CADRE Lesson Planning Guide
Lesson Title:
Geology Rocks! A Trip to the National Museum of Natural History
Grade Level:
2nd Grade
Unit/Topic: Earth Science
Lesson Plan Overview / Details:
Students will look at a multimedia presentation from the Smithsonian Institute and compare
different gems and minerals with a middle school buddy. They will complete a “scavenger
hunt” worksheet while they view the various parts of the presentation.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
 Compare the physical properties of different kinds of rocks and know that rock is
composed of different combinations of minerals.
Activities in the Lesson
Activity #1
□
Hook / Anticipatory Set
□
Lecture
□
Demonstration / Modeling
□
Guided Practice
□
Independent Practice
□
Closure Activity
□
Checking for Understanding
□
Lab / Shop
□
Group Work
□
Projects
□
Formal Assessment
□
Other:
Students will pack a bag as if they are traveling on an airplane to
Washington, D.C. We will simulate an airport experience with
announcements of arrivals and departures, an “in flight” snack and a
bumpy landing as we make our way from the 2nd grade classroom to
the middle school. Students will keep their arms out to help the plane
stay aloft and make airplane noises as we travel. Teacher should ask as
flight attendant, asking students to remain in their seats until the plane
has taxied to the airport for deplaning.
Materials/Resources needed: Students’ own backpack with a sharpened pencil, a small bag of sunflower seeds or other salty
snack, a flight attendant hat (for teacher).
Activity #2
□
Hook / Anticipatory Set
□
Lecture
□
Demonstration / Modeling
□
Guided Practice
□
Independent Practice
□
Closure Activity
Upon arrival in the classroom, teacher will switch hats and become the
Currator, Prof. Granite. Teacher will demonstrate how to navigate the
Smithsonian website, The Dynamic Earth
mnh.si.edu/earth/main_frames.html on the projection screen. Helpful
if middle school students are already logged on and at the site. Middle
school students will facilitate the technology and assist with difficult
vocabulary as students read.
□
Checking for Understanding
□
Lab / Shop
□
Group Work
□
Projects
□
Formal Assessment
□
Other:
Materials/Resources needed: student computers and a “buddy” class; a digital projection screen
Activity #3
□
Hook / Anticipatory Set
□
Lecture
□
Demonstration / Modeling
□
Guided Practice
□
Independent Practice
□
Closure Activity
□
Checking for Understanding
□
Lab / Shop
□
Group Work
□
Projects
□
Formal Assessment
□
Other:
Students will navigate through the Smithsonian site and complete a
scavenger hunt. As they are reading they will answer questions on a
worksheet.
Materials/Resources needed: Worksheet, pencils
Assessment Types
□
Demonstrating
□
Journals
□
Observations
□
Portfolios
□
Projects
□
Rubrics
□
Surveys
□
Teacher-made Test
□
Writing Samples
□
Other:
While students are completing the worksheet, teacher will check for
understanding by walking around the classroom and observing students as
they answer the given questions. At the end of the class period students
will add their worksheet into the “Geology Rocks!” portfolio that they are
creating.
Name __________________________________________ Date ___________________
Geology Rocks! Scavenger Hunt
Traveling to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Now that we have arrived here in our nation’s capitol, let’s get started! First, with your buddy’s help,
go to tiny.url.com/smnh-earth
Now, follow the steps below:
Click on “Multimedia Version”
Click on “Gems and Minerals”
Click on “The National Gem Collection”
Click on “Diamonds”
1. What are diamonds made from?
Click on “Rubies and Sapphires”
2. What mineral makes up a sapphire or a ruby?
3. What is the difference between a ruby and a sapphire?
Click on “Emeralds and Aquamarines”
4. What minerals give emeralds their rich, green color?
At the top of the page, click on the “Minerals” tab.
Click on “Crystal Growth”
Click on “How do Crystals Grow”
5. Where do most crystals grow?
Click on “Exhibits in this Section”
Click on “Different Environments”
6. Why do crystals made up of the same mineral often look so different?
At the top bar, click on “Color”
Then click on “Mineral Rainbow”
7. What color is malachite? Describe the photo you see of it on the page.
At the top bar, click on “Building Blocks of Rocks.”
8. What mineral family makes up most of the earth’s crust? Click on the minerals to explore.
Click on “Quartz,” then on “Useful Crystals”
9. What substance is used to make glass and ceramic? List one other object this substance is used
to create.
Click on the “Geo Gallery” and then go to the “Rocks category.
10. List three rocks from each of the three categories below and write a description of what this
rock looks like:
Igneous
Metamorphic
Sedimentary
Rock:
Rock:
Rock:
Description:
Description:
Description:
Rock:
Rock:
Rock:
Description:
Description:
Description:
Rock:
Rock:
Rock:
Description:
Description:
Description:
11. When you have completed the above work you may go back to other areas of the site that you
found interesting. Then, write a sentence below telling me what your favorite part of this activity was.