Students are also doing a research project on the internet for rocks and minerals. They will create a powerpoint to demonstrate their information learned.
Objectives for this unit were:
Students will learn the difference between rocks and minerals
Student will learn the different types of rocks
Students will learn how each different type of rock is formed
January 24th the students will begin their Weathering and Erosion unit.
Unit Objectives:
Students will understand the processes of weathering and erosion
Students will understand how materials become soil
Students will identify weathering
Students will distinguish between weathering and erosion
Students will model erosion
We will be on this unit for about 2 weeks. Then we will begin the soil unit.
Soil Unit Objectives:
Students will list components of soil
Students will diagram soil layers
Students will relate components of soils to the growth of plants
Students will explain how plants control erosion
Students will investigate ways to provide mineral nutrients for plants to grow without soil
Students generally become very excited about rocks during and after this unit. We actually live in a great place to continue to investigate rocks. All of the National Parks here in Utah have lots of information on the geology of their park.
On The Utah Geologic Survey website, there is a ton of information and guides to Utah's geologic sites. There are "field trips" you can take, as well as information on places to collect rocks and fossils. There is also a walking tour of buildings in downtown Salt Lake, each using a different kind of rock.
Here is the link for those activities:
Virtual Geologic guides
Geosights:
Rock collecting sites:
Take some time to look around more on this site. I love it. It is a great place to find FREE and cool things to do with your kids in the summer months.
Have fun and happy rock hunting!
