American Chemical Society
Solubility Test
Make sure to consult the teacher's handbook, Inquiry in Action - Investigating Matter Through Inquiry, for two demonstrations that can be done to introduce solubility and measuring crystal mass before having the class conduct this...
American Chemical Society
Recrystallization Test
Crystallize the answer to the question that has been investigated since the first of four lessons: What is the unknown crystal? Pupils have examined, crushed, and dissolved four samples plus an unknown as an exploration of the properties...
American Chemical Society
Curious Crystals
Crystals are more than meets the eye! Can learners tell them apart simply by observation? As they examine five samples with a magnifier, they find that appearance alone is not enough. This serves as an introduction to a mini unit on...
Curated OER
Snowflake Bentley
Students explore crystals through the story Snowflake Bentley and then create crystal pictures of their own. In this interdisciplinary lesson, they create a crystal web chart on chart paper, design artificial snowflakes, and write poems...
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...
Curated OER
Gumdrop Crystal Models
A great way to learn about molecular structures is to make a model. Gumdrops and toothpicks are used to construct crystal models. The models are based on theories of crystal shapes that occur because of positive and or negatively charged...
Curated OER
Polymers and Crystals: Their Role in Food Science
Blend chemistry with cooking in this exploration of polymers, carbohydrates, and food science. Experimenting with gelatin produces concrete examples of the bonding and ploymerization discussed in the lesson. Copious, comprehensive...
Curated OER
What Goes Down Must Come Up
Third graders explore the capillary action of plants. They discover what makes paper "grow" when water is dropped on it. Pupils observe how paper reacts as it absorbs water. Students use a variety of saturate solutions to grow crystals,...
Curated OER
Crystal Growing
Students grow crystals and document their observations by recording timeing and growth. Additional characteristics of crystals are observed under a black light, by growing under different conditions and mineral content is determined.
Curated OER
Mystery Powders
Students collect microscopic images from a variety of chemical specimens to determine the identity of a mystery powder. They use a ProScope Digital USB Microscope to describe and compare the crystal size and shape of the chemicals.
Curated OER
Crystal Painting
Students investigate crystalline solids. In this crystals lesson, students observe samples of natural crystals and compare and contrast each. They draw pictures with crayons and then paint over their picture using crystalline solids...
Curated OER
Growing Crystals from Solutions
Students grow crystals in the lab using solutions. In this crystals lesson plan, students set up a crystal growing apparatus using a sugar solution with a thread attached to a piece of copper wire that is inserted in the solution....
Curated OER
Crystals
Learners investigate crystal formation, their shapes and the best places to cleave crystals for smooth edges. In this crystal lesson plan, students experiment to form crystals with Salol as well as with copper wire and Silver Nitrate....
Curated OER
Crystals in the World around Us
Students grow a number of crystals, ask questions and experiment. They have a display showing their crystals in various stages of development. Additionally, they have models of crystals to take home. They study the forces that shape...
Curated OER
Diamonds Are Forever - Most of the Time!
Students examine the compositions and structure of diamonds. They conduct an experiment growing crystals, watch a video, and conduct Internet research.
Curated OER
Scientific Method and Crystal Growth
Students conduct a hands-on experiment growing crystals to demonstrate the nature of science as inquiry. They discuss and test variables that affect crystal growth. They research mineral crystallization and mineral formation on the...
Curated OER
Diaper Inquiry
Fifth graders carefully examine and investigate the products contained in a diaper. They particularly analyze the crystal sodium polyacrylate, a product developed for use in astronaut diapers. They follow the scientific method, forming...
Curated OER
Growing Your Own Snow Crystals
Students grow snow crystals in your classroom with a few materials and a two-liter bottle!
Curated OER
Inside a Geode
Students examine a variety of geodes and discuss how they are formed. Individually, they make their own geode creation out of markers and clay. To end the lesson, they use watercolors to paint them to their desired color and glitter to...
Curated OER
Crystals
Fourth graders use mucilage glue and magnesium sulfate to make crystals. They mix the ingredients, place a drop on a glass slide and observe the forming crystals.
Curated OER
Fun Crystal Activities
Students complete a variety of activities to learn about crystals. In this crystals lesson plan, students paint with a crystal solution, pan for crystals, grow crystals, and more.
Curated OER
Strong Chemistry
Students research and create a poster about a gemstone. For this mineral properties lesson, students view a video about diamonds. They discuss the properties of minerals and choose a gemstone to research and create a poster.
Curated OER
Coal Flowers
Students create coal flowers. In this mining lesson plan, students discuss the importance of coal during the 1800s and use ingredients to make coal flowers. Students determine the effect temperature has on crystal formation.
Curated OER
Solids
In this solids worksheet, learners explain why solids are more dense than other states of matter. Students compare ionic solids and covalent network solids. This worksheet has 6 short answer questions.