+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pyrites

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the mineral pyrite and discover the differences between it and gold.  In this mineral activity students identify minerals using their common properties.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Spy

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders investigate the properties and uses of rocks. They sort magazine pictures into the categories of living and nonliving, play a game of I Spy for objects made of rock, and make rubbings of the rock items for their Rock...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strong Chemistry

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners research and create a poster about a gemstone. In this mineral properties lesson, students view a video about diamonds. They discuss the properties of minerals and choose a gemstone to research and create a poster.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Secrets to Healthy Soil

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore needed mineral nutrients for healthy soil. In this soil lesson, 4th graders investigate how living and nonliving elements combine to contribute to fertile soil development.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building-Stone Geology

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students examine building stones in downtown St. Petersburg in order t study igneous and metamorphic rocks in central Florida ( a huge area consisting solely of sedimentary rock). Each student picks a particular rock type used in a...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environment" The Mining Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the world of mining and explain its importance in daily life. After describing how companies search for mineral deposits, they examine the environmental consequences of mining as well as the positive aspects. The...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Spy

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders play the game I Spy to help identify objects made from rock. They investigate the properties and uses of rocks and go on an I Spy search on the playground. They sort pictures according to living and nonliving objects.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How We Use Rocks: Part 1

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners are introduced to rocks and their physical properties. We use rock and mineral products everyday. In fact, each person in the United States uses an average of 10 tons of rock and mineral products every year.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lunar Geology

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate mineral contents in lunar rocks.  In this lunar rock lesson students identify simulated lunar rocks based on mineral content. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shake, Rattle and Roll

For Teachers K - 4th
Students 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.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moh's Scale of Hardness

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate how to use Moh's Hardness Scale. In this geology lesson, students examine several minerals and develop a hypothesis about which mineral is the hardest. Students use the Moh's Scale Identification Chart to determine...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rockin? Chalk (Integrating science - make own chalk)

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students use plaster of Paris, talc, and cornstarch to create their own chalk. They hypothesize what mixture of ingredients produce the "best" chalk. Students discuss what they think are the characteristics of the "best" chalk.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mohs Hardness Test

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine what the Mohs Hardness Scale is before testing a number of minerals to determine their place on the scale. They test a fingernail, a penny, a knife blade, a metal file, and several unknown minerals and rocks using...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mining

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Student pretends to be a research scientist for a mining company. They work in a laboratory that investigates methods of getting useful minerals from rocks. They complete experiment using chocolate chip cookies.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How is Gold Found in the Ground?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a series of activities designed to simulate mining for gold. They pan for "gold" and create a safe tunnel.
+
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Watching Crystals Grow

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weathering and Wind

For Teachers 6th - 9th
In this weathering and wind worksheet, students simulate the effects of weathering by wind using 2 canisters, 2 types of sandpaper and 2 sugar cubes. Students swirl the sugar cubes inside the canisters lined with fine and course...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mineralogy, Astronomy, & Ancient Wisdom

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students complete a variety of activities surrounding minerals, crystals, and mineralogy. They locate common minerals on a world map, complete a lab in which they identify the chemical and physical properties of various minerals, etc.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Amazing metals: Nevada quarter reverse

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Nevada's nickname is "The Silver State" and metal is what this lesson is all about. Pupils will make a T-chart to discuss the differences between metals and minerals, then write and explain the properties of metal. They will get into...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Good Vibrations Remote Sensing data Collection: Thermal Emission Spectrometer

For Teachers 4th - 8th
The Mars Global Surveyor spent two years creating a mineral map of the planet Mars using thermal emission spectrometry. To help young astronomers understand this remote sensing instrument, have them simulate how data is collected and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Computer Lab Lesson Plan - Science

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students examine rocks and minerals. Using the internet, students research rocks and how they are formed. They use word processing software to list minerals and materials that form specific rocks.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: What Happens to Create the Lode?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students understand how mineral deposits are formed and why they are not evenly dispersed. They create and describe three different precipitates from four solutions simulating mineral ore deposit formation in sedimentary rock.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glacial Geocaching

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders measure strike and dip of given land features and explain the difference between them. They also look at rock and mineral samples for indentification, along with calculating the density. Finally, information is analyzed...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocky Observations

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine two images of rocks, make their own observations of individual rocks through drawing, and explain how the same observation skills can be used in the study of geology.

Other popular searches