Sedimentary rocks.

We are wrapping up our rock study with sedimentary rocks.  Sedimentary rocks are made from sediments which are small pieces of other rocks.  They turn into pebbles, gravel, sand, and clay.  Sedimentary rocks are usually formed in water and many fossils are found in sedimentary rocks.  Our hands on activities included making 2 sedimentary rocks.  We made limestone and sandstone using the ideas from the book below.

The only ingredients for our sandstone rocks were sand, Epsom salt, and water.

 

We mixed the Epsom salt with the water until it dissolved and poured it over the sand which was in a cup.

It takes a few days to harden but it is a great example of sandstone.

Next up was limestone.  I liked this one better.

Again, easy to make.

You need a plain shoebox.

Cover it with a trash bag.

Add plaster and water.

Mix well.

This is a really blurry picture but it is broken pieces of sea shells.  Add this to the plaster and water mix and stir it together.

Poor the mixture in a cup and let it harden.

So that is it.  A hands on way to remember how rocks are formed.  This study rocked!