Curated OER
Science: Rock On!
Fourth graders explore the traits of rocks and minerals in their local area. After creating a rock and mineral legend, they color maps based on their legends. Once students examine rock and mineral specimens, they draw pictures of them.
Curated OER
Wappo Tools
Third graders explore the materials used by the Wappo tribe used to make tools. They compare and contrast the different types of arrowheads and their uses. With adult supervision, they make arrowheads from obsidian.
Children's Museum
Children's Museum of Indianapolis: Floating Rock Geo Mysteries
Did you know that there are some rocks that actually float? Follow this interactive investigation to find out which ones and why.
PBS
Nova: America's Stone Age Explorers: The Fenn Cache
A close-up look at ten beautiful Clovis points made from several different materials found in what is known as the Fenn Cache.
University of Oregon
Museum of Natural and Cultural History: Rocks and Minerals: Everyday Uses
Click on the shelves in this virtual exhibition to learn about the many rocks and minerals that we use in our everyday lives.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: If Rocks Could Talk: Obsidian
A simple explanation of how obsidian rock is formed.
Other
Ancient American Civilizations: Mesoamerica
This resource gives an overview of the beginnings of Mesoamerican civilization. The sections about the Olmec are "Early Preclassic" and "Middle Preclassic." Includes information about the raw materials and the luxury items used by the...
Australian Museum
Australian Museum: Igneous Rock Types
Learn about the different types of igneous rocks and how they are classified.
Mex Connect
Mexconnect: The Classic Period (300 900 Ce): Part 1/3
First in a three-part article that focuses on three Mesoamerican cities, beginning with Teotihuacan in present day Mexico.
Other
Different World: Teotihuacan: In a Place Where Men Became Gods
This survey of the ancient city of Teotihuacan provides and accessible introduction to this Mesoamerican archeological site known for the third-largest pyramid in the world.