Rocks & Minerals Unit: Lesson 4: Mineral Identification Investigation!

Overview:
Today, we take the level of rigor higher! To review mineral property vocab, students do a quick crossword puzzle, and then read a rap/poem about a girl who'd asked for diamonds but got something questionable. Then, after checking their borax/Epsom salt crystals for the last time, we break out the mineral kits and go to work.

Using the properties they learned about and tested the day or two before, students will identify all of the minerals in their kit cooperatively. When finished, students work on virtual identification online or study for their cumulative quiz. (Also included)

Several pages of teacher tips (getting and using mineral kits, running the stations themselves etc), group work tips (how will kids decide who does what and manage their time?) and more are also included.

Vocabulary:
crystal, mineral, luster, hardness, Mohs scale, color, streak, fracture, cleavage, dichotomous key

Objective
By observing, using a dichotomous key, and executing property tests, I will be able to identify all minerals in my kit.

Agenda/ Overview of What's Included:
Warm Up: Mineral Property Crossword
Objectives/Agenda
Hook: Minerals Rap Mystery (Is her boyfriend in big trouble?) (review properties)
Crystal Check: Observe your Growing Crystals
Mineral Identification Investigation: Who does what?
Mineral Identification Investigation: Performing tests & gathering data
Whole Class: What is a dichotomous key? How could we make one?
Model: How do we use a dichotomous key to id minerals?
Your turn: Use the mineral dichotomous key to id minerals at last!
The big reveal: Let's discuss-- What are the final mineral names?
Reflect: What did you mis-identify? Where were your challenges?
For groups that finish early: Virtual Mineral ID Investigations
Cumulative Quiz

Additional resources: additional websites with virtual labs