Musical Play: "Geology Rocks!"

Key Concepts

Geology Rocks! reinforces students' familiarity with the following earth science subjects:

• Geologic time; change occurs over billions of years
• Volcanoes (magma, lava, molten rock)
• Composition of the earth (mantel, outer core, inner core, crust)
• Fossil fuels
• Erosion
• Continental plates and fault lines
• Minerals and ores
• The rock cycle (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic)
• Geothermal energy

Geology Rocks! is a great complement to your curriculum resources in geology and earth science. And, like all of our plays, this show can be used to improve reading, vocabulary, reading comprehension, performance and music skills, class camaraderie and teamwork, and numerous social skills (read about it!) -- all while enabling students to be part of a truly fun and creative experience they will never forget!

Publication Information

Author: Ron Fink (Composer) and John Heath (Book and Lyrics)
ISBN: 978-1-886588-27-1
© 2003 Bad Wolf Press, LLC

Song Samples

Full Song List

1. Professor Rock Has Disappeared
2. Geologic Time
3. I Ain't Well
4. I Am Deep
5. Oh to Be a Fossil Fuel
6. Erosion
7. Love Them Plates
8. Seven Little Miners
9. Rock Cycle
10. Professor Rock Has Re-Appeared

Casting

Flexible casting from 11-40 students.
Use as many Volcanoes, Ferns, etc. as desired; one student
can also play more than one role. Note that all roles can be
played by either boys or girls.

Script

This is the first one-third of the script:

CHARACTERS:

Rosie
Jenn
Sherlock Holmes
Dr. Watson
Volcanoes
Earth
Ferns
Sea Shore
Canyon
Valley
Mountains
Snow White
Igneous Rock
Sedimentary Rock
Metamorphic Rock
Professor Rock
and a CHORUS comprised of all students who are not playing roles on stage
at the time

(STUDENTS walk quickly back and forth across stage, apparently searching for
something or someone. Finally one STUDENT stops and loudly says:)

ROSIE: Let’s face it—our geology teacher, Professor Rock, is missing!

CLASS (sings):
Now we’ve searched high and we’ve searched low
So where on earth could that man go?
Our Professor Rock has disappeared.

We have not found a clue or trail
A zero on the Richter scale
Our Professor Rock has disappeared.

He loves he loves volcanoes
He loves he loves glaciers too
Earthquakes make him laugh
He hugs his seismograph
Every dinner that he ate
Was on a tectonic plate.

Now everywhere we turn we see
A geologic mystery

ONE STUDENT: Hey look I found some pieces of his beard!

STUDENTS (shout): How weird!

CLASS:
Is he a victim of basalt?
Or is it San Andreas’ fault?
Our Professor Rock has disappeared.

He loves he loves volcanoes
He loves he loves glaciers too
Earthquakes make him laugh
He hugs his seismograph
Every dinner that he ate
Was on a tectonic plate.

Doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Our Professor Rock has disappeared Disa- Disappeared.

(TWO STUDENTS remain on stage.)

ROSIE: What are we going to do, Jenn?

JENN: I don’t know, Rosie. Professor Rock’s disappearance is a complete mystery.

(SHERLOCK HOLMES and DR. WATSON enter. HOLMES is dressed like, well,
Sherlock Holmes. Maybe he has a magnifying glass. Watson has a notebook and pen.)

HOLMES: A mystery you say? Then we’ve come to the right place.

ROSIE: Who are you?

WATSON: Excuse us. Holmes likes dramatic entrances.

JENN: Holmes? Sherlock Holmes?

HOLMES: Precisely! Dr. Watson and I have come to solve the mystery of your
missing rock. (HE picks up a rock and begins to examine it carefully with his magnifying glass.)

ROSIE: It’s not a rock but a person, our teacher Professor Rock.

HOLMES: Silence! My astonishing powers of deduction have led me to a clue
right here in this rock!

WATSON: What is it Holmes? Igneous? Metamorphic?

HOLMES: Sedimentary, my dear Watson.

(music to “Geologic Time” begins here. The next lines are spoken over the music.)

JENN: Can you help us? We really need to find the Professor.

