Students will enjoy learning the fascinating world of rocks and minerals with the 60+ worksheets and activities, plus 9 hands-on experiments. There are information cards on the different types of rocks and volcanoes with follow up activities. The higher-level thinking activities, science experiments, research activities, and reading information cards make teaching this topic easier!

Student Activities and Work Sheets Covering:

• Science Experiments
• Reading Activities
• Working with Rocks Activities 
• Research Activities
• Thinking About Activities 
• Creative Writing Activities
• Word Study Activities

These lessons and activities support many of the fundamental concepts and learning outcomes from the curriculums for these provinces: Ontario, Grade 4 Science, Understanding Earth & Space Systems, Rocks & Minerals; Manitoba, Grade 4, Science, Cluster 4, Rocks & Minerals and Erosion; Saskatchewan, Grade 4, Science, Earth & Space Science, Rocks & Minerals and Erosion. 

Teacher Notes & Information:

For the teacher:

• At A Glance – Skill List
• Teacher Assessment Rubric
• Student Self-Assessment Rubric
• Teacher Input Suggestions
• List of Vocabulary
• Student Tracking Sheet 

Rocks & Mineral Experiments

Each experiment includes a list of materials and step-by-step procedures.

1. How to Make a Fossil
2. How to Make an Erupting Volcano
3. How to Make a Saturated Solution
4. How to Make Crystals on a Stick
5. How to Grow Large Copper Sulfate Crystals
6. How to Grow Salt Crystals
7. How to Make Rock Candy
8. How to Make a Crystal Garden
9. How to Make Frost

Reading Information and Follow-Up Worksheets:

• Information Page and Follow-Up Worksheets plus Answer Key!

1. Sedimentary Rock – Reading Card #1
2. Igneous Rock – Reading Card #2
3. Metamorphic Rock – Reading Card #3
4. Test of Reading Activities One, Two and Three
5. Minerals – Reading Card #4
6. Crystals – Reading Card #5
7. Gemstones – Reading Card #6
8. Volcanoes – Reading Card #7
9. Earthquakes – Reading Card #8
10. Rock Collecting – Reading Card #9

Working with Rocks Hands-On Activities:

7 Hands-On Working with Rocks Activities.

1. How can you tell the difference between rock and wood by touching them?
2. Choose two rocks from the rock collection and compare them with regard to weight, shape, texture, and crystal structure. Chart their differences and similarities.
3. Classify the rocks in the rock collection according to their shape, size, texture, weight, and color.
4. Classify the rocks in the rock collection as sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic.
5. Examine a rock from the collection. Then blindfold themselves and see if they can still find the rock with the blindfold on.
6. Try to simulate what water does to rocks by putting them in a box and shaking them.
7. Choose any rock from the rock collection, list the ways it might be used.

Research Activities:

14 research activities for students to complete in either a group or independently.

1. Research to find a good definition between rocks, minerals, and crystals.
2. Research to find out the three main types of rocks.
3. Research to find out how igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock is formed.
4. Research to find the answers to questions on the igneous rock.
5. Research to find the answers to questions on sedimentary rock.
6. Research to find the answers to questions on the metamorphic rock.
7. Research words pertaining to rocks and make a glossary.
8. Research the earth's layers.
9. Research to find out the answers about crystals, salt, and sugar found in rocks and minerals.
10. Research complete activities about rocks and how they are combinations of a great many kinds of minerals.
11. Research to find out how many different types of minerals are used in a variety of ways.
12. Research to find the answers to the questions on gemstones.
13. An ore is a metal-bearing mineral or rock or a natural mixture of minerals from which an element or compound can be extracted on a commercial scale. Research to find out the answers to the following questions.
14. Gold, silver, and platinum are considered precious metals. Research to find out the answers to the following questions.

Critical Thinking About Activities Topics:

10 activities ask students to think critically as they answer the questions and complete the activities.

1. You heard a new volcano has just erupted where you are planning your vacation. Do you continue your trip?
2. Two diamonds are for sale in a store; one has a flaw. Which would you choose?
3. Your new city location is in an earthquake zone, what do you do?
4. Would you buy a synthetic diamond versus a real one?
5. What are your feelings on strip mining, knowing it removes all dirt on the earth's surface?
6. You are building a fireplace in your home; would you use bricks or natural stone?
7. Diamonds are becoming rare, what do you think will happen when we have used them all in tools and jewelry?
8. What do you think a mine will look like in the future?
9. When all the minerals and ores are used up what do you think we will do to obtain natural resources in the future.

• Diamonds are considered the most popular gem today, what rock do you think will replace it in the future.

Creative Writing Activities:

6 fun creative writing activities on a rocks and minerals theme. Bring writing into your science lessons.

1. Choose a story starter and create an exciting adventure story.
2. Create a one-word poem using the letters in the word MINERAL.
3. Write an acrostic poem.
4. Write a cinquain poem.
5. Create an ad to convince people this new gem is worth buying.
6. Create a poster to announce that the world's largest diamond is going to be auctioned.

Word Study Activities:

7 activities on a rocks and minerals theme, bringing language arts into your rocks and minerals theme.

1. Using the alphabet, students will design their own gemstone booklet.
2. Find the meanings of phrases with the word "stone" in it.
3. Find as many songs as possible and sayings with the word rock in the title.
4. An activity in antonyms, homonyms, and synonyms.
5. Fill in the blank with the double consonant to complete the word.
6. Split the rocks and mineral words into syllables.
7. Rock Trivia: complete the sentences with "rock" or "stone"

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