Uses of rocks and minerals
In this lesson plan for grade 6, students will gain an understanding of the economic importance of rocks and minerals by exploring their applications in various careers.
An activity for grade 6 Science
Provided by CareerStart
Learning outcomes
Students will explore careers and describe the uses of earth materials including the economic use of rocks and minerals.
Teacher planning
Materials needed
- “Uses of Rocks and Minerals” student sheet
- Transparency of “Uses of Rocks and Minerals” student sheet
- Pencil
- Overhead projector
- “Rocks and Minerals Teacher Reference Pages,” consisting of
- Answer page for “Uses of Rocks and Minerals” student sheet
- Resource pages listing the uses of 34 rocks and minerals
- Resource pages listing the responsibilities and educational requirements of 34 careers that work with rocks and minerals
- Reference pages listing minerals associated with each career
- Reference pages listing careers associated with each rock/mineral
Time required for lesson
Approximately 70 minutes class time.
Homework time will be needed at the end of the lesson.
Advance preparation
- Make copies of “Uses of Rocks and Minerals” student sheet for every student. Make a transparency of the handout to project in the classroom.
- Make copies of “Rocks/Minerals Uses Resource Pages” and “Rocks/Minerals Career Resource Pages” (in “Rocks and Minerals Teacher Reference Pages).” Cut apart to hand out individual careers and uses to students.
Prior knowledge needed
A basic understanding of rocks and minerals will be needed to complete this mini-lesson. This lesson would work well as a supplement to the SEPUP Rocks & Minerals module.
Procedure
- Hand out “Uses of Rocks and Minerals” student sheet to each student and have them complete the hypothesis column only. (5 minutes)
- Place the transparency of “Uses of Rocks and Minerals” on the overhead. Go through each material counting the number of students who answered NO and YES for each, and write it on the overhead. Review correct answers with students. (10 minutes)
- Have students suggest other products that are made from rocks and minerals. Write the suggestions on the overhead. (5 minutes)
- Have students suggest occupations that deal with rocks and minerals. Write the suggestions on the overhead. Emphasize the importance of rocks and minerals to our lifestyle and economy. (5 minutes)
- Give each student a rock/mineral and a career. Have students follow the procedure on the student page. Tell students not to duplicate careers or rocks/minerals. Use the teacher reference chart (in “Rocks and Minerals Teacher Reference Pages”) to help any students who need assistance finding careers and rocks/minerals that correspond to each other. (45 minutes)
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 6
- Goal 3: The learner will build an understanding of the geological cycles, forces, processes, and agents which shape the lithosphere.
- Objective 3.04: Describe the processes which form and the uses of earth materials.
- Rock cycle.
- Minerals.
- Characteristics of rocks.
- Economic use of rocks and minerals.
- Value of gems and precious metals.
- Common gems, minerals, precious metals and rocks found in N.C.
- Objective 3.04: Describe the processes which form and the uses of earth materials.
