Lesson Plan 1:
Grade: 5
Subject: Science
Unit: Our Changing Earth
Science Standard 5.2.A.3.a - Observe and classify a collection of minerals based on their
physical properties: color, luster, hardness, streak. (CCPS Science Curriculum)
Essential Question: What are the physical properties of minerals?
Lesson Objectives:
Students will observe and be able to describe physical properties of minerals such
as color, hardness,luster, and streak.
Students will be able to sort and classify minerals based on physical properties.
Materials Needed:
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glass slides (optional)
hand lenses
nails
mineral samples (feldspar, galena, halite, talc)
Mohs’ Scale of Hardness
Pennies
rock samples (pink granite)
streak plates
Mystery Minerals Observation Notes Sheet
Minerals Table Sheet
See technology options at the end of lesson
Teacher Weblinks:
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=DFFBB431-3F3A4F12-9EF6-5034E6FB4407&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=DSCE
Physical
Properties of Minerals Video
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=D4B83B2E-BC9C4721-AC61-91F37BFEC14C&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=DSCE
Minerals Exploration of Physical Properties
Moh’s Scale of Hardness
1 = Talc (scratched by a fingernail)
2 = Gypsum (scratched by a fingernail)
3 = Calcite (scratched by a penny)
4 = Fluorite (scratched by a nail)
5 = Apatite (scratched by a nail)
6 = Orthoclase (scratched by a glass slide)
7 = Quartz (scratched by a glass slide)
8 = Topaz (harder than steel)
9 = Corundum (harder than steel)
10 = Diamond (harder than steel)
Lesson Elements:
I .Motivation: Ask students to discuss with a partner what they remember about
rocks and minerals from the previous day.
Sample responses: A rock is made from 2 or more minerals
Minerals are solid, inorganic, crystal materials.
They are both made by nature.
Students may give some examples of rocks and minerals.
Next, show the video on physical properties of minerals.
II. Exploration: Students are put into heterogenous groups of 4.
-Give each group a minerals testing kid (it includes penny, hand lens, nail. streak
plate, and samples of mystery minerals/rocks/
-Teacher will instruct students on how to use the Mystery Minerals Observation
Notes sheet and the Minerals Table sheet.
-Teacher will review how to test each mineral as shown on the video.
The Moh’s scale of hardness will be displayed on the document camera for all to
see during the exploration period.
-Students will begin testing for mineral properties. Teacher will circulate the room
during this time to answer student questions, observe student behaviors, and keep
students on-task.
-Students will also get the opportunity to learn using technology with the
Discovery Education Exploration Minerals Page. This link is in the materials section
of the lesson. Students will complete the exploration with a partner and record any
new thoughts on their Mystery Minerals Observation Notes sheet.
III. Explanation:
- Students will return to their seats. The teacher will have students share their
findings from the exploration portion. The teacher will record the notes and
make a copy available for students with IEP’s that require copies of notes. These
students do not have to copy the notes from the sheet but they are held
accountable for listening to the discussion and participating by sharing what they
learned.
- Teacher will ask questions such as
- How did the properties help you to determine the mystery mineral?
- Which sample was the most challenging to identify and why?
IV: Assessment: Students will use Activotes to answer questions about minerals.
The questions will be posted on the screen for the class to see. (I cannot access
my school’s software from home, but I would use this at school)
Question 1: True or False: One way to test the physical feature of a mineral is to
look at the color of it’s streak
Question 2: Does a value or 10 mean that a
mineral is
hard or soft?
a) Hard
b) Soft
Question 3: Using your observation notes sheet,
which
mineral is also known as table salt?
a)pink granite
b) halite
c) talc
A picture of an Activote.
After students have used activotes, they can answer the fourth question with a
written response.
Out of the minerals you observed today, which mineral or minerals would be the
best to use if your school wanted to build a statue to display outside of the school?
You can use words and pictures in your explanation.
