Individual
Students will complete a Rock Star Journal while studying the properties of their rock.
Additional Resources
Books
Video
All rocks are made of minerals or a combination of minerals. They are used to make many products. Common minerals, such as graphite, are used to make the lead in pencils, while other minerals are more rare, such as gold and silver. These minerals are often used to make jewelry or money. Common minerals can be identified by looking at some of their properties or attributes, such as color, texture, hardness, and luster.
1. Demonstrate a positive learning attitude
5. Understand and use basic concepts and skills.
Invitation to Learn
Tell the students they are going to study a rock star. They each get to
choose their own rock star, and then they are going to learn everything
they can about their “rock” star.
Instructional Procedures
Center 1—Weight
Students will use a balance scale to determine how heavy their rock is. They may add teddy bear counters, marbles, or some other nonstandard unit of measure to determine the weight of their rock.Materials
- Balance scale
- Nonstandard weights (e.g., teddy bear counters, marbles, etc.)
Center 2—Size and Shape
Students will trace their rock onto their paper. They will also use string to determine the circumference of their rock.Materials
- Scissors
- Ball of sturdy string
Center 3—Hardness
Students will determine how hard their rock is by scratching it with several objects (e.g., fingernail, penny, nail, etc.). If the object does not make a mark, then the rock is harder then the object.Materials
- Penny
- Nail
Center 4—Texture
Students will compare the texture of their rock to varying grits of sandpaper. They will take a small square of the sandpaper that matches their rock’s texture and glue it into their journal.Materials
- Several pieces of sandpaper with different grits
Center 5—Sink or Float (density)
Students will predict whether or not their rock will sink or float. Have a sample of pumice so students can compare it to their rocks before they test for density.Materials
- Container of water
- Paper towels
- Sample of pumice
Center 6—Shiny or Dull (luster)
Students will compare their rocks to pieces of aluminum foil, sparkly sequins or glitter, wax paper, or a brown paper sack. They will take a sample of the one that is most like their rock and glue it in their journal.Materials
- Aluminum foil
- Glitter or sequins
- Brown paper sack
- Wax paper
Center 7—Color
Students will draw their rock and how it looks on the outside. They should pay close attention to whether or not the rock has layers or multiple colors.
Materials
Family Connections