Earth Materials Calendar
This calendar is based on the assumption that science experiences are occurring in 45 minute sessions, 4 days a
week, as a minimum amount of time to teach the unit in its entirety.
* Be sure to make your “Mock Rocks” one week before teaching the unit.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Investigation 1
Investigation 1
Investigation 1
Investigation 1
Mock Rocks
Mock Rocks
Mock Rocks
Mock Rocks
Part 1: Investigating Part 2: Taking
Part 2:Taking Rocks Part 3: Observing
Mock Rocks
Rocks
Apart cont.
Crystals
Apart
Fill vials with water
Set up evaporation
May need to preand powder so it can dishes; ideally on a
teach metric
settle overnight.
Friday so they can
measurement in cm
evaporate over the
weekend
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Literature
Investigation 1
Investigation 2
Investigation 2
Connection: Use
Mock Rocks
Scratch Test
Scratch Test
Science Stories:
Part 3: Observing
Part 1: Observing
Part 2: Testing for
“Digging it Up:
Crystals cont.
Minerals
Hardness
Mining for Minerals”
and “ Birthstones”
Observe and Record Use Science Stories
Evaporation dishes; “Treasure
Extension Activity:
identify salt and
Underfoot” and “X
Research Mohs’
alum crystals
Marks the Spot”
Hardness Scale or
birthstones
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Home-School
Investigation 3:
Investigation 3:
Investigation 3
Connection: Have
Part 2: Looking for
Calcite Quest
Calcite Quest
students bring in a
More Evidence cont.
Part 1: Detecting
Part 2: Looking for
rock from home to
Calcite
More Evidence
observe and test for
calcite
Day 13
Investigation 4:
Take it for Granite
Part 1: Identifying
Minerals in Granite
Day 14
Investigation 4:
Take it for Granite
Part 1: Identifying
Minerals in Granite
cont.
Sort rock from
minerals using
shape, color, luster
and hardness
Use luster and
hardness to
determine which
minerals are in
granite
Day 18
Investigation 4
Choosing Your
Own Investigation
Day 17
Investigation 4
Choosing Your
Own Investigation
Evaporation Day
Day 15
Investigation 4:
Take it for Granite
Part 1: Identifying
Minerals in Granite
cont.
Day 16
Investigation 4:
Take it for Granite
Part 1: Identifying
Minerals in Granite
cont.
Gather more
evidence with
vinegar test and set
up evaporation
Observe evaporation
test results and draw
conclusions
Day 19
Investigation 4
Choosing Your
Own Investigation
Day 20
Investigation 4
Choosing Your
Own Investigation
This calendar is just a guide for your use with this unit offered by teachers that found this schedule to work for them. It reflects a
minimum amount of time needed. Most book suggestions come from VAST Mediagraphies available at
http://media2.aea10.k12.ia.us/display/040?kw=%2A&md=099.
Revised June 7, 2008
Be sure to keep a Whole Class “Content/Inquiry” Chart and add to it daily. Questions will be useful at the end of the unit
for the “Choose your own Investigation” activity.
This calendar is just a guide for your use with this unit offered by teachers that found this schedule to work for them. It reflects a
minimum amount of time needed. Most book suggestions come from VAST Mediagraphies available at
http://media2.aea10.k12.ia.us/display/040?kw=%2A&md=099.
Revised June 7, 2008