Curated OER
BOWEN'S REACTION SERIES
Learners research Bowen's Reaction Series and recreate the process in an experiment which details the crystallization sequence of minerals that can be observed in nature.
Curated OER
The Rock Cycle
In this rock cycle activity, students copy the table illustrated for data and observations of rock samples. Then they examine the rock samples observing the characteristics and the arrangement of grains in each. Students then record...
Curated OER
Igneous Rocks
In this igneous rocks activity, learners identify and explain which minerals are the first to crystallize from cooling magma according to the diagram shown. Then they describe what types of rocks are formed by those minerals. Students...
Curated OER
Science: Create Your Own Rock
Second graders create rocks using colored paper to represent the various minerals. After reviewing the various minerals contained in rock, they cut pieces of scrap paper and paste them on handouts. Finally, 2nd graders give their rocks...
Curated OER
Sand Hunt
In this earth science worksheet, students identify and locate various rocks and minerals listed on the sheet. Then they describe each one in the boxes given.
Curated OER
Earth Science--Letter "F"
In this earth science worksheet, students locate and identify vocabulary terms related to earth science that begin with the letter "F." There are 24 words located in the puzzle.
Curated OER
Crystals & Fossils
In this earth science activity, students identify and locate vocabulary terms related to crystals and fossils. There are 32 words located in the puzzle.
Province of British Columbia
B.c. Ministry of Energy and Mines: Common Rock Forming Minerals
There are six common minerals most often found in rocks. They are quartz, feldspar, olivine, mica, pyroxene, and amphibole. This website provides photos and information on each, and discusses their importance when identifying rocks.
Other
The image.com: Gem Gallery
Learn all about gemstones at this site. Here you can view gem images and read the very detailed descriptions and general information facts pertaining to select gems.
Other
The image.com: Minerals
This is a very large list of minerals complete with image and physical descriptions, chemical descriptions, and classification.
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Earth Science: Minerals Iii: The Silicates
Instructional module focusing on the Silicate minerals. Discussion includes the most common minerals on Earth such as quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, pyroxene, and olivine. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links...
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Production of Specific u.s. Gemstones
Photos of the principal gemstones produced in the United States, including an introduction to historical and other background information for each one.
University of Oregon
Ask Geo Man: Igneous Rock Forming Minerals
Ask GeoMan lists Olivine, Pyroxene, Amphibole, Feldspar, Mica and Quartz, as five common rock forming minerals. Characteristics of each are also given.
Other
Scienceviews.com: Minerals and Their Uses
Every segment of society uses minerals and mineral resources everyday. The roads we ride or drive on and the buildings we live learn and work in all contain minerals. Below is a selected list of commonly used metallic and nonmetallic...
Other
Minerals Education Coalition: Minerals Database
This resource provides photographs of and information about various minerals.
Jewelry Central
Jewelry Central: Moonstone
An article on a commercial site describing the physical characteristics of this gemstone, along with its historical and metaphysical properties.
Other
Mindat: Feldspar
This website lists minerals included in the feldspar group, as well as some synonyms, relationships to other species, and related internet links.
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Mineral Gallery: Moonstone
This resource provides information on Moonstone, or Oligoclase.
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: The Feldspar Group
With nearly 20 members in its group, there are only nine really well known feldspar minerals. You can check them out here.
Utah State Office of Education
Utah State Office of Education: Identifying and Classifying Minerals
This thorough Utah State Office of Education site explains the criteria for identifying minerals and provides pictures of various minerals.
Curated OER
The image.com: Minerals
This is a very large list of minerals complete with image and physical descriptions, chemical descriptions, and classification.