Describe rock and mineral specimens based on close observation.
- rocks* brought in by the students - art supplies - small
hammer or scraper - magnifying glass - index cards - pencils and
paper - copies of the Activity Page *No doubt some students will
select objects that are neither rocks nor minerals (e.g., wood
or man-made products like plastic). This is fine, because
discovering that they are not minerals is as much a part of the
learning process. 1. Ask students to search their yards, play
areas, or rock collections for one small specimen that they can
bring into school. They can choose any object-as long as it's
easy to carry. 2. Have students brush any dirt from their
specimen and look at it closely. They can also wash it and look
at it with a magnifying glass. Remember that if the object
appears to be one substance, it is probably a mineral; if it is
a composite, it is probably a rock made up of several minerals.
Encourage students to observe carefully and form logical
hypotheses, rather than try to i