Investigation Box

How To Be A Geologist!

Grades:
2nd-4th

Standards: 
(for second and third grade)

• Earth and Space Science - Geology
• 2-PS1-1: Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties. (NGSS)
• S3.A.2.1.1: Generate questions about objects, organisms, or events that can be answered through scientific investigations. (PACC)
• S3.C.1.1.1: Describe matter in terms of its observable properties (e.g., weight, mass, shape, size, color, texture, state).
• S3.D.1.1.1: Recognize that rock is composed of different kinds of minerals.
• 3.3.3.A2: Identify the physical properties of minerals and demonstrate how minerals can be tested for these different physical properties.
• R3.A.2.3.1: Make inferences and/or draw conclusions based on information from text.
• R3.A.2.5.1: Summarize the major points, processes, and/or events of a nonfictional text as a whole.

Books and resources used:

• A Rock is Lively by Dianna Hutts Aston
• National Geographic Readers: Rocks and Minerals by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
• Rocks & Minerals by Dan Green
• Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks and Minerals by Chris Pellant
• Rocks and Minerals (DK Eyewitness Books) by R. F. Symes
• Minerals Poster 
• Stone sets from the lovely Stone and Violet

 Miscellaneous materials:

• bead containers
• index cards
• card ring
• colored pencils
• writing utensils
• magnifying glass
• magnet
• a small sheet of glass (optional: to determine hardness)

 

Directions and answer key:

Stones in question: