Rocks and Minerals

See that rocks are made of minerals, and ask questions about how rocks are different.

Warm-up, learn, try it together, practice, then a quick check. About 15 minutes.

What children learn in Level 1

Welcome, Rock Hound! Rocks are everywhere: in mountains, riverbeds, and your own backyard.
Rocks are made of minerals. A mineral is a natural, nonliving solid. Some rocks have just one mineral, but many are a mix.
Granite is a speckled rock made of several minerals, like quartz and feldspar. Each speck is a mineral!
Scientists tell rocks and minerals apart by their properties: color, texture, luster, and hardness. Ask questions you can test: Can a copper coin scratch it?

Georgia Standards of Excellence in Science:

S3E1.a — Ask questions and analyze data to classify rocks by their physical attributes (color, texture, luster, and hardness) using simple tests. (Clarification statement: Mohs scale should be studied at this level. Cleavage, streak and the classification of rocks as sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic are studied in sixth grade.)