Curated OER
Species Identification Using Dichotomous Keys
To help your students unlock the wonderful world of living things, teach them to use a dichotomous key.
Curated OER
Sediment Sleuths
Are you looking for a good, solid lesson on sedimentary rocks? This one, produced by the Illinois State Museum, is just such a lesson. Middle schoolers identify common rocks and minerals by analyzing sediments from local water sources....
Curated OER
Field Research Project: Comparing the Parent Rock Material of the San Francisco Terranes With Local Soil Types
Students investigate rocks and minerals and take a field trip to sample soils. They analyze rocks and soil, research the geological terrenes of the topology of San Francisco, and produce a lab research report.
Curated OER
Name that Natural Resource
Students discuss natural resources. In this science lesson, students understand that physical properties can be used to identify minerals and complete the chart each day working alone or in a small group.
Curated OER
Museum Adventure WebQuest
Students discover the background and properties of minerals. They examine fluorite and record data after testing it. They use the internet to help them discover information about minerals.
Curated OER
Is It Grown or Mined?
Students are introduced to how to identify various minerals. In groups, they compare and contrast raw materials that were grown and mined. They discuss their views on mining and identify the ore minerals and their purpose to end the...
Curated OER
Plate Tectonics: Fourth Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
The pre-lab portion of the lesson introduces emerging geologists to the various layers that make up Earth. After completing a sheet on the identification of the layers, class members simulate plate boundaries and their...
Virginia Department of Education
Igneous Rocks
High schoolers explore igneous rocks by observing rock samples and considering cooling rates and composition. The third installment of a five-part geology series culminates in an activity where learners use igneous rock characteristics...
Curated OER
Glacial Geocaching
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...
K-State Research and Extensions
Field Trip Preparations
Scholars prepare for a field trip to collect rock specimens. They learn how to build proper display boxes, create road logs, and study various geology careers. This is the final chapter in a seven-chapter unit on geology and contains six...
Curated OER
Rock of Ages
Students are given a classification table and samples from their location. They locate their samples on the classification table using the characteristics used in rock identification.
Curated OER
What Is in a Rock?
Students identify, sort, and classify mineral samples that make up a common rock.
Curriculum Corner
Coniferous and Deciduous Trees
What are the differences between coniferous and deciduous trees? Supplement your tree lessons with a set of activities that has learners describing, naming, comparing, and reading about deciduous and coniferous trees. The activities are...
Curated OER
Petrology in the Gravel Pit
Students are introduced to a wide range of rock types when they examine pebbles and boulders exposed in a gravel pit. Students practice rock description and identification and categorize the rocks sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic.
Teach Engineering
Rocks, Rocks, Rocks: Test, Identify Properties and Classify
Time is growing short. Teams work together to identify physical properties of rocks in order to determine the properties that would best suit their cavern shelter design.
Curated OER
Integrating Physical Science and the Geological Environment
Students undertake a series of experiments and activities related to geology, especially in Connecticut. They evaluate types of rocks, minerals, and crystals, exploring the main concepts of geology.
Curated OER
Rock Identification Lab
Eighth graders compare and contrast the three different types of rock. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders classify rock samples according to their correct rock type. They design their own data collection table.
Curated OER
Skeletal System
Seventh graders explore the functions of the skeletal system. They collaborate in small groups to determine the function of the skeletal system, the types of joints and movement, bone strength and growth, and bone injuries including...
Curated OER
Famous Rock Groups
Students define igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary, and use rock identification books to identify igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Students then discuss which rocks early man would have found useful for tool creation.
K-State Research and Extensions
Size It Up
The three types of rock aren't classic, punk, and hard. The chapter covers everything scholars need to know about rocks. Pupils compare rocks, learn about their formation, see how rocks change, and follow every step of the rock cycle....
Columbus City Schools
It's the Heat and the Pressure?
Ready for a change? Give a comprehensive collection of metamorphic materials a try! With the assortment of printables and lab activities, you won't be under pressure to keep things lively. The unit culminates by having pupils complete an...
Columbus City Schools
Sedimentary Rocks
Turn your class discussion of rock formation from ho-hum to holy hornfels! Junior geologists gain experience in identifying rock types and rock origins, with an emphasis in hypothesizing the environment needed to form certain rocks. The...
Curated OER
Parent and Student Involvement In Transition Planning
Young scholars work with educators, parents, and ancillary staff to determine the appropriate team members to be present at Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Along with the student, a team of care providers creates a...
Curated OER
Classification
Students gather and classify samples of a given item (rocks, fossils, seeds, etc.) They discuss various ways of classifying and that there are many different ways that are acceptable.