Rocks and Minerals

Students explore the differences and similarities between rocks and minerals by investigating samples of these earth materials, performing a series of tests similar to geologists' field tests, and reading about rocks and minerals and how they are used.

The first lessons focus on rocks. The students then turn their attention to a set of 12 minerals and test them to identify properties such as streak color, luster, transparency, hardness, shape, and magnetism.

After completing these observations, students compile them into their own "Minerals Field Guide." In a culminating activity, they are challenged to apply their knowledge and skills to identify new minerals. They then report on how rocks and minerals are used.

Trainer Tips:

• The purpose of Lesson 12 is to teach that different minerals break into different shapes. Some have regular ways of breaking whereas others do not. Several minerals are spotlighted that have unique shapes like the desert rose [#O] which has bladed crystals, halite [#M] which has a cubic shape and quartz because of its unique six sided shape. The purpose is to talk about the way minerals break or exhibit cleavage (the tendency to break along a plane of weak bonding). Minerals that don't exhibit cleavage when broken are said to fracture. In geology a mineral that fractures would not have a regular surface when it breaks. It would be bumpy and irregular.

Interactive Activities for the Rocks & Minerals unit

Interactive Activities for the Rocks & Minerals unit (rock database)

Movie about collecting rocks on the Moon (Media, movies)

Parent Letter - English

Parent Letter - Spanish

Rocks & Minerals Storyline (pdf)

Literacy / Book Lists

Teacher Recommended Resources

Recommended Websites

Unit Certificate
Acknowledge your student's accomplishment in completing this unit with our completion certificate.  We hope they enjoyed learning about science through The Einstein Project's hands-on approach!
 

Sponsored By

The Rocks & Minerals units have been generously sponsored by the Cornerstone Foundation of Northeastern Wisconsin.

What are people saying about the Rocks and Minerals Einstein science unit?

"Made a bunch of rock hounds howl!"
--Dennis Naidl, Grade 3 teacher at Sunnyside Elementary School, Sobieski, Wisconsin

"As always, this is my favorite Einstein kit!"
--Sue Hancock, Grade 3 teacher at Lannoye Elementary School, Green Bay, Wisconsin

"I enjoy this kit more every time I use it. The children go crazy over the light test and pen lights. They love science."
--Deb Jones, Grade 3 teacher at School, Baird Creek Elementary School, Green Bay, Wisconsin

"Einstein units were a big influence on me - I had something in my hand. I could see how different something actually was, instead of just reading about it. I could see the difference between minerals and rocks and actually see the mineral in the rock. Because the items were in front of us, and we were using magnifying glasses - wow, you could actually see what you were looking for!"
--Greta Pearson, former Green Bay, Wisconsin student, who now has a degree in Aquatic Biology & Broad Field Science from UW Superior, and is currently working part-time for the college on plant research for the Pokegama Reserve (wetland).