Rock Day
Fri, Mar 14, 2014
Materials: Rocks
Activity: Bring your favorite rocks! Where did you find them? What do you like about them? Is it Genuine: Is it a natural stone or something like brick, concrete or metal? Find a Fresh Surface: Does the rock look like when you found it, or did you wash it? What colors do you see when it is dry or wet? Is it dark, light, shiny, sparkly, reflective or anything else? How do you think it weathers? Do you think it crumbles or changes color over time? How does it behave in vinegar? Observe the Rock's Texture: Observe your rock, close up. What particles is it made of and how do they fit together? What is between the particles? (This can help you decide if it is igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic.) Observe the Rock's Structure: Observe your rock at arm's length. Does it have layers? Are the layers ripples, waves or folds? Is it lumpy? Is it cracked? Is it organized or jumbled? Try Some Hardness Tests: What scratches rock? What does rock scratch? Try scratching with your fingernail, a coin, and something steel (a screwdriver). Can you “draw” with your rock on concrete?
Big Questions:: Is it genuine? Describe it's hardness, texture and structure?
Resources:
30 Ways to Teach Kids About Rocks
Tags: Earth Materials 2014