Science Totally ROCKS (and Minerals) !!

ROCKS in Review

Although rocks are nonliving, we know they are constantly changing both above and below Earth's surface. We also know that one important way for scientists to classify rocks is based on HOW they are formed.

Igneous rocks form from molten (melted) rock.
Sedimentary rocks form when layers of sediments settle on top of one another and harden. They are made up of soil, shells, bits of rock, and dead plant and animal matter.
Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have formed as a result of heat and pressure.

Visit the following interactive website in order to review these main topics from Chapter 3, Lesson 1 (How are rocks classified?):

Rock Cycle Website


Minerals: Our Newest Focus

Our focus will now turn to Minerals, the natural, nonliving solid crystals that make up the rocks we have been studying! Did you know that scientisits have identified almost 4,000 kinds of minerals?

In our initial mineral explorations, we will use our powers of observation (and hand lenses) to study the color, luster, hardness, and streak of various "mystery" minerals. We will then use scientific mineral charts to identify the names of the minerals by comparing our data to the charts. In a “virtual” science lab (Gizmos), we will repeat this process and also conduct density and acid tests as well! 

Following these labs, our focus will turn to Chapter 3, Lesson 2 (What are minerals?) in our textbooks.

Students, what is your favorite physical property (color, size, shape, texture, luster, streak, hardness, mass, volume, density) to explore and WHY?

For those students who would love to earn even more Behavior Bucks, visit Gizmos at home and identify mystery mineral “W” in the Mineral Identification Lab. Secretly tell your science teacher (Mrs. Phillips or Mr. Pinchot) the name of this mystery mineral, and you will earn $10 extra bucks to spend at our next auction! (Shhhh-don’t tell your friends and classmates. They need to read this blogpost and visit Gizmos all on their own in order to earn these special, extra bucks!) Happy science sleuthing!