Making our own rocks 🪨

Today, the Leopards explored three different types of rocks and learnt how they are formed. 

We looked at sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks. 

We used crayon shavings to create the three kinds of rocks. The crayon shavings represented the minerals in our rocks. 

First we explored sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rocks are formed when rocks on the surface erode and the particles gradually cement together and harden. To create this, we placed a small handful of crayon shavings onto a piece of foil. We then rubbed the foils in between our hands to heat. We then squeeze and squished the foil together with as much pressure as we could. Carefully we unfolded the foil and revealed our sediments to rock. 

Next we made metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rocks are formed when sedimentary, igneous or other metamorphic rocks are altered by pressure and heat. For example, marble. We placed another spoonful of crayon into a boat shaped piece of foil and placed it ontop of some heated water. We waited a minute until the shaving warmed up (without letting them melt). While the crayon was still soft, we removed it from the foil and shaped it. 

And finally, we made igneous rock. Igneous rocks are formed when molten rock or magma cools and solidifies. Just like we made the metamorphic rock, we heated some crayon shavings on some hot water however this time time until it was melted. Once it was melted we let it cool and there we had our igneous rock.