Rock and Mineral Detectives
By Beth Ann Burton
Several local geologists found out that we are studying Rocks and Minerals and have asked for our help. They would like us to help them by becoming rock and mineral detectives. Our job will be to collect clues about rocks and minerals and to share our findings with the community in the form of a slideshow and fact flipper poster.
You will use the Internet and other resources to collect clues about rocks and minerals and how they are used. You may work with a partner to gather the information but you will create the slideshow and poster on your own. You will be looking for the answers to these questions:
|
1. Over the next 3 weeks we will work on finding the answers to these questions. Each week you will become a different detective. A good detective knows where to look for information and will look for clues to help them discover if they are on the right track.
|
* Mineral Detective |
This person will find out what rocks and minerals are and the specific characteristics of your assigned mineral. |
|
* Locator Detective |
This person will find out where your assigned mineral is found in nature and how your assigned mineral is used once it is mined from the earth. |
|
* Rock Detective |
This person will find out what the three different types of rocks are and how they are formed. This person will also find out what type of rock your assigned mineral is associated with. |
2. When using each resource, read through the information carefully, thinking about what you are reading. Make sure you think about your goals as a detective and what you need to find out about rocks and minerals.
3. Please use the resource packet to take notes.
4. When you have looked through all the information, read through all your notes and decided what is the most important information that solves your detective work, you will begin your slideshow. You can meet with your partner or another detective if you need help.
5. Individually organize your information for a slideshow. Use the storyboard example to guide you through the slides. You will need to create at least one slide/page per question and answer. You will end up with a total of 13 pages in your presentation.
6. When your slideshow is finished, find someone you can present it to. Practice giving your presentation several times. Take suggestions from your practice partners and edit your slideshow as needed.
7. Once your slideshow is printed, you will assemble it into a Fact Flipper poster. (This is optional, some may prefer to leave it as a little flip book).
8. Finally, you will present the slideshow of your detective work to different classes throughout the school.
(Remember to review any websites your students will be visiting within 24 hours of the planned lesson.)
|
What does that term mean? - Glossary of terms |
Rocks and Minerals Reference Sheet - Locate information about different rocks/minerals |
Listen to a clip on the Rock Cycle - using United Streaming, you will listen to a clip and answer questions on the Rock Detective Page
Trackstar - lots of rock and mineral information
Discover How Rocks are Formed - Rocks can be classified into three main groups.
Become A Rock Expert - View rocks and read how they were made
FAST FAQS about Rocks and Minerals - a few basic questions and answers about rocks and minerals
Rocks and Minerals - What are rocks and minerals, anyway?
Rocky the Rock Hound - main index of the website
http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow1/rocks/
You will be evaluated on several things in this activity.
You have now successfully located the physical characteristics of your assigned mineral and where that mineral is found as a natural resource. You have also located clues that tell others how that mineral is used once it is mined from the earth and the type of rock that mineral is associated with.
Now that you have finished this Rocks & Minerals WebQuest, you are officially a Rocks & Minerals Detective! Reward yourself by playing some of the games below! Yippie!
Fun Sites for Kids
Rocks and Minerals Word Search Game