Rock Cycle Worksheets (11 free pages)
Have fun learning about rocks with our free rock cycle worksheets. These are a great way to learn about rocks with kids in grades 3-6.
Learn about the 3 main rock types, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, and how they are formed.
When you have finished with the life cycle worksheets, we have also included a rock cycle game to end the lesson.
These free printable science worksheets are perfect for both schools and homeschooling, and even better it is a no preparation download. I have even included the rock cycle worksheet answers, so you don’t have to do anything.
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Let’s learn about the rock cycle
Supplies needed:
- cardstock (normal paper will work, but you might be able to see the images through it)
- paper cutter or scissors
- coloring pens and writing pens or pencils
- glue
- laminator (optional)
Directions:
Download the rock cycle worksheets below. There are 11 pages included and they will print out in landscape. Make sure to check the printer settings.
The first page is all about the rock cycle. This will print on 3 pages, with the second page needing to be cut out. Do not give the child the answer sheet until they have completed this.
The children will need to order both the images and the description but don’t worry I have included the rock cycle worksheet answers too.
There are three main types of rock, and the next worksheet is to work out which type of rock some of the most popular are. Cut out the rocks and add them under the correct rock type. Again the answer sheet is included and shown below.
The next worksheet is a writing and research activity. The kids need to correctly name the type of rock, and describe how and where they are formed. Plus give some examples of that type of rock. I have given an answer sheet which you can see below as a guide.
The next rock cycle worksheet is to show the processes of rocks. The children will need to draw arrows between the 5 rock types and show what is happening.
Are they formed by weather and erosion, or heat and pressure for example?
There is an answer sheet shown below and included in the download.
Rock Cycle Worksheet Answers
These rock cycle worksheet answer sheets can also be included as posters or added to the children’s folder.
The first one shows the actual rock cycle:
- Volcanic eruption
- Igneous rock
- Sediment
- Sedimentary rock
- Metamorphic rock
- Magma and then back to the volcanic eruption
The second answer sheet shows the processes of rock formation.
The answer sheet to the types of rock:
Igneous: basalt, pumice, obsidian, granite, diorite.
Sedimentary: flint, limestone, sandstone, halite.
Metamorphic: quartzite, marble, slate.
There are three main types of rock:
Igneous
How are they formed? When molten hot material cools and solidifies.
Where are they formed? When they are formed inside of the earth, they are called intrusive, or plutonic, igneous rocks. If they are formed outside or on top of Earth’s crust, they are called extrusive, or volcanic, igneous rocks.
Examples of rocks? Pumice, basalt, obsidian, granite, and diorite.
Sedimentary Rock
How are they formed? They are formed from pieces of other existing rock or organic material.
Where are they formed? It begins with the weathering of the exposed rock into small fragments. Through erosion, these fragments are removed from their source and transported by wind, water, or ice, to a new location. Once it settles the lowest layers become compacted so tightly that they form solid rock.
Examples of rocks? Sandstone, limestone, halite, and flint.
Metamorphic Rock
How are they formed? Rocks that have been changed from their original form by immense heat or pressure.
Where are they formed? Most metamorphic processes take place deep underground, inside the earth’s crust.
Examples of rocks? Slate, marble, and quartzite.
Rock Cycle Game
Learning shouldn’t be boring, when all the worksheets have been completed have a bit of fun with this rock cycle matching game. Perfect for kids of all ages, and can be played with only 1 player if required.
The final worksheet is a fun rock matching game that the children can play after they have done their work.
You will need to print the pages twice, so you can match the images.
We like to decorate the back of the images. So cut around the border at the edge so you are just left with the 12 images. Then just grab your coloring pens (these are the ones we love and use all the time) and have fun.
When you have printed the 4 pages you will need to cut out all of the different images. I prefer to use a paper cutter as it’s easier, quicker, and more accurate, but scissors will work too.
Now you will have four sets of 12 images.
Shuffle them up and lay them on the table randomly on the table.
If you are placing them in rows I find 8 rows with 6 images each works best.
Playing the game is simple. The children can either play on their own and turn over 2 images at a time. Or you can take it in turns to find a pair of images. If it is a match you can either remove them from the game and place them in front of you or leave them turned over face up.
The winner is the person who creates the most matches.
Books about rocks for kids
We always love adding books to all of our worksheets and these are the best rock books we could find that supplement these free worksheets really well.
- Ultimate Rockopedia is from the National Geographic for kids collection so you know it is going to be excellent, with fantastic graphics.
- My book of rocks and minerals will not only tell you about the different rocks and minerals but also where to find them.
- Weird but true: rocks and minerals is such a fun book and the kids will love learning new and interesting facts.
This National Geographic rocks and fossil set will be a great addition to these free worksheets.
Download your free rock cycle printables
If you are running short on time you can download ALL of our 19 life cycles for a small fee here. There are 165 pages over 19 different life cycles, including this one.
Make sure you choose the correct paper size and click on the shrink to fit button. All of our free printables for kids work better when printed on cardstock (this is the one we use and love.)
Other life cycle worksheets
- Life cycle of a goose worksheet
- Life cycle of a frog worksheets
- Polar bear life cycle worksheets
- Life cycle of a butterfly worksheets
- Life cycle of a hedgehog worksheets
- The life cycle of a penguin worksheets
- Life cycle of a reindeer worksheets
- Water cycle worksheets
Last Updated on 5 June 2023 by homeschoolof1