Science - 4th Grade
Lesson Plans

Standard 3

Students will understand the basic properties of rocks, the processes involved in the formation of soils, and the needs of plants provided by soil.

Objective 1

Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.

• Classifying Rocks and Minerals
  Students identify rock types by observing key characteristics.
• Mineral Magic
  After finding the similarities and differences of school supplies and pasta, students will classify rocks and minerals according to their characteristics.
• Minerals and Rocks
  Students explore the differences between minerals and rocks. They sort and identify 9 minerals based on their characteristics. After learning the differences between sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks; students classify 12 common rocks found in Utah. Students learn uses for these common rocks and look at pictures of their formations found in Utah. Finally, students learn about the rock cycle and understand how rocks can change over time.
• NHMU: Create Your Own Rock!
  Students will create and name their own rock by combining paper minerals.
• NHMU: Rock Cycle
  Through playing the Rock Cycle Game students will gain an understanding of the cycles that form metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks.
• NHMU: This is Your Rock, This is My Rock
  Students will learn to recognize a variety of rocks and minerals found in Utah as well as their identifying characteristics.
• Rock Discovery
  Students will identify rocks in this discovery lesson by examining rock characteristics and processes.
• TRB 4:3 - Investigation 1 - Minerals vs. Rocks
  This activity will help students understand the basic properties of rocks and minerals.
• TRB 4:3 - Investigation 2 - Classifying Rocks
  Students will identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Jennifer Throndsen and see the Science - Elementary website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer Throndsen.

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