SCIENCE BOX OVERVIEW
Kit #10
Name: “The Earth Rocks”
Grade Level: 2-4
Content Strand: Earth & Space Science
Content Standard and Description: Earth Structures and Composition – Students understand that the Earth is composed of interrelated systems of rocks, water, air, and life.
Summary: By using a variety of materials such as books and hands on activities, students will learn all about rocks and minerals. Students will learn to identify the difference between rocks and minerals, the properties of both, and certain characteristics that uniquely identify both. Using materials such as rock sets, salt shakers, and magnifying glasses, students will have a blast learning all about the earth’s composition of rocks and minerals.
Learning Cycle Lesson Plans: Here is the list of the lesson plans in this kit.
1. “Mystery Rocks” – Students will be evaluated on their ability to draw pictures of 2 different rocks and write words that describe their rocks.
2. “Rock Groups” – Students are evaluated on their ability to choose two properties and write the name or number of all samples that match the appropriate property.
3. “Unveiling Rocks and Minerals” – Students will be evaluated on their ability to draw pictures of all eight samples and write whether they are rocks or minerals.
4. “Crystal Clear Structures” – Students will be evaluated on their ability to label and draw pictures of salt crystals and quartz crystals to show their different structures.
What to Expect: When teachers are done with this kit, they can expect a certain level of knowledge from their students. From the second graders, they will know how to describe that rocks come in many shapes and have interesting textures, colors, and patterns. For the third graders, they will know that plus they will be able to investigate and describe how earth is composed of different kinds of materials (e.g. rocks and soils, water, and the atmosphere). Finally the fourth graders will know how to do all of that, plus investigate, compare, and contrast the properties of rocks and minerals.
Evaluations: Here is what other teachers have said about this box.