Utah Education Network
Uen: All Sorts of Rocks
Second graders will sort rocks according to hardness, texture, layering, and particle size.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Mineral Identification
At this site you can identify minerals by observing and testing the physical properties of each mineral. A mineral worksheet and mineral background sheet are included in this site.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Structure, Formula, and Properties of Phosphoric Acid
Describes the formula, chemical structure, properties, and uses of phosphoric acid.
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Mineral Gallery: Diamond
A detailed discussion of the physical properties of diamonds, including different forms of carbon, locations of origin, uses, color, and more. Informational and helpful concerning diamonds.
Amethyst Galleries
Mineral Galleries: Native Copper
This brief site lists all the physical characteristics of copper.
National Institute of Educational Technologies and Teacher Training (Spain)
Ministerio De Educacion: Cristalizacion Y Ambientes Petrogeneticos
This unit covers the crystalline matter and its properties. It includes 13 interactive activities.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Minerals
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart introduces students to minerals. The different properties used to identify minerals are also covered.
Fact Monster
Fact Monster: Malleability
The physical property of malleability is explained. The importance of malleability to various physical processes is discussed. Examples of materials with high malleability are identified.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Rocks, Rocks, Rocks
Students test rocks to identify their physical properties (such as luster, hardness, color, etc.) and classify them as igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary. They complete a worksheet table to record all of the rock properties, and then...
Other
Web ref.org: Manganese
A nice set of paragraphs summarizing basic information on manganese, its properties and applications. Well done links on all technical terms and vocabulary.
Other
Bob's Rock Shop
This enormous, non-commercial site provides links to information on everything from the properties of gemstones and minerals, to tips on purchasing them, to mounting them for jewelry.
Other
Webmineral: Quartz
This site is filled with information on the mineral quartz. General information, images, physical properties, and resources are also included.
Other
Web ref.org: Iron
A well written, easily followed entry on iron, its properties and compounds, as well as uses. Student friendly.
Museum Network (UK)
Wallace Collection: Material World: Paint
Learn about the material composition of paints used by artists and where pigments that give paint its color come from. Emphasis is on natural pigments obtained from plants, animals, and minerals, rather than on paints created for...
Corrosion Source
Corrosion Source: Manganese
This resource presents a good summary of the history, properties, sources, uses and handling concerns of manganese. Also contains some basic data.
Curated OER
The Mineral Gallery: The Mineral Zircon
This site gives general information on the physical characteristics of zircon.
Curated OER
A Photo of the Mineral Bismuth
This site contains a chart with properties of the element Bismuth (Bi). It also has links to 3 pictures of the element.
Curated OER
The Mineral Gallery: Amethyst
A detailed description of amethyst, including its physical properties and the more noteworthy locations it is mined.
Curated OER
The Mineral Gallery: Diamond
A detailed discussion of the physical properties of diamonds, including different forms of carbon, locations of origin, uses, color, and more. Informational and helpful concerning diamonds.
Curated OER
Amethyst Gallery: The Mineral Gallery
This site gives is an entry portal to information on gems and gemstones, including pictures of specimens and details on their physical properties and where they can be found.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Elements of Steel
This interactive site allows students to explore the types of elements that compose different kinds of steel. There is also information explaining how each element affects the function of the steel.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Hornblende
Wikipedia offers a description of the mineral Hornblende including specific gravity, hardness, and image.
SRI International
Performance Assessment Links in Science: Classifying Rocks
This is a performance task where students sort and classify rocks based on their properties, then demonstrate how they can transfer their understanding to decide on ways they might sort and classify other types of objects.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Rocks Study Guide
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide summarizes key points about rocks and their properties. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.