American Chemical Society
Crushing Test
Solidify understanding of the properties of crystals by crushing them to compare hardness. After some class discussion, a procedure is planned, and then small groups go about making observations as they crush five different crystal...
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How hard is it?
Inquiry is probably one of the most fun ways kids learn. They will test the hardness of 10 different minerals in order to classify them. They rate each of the minerals from most to least hard. Note: Having real minerals for this...
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What a Hard Test!
Fifth graders complete an exercise that introduces them to Moh's scale of mineral hardness. The scale is presented on the instructional activity, and learners answer three questions which have them assign a hardness rating based on some...
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Making Minerals Marketable Data Sheet
In this minerals activity, middle schoolers investigate a mineral by doing research, they complete a mineral information sheet and they develop an advertising poster for the mineral.
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Sounds Good to Me
Students determine density and hardness of wood samples based on several investigations. In this physical science and music instructional activity, students visit four centers and perform tests on wood samples to determine densities and...
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Rock and Mineral IQ
Students observe rock and mineral compositions. In this identification instructional activity, students read The Story of Rocks. Students identify rock and mineral samples by testing for hardness, color, luster, weight and appearance.
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Mineral Identification
In this mineral identification lesson plan, students analyze 14 minerals and test their physical properties. They test the color, luster, streak, hardness and breakage of each mineral. Students answer 5 questions about the physical...
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Understanding pH, Alkalinity, and Hardness
Young scholars comprehend the interactions of pH, alkalinity, hardness, and carbon dioxide in aquaculture water. They read the SRAC fact sheet number 464 "Interactions of pH, Carbon Dioxide, Alkalintiy and Hardness in Fish Ponds." ...
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Minerals
Students apply rules to compare and rank the hardness and softness of minerals. They perform a scratch test on four unknown mineral samples, read a bar graph that illustrates the comparative hardness and softness of four named minerals,...
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Time and Rate
For this rate graphing worksheet, students graph four examples of rate vs. time. Then students complete 20 short answer questions.
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Mineral Identification
In this mineral identification worksheet, students match 10 terms to their definitions. Terms include types of minerals, tests and characteristics of minerals. They write down the tests used to identify an unknown mineral and they fill...
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Qualitative Physical Properties of Matter
In this matter worksheet, students complete a data table by comparing the physical properties of 7 different samples of matter. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.
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Minerals And Their Uses
For this minerals worksheet, students will review the four physical characteristics used to identify a mineral: streak, color, size, and hardness. Students will also understand the Mohs Hardness Scale. This worksheet has thirteen short...
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Minerals: Earth's Jewels
In this minerals worksheet, students will review 5 vocabulary words associated with minerals including rock, gem, ore, and crystal. Then students will complete a crossword puzzle with 7 terms relating to the different tests that can be...
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Dichotomous Key: Minerals
In this earth science worksheet, students identify various minerals as described in the fifteen questions. They identify the luster and hardness of a mineral. Then, students identify what color the mineral is and whether it has streaks...
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Mechanical Properties
Students explore the concept of hardness. For this physical science lesson plan, students will be using clay heated at different temperatures to study hardness based on the indention left. Students will also be identifying the variables...
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Properties of Minerals
In this minerals worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer by brainstorming and then writing down the 6 different properties of minerals.
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Water Testing
Students work together to design their own experiment to test developed hypothesis about the minerals in water. As a class, they discuss the main components of water quality and describe the chemistry behind the hardness assay. They...
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Activity #7 Special Properties: A Discussion
Middle schoolers identify special properties of matter (absorbency, hardness, brittleness, malleability, and elasticity). They define the term matter. Pupils investigate some of the special properties of matter to aid in classifying...
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Geology: Rock Hounds
Second graders read Byrd Baylor's book, Everybody Needs a Rock. In small groups, they examine rocks and list their characteristics. After writing down the descriptions on cards, the rocks are pooled together. Students then use the...