The Interactive Science Classroom
Grades 4-6
Grade 4 Understanding Earth and Space Systems
Rocks and Minerals
LEGEND:
Individual Activity
Group Activity
Demonstration
Outdoor Activity
Crayon Rocks
You might not have a sample of each kind of rock or you may want to create a simplified versions for your students to hold and to play with. The sedimentary rock model can be made by your students during class time. However, the metamorphic and igneous rock models require boiling water, so in the interest of time and safety, you may want to create these at home.
As students are making the sedimentary rock models, relate this process to that which occurs in nature. What do the different colours of the crayons represent? Why are we using small pieces of crayons and not large ones? What is represented by you pushing down on the wrapped crayon pieces with your hands?
Expectations Addressed: 3.3, 3.4
Rocks All Around Us
Bring your students outside to collect rocks. In an urban setting, this may be difficult, so you may want to either bring rocks in yourself or bring your students to a nearby park or green space.
Once the rocks are collected, have your students fill out a field records notebook, in which they write down their characteristics (colour, hardness, lustre, etc). In the classroom, your students can identify what type of rock they think they found.
When testing your students later on in the unit, use rocks and have them describe the rocks and write down what type of rock they are. Being able to manipulate rocks will help your students differentiate them.
Expectations Addressed: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5
Finally, here is a great video from everyone's favourite science whiz, Bill Nye. His videos explain the scientific concepts of this unit simply and in an engaging manner. To make the video more interactive for students, pause the video at certain points to ask questions that the class must answer in small groups.