ROSIE: We’ve got to start searching right away.

HOLMES: Patience! These things take time. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

HOLMES and WATSON :
The earth’s been here five billion years
It’s seen a lot of change
What used to be an ocean floor
Is now a mountain range.

The desert lands have come and gone
The dinosaurs are hushed

HOLMES: My brilliant brain needs time as well
My genius can’t be rushed!

HOLMES and WATSON:
Geologic, geologic Geologic time
Geologic, geologic Geologic time

WATSON: He’s slow as rock

HOLMES and WATSON:
So set the clock
For geologic time.

The Colorado river runs
Ten million years it creeps
And bit by bit a canyon forms
That’s over one mile deep.

The desert lands have come and gone

The dinosaurs are hushed

HOLMES: My brilliant brain needs time as well
My genius can’t be rushed!

HOLMES, WATSON, and CHORUS:
Geologic, geologic Geologic time
Geologic, geologic Geologic time

WATSON: He’s slow as rock

HOLMES, WATSON, and CHORUS:
So set the clock For geologic time.

WATSON: He’s slow as rock

HOLMES, WATSON, and CHORUS:
So set the clock For geologic time.

HOLMES: Come along, Watson. We must find that rock. We’ll start by interviewing
some pebbles I spotted in the driveway—they looked suspicious.

WATSON: Splendid, Holmes. (writing in his notebook as THEY exit) I shall call this,
The Case of the Runaway Rock.

( THEY exit)

JENN: Rosie, I don’t think they’re going to be much help.

ROSIE: No. We’ll have to find Professor Rock on our own.

JENN: Right. Professor Rock has been working near some volcanoes—maybe
we should talk to them.

ROSIE: Great idea.

(THEY walk around until they meet the VOLCANOES, who have entered.)

JENN: There they are!

ROSIE: Hello, volcanoes. Have you seen Professor Rock?

VOLCANO #1: He was here just a few days ago, checking up on us. We haven’t
been feeling well.

ROSIE: I can see. You don’t look so hot.

VOLCANO #2: Oh no, we’re TOO hot. That’s the problem.

Song 3

VOLCANOES:
I ain’t well
Can’t you tell?
I’m belching steam and ashes
With molten molten molten rock
Molten rock and gases.

I ain’t well
See me swell?
I think it’s something drastic
I’m feeling feeling feeling aaach!
Feeling pyroclastic.

Magma coming up my vent
Lava pouring out
Here it comes
I need a Tums TM
Before I blow my spout.

I ain’t well
Can’t you help?
I’m crackin’ and I’m swellin’
I feel like feel like feel like whoa!
Feel like Mt. St. Helens.

(VOLCANOES do dance during instrumental)

Magma coming up my vent
Lava pouring out
Here it comes I need a Tums TM
Before I blow my spout.

VOLCANOES and CHORUS:
I ain’t well
Can’t you tell?
I’m belching steam and ashes
With molten molten molten rock
Molten rock and gases.
With molten molten molten rock
Molten rock and gases.

(VOLCANOES exit)

ROSIE: Wow. That must be some fever if it’s hot enough to melt rock.

EARTH (from side of stage): That’s nothin’, baby. I’m 12,000 degrees down in my core.

JENN: Who said that?

EARTH (entering): I did, honey. I’m the Earth.

JENN: The earth?

ROSIE: But how’d you get so hot? I thought you were just continents and water.

EARTH: Isn’t that typical?! I’ve got 4000 miles down to my core, and all you folks ever
think about is my outer 40 miles.

ROSIE: I’m sorry.

EARTH: Below my crust I’ve got a mantel, an outer core AND an inner core. You’ve
got to look below the surface.

I am deep
Not just water and some dust
I am deep
I’ve got spunk beneath my crust.

I am deep
Though my surface may seem mild
I am deep
You should see my inner child!

My mantle is so hot and wild,
rocks just melt and ooze
At my core you’ll find a gal who loves to sing the blues.

I am deep
Miles and miles of hidden space
I am not
Just another pretty face.

CHORUS:
She’s deep
She is deep
She’s deep
She is deep
She’s deep
She is deep.
She’s deep
She is deep.

