Lets Rock It

Exploring Our Planet
Unit 1: Lets Rock it

Instructor: Miguel Rivera Boricua Elementary
Exploring Our Planet

Unit 1: Lets Rock it
The lesson plans outlined in this unit consist of
information, in-class activities, and homework
assignments designed to help students learn about
rocks and minerals. Lesson 1: Learning About
Minerals is an authentic entry level lesson that will
introduce the topic of minerals, as well as
vocabulary words and terms that students will use
to describe the visual, textural, and physical
qualities of mineral specimens that will be studied
in class with graphics presented on a computer or
Smart board, in addition to hands on activities
using a magnifying glass.
Lets Rock It!

Lesson 1: Learning about minerals
Main Objective: To introduce the topic of
minerals and rocks by first helping them to
understand What is a mineral?
Secondary Objective: Introduce vocabulary
words students can use to describe a mineral
Materials Needed:
Smart Board, or computer screen for
displaying images of minerals
Samples of table salt, a seashell, a
piece of coal
Magnifying glasses ( ideally enough for
Learning About Minerals

Teacher introduces the topic.
A mineral is a natural, nonliving, solid crystal that makes
Scientists have identified over 3,000 minerals
Each mineral type has the same chemical makeup
up rocks.

Minerals are:
1. Naturally occurring- Minerals are formed through natural
geological processes
2. Solids- Within the normal temperature range of the Earths
surface minerals are solids
3. Inorganic- Minerals are naturally occurring solids with a
crystalline structure

Class Discussion
Teacher prompts a class discussion by asking : Can anyone
repeat the definition of a mineral?
Vocabulary
In order to describe minerals and rocks, students need to
become familiar with the appropriate terminology. Using a Smart
Board, or computer screen, the teacher reviews key vocabulary
words/terms.
Naturally Occurring
Solid
Inorganic
Crystal/ Crystalline

Crystals
Crystals are solid materials that where molecules fit
together in a pattern to form a unique shape. The
shapes are 3 dimensional, and have flat surfaces

Crystals
Teacher uses Smart Board or computer to
show crystals students might be familiar with.

Crystals Students might be familiar with:
Table Salt is made of a mineral called Halite.

Quartz Crystals
Quartz is the most common
crystal found in the Earths
crust. Quartz can be shiny
and glassy, or colorful.

Class Discussion
(A) Teacher prompts a class discussion by asking 2 questions:
Can anyone describe what is a crystal?

Can anyone name 2 common mineral crystals?
(B) Teacher hands out magnifying glasses and samples of

crystals, salt, coal, and other minerals they can hold in their hand
Vocabulary
Using a Smart Board, or computer, the teacher
introduces vocabulary words to describe the
properties of minerals.

Mineral Properties
Color- Minerals have a distinctive color. Even
transparent or translucent have varying degrees of color
created by the presence of trace minerals.
Luster- Luster describes how much the minerals surface
reflects light. Some words that can be used to describe
luster are dull, greasy, pearly, glassy, and metallic.

Mineral Properties
TransparencyTransparency refers to the degree to which light can pass through a mineral.
Some terms that can be used to describe the degree of transparency are:
Transparent- Clear, you can see through when sliced thin
Translucent- Cloudy; you can see shapes and shadows through the mineral
sample
Opaque- You cant se through the mineral at all

Mineral Properties
Cleavage- Minerals tend to break along lines or smooth
surfaces when hit sharply. Different minerals break in different
ways showing different types of cleavage. Some terms that can
be used to describe cleavage include:
Perfect 1 way- breaks on one perfect cleavage plane
Perfect 2 ways- breaks into elongated boxy shapes, with 90
degree angles
Perfect 3 ways breaks into pieces that look like perfect boxes
No cleavage- does not break into regular shapes

Homework /ActivityFrom a given list of minerals, students choose
one mineral to study. Under the supervision of
a parent or adult, students conduct research
the mineral and complete the mineral
worksheet handed out by teacher. The mineral
worksheet can also be downloaded from class
website http://exploringourplanet.weebly.com
References
What Is A Mineral? (2013). Retrieved March 18, 2016, from
http://www.rocksandminerals4u.com/what_is_a_mineral.html
4th Grade Science (2012). Retrieved March 18, 2016, from http
://web.compton.k12.ca.us/pages/departments/curriculum/pdf/
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Exploring Our Planet

Unit 1: Lets Rock it

Exploring Our Planet

Lets Rock It!

Learning About Minerals

A mineral is a natural, nonliving, solid crystal that makes

Scientists have identified over 3,000 minerals

Each mineral type has the same chemical makeup

Learning About Minerals

Learning About Minerals

Learning About Minerals

Learning About Minerals

Learning About Minerals

Learning About Minerals

Learning About Minerals

Can anyone describe what is a crystal?

(B) Teacher hands out magnifying glasses and samples of

Learning About Minerals

Learning About Minerals

Learning About Minerals

Learning About Minerals

Learning About Minerals

Learning About Minerals

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