Rocks and Minerals
Lesson 7
Describing the Color of Minerals
Students explore minerals to learn more about their properties by performing the streak 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.
- Students concentrate on the property of color as they observe "observable color" (what their eyes see) and "identifying color" (what the streak test shows).
Streak test - What is the streak color
left by each mineral sample?
3. Lesson set up and Management
Materials:
- Make sure the streak plates are clean before beginning the lesson. Use soapy water or a mild abrasive like tile cleaner or baking soda to clean them.
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.
- Use the Mineral Profile Transparency to mark a symbol on the area students should use for recording. As the lessons progress, mark each new area with another symbol to help them keep track.
Writing Support:
- Students will record their observations on their Mineral Profile sheets.
- Students record three important pieces of information about hematite and graphite in their science notebook.
Streak test - What is the streak color
left by each mineral sample?
Reading Support:
- There is information to read on page 26 of the student activity book about the minerals, hematite and graphite. 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:
- Create a class prediction table for streak colors and how many minerals they think will have that streak color. Add the actual information at the end of the lesson.