Download Rocks, Minerals, Fossils and Soils

Rocks, Minerals, Fossils and Soils
4 Week Unit of Study with Mrs. Resudek
We all have been to Stone Mountain, planted plants,
or even searched for a fossil. For the next four
weeks, we will be experiencing many hands on
activities to enhance our understanding of rocks,
minerals, fossils, and soils.
“Rockin” Questions to Think About
How are rocks and minerals related?
Why are soils important?
How are fossils formed?
“ Dinnertime Questions” Hints for At Home Conversations
Week 1- How are minerals formed? What properties help identify
minerals?
Week 2- Are all rocks the same? What are rocks formed from?
Week 3- What can fossils tell us? What are different types of
fossils? What can you learn from fossils?
Week 4- Why are soils important? What are different types of
soils? How are they related to the regions of Georgia?
Please Note: Students will receive homework assignments related to concepts and
information that they will be processing and using during classroom time. It is
important that students come to class prepared, having completed their homework,
so that they may fully engage in classroom activities.
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I%look%forward%to%working%%and%playing%with%
your%children!%Please%feel%free%to%email%me%
anytime!%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%Mrs.%Resudek%
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Rocks, Minerals, Soils, and Fossils
Standards
S3E1-Students will investigate the physical attributes of rocks and
soils.
The Elements
a. Explain the difference between a rock and mineral
b. Recognize the physical attributes of rocks and minerals using
observation (shape, color, texture), measurement, and simple tests
(hardness).
c. Use observation to compare the similarities and differences of
texture, particle size, and color in top soils (such as clay, loam, or
potting soil, and sand).
d. Determine how water and wind can change rocks and soil over time
using observation and research.
S3E2- Students will investigate fossils as evidence of organisms that
lived long age.
The Elements
a. Investigate fossils by observing authentic fossils or models of
fossils.
b. Describe how a fossil is formed.
Vocabulary
Week 1- rock, igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, erosion,
weathering, rock cycle
Week 2- mineral, hardness, luster, Moh’s scale, streak
Week 3- fossil, mold fossil, cast fossil, amber, trace, extinct, fossil
fuels
Week 4- humus, loam, clay, sand, silt
Assessments
Week 1- Students will create a mineral collage to show various uses of minerals.
Week 2-. - Students will create a “rockin” book with types of rocks, definitions,
examples, and interesting information
Week 3-Students will use the dig site to find various fossils. Students will
identify a cast, mold, and trace fossils and write a journey of a fossil.
Week 4- Students will create a soil flip book with the layers of soil identified
and what they will find in each layer.