Performance Task Title: Quest for Minerals
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: Science
Date: Spring 2015
Standards:
 PS 2.1e Rocks are composed of minerals. Only a few rock-forming minerals make
up most of the rocks of Earth. Minerals are identified on the basis of physical
properties such as streak, hardness, and reaction to acid.
 CCLS-W1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant
evidence.
 CCLS-W1.a Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence
clearly.
 CCLS-W1.b Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence,
using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic
or text.
 CCLS-W1.c Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships
among claim(s) and reasons.
 CCLS-W1.d Establish and maintain a formal style.
 CCLS-W1.e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from
the argument presented.
Objectives:
At the end of this performance task, the students should be able to:
1. Research to find the answer to the questions about minerals.
2. Follow the structured inquiry to test the physical properties of the unknown
minerals OR design and perform an open inquiry / experiment to test the physical
properties of the unknown minerals
3. Write a science explanation about your findings by stating your claim, evidences
and science reasoning.
Curriculum Unit: Unit 1 Geology
Performance Task Scenario (hook to motivate the students):
While on her summer vacation, Ms. Maxfield collected different kinds of minerals.
She would like to know the names of these minerals to be included in her mineral
collection. She heard of your excellent skills on this field and she is asking for your
help. Your challenge is to identify the unknown minerals that Ms. Maxfield
collected. In order to accomplish this challenge you must answer the research
questions about minerals, performed the structured inquiry or design an
experiment to test the physical properties of the unknown minerals, and write a
science explanation about your findings by stating your claim, evidences and science
reasoning.
Individual Work: Each student will complete the following:
1. Research and answer all the questions about the minerals.
a. What are rocks?
b. What are minerals?
c. Compare and contrast rocks and minerals.
d. What are the physical properties of minerals?
e. How does mineralogist perform the streak test?
f. How does mineralogist perform the hardness test?
g. How does mineralogist perform the luster test?
h. Why are minerals important in our lives?
2. Performed the structured inquiry or design an experiment to test the
physical properties of the unknown minerals.
3. Write a science explanation about your findings by stating your claim,
evidences and science reasoning.
Group Work: Student may select their presentation method.
1. Poster presentation/Billboard
2. PowerPoint presentation
3. Gallery Walk
Differentiation:
How can you adjust the content, process, or product to support struggling students?
1. The students will be allowed to work with a partner in answering the
research questions.
2. The research articles will be provided to the students.
3. Vocabulary list will be provided to the students.
4. Videos of the procedures will be shown to the students.
5. English Language Learners and Student with Disabilities will create the
poster or billboard to persuade Ms. Maxfield about their findings.
How can you adjust the content, process, or product to challenge students to extend
their thinking?
1. Students may be encouraged to perform open inquiry.
2. Students will be encouraged to perform further research to support their
claim.
Assessment:
1. Rubrics for scientific inquiry.
Part I- Research – Minerals
Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Include your
references.
1. What are rocks?
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2. What are minerals?
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3. Compare and contrast rocks and minerals.
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4. What are the physical properties of minerals?
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5. How does mineralogist perform the streak test?
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6. How does mineralogist perform the hardness test?
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7. How does mineralogist perform the luster test?
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8. Why are minerals important in our lives?
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Vocabulary with Definitions
1. Hardness – The ability of a mineral to scratch another material or to be scratched
by another material.
2. Luster – The way light reflects off the surface of a mineral (dull, waxy, greasy,
oily, pearly, silky, glassy, resinous, metallic).
3. Mineral – A naturally occurring inorganic substance that has specific
characteristics (coal, calcite, diamond, quartz, gold, carbon, salt).
4. Rock – A lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter (e.g. granite,
limestone, slate).
5. Streak – The color of a mineral’s powder; tested by scratching the mineral across
a streak plate.
6. Streak Plate: A porcelain plate used to test the streak of a mineral.
REFERENCES:
http://www.asu.edu/courses/glg103/PDF%20labs/Lab%202%20Mineral%20Lab
%20ID%20revised%2017JULY2010.pdf
http://facweb.bhc.edu/academics/science/harwoodr/geol101/labs/minerals/
http://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/PIEE/3c4.pdf