Download Rocks and Minerals

Rocks and Minerals
Grade 3 - Fall
Concept: Rocks are aggregates of minerals, and they may also contain organic matter.
Lesson 1
Sharing What We
Know About
Rocks
Students observe
some rocks and
share their
preconceptions
about rocks.
Lesson 2
Observing Rocks
Students observe
rocks and sort
them into groups.
Concept: Each mineral is composed of only one substance, and that substance is the
same in all samples of the mineral
Lesson 3
Learning More
About Rocks
Lesson 4
Discovering
Minerals
Lesson 5
Sharing What
We Know About
Minerals
Students learn how
rocks are formed
and then sort
rocks- igneous,
metamorphic,
sedimentary.
Students examine
some minerals
and compare
rocks and
minerals.
Students observe
and describe
twelve different
mineral samples.
Concept: Minerals differ in color, texture, smell, luster, transparency, hardness, shape, and reaction to magnets.
Lesson 7
Describing the
Color of Minerals
Lesson 8
Shining a Light
on the Minerals
Students observe
the color and streak
test color for each
of their mineral
samples.
Students compare
the ability of the
minerals to transmit
light.
Lesson 9
Exploring the
Luster of
Minerals
Students compare
the ability of the
minerals to reflect
light.
Lesson 10
Exploring the
Hardness of
Minerals
Students test the
hardness of each
mineral then sort
the minerals
according to their
relative hardness.
Lesson 11
Testing the
Minerals with a
Magnet
Students record
their observations
as they test each
mineral with a
magnet.
Concept: Rocks and minerals can be identified by their physical characteristics.
Lesson 12
Describing the
Shape of Minerals
Students observe
and describe the
shape of the
mineral samples.
Lesson 13
Comparing
Samples of the
Same Mineral
Students identify
distinctive
properties of each
mineral and
compare different
samples of the
same mineral.
Lesson 14
Identifying the
Minerals
Lesson 15
Exploring New
Minerals
Students use
mineral
identification cards
to help them name
their mineral
samples.
Students test and
identify three
"mystery
minerals."
Lesson 16
How Are Rocks
and Minerals
Used?
Students explore
ways different
rocks and minerals
are used.
Lesson 6
Observing
Minerals
Students
examine the
texture and
smell of each
of their twelve
minerals.
Important concepts:
- Rocks are aggregates of minerals, and
they may also contain organic matter.
- Different rocks have different properties.
- The properties of rocks reflect the way
they were formed and the minerals in them.
- Each mineral is composed of only one
substance, and that substance in the same
in all samples of the mineral.
- Minerals differ in color, texture, smell,
luster, transparency, hardness, shape, and
reaction to magnets.
- The properties of rocks and minerals
determine how they are used.
Important skills:
- Using senses to observe and describe
rocks and minerals.
- Recording and discussing observations of
rocks and minerals.
- Sorting minerals on the basis of
similarities and differences in identified
properties.
- Performing and interpreting results of the
following tests on minerals: streak,
transparency, luster, hardness, and
magnetism.
- Recording and discussing results of tests
on minerals.
- Communicating observations and test
results through writing and group
discussion.
- Applying previously learned concepts and
skills to solve a problem.