List, Group, Sort Minerals

Summary

Students will use a set of words containing names of minerals, rocks and other substances. They will group them and devise categories to justify their groups. They should end up with a definition of minerals.

Materials

• word cards (attached) -set per group
• textbooks

Background for Teachers

This activity can be a summary or introductory activity.

Instructional Procedures

1. Give each student group a set of the cards printed below. Tell students to place the cards in groups based on characteristics that they know about the objects.
2. Allow time for student to group objects.
3. Ask students to share their groups and which objects are in each group. Ask them what characteristics they used.
4. Show students how scientists would group the objects (probably minerals, rocks, man-made objects using minerals or rocks)
5. Ask students to summarize by writing down the characteristics of a mineral: non-living, solid, crystalline structure, pure, natural.
6. Have students re-group the objects using the scientific categories. Check for accuracy and have students work until they are correct. They may need to use their books to help with some of the substances. If you wish to have a written assignment, have students record their results on paper with the definition of minerals.

Assessment Plan

Scoring Guide:
1. Students participate and group objects……………………..4
2. Students write down definition……………………………….4
3. Students regroup objects correctly………………………….4
4. Students record results of regrouping (if assigned)….……4

Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.