Introduction to Igneous Rock Lesson & Identifying Igneous Rocks Lab

This is an introduction to igneous rocks. Students will become familiar with the characteristics of igneous rocks and the two main types. Students will have the opportunity to practice using the characteristics of igneous rocks to identify the names of samples of Igneous rocks.

This is an all inclusive lesson. With it comes a complete formal lesson plan, differentiated handouts for various ability levels and language acquisition, student handouts of note sheets, diagram, and lab. See product preview for more information.


Additional materials needed:

•Numbered rock samples for each group:
(gabbro, diorite, pegmatite, granite, pumice, scoria, obsidian, basalt, and rhyolite)*
•1 hand lens/magnifying glass (minimum) per group
•1 container of water (large enough to hold the biggest rock sample) per group
•1 metric ruler (minimum) per group

*If you only have some of the rock samples, the lab can still be done, but it will take less time with fewer rocks. If you do not have enough rock samples for each group, you can always have them rotate to different “stations” in the room, each with a different set of rocks.

This lesson goes with my free Igneous Rock Power Point, so be sure to download it for a complete lesson.


Intro to Igneous Rock Lesson & Identifying Igneous Rocks Lab by ACQUIRE Lesson Plans is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.