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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Story of Rocks

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this science worksheet, students learn to classify rocks as igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic. Students learn what a mineral is and the stages of the rock cycle. Students experiment with samples of 7 minerals and record data on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock vs. Mineral - Lesson #1

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students describe visual, textural, and other physical qualities of sample rock specimens. Using compare and contrast skills, students sort and classify the specimens according to their assessments of the qualities present in each....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moh's Hardness Test

For Teachers 4th
Young geologists utilize Moh's hardness scale to help them correctly sort and classify different types of rocks. This lesson has everything you need, including an excellent example of the Mohs' Hardness Test, to successfully implement...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystery Minerals

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students minerals and how they form. They investigate the classification of minerals according to physical properties. Students watch a video about mineral characteristics. In groups, students participate in hands-on activities and...
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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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigation 2 - Classifying Rocks

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify basic properties of minerals and rocks. They access websites and utilize worksheets imbedded in this lesson to further their understanding of rock classification.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classifying Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks Lesson Plan

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students become familiar with the characteristics of rocks and use them to sort.  In this rocks instructional activity, students view a video, then try to identify various rock samples.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sedimentary Rocks

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss the basic properties of rocks, the processes involved in the formation of soils, and the needs of plants provided by soil. They write descriptions in their Science journal and identify and discuss each type of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Is in a Rock?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers identify, sort, and classify mineral samples that make up a common rock.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keying Rocks

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders observe several examples of types of rock and write about their similarities and differences in their science journals. They discuss their observations and discover that rocks are grouped according to the scientific...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You've Got to Be Cool to Make Igneous Rocks

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students describe how igneous rocks are formed, design a classification system to group igneous rocks and develop a controlled experiment to prove that the rate of cooling affects the size of the crystals.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

The Birth of Rock(s) - Identifying Rock Types

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scientists investigate types of rocks in this instructional activity. They collaborate to examine groups of rocks, make written descriptions of them, and use websites to help them identify the types of rocks they are.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rockin' Minerals

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders view a clip of the video Backyard Safari, "Rocks and Minerals," and discuss properties of rocks and minerals. They view and discuss a clip on where rocks and minerals are found.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moon Mining

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Go on a moon mining expedition from the safety of your classroom with this space exploration simulation. Using simple models of the moon's surface prepared ahead of time by the teacher, young scientists are challenged with locating and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students are able to describe earth processes (e.g., rusting, weathering, erosion) that have affected selected physical features in students, neighborhoods. They are able to identify various earth structures (e.g., mountains, faults,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Minerals and the Products of Mining

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students plot where minerals come from and have an awareness of how mineral use makes the world interdependent. They examine how to identify some sort of mineral products they use each day.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sedimentary Rocks

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this sedimentary rock worksheet, students answer 9 fill-in-the-blank questions and 8 matching questions regarding sedimentary rocks and their formation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks, Gems, and Minerals

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders review by sorting and classifying minerals. They describe the composition of a mineral and use rules to classify that mineral. They complete a mineral scratch test and place the results in a table in the second activity.
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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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mohs Hardness Test

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders listen as they are told about another way to classify rocks; by their hardness. They observe the Mohs Hardness Test overhead, discover how the test works, and then use materials such as pennies, butter knives, nails, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crystals

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners investigate patterns in solids, the structures of crystals and rocks made up of minerals. In this crystals lesson plan, students review solids, make patterns with Styrofoam balls, make crystals in the lab and observe their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bring A Rock

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers 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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Different Rock Types

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students analyze a rock using their eyes and then a hand lens. In this science lesson, students determine and discuss how hard or how easy it was to find and classify the assigned rock. Students record their observations on an index card...