Digging Up the Past

Today we're going to dig up some more information about fossils. Here are your instructions.

1. Get out a sheet of paper and a pencil.
2. Copy these questions down.

• What is a fossil?
• Where do you find fossils?
• How are fossils made?

3. In complete sentences, please post a comment on this blog answering these questions in complete sentences. You may use the links below to find the answers to the questions.

1) http://www.fossilsforkids.com/Page2.html

2) Take a look at these cool fossils.
http://www.fossilsforkids.com/Now_and_Then.html

3) Can you match the fossils?
http://www.rom.on.ca/schools/fossils/game.php

4) What kind of tools do you need to find fossils?
http://www.fossilsforkids.com/tools.html

5) Dig Into Fossils on this site:
http://ology.amnh.org/paleontology/index.html

Learning about the Rock Cycle

It seems like forever since we've blogged! Are you ready to ROCK?

Today we are going to learn about the rock cycle. Did you know rocks go through cycles? What are the steps to the rock cycle? Let's do some exploring now:

1. BrainPop: All About the Rock Cycle

2. BBC: Learning About the Rock Cycle

3. Interactive Rock Cycle

4. Rock Cycle Review

Now that you know everything about the rock cycle, you are going to draw the rock cycle diagram with your partner. You will need:

Construction paper
Colored pencils
Pencil

As you draw the rock cycle diagram, be sure to LABEL every part of the rock cycle. Enjoy!

Types of Rocks

We have spent a lot of time looking at different rocks and minerals, but I wonder how each type of mineral or rock is made? Do you know? We are going to go on a little scavenger hunt to see if we can find the answers.

On a piece of paper, re-write these questions on a piece of paper and answer them in complete sentences. This means RQIA!

1. What are the three types of rock?
(The three types of rock are...)

2. How are each of these rocks made?
(_______ rocks are made...)

3. Find two examples of each type of rock, and be sure to give the specific names.
(Two examples of _________ rocks are...)

Use these resources to help you find your answers.

1. Types of Rocks BrainPop Video

2. How is each rock formed? Click here to find out!

3. Pages 242 - 243.

4. Pages 246-248.

Day Three: Bling, Bling!!

Let's review what we know in our study of rocks and minerals.

• We know minerals are NOT rocks.
• We know rocks are made up of 2 or more different minerals.
  
• We can identify minerals by looking at their color, luster, hardness, and streak.

Today, we are going to look at different minerals -- birthstones! Do you know what YOUR birthstone is? You will in just a few minutes, because we are going to make Birthstone Bling.

1. Learn about your birthstone by finding the month you were born in.
- http://www.jewelrymall.com/birthstones.html
- http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/gemstones/birthstones.html

2. Now that you know what your birthstone is, you get to design your very own bling. What kind of bling item do you want? You can do anything from jewelry to belt buckles. The sky is the limit - be creative!

3. Show your bling! Think about the best way to show off your bling. Are you going to make a model of your bling? Maybe you will create a fashion drawing of your bling? Or maybe you will make a small poster showing off your bling? Think long and hard about how you want to show us your design.

4. Write a comment telling me about your "bling-erific" design!

Day Two: Putting Minerals to the Test

On Monday, we discovered what a mineral is and we identified how minerals are different from rocks. We know that a mineral...

• is natural, non-living, and has a solid crystal structure.
• is different from a rock because rocks are composed of 2 or more minerals.

Today, we are going to identify different minerals by putting them through a series of tests and by using the scientific method. What are the steps to the scientific method? Let's find out.

• Brain Pop: The Scientific Method
• Scientific Method Powerpoint

Now that you've learned about the scientific method, we are going to put it into practice by testing different minerals. Are you ready?

Day One: Minerals

Today, we are going to spend some time studying minerals. Read through these resources to learn all you can about minerals.

* Page 239 in your Science book.

* All About Minerals Powerpoint: http://www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/selvidge/moser/PDFs/Microsoft%20PowerPoint%20-%20Minerals.pdf

Now that you've read about minerals, post a comment to this blog answering the following questions.

1. What is a mineral?

2. How are rocks different from minerals?

Remember to answer RQIA (Restate the Question in the Answer). This is for a grade!

Are You Ready to ROCK?!

As I mentioned to you on Friday, we are beginning a new science unit on Earth Science. We are going to explore the world of rocks & minerals. Have you ever made a rock collection? Designed your own Bling? You are going to have the chance in this chapter.

Let's get ready to ROCK!