Getting Ready to Teach Rocks and Minerals

Science is usually an like shooting fish in a barrel subject to make exciting and interesting for students.  However, in that location are some science topics that tin can be a niggling...shall we say...dry.

Instructionrocks and minerals can most definitely be a dry science topic, but - it doesn't have to be!  Not if you include enough of hands-on activities, crawly pictures and books, and interactive minor grouping activities.

In this mail service I've unloaded my favorite books,videos, and activities to use when pedagogy rocks and minerals.  Ready to stone?

Pun completely intended :)

IMPORTANT TOPICS TO Encompass:

Most upper uncomplicated teachers comprehend the following topics in their rocks and minerals unit.  Here'southward the order that I like to teach them in:

Layers of the World - I start here to aid students empathise that geologists study rocks and minerals found in the crust of the globe.

What Are Rocks and Minerals?  -  Afterwards students know where rocks and minerals are establish, we take a deep dive into what rocks and minerals are, where they are constitute, and how we utilize them.

How Are Rocks Formed?  - In this lesson, students learn nigh the 3 types of rocks (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary).  They learn how each one forms

Mineral Properties - Once students accept an understanding of the dissimilar types of rocks, we focus on the minerals that make up unlike rocks.  We explore their backdrop (such as colour, streak, hardness, luster...etc.)

The Rock Bike -  Next, students acquire the "life cycle" of a rock as they learn how oestrus, pressure, and time alter rocks from igneous, to sedimentary, to metamorphic.

Fossils-  The final nosotros topic we discuss is how paleontologists report fossils found in rocks, specifically in sedimentary rock.  They learn how fossils form in these rocks and the different types of fossils that form.

BOOKS Nearly ROCKS & MINERALS

I was surprised how many great books there were in my local library about rocks and minerals!  Whenever I start a unit in one of the content areas, I honey to create a special handbasket in my classroom library all about that topic.  That mode, students can practice some exploring on their ain during independent reading time.  It'southward the perfect manner to span your content areas into your literacy block.Here are my favorite book titles (click on each book for details - chapter links provided) :

This book is perfect for introducing your unit! The illustrations are beautiful and give students a quick over-view of what you'll be covering in your unit. It helps students to see that rocks and minerals are everywhere in their every day life.

A Rock Is Lively  -This book is perfect for introducing your unit of measurement!  The illustrations are beautiful and give students a quick over-view of what you'll exist covering in your unit of measurement.  It helps students to see that rocks and minerals are everywhere in their every 24-hour interval life.

The side by side three books,Sedimentary Rocks,Igneous Rocks, andMetamorphic Rocks are great because they pause down each type of rock.  They would be great books to utilize if you wanted to divide students into groups and have them each research a type of rock to then present to the remainder of the form.  They also are just great to have in the classroom for individual exploration.

This book is super helpful for students to see various examples of rocks, what minerals make up each rock and where the rock can be found. You'll find real pictures of each rock, which is crucial for students to fully understand the make-up of the r…

Rock Star Rocks - This volume is super helpful for students to see various examples of rocks, what minerals make up each rock and where the rock can be found.  You'll find real pictures of each rock, which is crucial for students to fully understand the make-upwardly of the rock itself.

Similar to the book above (Rock Star Rocks), this book has a similar format about minerals. It goes over what minerals are, how they are formed, and their properties. It even teaches students how to start their own collection.


Rock Star Minerals  -Like to the book in a higher place (Rock Star Rocks), this book has a similar format virtually minerals.  It goes over what minerals are, how they are formed, and their properties.  It fifty-fifty teaches students how to showtime their own collection.

I love the layout and structure of this book! Throughout its pages, the book poses several statements about rocks and minerals that students guess to be true or false. Then the real answer is revealed along with an explanation and some awesome photo…

Scholastic True or False: Rocks & Minerals  - I honey the layout and structure of this book!  Throughout its pages, the volume poses several statements about rocks and minerals that students guess to exist true or false.  And so the real answer is revealed along with an explanation and some awesome photos!

