Grade 4 Science

The study of rocks and minerals introduces students to geology. By examining different types of rocks and minerals found in the earth crust, students will learn about their characteristics and properties. This activity engages students in exploring and learning information about different types of rocks. The topic can be introduced by encouraging students to collect different types of rocks from their neighbourhood. Those rocks would be studied individually and in groups. Students will write about a specific rock from their collection. They would sit in a group and would classify different rocks to make a chart. Teacher will then teach them about different types of rocks, their properties, uses and examples. Students would be encouraged to research more on topic. They would create a poster and would explain the facts on the poster. Students will write a test after creating and presenting the poster.

Expectations from Ontario Curriculum

Describe the difference between minerals (composed of the same substance throughout) and rocks (compose of two or more minerals); Visit these links for more information: http://www.fi.edu/qa97/spotlight1/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minerals#Minerals_and_rocks

Classify the rocks and minerals according to chosen criteria, relying on their observation (e.g., colour, texture, shape);
Find out more on this site: http://www.casdn.neu.edu/~geology/department/staff/colgan/iceland/rocks.htm

Recognize that there are three classes of rocks: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic; To read more information visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocks

View slide show on rocks at:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Slideshow/Slideindex.html

Photo Source: http://en.openphoto.net/search/index.html