EARTH and CHORUS:
Yes I’m deep
Not just water and some dust
I am deep
I’ve got spunk beneath my crust.

(This concludes the first one-third of the script.)

Overall Customer Rating:

Customer Reviews: 7

Write a review!

Read all reviews

---

Kate

California, Oakland

Review Date: 10/19/2020

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

Geology Rocks, ROCKS!

I have used Geology Rocks with my fourth grade class and science teacher in previous years. Students greatly enjoyed the songs and learned so much about geology. Parents were blown away by the catchy songs. It is so easy to put the show together. I appreciate the insight about not get distracted by costumes- really keeps the focus on the songs. I loved doing the musical during testing time as it was such a needed break! This year I am doing the musical in distance learning on zoom! So easy to share the audio files and have kids read and sing along. It is a favorite of the class and they look forward to it!

---

Penny S.

Montessori School of Mauldin

Review Date: 1/8/2020

Rating:

Pros:

• Simple
• Funny
• So informative!
• Upbeat

Cons:

• ZERO!

Geology DEFINITELY Rocks!!

This is the third or fourth time I have used Bad Wolf Press for our end of the year class program and this was our favorite yet! The music was so upbeat and the kids LOVED it! The parents were so helpful and thoroughly enjoyed it as well. Humor is my love language and this play was packed with it! I could not recommend this any higher!

---

aahnstedt

Northern California

Review Date: 7/6/2018

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

Geology Rocks! Rocks

This is my favorite of the Bad Wolf plays that my class has done. The jokes with funny but not socially-touchy. My kiddos learned many things about geology and our science prep teacher commented on how my class was really making connections with their science standards. The songs are terrific and the dialogue is very witty.

---

Erika

Review Date: 10/23/2017

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

Rich in content and so much fun

I love the music I purchased! I am the music teacher at an Expeditionary Learning school where the Arts are integrated through all of the content. I purchased the musicals about Mars and Geology. They both are rich in content and are so much fun for the the kids to sing! I will definitely purchase more with you in the future.

---

2nd grade teacher

Review Date: 6/2/2017

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

Wow! Amazing!

This was so easy to use and the kids loved it. Thank you for creating a product where the kids learn something and shine on stage. It totally rocked!

---

lmkanemoto

Elk Grove, CA

Review Date: 4/24/2017

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

Educational and fun show!

This play a rock-themed mystery, in which students can discover various times of rocks and landforms. It is a great way to reinforce what they have learned about rocks, volcanoes, earthquakes, and fossil fuels. Their geology learning was made fun and exciting through this play! The students absolutely loved it! This was my first time directing a play in the classroom, and it was a great experience.

I followed the timeline recommended and all the students knew their lines by the date of our big performance to their parents and families. We had rehearsals in which we performed to other classes on campus. Changes for next time include: recording a performance before the final day, dedicating three weeks to songs prior to reading the script, incorporating the gestures in the second or third week of learning the songs, giving students at least a full two weeks once they have their role assignment (as we cut it too short with the timetable provided), and setting up the stage with the audience as a "U" shape around the performers. Since we performed in our classroom for Back to School Night, space was limited. It helped to have some students of the back row sit on a table so they could be seen better.

I also split up a few parts so that there were 24 roles for a class of 24 students: Rosie split into another character, who we named "Max"; the Valley was shared between two; and both Sherlock and Jenn were split roles in that one student played the character for the first half of the play, and another student took over for the second half. I wish I'd split Dr. Watson's role in half this way, too.

Good luck and enjoy! Three weeks after our last performance and my students are still singing the songs and quoting the script.

---

Kim M

Rincon, GA

Review Date: 5/9/2016

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

My favorite show!

I have used this show for 6 years in a row. It enhances our 3rd grade science curriculum nicely and my third grade students love the music and funny script. I have watched as they silently sing the erosion song during state testing to recall the 4 causes of erosion. I broke the parts for the two female student into 4 parts and have 2 males and 2 females as the students searching for Professor Rock.

---

Additional Comments and Reviews:

"A wonderful play that gets to discoveries of rocks. My students loved the whole mystery that centered around a rock theme. The play aligned perfectly with our standards. It was a great way to reinforce what they already learned. Thanks to Bad Wolf Press for making learning fun and exciting!"

