Word sorts

In an engaging classroom activity designed to enhance vocabulary related to geology, students are tasked with a 'Word Sort' exercise focusing on rocks and soil. Working in pairs, they are encouraged to discuss and identify words from a provided list that are associated with rocks and soil. The list contains a mix of related and unrelated terms, with six words in total that are relevant to the topic. To add a competitive edge to the task, each correctly identified word is worth two points. The activity is time-boxed, giving students 10 minutes to complete the challenge. They are instructed to put a circle around words such as 'sedimentary', 'soil', 'igneous', 'ammonite', 'diamond', and one more, distinguishing them from unrelated words like 'fish', 'socket', 'heart', 'lungs', 'skeleton', and 'skull'.

Following the Word Sorts activity, the lesson progresses to explore the main types of rocks found on Earth. This is likely to be presented through a slide or visual aid, which would introduce students to the primary rock categories and their characteristics. The exercise not only reinforces students' understanding of geological vocabulary but also sets the stage for a deeper dive into the study of Earth's geology, including the formation, classification, and composition of rocks.