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
INQD: Simple instruments, such as magnifiers, thermometers, and rulers provide more information than scientists can obtain using only their unaided senses.
PS2A: Objects have properties, including size, weight, hardness, color, shape, texture, and magnetism. Unknown substances can sometimes be identified by their properties.
PS2B: An object may be made from different materials. These materials give the object certain properties.
- 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.