Mining the Web
The sites listed below are available on the Rocks & Minerals page of the Kid Zone at
http://sciencespot.net/ Then Kid Zone (at the top) and choose Rocks and Minerals
Site #1: Rock Hounds
1. Explore the Rock Creations area to complete each section.
For thousands, even millions of years, little pieces of our earth have been eroded-broken down and worn away by __________ and __________. These little bits of our
earth are washed downstream where they settle to the bottom of the __________,
__________, and __________. Layer after layer of __________ earth is deposited on
top of each. These layers are pressed down more and more through time, until the
bottom layers slowly turn into __________.
Igneous rocks are called __________ rocks and are formed either underground or
above ground. Underground, they are formed when the melted rock, called __________,
deep within the earth becomes trapped in small pockets. As these pockets of magma
cool __________ underground, the magma becomes igneous rocks. Igneous rocks are
also formed when _____________ erupt, causing the magma to rise above the earth's
surface. When magma appears above the earth, it is called __________. Igneous rocks
are formed as the lava cools above ground.
Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have "____________" into another kind of
rock. These rocks were once __________ or _______________ rocks. How do
sedimentary and igneous rocks change? The rocks are under tons and tons of
____________, which fosters __________ build up, and this causes them to change. If
you examine metamorphic rock samples closely, you'll discover how flattened some of
the __________ in the rock are.
2. Explore Discovering Earth’s Treasures area to classify each rock. Use I for igneous, S for
sedimentary, and M for metamorphic.
____ Conglomerate ____ Gneiss ____ Granite ____ Gypsum
____ Limestone ____ Obsidian ____ Pumice ____ Sandstone
____ Schist ____ Scoria ____ Shale
3. Try the Rock Hound Quiz. How did you do? _ _ _
Site #2: Rock Cycle
1. What are rocks made of?
_____________________________________________________________
2. What are the four layers of the Earth?
____________________ ____________________ _____________________
_____________________
3. If you were to use an apple to represent the Earth, what would each part be?
The peel represents the ____________________. The white part of the apple would be the
__________________. The core of the apple represents the ___________ of the Earth
Site #3: State Symbols: Geology
1. What is our state mineral? _______
2. Which mineral is the most popular? ______________ How many states have adopted it?
______
3. How many states do not have “geosymbols”? ________
Challenge: Identify each state by its “rocky” nickname. (You will need to use a search engine
for this one!)
The Gem State __________________ The Diamond State __________________
The Granite State __________________ The Silver State __________________
The Golden State __________________ The Copper State __________________
Site: Mineral Uses (Earth science section of Sciencespot.net Kid zone)
1. Based on current consumption, it is estimated that you - and every other person in
the United States - will use more than a ________________ pounds of rocks, minerals and
metals during your lifetime. How many pounds of the following will you use?
______ Lead ______ Zinc _____ Copper ______ Aluminum
______ Iron ______ Clays ______ Salt ______ Stone, sand, & gravel
Mineral Mania
Site: Fireworks
1. How many tons of fireworks are used each year?
2. What minerals are used to make the following colors or special effects?
Yellows Orange Gold Sparks Bright flashes Silvery-white flashes Bright Greens Silvery White Deep Reds Lavender Blues Site: Mineral Groups
1. What are the birthstone(s) for each month?
January: ________________ or ________________
February: ________________ or ________________
March: ________________ or ________________
April: ________________ or ________________
May: ________________ or ________________
June: ________________ or ________________ or ________________
July: ________________ or ________________
August: ________________ or ________________
September: ________________ or ________________
October: ________________ or ________________
November: ________________ or ________________
December: ________________ or ________________
2. Name three minerals that “glow” under ultraviolet light. What is the glow called?
3. What is a gemstone? Can all minerals be gemstones? Explain.
4. What is a mineraloid? Give 3 examples.
Done?
1 - Return to the Rock Hounds site and try the Puzzling Pebbles activities.
2 – Go to the Mineralogy 4 Kids website and choose Games.
3- Check Out the Links Below!
Rocks and Minerals Links
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Geology for Kids http://www.kidsgeo.com/geology-for-kids/
Mineralogy for Kids http://www.minsocam.org/MSA/K12/K_12.html
Rock Cycle Game http://www.kineticcity.com/mindgames/warper/
Flash Rock Cycle
http://www.uky.edu/AS/Geology/howell/goodies/elearning/module05swf.
swf
How can minerals be defined by their properties?
How are rocks classified?
Interactive Rock Cycle http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/
Rocks http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/7.asp
Interactive Rock Cycle Animation
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations
/es0602/es0602page02.cfm