WELCOME TO A SMART PROJECT!
The following project is currently under progress by Rhode Island teachers. Although in some activities, the teachers have borrowed and adapted ideas from other teachers and current programs and sources on the Internet, the work is their own. The activities are displayed here in their original form , unedited as they have submitted them. In most cases, these are ongoing projects. The names, school districts, and email addresses of the authors are included. Please feel free to contact the authors with any suggestions, comments, or even participation.Teaching and learning are cooperative efforts.
"ROCKS AND MINERALS : TOUCH THE EARTH"
TOPIC:
Our Roots, Our World: An Examination of Our Past.
PROJECT TITLE:
Touch the Earth- an ongoing project throughout the unit. An 8-10 week exploratory, transdisciplinary unit.
PROJECT GOAL:
To learn about the different properties of rocks and minerals.
Project Outcomes:
- To be able to identify which rocks are indigenous to various parts of the world.
- To draw logical conclusions explaining rock distribution throughout the world.
- To provide web pages that link data and summary fact sheets for each rock/mineral studied.
CONTENT AREA:
Geology/Earth Science
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
SCIENCE:
Before beginning this project, students will learn the layers of the earth and the rock cycle. - The students will research Metamorphic, Igneous and Sedimentary Rocks; identify the properties/characteristics, the geographical location, and uses of each type of rock/mineral. See attached data retrieval chart worksheet.
- Using prior knowledge of weathering, natural disasters, etc., students will write a summary, based on one location of the world, making predictions as to why certain rocks are pertinent to that area.
LANGUAGE ARTS:
- Students will learn how to write friendly and formal letters so that they may communicate with different students and geologists from around the world, via e-mail, in order to obtain pertinent information to place on the data retrieval chart.
- Students will practice research skills, note taking, references.
- Students will keep a daily journal to record information, thoughts/feelings, and write progress summaries.They will also be required to record each address they visit and explain what they found there or why they left the site.
GEOGRAPHY:
- Students will create and place symbols on a class wall map and individual maps showing the type of rock/minerals found and the geographical location.
EXPLORITORY:
Technology:
- Students will be scanning pictures of rocks found in their backyard and sending them to pen pals. They may also choose to scan a picture of themselves.
- Students will create a web page using the data they collected including a fact sheet for each rock/mineral. They will be completing this project in teams, as there is only one computer available.
Internet Activities:
- Mail: Students will contact pen pals via Kidlink (as well as other forums) around the world asking about the type of rocks they find in their backyard.
- Lists: Teachers and students will get on lists looking for people/geologists who study rocks and can be used as a resource.
- WWW: Students will use the www to find research information on rocks helping them identify these rocks more accurately, and understand why they were found in certain locations. They will be developing their own web page and hopefully, a home page!
- Rockhounds
A site that has a list of various rocks/minerals and their facts.
- IECC
The IECC home page that gives information to join a teacher list and get students international pen pals.
- Classroom Connections
An excellent site for teachers that has connections to various other sites that you can connect to depending on content and subject matter.
- IDNR/GSB-Minerals of Iowa
Allows students to view different minerals and includes a discription of each.
- UMKC Geoscience Museum
Currently being built, but you can download physical science programs and take a field trip (where? unknown at this time).
- KIDLINK: Global Networking for Youth 10-15
An international penpal service for students. Also includes KIDCAFE and KIDSPHERE.
- The Lycos Home Page: Hunting WWW Information
Lycos is one of many searching tools (search engine). Search : Rocks. Minerals. Education. Geology.
- The Hunterian Index
Homepage for the museum. Students can visit Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, View different minerals.
- Open House 94
Results of US Geological Survey Mission '94. Visit sites such as: Earthquakes, fossils, geological mapping, rock sawing and crushing, volcanoes...
Includes USGS WWW sites to navigate through!
- What Do Maps Show - Teacher background
This teaching poster with four accompanying lessons is appropriate for upper elementary and junior high school classes. The purpose of the teaching package is to help students understand and use maps. The U.S. Geological survey (USGS) has provided the package as a service to educators so that more Americans will learn to understand the world of information on maps.
- USGS - Education Ask-A-Geologist a new, experimental Internet service.
General questions on earth sciences may be sent by
electronic mail.
- United States Geological Survey Home Page
A bureau of the Department of the Interior. USGS is the Nation's largest
earth-science research and information agency.
AUTHORS:
- D'Alfonso, Loriann ride1218@ride.ri.net Deering Middle School - West Warwick, Rhode Island grade 6 mth/science
- Kershaw, Pam ride1233@ride.ri.net Deering Middle School , West Warwick, Rhode Island grade 6 language arts/ss
- with special help from Diane Morris dmm@uriacc.uri.edu Bristol/Warren special ed. resource (K-3 buildings) K-3