Geology Rocks

Seriously…it’s a great joke, the perfect launching point for my unit and you better believe I take FULL advantage of it.

With “Eye of the Tiger” blaring in the laboratory, my scientists lined up in the hallway eagerly awaiting my presence in the doorway. This is our routine, they wait in the hallway for me to appear and they have to tell me the secret password to enter which is hanging by the door. I know they are anxious, the music is enough to gain attention from classes halfway down the corridor…

“Where is she?” I hear a scientist ask. I struggle to keep from laughing — it’s time to make my big entrance.

I begin “Rocky jogging” from a hidden part of the room, in front of the large windows that allow you to see into the laboratory from the hallway and make my way toward the doorway. My arms are in the air above my head, punching the air to the beat of the song. You know how this song begins “Dun……..dun dun dun…….dun dun dun…..dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuuuun”

But that’s not all — I have an 80s rocker wig on and black leather gloves, you can hardly tell it’s me apart from the rest of my outfit. It’s perfect.

I am a ROCKstar.

On the laboratory tables are collections of various rocks and minerals for my scientists to explore with no directions at all.

My scientists yell the password and rush the laboratory like groupies.

Perfect.

You see, rocks and geology can be...dare I say it...boring… to many people.

You know what’s NOT boring to most people — an exciting character…a rockstar who is excited about Geology.

For extra measure, I made sure to wear my wig and gloves to lunch that directly preceded my fourth-grade classes. At first glance, even my colleagues had no idea who it was going through the hot lunch line. Priceless. Most of my colleagues don’t even ask anymore when they see me in a silly costume. On Monday, I was wearing a cape all-day; I wanted to be Legendary. My puns and “dad” jokes are endless…come at me bro.

Building that hype, creating a sound track, making what some might consider “a fool” of myself is all a part of creating the experience.

I do not want my students to be encyclopedias, I do not want them standly idly by, waiting for me to be the gatekeeper of knowledge, to just receive science…I want them to experience it, I want them to do it, I want them to enjoy the experience.

Today was the kick off, I knew that I wanted them to just explore, see what they can observe, what patterns they notice, what sparks an interest, what questions they ask, what additional resources they grab around the room or tentatively ask to utilize. This is not only an experience, but a big formative assessment as well. I’m gathering data, and why NOT do it dressed as a rockstar, enjoying classic rock music, and seeing my scientists’ eyes light up, bodies dance to music, and curiosity run wild? Isn’t that what we want as educators?

Back to the rush of groupies into my laboratory! They did not disappoint, they jumped hands first into the rock and mineral collections on the tables; their excitement infectious. Many students went for their field notebooks and pencils immediately, beginning to write words and sketch pictures of their samples. Others spotted stereoscopes around the room and took them to their tables; looking over their shoulders to see if I was going to approve of the action. I gave them a “rock on” sign and off they went. Other scientists didn’t even look for permission, they went for it and unapologetically took 5 stereoscopes to their own lab station. I chuckled to myself — I created these rock monsters — these scientists. They were empowered to explore and use whatever resources they could find. A few scientists popped open their chromebooks and began trying to identify their rocks and minerals. I had at least one scientist from each table ask for books. I do not have a textbook, but I do have reference books and leveled readers on science topics. I pointed to the shelf that conveniently had a curated collection of geology books ready for the picking. (It’s as if I planned this — *insert smiley face here*)

Pure science and exploration was happening. They were rockin’ it. (see, I can’t help myself with the puns)

At the close of the rock concert — I had my scientists write down where they wanted to go next with this content. They had a taste — where would the encore take us?

Tomorrow during my planning time, I will take a look at their field notebooks to find out where we will explore next and respond to their reflections. I know what content standards I need to cover — but I don’t know how we will discover those standards until I see those reflections. How do they want to become ROCKstars themselves?

Where will the tour take us?

Stay tuned, I have a feeling it’s about to get rocky…