---Leslie Antosy-Flores, Teacher, (Teacher-4th grades) Star View School, Midway City, CA

"The students absolutely love it! I appreciated it because it covered so much content area in a short time. Everything the students learned was covered, so I felt confident that I met all benchmarks...The students always looked forward to our practices. I'm still singing the songs in my head!"

---Ginger Becker, Teacher (4th grade), Marion Elementary, Marion, KS.

"I thought it was marvelous! The songs and actions were easy and there were enough parts for everyone. Thank you for this invaluable resource!"

---Diana Yoon, Teacher (6th grade) Stoddard School, Anaheim, CA

"Not only did our 'cherubs' have a great time learning and performing the play, the parents were truly amazed at the amount of 'educational stuff' that was included with all the fun."

---Kathi George, Teacher (3rd grade), Elmwood School, Hopkinton, MA

"This was my first year to teach science and this musical was an awesome supplement. The students had a blast while learning. They even sing the songs when we go on field trips."

---Darlene Young, Teacher (6th grade), LBJ Middle School, Johnson City, TX

"The students learned the songs quickly and gain a lot of knowledge. Our science teacher said the play meets the requirements of the 5th grade Taks science test. We accomplished the whole play in 20 days."

---Melodee Christian, Teacher (3rd grade) Haskell Elementary, Haskell, TX

"I enjoyed the music, humor and knowledge base. The school audience was very responsive. They loved the humor. I love being able to listen to music samples on your website. (Keep writing. I feel like I have hit on a gold mine)."

---Cindy Martinson, Teacher (2nd grade) Hermantown Elementary, Hermantown, MN

"The kids love it and so do I. I am not musically timid, but love doing your shows anyway because there are fun. I like the fact that you include different styles of music (country, rock, etc) everyone has something to enjoy. Great content. Good staging tips, etc."

---Katie Robinson, Teacher (2nd grade) Green Valley School, Danville, CA

"I would tell a teacher who has never done a play or a musical to relax and enjoy the process. The CD helps tremendously, and there are plenty of parts to match different student personalities. Doing the play was fun for all of us. Our headmaster just told me he's gotten nothing done all morning because he's been fielding compliments about our play."

---Susanne Tomillon, Teacher (2nd), Grymes Memorial School, Orange, VA

"This musical is a classic! I do Bad Wolf plays with lots of different classes. Geology Rocks works so well with a broad spectrum of grades. The kids can ham up the parts. Teachers like the play because it works so well with a variety of approaches to teaching geology. All the songs work with groups and are popular with parents."

---Rich Howell, Enriching Education, Nevada City, CA

"Excellent!!! The students learned so much. We were doing a science unit on geology too."

---Judy Redman, Teacher (3rd grade) Highland Grove School, Highland, CA

"Love it! Very educational."

---Linda May, Teacher (5th grade), Centennial Arts Academy, Gainesville, GA.

"Great show---the kids and parents loved it!"

---Maria Makevicius, Teacher (4th-6th grades) The Montessori School of Pensacola, Pensacola, FL

Common Core and Other National Standards

Science

• National Science Content Standard D for K-4
• National Science Content Standard D for 5-8

Language Arts

• Common Core Reading Standards for Literature: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
• Common Core Reading Standards: Foundational Skills:
  • 2nd: Phonics and Word Recognition
• 3rd, 4th, 5th: Phonics and Word Recognition, Fluency
• Common Core Speaking and Listening Standards: Comprehension and Collaboration - 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
• Common Core Language Standards: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use -2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
• Common Core Standard 10: Range, Quality & Complexity:
  • Range of Text Types for K-5th
  • Range of Text Types for 6th-12th

National Core Arts Standards

• Music - Anchor Standards 4-6
• Theater - Anchor Standards 3-6
• Dance - Anchor Standards 1-6

Vocabulary

geology
Richter scale
volcano
earthquake
seismograph
tectonic plate
continental plate
fault
San Andreas fault
igneous
metamorphic
sedimentary
canyon
desert
mountain
molten rock/magma
pyroclastic
Mt. St. Helens vent
ore
mantel
core
crust
gravel
marble
limestone
basalt
granite
fossil fuel
natural gas
oil
coal
decompose
precious metal
valley
weathering
plateau
Himalayas
mineral silver
iron
gold
diamond
copper
aluminum
nickel
lead
opal
sapphire
emerald
ruby
rock cycle
sediment
geo-thermal

Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Wolf Products and Licensing

How does your pricing and licensing work?

