Mineral Lesson Plans (5E lessons that teach mineral properties & Mohs Scale)

Mineral Lesson Plans: Are you looking for kid-friendly lesson plans that explain what minerals are and how to identify them in a fun way? These engaging and hands-on lesson plans use the 5E model to teach students the properties of minerals and how geologists identify unknown minerals. These lessons have been classroom tested by me many times and are definitely student approved!

LESSON #1 ALL ABOUT MINERALS

This lesson begins with an ENGAGING story about a boy named Rocky who finds an unknown mineral in his backyard. Rocky does a bunch of tests to the unknown mineral, to help him identify it. The story leaves the students hanging because it doesn't mention the name of the mineral he found. (They will find out in the next lesson.)

Through a teacher-led discussion, students EXPLORE what Rocky did to the unknown mineral so that he could identify it. While discussing what Rocky did to the mineral, the teacher EXPLAINs the properties of minerals to them (Color, luster, streak, texture, cleavage, acid reaction, hardness) and the students take notes. (Differentiated pages are provided.) The teacher also explains Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness to the students.

After the properties of minerals have been explained to the students, this lesson challenges the students to ELABORATE their understanding by having them answer questions about Mohs Scale. To EVALUATE the students' understanding of mineral properties, a vocabulary crossword puzzle is provided.

LESSON #2 STATION ROTATION LESSON

This lesson begins with the ENGAGING story of Rocky again, but this time students EXPLORE what mineral Rocky found. The students find out that it was calcite, and the teacher further EXPLAINs how the properties of minerals help geologists identify unknown minerals.

Students then rotate from station to station, EXTENDING their knowledge of minerals as they observe and record the properties of an unknown mineral. (The unknown mineral is halite. All you have to do is buy rock salt because salt is a mineral)

After the students have observed the properties of the unknown mineral, a classroom discussion follows and the teacher ASSESSES their understanding by asking them to share their observations and then asking them what the mineral was. Students discover that it was halite, which is just salt. Then, if your students are anything like mine, they will beg to take a sample home and/or beg to eat a piece. Haha

Here is everything that you're getting with this product: (please click the preview so you can see the quality of my work):

Here's what you'll be getting:

-2 very detailed lesson plans that explain what to say and do each step of the way

-A story about a boy who discovers an unknown mineral and then tests its properties to identify it.

-Differentiated graphic organizers where students take notes as they learn about the properties of minerals

-A handout that explains Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness

-A crossword puzzle to assess their knowledge of mineral vocabulary

-A worksheet where students use Mohs Scale to answer questions

-A worksheet where they read over the story about Rocky, make annotations as they read, and then use a table to discover what mineral he found in his backyard

-A graphic organizer where students can write down their observations as they rotate from station to station

-Instructions that can be printed off and placed at each station

-A worksheet where students use their notes to discover the unknown mineral and write down what they think it was

AND

-Vocabulary posters (rock, mineral, geologist, and gemstone.)

Before teaching these two lessons, I use my Hershey's vs. Snickers lesson to introduce and explain the difference between a rock and a mineral.

If you are interested in buying both products and many other products like this at a discount price, then please check out my HUGE Rocks and Minerals Unit, which provides three week's worth of material that can be used to teach or enhance your rocks and minerals unit.

Thank you!

© Lotts of Learning 2017