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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.
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Pyrites
Learners examine the mineral pyrite and discover the differences between it and gold. In this mineral lesson students identify minerals using their common properties.
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Science: Create Your Own Rock
Second graders create rocks using colored paper to represent the various minerals. After reviewing the various minerals contained in rock, they cut pieces of scrap paper and paste them on handouts. Finally, 2nd graders give their rocks...
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I Spy
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...
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Planet Oit!
Twelfth graders use this game to find minerals given rocks and outcrops in a plausible (but not real) geologic setting. They play without outside encouragement for hours as the world is fun to explore and the scoring system encourages...
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Quartz
In this quartz worksheet, students read about the chemical structure and properties of quartz and its commercial applications. Then, students complete 7 short answer questions.
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Project Geode
Young scholars predict the appearance of a geode's internal structure based on its mass and density. They form a hypothesis based on the data they collect. They also identify common minerals found in Illinois.
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Building-Stone Geology
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...
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Secrets to Healthy Soil
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.
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Bellwork for Week 4-Geology and the Periodic Table
In this geology and the periodic table learning exercise, students answer nine questions about specific minerals, the patterns in the periodic table, and properties of rocks and minerals.
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I Spy
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.
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Sink or Float?
Students analyze the relationship between density, buoyancy, and salinity. In this chemical properties lesson, students read a background activity for the lesson and experiments to the topics. Students discuss the questions and complete...
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Moh's Scale of Hardness
Students investigate how to use Moh's Hardness Scale. For 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...
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Classifying Rocks and Minerals
Students identify rock types by observing key characteristics. Describe the differences between minerals and rocks. Observe rocks using a magnifying glass and draw shapes and colors of the minerals.
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How We Use Rocks: Part 1
Students 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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"What If The Earth Were Made Of Sand
High schoolers examine the most common characteristics of clay and sand, and to understand how the properties of these materials affect the erosion of the landscape and the formation of the many landforms. They explore clay and sand...
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Mineralogy, Astronomy, & Ancient Wisdom
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.
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Cool Collectibles and Super Sorts
Second graders investigate properties of rocks and create a classroom rock collection.
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Science: What Happens to Create the Lode?
High schoolers 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.
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Finding the Ages of Rocks and Fossils
Students practice dating fossils. They learn the concept of "deep time"--that earth was formed billions of years ago. They experience excellent hand-outs and virtual age tutorial links.
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...
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Grow an Alum Crystal
What an exciting lab experiment to conduct with your high school chemistry class! Crystals are formed naturally in the environment. However, allow your blossoming chemists to create their own unique crystals using alum and water. You may...
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Shake, Rattle and Roll
Learners 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.
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The Soil Chain
Fourth graders show the needs of plants met by soil. In this Science lesson, 4th graders detail the components of soil and determine which are living or once living and non-living. Students determine the needs of plant growth that are...