VIDEOS FOR Pedagogy ROCKS & MINERALS

I likewise try to introduce new content in multiple formats whether it be text, audio, or visual.  With YouTube and Study Jams, y'all're never at a loss for finding a video that volition assistance you lot teach the unlike concepts of rocks and minerals.

If you lot haven't checked out Scholastic's "Study Jams" video library - you're missing out (and then are your students!)  This site has TONS of math and science videos, including 10+ videos on rocks and minerals.Only head HERE, and choose the "Landforms, Rocks and Minerals" collection from the drib-downwardly menu.

This site has TONS of math and science videos, including 10+ videos on rocks and minerals.

And, of course, there's YouTube!  Take a peek at these two great videos on Rocks and Minerals (of course there are so much more!)

Awesome ROCKS AND MINERAL ACTIVITIES

When didactics rocks and minerals, it is CRUCIAL that you allow your students to participate in some hands-on activities.  Reading about rocks and minerals is tedious and dry!  Here are some activities that I think will help your young geologists become excited near your unit:

Rock Sorting

If able, get your hands on some real rocks for students to touch and observe.

If able, go your hands on some existent rocks for students to touch and detect.  You can purchase simplerocks and minerals kits if your school doesn't already take some.  If this isn't an pick, then pictures ofreal rocks (not clip art) are best.

Every bit an introductory activity, earlier we become over how rocks are classified, I similar to let students work in small groups and decide how they might sort them.

As an introductory activity, before we go over how rocks are classified, I like to let students work in small groups and decide how they might sort them.

Gallery Walk

Equally an alternative to reading out of the text volume, a gallery walk get students upward and moving and interacting with each other.  To create a gallery walk, take the information that you want your students to learn and create several posters with that data.  Be sure to include some great photos!  Place the posters throughout the room on walls or on tables.  You can even place books and artifacts or other related items at each gallery "station" for students to further explore.  So, have your kiddos walk around the room going from from affiche to affiche.

As an alternative to reading out of the text book, a gallery walk get students up and moving and interacting with each other.

At each gallery station, students also create a "graffiti" poster with images and words to illustrate what they are learning.

Students will better get a grasp of the concept of mineral properties if you actually let them test some themselves. Again, you'll need a simple rocks and minerals kit (or create your own collection of rocks!) Students can easily observe a mineral's…

Students will improve become a grasp of the concept of mineral properties if you really let them test some themselves.  Again, you'll demand asimple rocks and minerals kit (or create your own collection of rocks!)  Students can easily notice a mineral'southward colour, streak, hardness, and luster.

With a few other simple tools like a manus lens, a united nations-glazed tile, a penny, and a steel nail, students will be able to test several mineral properties like colour, streak, luster, and hardness of different minerals.

Edible Rocks

Anytime you add nutrient to the learning equation, you take instant engagement.  Make the concepts of each type of rock (sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous) a bit more physical by having student create them using nutrient.I LOVE this video that shows you lot how to do exactly that!

You lot can sentinel the video with your kids - or actually do the experiments with your students!

Fossil Folders

I practice just a quick lesson on fossils in my rocks and minerals unit because it helps students to meet the role sedimentary rock plays in creating fossils.  It also allows me to sneak in some extra information like how fossils form, paleontology and studying fossils, fossil fuels, types of fossils, and some amazing fossil discoveries - all without having to spend a ton of actress time.  How do I fit information technology all in with just one lesson?  Piece of cake!Fossil Discovery Learning Folders!

I employdiscovery learning folders in many of my units because it replaces boring textbook piece of work with more than engaging learning activities.  Students work in pocket-size groups and rotate through the folders working together, completing response activities, and learning new data!

Well, there you have it!  Some piece of cake means to make your rocks and minerals unit...well - Stone!

Want to save a TON of time in preparing for your rocks and mineral's unit of measurement?Say no more!  Check out my complete unit of measurement that includes all of the activities I've mentioned in this postal service and much more than!You lot can see all the details here:

Want to save a TON of time in preparing for your rocks and mineral's unit? Say no more! Check out my complete unit that includes all of the activities I've mentioned in this post and much more!