Potential Barriers (see also tech options below for additional info)
Materials & Methods
Student Qualities
Potential Barriers/
Missed Opportunities
Solutions
Minerals Exploration
Low Vision Student
May have difficulty
viewing the materials
Use magnifying device,
hand lens
Video
Hearing Impaired Student Trouble hearing video
Video has closed
captioning
Teacher Directions
Hearing Impaired Student Trouble hearing teacher
FM system worn by
student
Worksheets/computer
Low Vision Student
low vision student may
have difficulty seeing
worksheet/computer
Enlarge print on paper
Use computer
magnification options, use
alternative keyboard
Cognitively Impaired
Not understand
Use only necessary
Student
worksheet/too much print directions, provide
Learning Disabled student
pictures or symbols, use
highlighter tape,
For this lesson:
Tech Options:
+For low vision student, a low-tech option would be to use the display option to
magnify the screen view on the computer
+ A high tech option for the computer could be software to enlarge print on the
computer.
+ http://www.boundlessat.com/Low-Vision/Screen-Magnification/ZoomText
+ For learning disabled student or visually impaired student, a color overlay for the
mineral notes sheet may help with the reading of this document.
+ For a student with cognitive impairments, it may be helpful if the notes sheet
was simplified, using a bulleted list instead of paragraphs.
+For low vision student, a keyboard with colorful keys. Any student would enjoy
using this keyboard.
http://www.ablenetinc.com/Assistive-Technology/Computer-Access/Kids-LargePrint-Keyboards
+For low vision student, a magnifying device to assist with viewing minerals and
reading worksheets.
http://www.ablenetinc.com/Assistive-Technology/Low-Vision/Boost
+For vision impaired student, text to speech software to read aloud what is on
computer, if necessary.
http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Text-To-Speech-Software/ReadHear-Mac
+For vision impaired student, teacher can use copier to magnify the print on the
worksheets
+For hearing impaired student, a receiver to listen as teacher provides
instructions.
http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Tour-Guide-Lecture-Systems/Digi-WaveDLR-50-Receiver
+For hearing impaired student, accessories for the receiver.
http://www.enablemart.com/Digi-Wave-DLR-50-Receiver-Accessories
For learning disabled and cognitively impaired student (all of the class could
benefit from this)
+Highlighter Tape: A low tech option teachers and students can use to highlight
directions or key words in the reading
For learning disabled and possibly cognitively impaired:
+Franklin Speller to assist with written responses on Mystery Observation Note
Sheet
+ Student can use a grip on their pencil if they need assistance with the task of
handwriting.
+ For student that is cognitively impaired depending on the extent of their
disability, the teacher could include pictures and symbols on the minerals sheet so
the student could match the picture to the word on the page.
+ An option for the student with cognitive impairments may benefit from a word wall or a
pocket word wall to carry with them. This would contain phrases to use for this unit’s
lessons.
Unit: Our Changing Earth
Mystery Minerals Observation Notes
Lesson: Mystery Minerals : Taken from CCPS Science Curriculum
Talc – Talc is a soft mineral that can be scratched with your fingernail.
It has a soapy feel and a pearly/greasy luster. It comes in shades of
green, gray and white. It is found throughout the Appalachians from
Vermont to Georgia. It is used as an ingredient in paint, ceramics,
rubber, roofing, and paper. It is the “talc” in talcum powder.
Feldspar – Feldspar is one of the most abundant minerals on the surface
of the Earth. It makes up about 60% of the Earth’s crust. Feldspar ranks
among the hardest minerals. It ranges in color from clear white to gray,
blue, green or pink. It is used to make pottery and glass. Feldspar
crystals contain beautiful colors and luster so it is often used as
gemstones and ornaments.
Galena – Galena is a very shiny mineral that is electrical. It is lead-gray
in color. Galena is a source of lead and silver. It is too soft to be used in
tools but it is used in coins and weights for scales. Galena is easy to
melt and mold into shapes. Galena can be found in every state in the
U.S.
Halite – Halite is one of the most important foods we eat everyday. Its
common name is “table salt.” Halite is colorless when pure but is
usually a discolored shade of yellow, red, gray or brown. It is
transparent and brittle. Halite is found in the Northeast and Southwest.
Pink Granite – Pink Granite is a coarse-grained, hard, igneous rock. It
typically consists of the minerals quartz, feldspar and mica. It gets its
pink color from feldspar. Pink granite is chiefly used as a building
material.
Name: _______________________ Date: _______________________
Minerals Table Sheet
Directions: Using your mystery minerals kit, observation notes, and the Moh’s
Scale of Hardness, complete the table below.
Name
Feldspar
Galena
Halite
Pink Granite
Talc
Color
Luster
(dull, shiny,
glassy, etc.)
Streak
(color left on
streak plate)
Hardness
(1-10)