Rocks and Minerals
Lesson 4
Discovering Minerals
Students are introduced to minerals as the building blocks of rocks.
3. Lesson set up and Management
INQD: Simple instruments, such as magnifiers, thermometers, and rulers provide more information than scientists can obtain using only their unaided senses.
PS2A: Objects have properties, including size, weight, hardness, color, shape, texture, and magnetism. Unknown substances can sometimes be identified by their properties.
PS2B: An object may be made from different materials. These materials give the object certain properties.
- Students will learn the concept that rocks contain minerals.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Materials:
- Signs with each material and the amount needed to be picked up at the materials center are helpful.
Student Management:
- Assign one partner to be the materials manager and have that student pick up the materials from the materials center after you model how to do it.
- PREPARATION #1
- Laminate the chart with the circle and the word "ROCKS" for use year after year. Write the lesson # in the right corner for easy reference.
Writing Support:
- Students will record their observations about the three mineral samples on Record Sheet 4-A, and students will write their thoughts about how rocks and minerals are the same and different.
Reading Support:
- Read Magic School Bus Inside the Earth. It is best to do this over two days with a class set of books or the big book version. It is usually done during the literature block. This is an excellent time to summarize what has been taught and what has been learned.
Math Support:
- Have measurement tools available for students to use.
- Complete the rock portion of the Venn Diagram.
Last updated 06/18/2009