Columbus City Schools
Thinking Like A Soil Scientist
Ready to roll up those sleeves and get your hands dirty? Dirty with soil science content, that is! Overcome those "But it's just dirt" objections with a trip outside to collect soil samples for some in-class analysis. Use the variety of...
Curated OER
Crystals
Young scholars investigate patterns in solids, the structures of crystals and rocks made up of minerals. For this crystals lesson plan, students review solids, make patterns with Styrofoam balls, make crystals in the lab and observe...
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Mineral Identification
In this mineral identification lesson plan, students analyze 14 minerals and test their physical properties. They test the color, luster, streak, hardness and breakage of each mineral. Students answer 5 questions about the physical...
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The Rock Cycle
In this rock cycle worksheet, students are given 6 terms and 6 definitions related to rock formation and the rock cycle. Students match the terms with their definitions and paste the definition next to the term.
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Bring A Rock
Students investigate rocks and minerals. They collect a rock, describe it in writing, and in small groups divide their group of rocks into subgroups based on their team's classification.
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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...
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How We Use Rocks: Part 1
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.
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Minerals
In this minerals worksheet, learners are given 6 statements about minerals and they find the errors in each sentence and re-write each properly. They also fill in the blanks for 8 sentences with given terms related to minerals, groups of...
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Mining the Web
In this rock and mineral instructional activity, learners visit http://sciencespot.net and explore a variety of sites about rocks and minerals in order to complete questions about geology, the rock cycle, and rock creations.
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Children Actively Investigating Rocks and Minerals
Students follow directions to set up their own record keeping journal. As a class, they are introduced to the characteristics of crystals and identify three types of crystals they see in their everyday lives. They examine materials they...
American Museum of Natural History
Finding Fossils
How does one go about finding fossils? Find out with an informative webpage that looks at the digging process, showcases rocks and common fossils, helpful tips, and a list of archeological do's and don'ts.
Education Outside
Soil Composition & Discovery
Organic or mineral? How does the matter matter? Second graders use their knowledge of the rock cycle to label the different components in garden soil.
Scholastic
Study Jams! Soil
Seven superb slides sharpen science students' scoop on soil. In viewing them and reading the accompanying captions, your class will uncover the importance, different types, horizons, and protection of soil. They can then assess their new...
PBS
Sea Surface Temperature, Salinity, and Density
Earth's vast ocean is full of mysteries! Science scholars discover the big-picture properties that influence its characteristics at different latitudes using a lesson from PBS's Weather and Climate series. After completing a background...
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Geologic Age
Students investigate radioactivity as a tool for measuring geologic time and how geologists use this information to determine the absolute age of rocks or minerals.
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Create Your Own Rock!
Fourth graders create and name their own rock by combining paper minerals. They define rock and mineral, examine samples of minerals, and using colored scrap paper, arrange and glue the pieces of paper to represent a new mineral.
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Rocks and Minerals Composition Database
Fourth graders research a specific rock or mineral. They compile the facts into a database which students access for information.
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Rockin? Chalk (Integrating science - make own chalk)
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.
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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...
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Minerals, Crystals, and Gems
Students discover the relationships between minerals, crystals and gems. They bring in rocks that they find at home, in the schoolyard, etc. and examine them and attempt to identify them. They set up a classroom exhibit that includes all...
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Sedimentary Rocks
In this sedimentary rocks instructional activity, students conduct an experiment where they observe a shallow dish of water and table salt. Then they determine what causes the salt to leave deposits in the pan. Students also describe...
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The Rock Cycle
In this rock cycle worksheet, students study the diagram of the rock cycle and explain how minerals originally in magma could travel through the cycle. Then they identify how these minerals end up in each of three main classifications of...
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Igneous Rocks
In this igneous rocks worksheet, students identify the lave that cools quickly and entraps air and other gases. Then they describe the molten material found below the Earth's surface. Students also give another name for the mineral...
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Minerals: Earth's Jewels
In this minerals instructional activity, students will review 5 vocabulary words associated with minerals including rock, gem, ore, and crystal. Then students will complete a crossword puzzle with 7 terms relating to the different tests...