Curriculum Hub > Rocks and Minerals Unit

Unit
Rocks and Minerals Unit

This sample unit aligned to standards in grades 6-8 engages students in the hands on exploration of rocks and minerals. The unit activities also provide students with learning opportunities within the local community through a wide range of suggested community and local business connections. Tiered Activity Plans outline weekly activities and engaging materials support the development of new skills and the use of new vocabulary. Bring the study of rocks and minerals to life as we explore the amazing layers of earth below our feet.

This Unit Covers

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11

Weeks of Learning

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5

Packets of Downloadable Materials and Lessons

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70

Ohio Learning Standards

Activities Sets

Geology: Tools of the Trades

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Use maps and geology tools to explore rocks in the local community. Students photograph, track, and identify rock-rich locations while learning how geologists study Earth’s materials.

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Properties of Rocks and Materials

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Collect, sort, and study rocks by their observable properties. Students build a lab book and learn how characteristics such as texture and color help identify rock types.

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The Rock Cycle

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Investigate the rock cycle through demonstrations, models, and experiments. Students observe how rocks change over time and explore where sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks form.

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Earth's Layers and History

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Dig into the Earth’s surface to discover rocks, minerals, fossils, and soil. Students create a model of soil horizons, simulate plate movement, and use artifacts to build timelines from the past.

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Professions and Businesses in Rocks and Minerals

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Discover how rocks and minerals are used in everyday life and local businesses. Students explore where these resources come from, how they are used, and whether they are renewable.

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