A: In short: each teacher/director using the play should have a copy of it. That's it! Your purchase gives you the right to use the play with as many classes as you wish, to photocopy the script for your actors, and to put on as many performances as you wish. This one-time purchase gives you a lifetime license. See below for more information on site licenses (for 3+ teachers or whole schools).

Q: What comes in the package?

A: Every musical play comes with the script and a 12-page Teacher's Guide that provides lots of tips and advice for using the play from start to finish. It also includes the audio recording for the play, which has all the songs both WITH and WITHOUT vocals. Sheet music is NOT included with the basic package, but it is available for $12. Extra/replacement CDs are also available for $12.

Every non-musical play comes with the script and the 12-page Teacher's Guide.

Q: I'm just one teacher putting on a play. If I use the play with multiple classes, do I have to purchase multiple licenses?

A: No! Your purchase gives you a lifetime license to be used with as many actors and classes as you wish. If other teachers/directors wish to use the play as well, they will need to purchase their own licenses.

Q: Do I need to purchase scripts for students?

A: No! Your purchase includes permission to photocopy the script for your actors.

Q: What is a "site license"? How do I know if I need one?

A site license is the economical choice when a whole school or grade level wants to put on the same play. Instead of each teacher/director having to purchase a script, the school/site can purchase a site license. This comes with three copies of the play (or one digital download) and permission to make copies for any additional participating teachers, as well as all the actors. You do NOT need to purchase both a site license and individual copies of the play; just buy one or the other.

Q: I understand that I can get two or more scripts for $35 each. Do they have to be the same play?

Nope! The discount applies whether you are purchasing multiple copies of the same show or single copies of multiple shows.

Q: What is the difference between the printed and digital versions? Which one should I get?

There is no difference in terms of content. The printed version of a musical play comes with an audio CD in a plastic sleeve in the back of the book. The digital version comes with two downloadable files: the script (PDF format) and the songs (individual MP3 files compressed in ZIP format). The advantage of the digital version is that you will not pay shipping and you can start using it instantly. Please read the question following this one about the technical requirements for digital files.

Non-musical plays are available in the form of a printed book or a PDF file.

Q: What are the technical requirements for the digital version?

1. You will need to have Adobe Reader (free) or another software application that can open PDF files.
2. You will need to be able to open ZIP files. The vast majority of computers should be able to do this without difficulty. If you wish to download the music directly to your phone or tablet, you will need to download an app that will open ZIP files. Many free ones are available.
3. You will need to have some kind of audio player (such as iTunes or Windows Media Player) that will play MP3 files.

Advanced technical knowledge is not required; but please note that we do not have the ability to offer technical support for issues related to digital files. If you are unsure, it is probably best to stick with the printed version.

Q: What is your return/exchange policy?

A: Bad Wolf proudly offers a 100% guarantee. You can always exchange a product for another or get a full refund. No time limits, no questions.

Q: Is it OK if I edit the script?

A: Yes! Consider the play to be a jumping-off point. You are always welcome to change or omit anything that doesn't work for your class, administration, or parents. You are welcome to rewrite lyrics, lines, or jokes -- or add your own! (The kids love doing this, by the way.)

Q: How long does shipping take?

A: We say that you should allow for one week within the U.S., but most orders are shipped the same day and arrive 1-3 days later. International orders usually take around two weeks to arrive.

Q: Do I need to pay any performance royalties?

A: As long as your admission price is less than $5 per ticket, you never need to pay performance royalties with a Bad Wolf show. If you decide to charge more than $5 a ticket, or if you are using one of our plays for a PAID workshop, camp, assembly, etc., pay only a low 1-2% royalty on gross revenues. See our royalty page to view the rates and pay.