Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Caldecott Tunnel

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students visit the Caldecott Tunnel. They examine dark brown basalt and the gray-green sedimentary rocks and draw picture of the rock layers in the cliff face. In addition, they write a short paragraph describing what you observe about...
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sediment Sleuths

For Teachers 7th - 8th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Petroglyphs: Protecting the Past

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the three types of rocks and study about petroglyphs. They explore why petroglyphs were used by the Nez Perce People. Students investigate the properties of the three types of rocks and they discuss cultural...
Lesson Plan
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Planet Oit!

For Teachers 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock On And Carve Off

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders work in groups of four to create one subtractive relief bust out of clay. Team results are shared and discussed to analyze the degree of planning and skillful manipulation of materials necessary to complete a limestone bust.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Everybody Needs a Rock

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students, after making quantitative and qualitative observations of their rocks, construct a Venn diagram or dichotomous key to classify their rocks.
Lesson Plan
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Petrology in the Gravel Pit

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students are introduced to a wide range of rock types when they examine pebbles and boulders exposed in a gravel pit. Students practice rock description and identification and categorize the rocks sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic.
Lesson Plan
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A Special Relationship: Connecticut and Its Settlers

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Pupils study both geological and geographical features of Connecticut and the New Haven area. They focus on map works and rock formation.
Lesson Plan
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A Never-ending Story

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners identify three main types of rocks found in a rocks and sediments booklet. Students identify and interpret the rock cycle to use in the activity. Learners identify and classify rocks into the correct rock group. Students draw...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Rocks Word Search Puzzle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this literacy worksheet, students look for the words that are related to the concept that is reviewed in the sheet. They also acquire new vocabulary.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Relative Ages of Rocks

For Students 9th - 12th
In this rocks worksheet, students review how sediments are layered over time and how the relative ages of rocks are determined. This worksheet has 1 matching and 11 multiple choice questions.
Lesson Plan
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Inspiration!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a diagram based on rocks using a computer program. They use the program to put their thoughts in order and to have a sheet to reference to.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Computer Lab Lesson Plan - Science

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students examine rocks and minerals. Using the internet, students research rocks and how they are formed. They use word processing software to list minerals and materials that form specific rocks.
Lesson Plan
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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
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Take a Stab!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Your geology class practices taking core samples of a potato to examine the stratigraphy. This is a terrific modeling lesson that helps youngsters visualize strata that cannot be seen from the surface of the ground. The directions...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Weathering of Limestone

For Teachers 9th - 12th
We all know limestone weathers, but what affects the rate of weathering? Young scientists investigate the physical and chemical weathering of limestone (chalk) through experimentation. First, they conduct trials with different-size...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition Study Guide

For Students 8th - 10th
In this weathering, erosion and deposition worksheet, students answer questions about the causes of weathering, the types of weathering such as mechanical and chemical weathering and resistance to weathering. They also write two...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coal Derivatives

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use this hands-on activity to demonstrate the production of coke, one of the most widely used raw materials derived from coal. They are also stimulated to do research into the differences in coal types and coal products.
Lesson Plan
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Developing a Local Stratigraphy

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students examine rock strata for the distribution, deposition, and age of sedimentary rock. They describe rock types in a variety of outcrops and construct a regional stratigraphy.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Mineral Mixtures

For Students 6th - 8th
In this science worksheet, students use basic scientific concepts to complete the series of puzzles that are intended to increase science literacy for classifying types of rocks and minerals.
Lesson Plan
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Integrating Physical Science and the Geological Environment

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students undertake a series of experiments and activities related to geology, especially in Connecticut. They evaluate types of rocks, minerals, and crystals, exploring the main concepts of geology.
Lesson Plan
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Shells on the Mountain Top?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners work in groups to remove fossils from sediments, classifying as many organisms and parts of organisms as possible into major groups. They study the data from each formation and make conclusions about the types of organisms and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossil Adventure

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students work as a class to write a general definition of fossil based on their discussion and examine pictures of the different types of fossils. Once discussion is complete, they write and illustrate a book about a T Rex that has died...