Rocks and Minerals
Lesson 12
Describing the Shapes of Minerals
Students explore minerals to learn more about their properties by performing the shape test and recording their results.
3. Lesson set up and Management
GLE 2.1.1 Understand how to ask questions about objects, organisms and events in the environment.
(345) Identify the question being answered in an investigation.
GLE 2.1.2 Understand how to plan and conduct simple investigations following all safety rules.
(345) Follow all safety rules during investigations.
(345) Identify and use simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses.
GLE 2.1.5 Understand how to report investigations and explanations of objects, events, systems and processes.
(345) Report observations or data of simple investigations without making inferences.
Easily included:
GLE 2.2.1 Understand that all scientific observations are reported accurately and honestly even when the observations contradict expectations.
(345) Explain why scientific observations are recorded accurately and honestly.
(345) Explain why scientific records of observation are not changed even when the records do not match initial expectations.
- Students will observe, sort and describe the mineral samples based on shape.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Student Management:
- Assign one partner to be the materials manager and have that student pick up the materials from the materials center after you model how to do it.
- Have student use the Shape Sorting Mat since the ideas in this unit are much different than shape words they commonly use. They should still brainstorm their own ideas before you introduce this.
- Lessons 11 and 12 can easily be combined into one block of science time.
- PROCEDURE #9
- Take the time to establish a common working vocabulary the students can use during this lesson.
- PROCEDURE #10
- Have students use words with Procedure 10. Drawings are a good second option.
Writing Support:
- Students record their observations on their Mineral Profile sheets.
- Students record three important pieces of information about quartz and flourite in their science notebook.
Reading Support:
- There is information to read on page 47 of the student activity book about the minerals, quartz and fluorite. This is a great chance for students to partner read and record information in their science notebooks as they read to help them identify these minerals.
Math Support:
- Review geometric shapes - 2D and 3D.