, see the Rock Cycle in NC 5E Lesson)
	North Carolina Rock Showcase (Student instructions for creating their NC rock project and class rock showcase. Includes a TicTacToe choice chart and QR codes linking to informational webpages about NC rocks). List of QR codes linking to each NC Rock webpage with information geared towards students.
	Website: Rocks and Minerals of North Carolina for K12 (ENGLISH) This website is geared towards students and perfect for use in class, for homework, etc. It is a simple interface with no ads. We will be adding the Spanish version soon. The shortered URL is: http://tinyurl.com/ncrocksandmineralsk12eng
	Mighty Minerals Teacher Package (Includes the 5E lesson plan as well as all student handouts and station labels).
	"Are they made of Rock?" (Introductory activity that encourages students to think about everyday objects and whether they are made of rocks or rock derivatives. For ideas on how to carry out this activity, check the Mighty Minerals 5E lesson plan above.)
	Lego Rocks (This worksheet goes with the Lego Rocks hands-on activity described in the Mighty Minerals 5E lesson plan which helps students understand minerals as the ingredients of rocks.)
	Mineral FrenzyTeacher Instructions- In this activity, mineral tests are set up as four stations: Hardness, Cleavage and Fracture, Color and Luster, Streak. The teacher instructions describe how to set up the stations.  Mineral Frenzy Student Handout- Students complete this package as they rotate through the Mineral Frenzy stations doing the mineral tests.  Mineral Test Station Signs- These table signs can be laminated and used at each of the Mineral Frenzy stations.  Mineral Crossword and Answers- Great for reviewing minerals in general, homework following Mineral Frenzy activity. Also useful to include with the Mineral Frenzy Student Handout so that groups that have finished their station can work on it while waiting to rotate.
	NC Rocks- Information pages about important rocks and geological resources in NC (Granite, Sandstone, Gneiss, Marble, Mudrock, Limestone, Gabbro, Schist, Crushed stone, Coal) NC Minerals- Information pages  about NC minerals and other geological resources (Phosphate, Quartz, Feldspar, Mica, Olivine, Sand, Gemstones, Talc, Metal Ores) NC Rocks and Minerals for K12 Website -Geared towards students and teachers, this website includes information from the two files above, gathered in a more visually-appealing format that students can easily access via the link http://tinyurl.com/ncrocksandmineralsk12. It is still being populated so please bear with us!
	In addition to the above resources, Vulcan has "Rock Buddies" available for teachers. These are plastic wagons full of mineral samples and the everyday objects that are made with them, as well as examples of safety gear. Teachers should contact their nearest Vulcan quarry for more information about checking the Rock Buddies out. Click here to see the contents of a typical "Rock Buddy" tote.