Observing and Describing Rocks
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to observe and describe rocks by size, texture, and color.
Essential Understanding
The student knows that the natural world includes earth materials.
Science Background
Rocks and Minerals: US Geological Survey (website) - Introductory information about rocks and minerals, with a glossary of commonly used geological terms.
Rocks and Minerals
US Geological Survey, geomaps.wr.usgs.gov
Rocks: ScienceViews.com (website) - Texture, in geology, is used to describe how the rock looks. The most noticeable textural feature of many rocks is grain size, which refers to the size of the individual mineral crystals. The minerals that are present also determine color.
Rocks
by Calvin & Rosanna Hamilton, ScienceViews.com
Resources for Teachers and Students of Geoscience in Texas: Bureau of Economic Geology (website) - Numerous resources related to geology and Earth science, including links to publications, a virtual rock kit, Earthview Texas, and more.
Signature Lesson
All Sorts of Rocks: Utah Education Network (website) - Students learn about the concepts of mineral color, hardness, texture, layering and particle size while observing, describing and sorting rocks.
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Rock Hunters: Science NetLinks (website) - Students observe rocks of various types, colors and sizes, and record their observations through drawings. Includes interactive information on common rocks.
Rock Hunters
Science NetLinks, www.sciencenetlinks.com
Rock Critters: The Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. (PDF) - Students observe and compare different rocks while designing and building their own “pet rocks.”
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Mystery Rocks: Utah Education Network (website) - This lesson will get students thinking about the many uses of rocks in their everyday world as they observe and describe five different kinds of rock.
Assessment Ideas
Rock Hunters: Science NetLinks (website) - See assessment portion of this activity.
Literature Connections
The Big Rock. Hiscock, Bruce (ISBN: 0-689-82958-2)
If You Find A Rock. Christian, Peggy (ISBN: 0-152-39339-0)
It Could Still Be A Rock. Fowler, Allan (ISBN: 0-516-06010-4)
Let's Go Rock Collecting. Gans, Roma (ISBN: 0-064-45170-4)
Let's Look at Rocks. Cipriano, Jeri (ISBN: 0-7368-2938-5)
Rock. Firestone, Mary (ISBN: 0-736-82651-3)
Rocks and Minerals. Squire, Ann and Jenner, Jan (ISBN: 0-516-22505-7)
Rocks: Hard, Soft, Smooth, and Rough. Rosinsky, Natalie (ISBN: 1-404-80015-8)
Everybody Needs a Rock. Baylor, Byrd (ISBN: 0-689-71051-8)
Rocks in His Head. Hurst, Carol, Otis (ISBN: 0-060-29403-5)
Additional Resources
Rocks: Oregon State (website) - Information about different types of rocks and how they form.
Rocks
Oregon State University, www.oregonstate.edu
Collecting Rocks: US Geological Survey (website) - Learn about different varieties of rock and how to identify and collect them.
Collecting Rocks
by Rachel M. Barker, US Geological Survey, pubs.usgs.gov
Rock and Mineral Activities for Kids: How Stuff Works (website) - This site offers a variety of creative projects involving rock and minerals, including gold panning and sandstone carving.
Rock and Mineral Activities for Kids
How Stuff Works, www.howstuffworks.com
TEKS Navigation
Grade 2
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