+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inside a Geode

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students examine a variety of geodes and discuss how they are formed. Individually, they make their own geode creation out of markers and clay. To end the lesson, they use watercolors to paint them to their desired color and glitter to...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Your World

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Learners define soil, dirt, clay, silt, and sand. They conduct an online scavenger hunt, answer pre-written online questions on a piece of paper, and play the Earth Materials Game after completing the scavenger hunt.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock and Roll with Music and Movement

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders improvise music and dance to express their analysis of types of rocks. They discuss the three classes of rocks, list describing words, and create a short musical piece and dance to symbolize the rock they are dancing.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Everybody Needs a Rock

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Here is a lesson that rocks! Young scientists choose a rock and list words that describe it. They estimate the mass of their rocks and rank them within a group. They measure their rocks for volume and write a story that somehow includes...
+
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 lesson students identify minerals using their common properties.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classify Rocks

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students classify different types of rocks. In this earth science lesson, students test different rock samples and construct a chart to record observations. They create a concept map that answers essential questions.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Cycle SIOP Unit

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students collect rocks, identify them, classify them, investigate their properties, and more. For this rocks lesson plan, students also experiment with soil and erosion and weather.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dark Days

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the impacts of erosion. In this Science lesson plan, 4th graders determine connections between plants and soil erosion. Students examine the historical implications of erosion.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keeping Soil in Its Place

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate erosion. In this Science lesson, 4th graders explore the role of weathering and plant growth related to erosion. Students define the components of soil. Students explore the history of the Dust Bowl.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Secrets to Healthy Soil

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

The Soil Chain

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders show the needs of plants met by soil. For 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...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Rocks

For Teachers K
Students recognize differences in the size, shape, texture, and color of different rocks. In this rocks lesson plan, students also learn and repeat back how a volcano erupts and make one out of a toilet paper tube.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is a Karst?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners examine the process that creates limestone.  In this limestone lesson plan students complete a worksheet and participate in a lab activity. 
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Lots of Rocks

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this rocks worksheet, students read the descriptions of where each rock is and then fill in the chart to find each rock's position. Students complete this for 3 rocks.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

First Grade Science Rocks!

For Teachers 1st
First graders examine rocks. In this rock lesson, 1st graders look at the properties of rocks and classify them. They discover the three types of rocks: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sampling Rocks

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students examine sampling by investigating rocks found in the schoolyard.  In this sampling rocks lesson students collect and analyze a sample of rocks.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sampling Rocks

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students study rocks they find on the playground.  In this investigative activity students collect and analyze rocks they find and answer questions about them. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Differences

For Teachers 1st
First graders find the differences in rocks. In this rock lesson, 1st graders look at different rocks and write at least 3 ways that they look or feel different. They discuss how rocks are formed in different ways and how this affects...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Abrasion

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students discover how abrasion works on rocks. For this science lesson, students experiment by showing how abrasion works by using sugar cubes.
+
Interactive
Curated OER

Rocks and Minerals Internet Hunt

For Students 4th - 5th
In this rocks and minerals instructional activity, students use provided links to research questions about rocks and minerals, and complete internet activities given, using links provided.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

If You Bit A Rock

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students describe the physical characteristics of a familiar model and apply it to an unfamiliar one.  In this investigative lesson students become familiar with rock characteristics by participating in a candy bar activity. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classifying Rocks

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders classify rocks. In this rocks and minerals lesson, 3rd graders observe, make inferences and conclusions about rocks, minerals, soil and fossils.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Talk

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students read a book about rocks and complete a rock analysis activity. In this rock study lesson, students read the book Everybody Needs a Rock and select a rock to observe and describe. Students record the properties of rocks, classify...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are Rocks and Minerals?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students identify the properties of rocks. In this rocks and minerals lesson, students use the Internet to learn about the properties of rocks and minerals. Students conduct a test to determine whether various samples of rock are limestone.