Rocks and Minerals
Lesson 15
Exploring New Minerals
Students are given three mystery minerals. They select the tests they want to run and record their test results. The students should compare test results to their mineral filed guide to identify the three unknown minerals.
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.
GLE 2.1.3 Understand how to construct a reasonable explanation using evidence.
GLE 2.1.5 Understand how to report investigations and explanations of objects, events, systems and processes.
GLE 2.2.1 Understand that all scientific observations should be reported accurately and honestly even when the observations contradict expectations.
GLE 2.2.3 Understand why similar investigations may not produce similar results.
GLE2.2.4 Understand how to make the results of scientific investigations reliable.
- Students will use the inquiry process with three mystery minerals.
- Students will select the tests they think will be the most helpful in determining what the mystery minerals are. They will run the test, record their data, examine their Mineral Field Guide and reach a conclusion about which known mineral their mystery mineral is most similar to.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Materials:
- Students will need all materials available for testing. Use the signs to label the materials at the station and model how to pick up the materials.
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.
- ASSESSMENT
- Make sure you cover the last item in the assessment section of this lesson. It asks students to defend their conclusions with information from their Mineral Field Guides.
Writing Support:
- Students will record their observations and conclusions on their Mineral Profile sheets.
Reading Support:
- Students will read and analyze Mineral Profile sheets and Mineral Identification cards.