Curated OER
Amethyst Galleries,inc./specific Gravity of Minerals
The specific gravity of various minerals is given. Links to related topics.
SMART Technologies
Smart: Rocks Slso
This file guides students through learning about sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks along with an introduction to the rock cycle. Students can complete work in small groups or individually on their devices.
Amethyst Galleries
Native Elements Class: The Mineral Diamond
Description of diamonds and their properties. Includes a gallery of raw uncut diamonds.
Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington: Rock Identification Chart [Pdf]
A flowchart students can use as a tool to identify rocks. They answer yes or no to questions about various characteristics and responses to tests until they can narrow down the possibilities.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Rocks, Rocks Everywhere
Second graders will sort rocks based upon color, hardness, texture, layering, and particle size.,
Utah Education Network
Uen: Cool Collectibles and Super Sorts
Second graders will create a classroom rock collection.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Structure of Earth Materials
A college course featuring mineral image galleries, labs, and instructor's notes on the topics of crystalline structure, crystal chemistry, and bonding in rock-forming minerals.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Rocks
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Defines the properties of a rock.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Rocks
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Defines the properties of a rock.
Jewelry Central
Jewelry Central: Amethyst
Information on this commercial site gives the physical properties and origin of the amethyst, as well as some of the mythical and metaphysical properties ascribed to the gemstone.
Indiana University
Indiana Univ. Bloomington: Reference Documents: Pyrite "Fool's Gold" [Pdf]
A fact card describing the properties and characteristics of pyrite, where it is found, its effects on its immediate environment, its chemical structure, and where it fits on Mohs hardness scale.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Crumbling Rocks: Observing and Describing Rocks
Introduce geological terminology used in describing rocks to young students by having them observe and describe something they are familiar with to help them observe and describe the physical characteristics of something unfamiliar like...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Virtual Rock Lab
In this lesson learners are asked to identify rocks based on their properties.
Web Elements
Web Elements Periodic Table: Mercury
An excellent summary of basic information on mercury, including chemical and physical properties and uses.
Jewelry Central
Jewelry Central: Sapphire
This commercial site contains information about the sapphire's physical properties and where it can be found. Also discusses the history and romance related to the stone and includes a description of its quality.
Jewelry Central
Jewelry Central: Jade
This site contains information on the gemstone jade, including physical characteristics, historical significance, and where it is found.
Read Works
Read Works: Matter Is Everywhere!
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about mass and its properties. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
The Vermiculite Assoc: About Vermiculite
Vermiculite is a mineral that can be used in construction, agriculture, and industries. When heated, vermiculite can expand up to 30 times its size! Click on the links to find out about vermiculite's properties, its many uses, and health...
Other
Oresome Resources: Mining Helps Make Your House Interactive
An interactive activity for you to find out how much your lifestyle depends on mining. Students select household items and learn facts about their chemical nature, properties and uses, their origins in the Earth, mining, and production.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Soil Color and Redox Chemistry
Students use chocolate candies to simulate the process that occurs in saturated soil when Fe3+ is reduced to Fe2+ due to a microbial mediated redox reaction.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Iste Nets: Birthstone Project With a Multimedia Twist
This interdisciplinary project on birthstones, provided by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), focuses on research skills, writing skills, and the ability to put together an electronic presentation.
Other
Icga: Aquamarine, Gem of the Sea
A brief description of the physical properties of the aquamarine gemstone, along with a perspective on its history and metaphysical properties.
Other
Icga: Agate, Stripe Up the Bands
An interesting, brief discussion of the gem and mineral agate, including its physical properties and historical uses.
Other
Icga: Peridot, Extraterrestrial Gem
Site provides many fun facts about the gem peridot, including information on its history and physical and metaphysical properties. Also provides a picture of the gem itself.