Rock Cycle worksheet for 6th grade science, featuring labeled stages of the rock cycle with images and blank spaces for student answers.

Let's solve the Rock Cycle worksheet step by step.

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🔍 Understanding the Rock Cycle

The rock cycle describes how the three main types of rocks — igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic — transform into one another through various geological processes like cooling, erosion, compaction, heat, and pressure.

Here’s a breakdown of the stages shown in the diagram:

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🌋 Step-by-Step Analysis

1. Top center: Volcano erupting
- This shows magma (molten rock) coming out of the volcano.
- When magma cools and solidifies, it forms igneous rock.

2. Right side: Magma (in the Earth’s crust)
- The red molten rock inside the Earth is magma.
- It can cool underground to form intrusive igneous rock.

3. Top left: Igneous rock (rock with holes)
- This is an example of igneous rock formed from cooled lava or magma.
- Example: Basalt or pumice.

4. Bottom left: Sediments (pebbles, sand, etc.)
- These are broken-down pieces of rocks from weathering and erosion.
- This stage is sediment.

5. Bottom center: Layered rock
- This is sedimentary rock formed when sediments are compacted and cemented together.
- Example: Sandstone or shale.

6. Bottom right: Layered rock with wavy lines
- This is metamorphic rock, formed when sedimentary or igneous rocks are subjected to high heat and pressure.
- Example: Marble (from limestone), slate (from shale).

7. Back to magma:
- Metamorphic rocks can melt back into magma under extreme heat.

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✔ Labeling the Boxes

Now let's label each blank box based on the flow of the cycle:

1. Box above the volcano (top left):
- This is igneous rock formed from cooled lava.
- Label: Igneous Rock

2. Box above the volcano (top right):
- This is magma (molten rock beneath the surface).
- Label: Magma

3. Box below the volcano (center):
- This is lava (magma that has erupted onto the surface).
- Label: Lava

4. Box below the igneous rock (left side):
- This is sediment (broken pieces of rock).
- Label: Sediment

5. Box below the sediment (bottom left):
- This is sedimentary rock.
- Label: Sedimentary Rock

6. Box below the metamorphic rock (bottom right):
- This is metamorphic rock.
- Label: Metamorphic Rock

7. Box connecting metamorphic rock back to magma (right side):
- This is melting process.
- But since it's a box, likely refers to magma again.
- However, looking at the arrows:
- Metamorphic rock → magma via melting.
- So the box between metamorphic and magma should be magma.

Wait — let's trace carefully:

- From igneous rock → weathering/erosion → sediment → compaction → sedimentary rock → heat/pressure → metamorphic rock → melting → magma → eruption → lava → cooling → igneous rock

So the boxes:

1. Top left (above igneous rock): Igneous Rock
2. Top right (above magma): Magma
3. Center (below volcano): Lava
4. Left (below igneous rock): Sediment
5. Bottom center (layered rock): Sedimentary Rock
6. Bottom right (wavy rock): Metamorphic Rock
7. Right (between metamorphic and magma): Magma (again, because it's the same stage)

But wait — there are six boxes in total. Let’s count:

- Top left: [ ] → Igneous Rock
- Top right: [ ] → Magma
- Center (under volcano): [ ] → Lava
- Left (under igneous): [ ] → Sediment
- Bottom center: [ ] → Sedimentary Rock
- Bottom right: [ ] → Metamorphic Rock

That’s six boxes.

So final labeling:

| Box Position | Label |
|--------------|-------|
| Top left (above igneous rock) | Igneous Rock |
| Top right (above magma) | Magma |
| Center (under volcano) | Lava |
| Left (under igneous rock) | Sediment |
| Bottom center (layered rock) | Sedimentary Rock |
| Bottom right (wavy rock) | Metamorphic Rock |

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✔ Final Answer (Labels for Each Box):

1. Top left: Igneous Rock
2. Top right: Magma
3. Center: Lava
4. Left (under igneous): Sediment
5. Bottom center: Sedimentary Rock
6. Bottom right: Metamorphic Rock

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🔄 Rock Cycle Summary (Flow):

- Magma → cools → Igneous Rock
- Igneous Rock → weathered → Sediment
- Sediment → compacted → Sedimentary Rock
- Sedimentary Rock → heated/pressured → Metamorphic Rock
- Metamorphic Rock → melted → Magma
- Magma → erupts → Lava → cools → Igneous Rock

This completes the cycle!

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✔ Answer Key (for your reference):

1. Igneous Rock
2. Magma
3. Lava
4. Sediment
5. Sedimentary Rock
6. Metamorphic Rock

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation for younger students!