Curated OER
Exploring Uses of Rocks and Minerals
Students explore the uses of rocks and minerals. They make observations to identify objects from the present and past are made out of rocks.
Curated OER
Sorting Rocks
Students devise a rock word web and sort rocks by applying the categories they discuss.
Curated OER
Minerals- the Building Blocks of Rocks
Students investigate how rocks are composed minerals by dissecting rock cookies.
Curated OER
GeoHunt
Students describe the difference between geological resources and othe natural resources. They list the rocks, minerals, and fossil fuels that are found in Illinois and their uses. They identify ways to conserve natural resources.
Curated OER
Sediment Sleuths
Students classify sediments based on their physical characteristics, such as size, shape and color. They identify and describe rocks and minerals that are common to their region of the state.
Project SMART
Rocks and Minerals: Touch the Earth
Students complete a unit of lessons on rocks and minerals. They conduct research, write e-mail questions to geologists, write daily journal entries, label maps demonstrating types of rocks/minerals found, and create a web page that...
Curated OER
How We Use Rocks: Part 1
Second graders read books about rocks, observe rocks and locate a special rock to observe more closely. They complete a worksheet about the chosen rock and create an art project using rocks or pebbles.
Curated OER
Rock Hounds at Heart
Second graders read "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" by iam Steig and practice describing rocks using different physical properties. They make observations and develop and describe categories such as texture, color, density, hardness, etc.
Curated OER
Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils
Fourth graders do 5 different lab stations to explore rocks, minerals, and fossils.
Curated OER
Shake, Rattle and Roll
Young scholars compare the weathering of different-sized materials. Comparisons are made and data analyzed to reach conclusions about the process of weathering. Applications can be made for the higher grades.
Curated OER
Rock Concert
Students examine the three major types of rocks. They create a song, skit, or poem describing the three kinds of rocks and how they are formed, then present their creations for a class rock concert.
Curated OER
The Incredible Edible Rocks
Students study the three different types of rocks and view examples of each. Then in small groups they observe three treats and compare them to the three types of rocks. The results are placed on a Venn diagram to show the similarities...
Curated OER
A Rocky Situation
Second graders conduct experiments with rocks to observe weathering. They read books, examine websites and watch a video to examine how rocks break down into soil.
Curated OER
Rockin' Minerals
Third graders view a clip of the video Backyard Safari, "Rocks and Minerals," and discuss properties of rocks and minerals. They view and discuss a clip on where rocks and minerals are found.
Curated OER
Investigation 2 - Classifying Rocks
Fourth graders identify basic properties of minerals and rocks. They access websites and utilize worksheets imbedded in this lesson to further their understanding of rock classification.
Curated OER
Geology Activities: Rock Making
Students create their own gems using a simple experiment and learning process in class.
Curated OER
Sampling Rocks
Students study about sampling through an investigation of rocks found in the schoolyard. They sort the collected rocks by characteristics such as size, weight, and color, to see if any generalizations can be made about the types of rocks...
Curated OER
Rock Collecting
Students practice classifying rocks in the categories sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. They bring personal rock collections to school, then correctly label the three types of rocks on posterboard.
Curated OER
MatchCard Science
In this geology exploration worksheet, students complete a comparison chart of minerals and rocks that the teacher provides. Sample answers and alternate activities are provided on a second page.
Curated OER
Rock Identification Lab
Eighth graders compare and contrast the three different types of rock. In this earth science lesson plan, 8th graders classify rock samples according to their correct rock type. They design their own data collection table.
Curated OER
Making Craters
Students study craters and identify the different things that characterize craters. In this crater lesson plan students create a model of an impact crater.
Curated OER
Earth
In this Earth worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer by describing the Earth's layers and the types of rocks and landforms found on the Earth.
Curated OER
Rocks Word Search Puzzle
In this literacy worksheet, students look for the words that are related to the concept that is reviewed in the sheet. They also acquire new vocabulary.
Curated OER
Density lab
Students relate the concept of density in relation to the rocks that make up the Earth. They determine the density of various rock specimens and answer assessment questions.