Curated OER
How hard is it?
Inquiry is probably one of the most fun ways kids learn. They will test the hardness of 10 different minerals in order to classify them. They rate each of the minerals from most to least hard. Note: Having real minerals for this...
Other
Mineralogical Society of America: Mineral Identification Key: Mineral Properties
Scientists classify minerals based on a set of physical properties. Each of these properties is described in detail.
Other
Geologynet: Rock Forming Minerals
Use the search to find information on rock forming minerals. Characteristics including formula, color, cleavage, and hardness are presented in an easy-to-read chart.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Georgia Virtual Learning: Geology: Minerals
In this amazing interactive tutorial, you'll learn about minerals - the building blocks or rocks and the Earth. We'll talk about what makes something a mineral, and how differences in these minerals let us organize them into different...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Materials and Minerals
Seven hands-on lessons module that allows students to learn about materials and minerals. These inquiry-based explorations investigate properties of materials, where mineral deposits can be found, how deposits are formed, how minerals...
Minerals Ed
Mineral Resources Education Program of Bc: Teacher Resources
Teachers find resources connected to the minerals industry of British Columbia, including comprehensive units for all grade levels, with specific curriculum links to provincial curriculum, and integrated science kits.
Other
University of Bristol, Uk: Minerals Under the Microscope
In this geology course, students learn about the use of the polarizing microscope, the primary tool for examining the structure of mineral samples such as cleavage, density, fracture, color, and the like.
Other
Caterpillar: Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future [Pdf]
This set of lesson plans was developed to accompany Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future, a documentary film created by Caterpillar and Science North. They introduce learners to the various phases involved in mining,...
University of Oxford (UK)
The Learning Zone: Minerals
In this interactive you will learn about minerals--how to identify them and how you use them in your everyday life.
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.
San Diego Natural History Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum: Mineral Matters: Hardness
Identifying a mineral by hardness? This website explains how to use the Mohs' hardness scale and provides examples.
James Madison University
James Madison University: Mineral Hardness and Cleavage
An explanation of the Mohs Hardness scale is followed by illustrations of crystal structures and cleavage.
James Madison University
James Madison University: Mineral Luster
Mineral photos depicting metallic and non-metallic luster. Includes shiny, glassy, and earthy examples.
James Madison University
James Madison U.: Bowen's Reaction Series & Igneous Rock Forming Minerals
If you're interested in learning about the igneous rock-forming minerals in seeing multiple pictures of each sample, then this is your site. It also includes the chain that these minerals follow. Click on the PDF link for a printable...
Other
Webmineral.com: Mineral Luster
This site lists thirty different terms for describing the luster of minerals.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Landforms, Rocks & Minerals: Minerals
A slideshow and a short multiple-choice quiz on the topic of minerals and how to identify them by their properties.
Other
Geologynet: Online Mineral Database
Search for mineral formulas and crystal structures by entering the keywords or mineral names on this mineral database.
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Physical Characteristics of Minerals
The properties of minerals are defined in this resource, such as color, luster, cleavage, hardness, streak, and more. Included are pictures of minerals along with detailed descriptions. You can also search for minerals by name, class, or...
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Minerals by Name
Use this resource to look up any mineral by name to see its picture along with history, class, uses, related minerals, and physical properties. Just choose from this alphabetically sorted list of minerals.
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Mineral Gallery: What Is Crystal Cleavage?
After explaining the difference between cleavage and fracture, this resource discusses various types of cleavage and their importance in identifying minerals.
Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington: Mohs Hardness Scale [Pdf]
A chart of Mohs hardness scale with pictures of minerals at each level of hardness.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Minerals
The students will gain information on the five characteristics of minerals. The information can be related to nonrenewable resources. This lesson plan should facilitate discussion on the difference between precious gems and semi-precious...
University of Oregon
Geo Man's Mineral and Rock Charts
This site contains several charts that can be used for identifying rocks and minerals based on traits such as hardness, luster and color.
San Diego Natural History Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum: Mineral Matters: Luster
A brief introduction to identifying a mineral by its luster. Examples of terms used to describe luster, such as metallic, glassy, and dull are listed.