CURRICULUM AREA:
Science- geology unit
DIRECT AIM:
To scientifically observe and explore rocks and gems
ADDITIONAL PURPOSES:
Writing practice, measurement practice, observation skills, and care of self skills (if a geologist hat is included) are explored.
PREREQUISITE SKILLS:
Introduction to rocks and minerals, numerical awareness, practice with a scale, practice with a measuring tape, understanding of the meanings of the choices of characteristics, ability to write or trace one’s name, and ability to write or trace numbers.
MATERIALS:
kitchen scale, measuring tape, color pencils, writing pencil, magnifying glass, child-size boonie/bucket hat with a chinstrap, and a collection of rocks and gemstones. The book, A Rainbow of Rocks is suggested as a prior read. The Birthstone Chart is a suggested material to accompany this one.
SUGGESTED PRESENTATION:
This printable was designed to be used in a dramatic play setup in which the child pretends to be a geologist. If this is not the desired purpose, it can still be used as a shelf work. To use the material, the child will put on the hat, select a rock, and write their name as the geologist. After the child observes the rock with a magnifying glass, the child will measure, weigh, record the findings, and select the accurate descriptors. Finally, the child will draw the rock.