| EARTH
MATERIALS MODULE MATRIX |
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SYNOPSIS |
SCIENCE
CONTENT |
THINKING
PROCESSES |
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1. |
MOCK
ROCKS
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Students
are introduced to the concept of earth materials and the tools
and techniques of the geologist by investigating the properties
of a homemade mock rock. Students separate it into different
ingredients by physically taking it apart, dissolving part of
it in water, and using evaporation. |
•
Rocks can be separated into their components.
• Rocks exhibit a variety of properties, including shape,
size, color, and texture.
• Water, settling, and evaporation can separate rocks
into their components.
• Crystals form from evaporation of a saltwater mixture.
• Rocks are composed of earth materials called minerals
that cannot be physically broken apart any further. |
•
Record and discuss observations about rock.
• Compare observations.
• Take apart a mixture by separating the ingredients.
• Observe and describe how rock materials separate and
settle in water.
• Observe the results of evaporation. |
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2. |
SCRATCH
TEST |
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Students
are introduced to minerals as the basic earth materials that
make up rocks. They observe, describe, and record properties
of four minerals and use the scratch test to determine the relative
hardness. |
•
Rocks are composed of earth materials called minerals that cannot
be physically broken apart any further.
• The property of hardness can be used to seriate minerals.
• Examples of minerals are quartz, fluorite, calcite,
and gypsum. |
•
Observe the properties of a group of minerals.
• Record properties of minerals.
• Organize observations.
• Seriate minerals based on hardness. |
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3. |
CALCITE
QUEST |
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Students
observe the characteristic property of the mineral calcite—the
mineral bubbles when placed in an acid such as vinegar. Using
this test, students go on a quest to find calcite in four common
rocks. |
•
Calcite is a mineral that fizzes when placed in an acid.
• Minerals have different properties.
• Rocks can easily be tested for the presence of calcite
using an acid such as vinegar.
• Examples of rocks are sandstone, limestone, marble,
and granite. |
•
Observe directly and indirectly the special properties of a
mineral.
• Observe and record results of an investigation.
• Compare results.
• Identify one ingredient from a mixture. |
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4. |
TAKE
IT FOR GRANITE |
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Students
conclude their exploration of earth materials by studying the
rock granite. They use the properties of five minerals to find
out which of the minerals are in granite. |
•
Rocks are made of minerals.
• The rock granite is made up of the minerals mica, feldspar,
quartz, and hornblende.
• Some mineral properties are color and hardness.
• Properties of minerals are used to find out which minerals
make up a rock. |
•
Observe properties of a rock and several minerals.
• Sort objects according to properties.
• Record observations.
• Compare observations of properties. |
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