Earth Materials Investigation 1 Mock Rocks Part 1 – Investigating Mock Rocks.

Earth MaterialsInvestigation 1

Mock Rocks

Part 1 – Investigating Mock Rocks

Science Safety

Scientists follow safety procedures to protect themselves when performing observations and experiments

They wear goggles to protect their eyes They used the tools carefully so that they do not

harm themselves or others They do not put any scientific materials in their

mouths Spills are cleaned up quickly using the correct

procedure

Science Jobs

Manager – this person will make sure that all members are on task

Reporter – this person will report the results of their groups work, you may need to take notes

Materials getter – this person will get materials

Materials collector – this person will return materials

What We Will Learn

Rocks have many properties, including shape, size, color, and texture

Geologists use rock properties to help identify different rocks

Some dimensions of rocks can be measured and compared

What We Will Do

Make and record observations of mock rocks. Compare the properties of mock rocks with

those of real rocks. Choose appropriate measuring tools to

determine the diameter, circumference, depth and mass of rock rocks.

Vocabulary ology – study of ologist – a person who studies ento – insects bio – life geo – earth Talk in your groups and decide what the

following would be: study of insects, study of life, study of earth – a person who studies insects, a person who studies life, a person who studies earth

Vocabulary

earth materials – the non-living substances that make up the earth’s interior, surface or atmosphere

properties – something you can observe such as size, color, shape, or texture.

How scientists study rocks

First scientists make detailed observations and record their observations.

They observe first because tests they make change the rock.

They compare their observations with the results of the tests.

Rock Properties

We will observe the rocks to determine their size – measured in centimeters shape – round, oval, irregular color – black, brown, tan, white, bits of color,

etc. texture – smooth, bumpy, sharp edged

Vocabulary

Diameter – the distance across a circular object at its widest point

Circumference – the

distance around

a circular object

Earth MaterialsMock Rocks – Page 3

Depth – how thick an object is from top to bottom, thickness

Meter tape – measures objects in centimeters, a tape can measure odd shaped objects; a meter stick can only measure length

Materials

Material Getters will get the trays with 4 paper plates 4 mock rocks 4 hand lenses 1 meter tape

You will record your information in your Earth Materials Booklet.

Your work in your Earth Materials Booklet will be graded, so do your best work.

Earth Materials BookletMock Rocks – Page 2

Talk in your group and discuss the properties of your mock rocks

Help each other make sure you record all of the properties

Reporters share some of your groups observations of properties

Earth Materials BookletMock Rocks – Page 2

Observe your mock rock carefully – this is a simulation of a real rock.

Draw or trace your mock rock in your booklet. Use the hand lens to magnify your rock. Write down your observations. The challenge is to describe your rock in

detail so that later if your rock changes in any way you can identify the changes.

Earth Materials BookletMock Rocks – Page 3

Use the meter tape to record the measurements of your rock.

Measure across the widest part of your rock for the diameter

Measure around your rock for the circumference

Measure from the top to the bottom of your rock for its depth. You will have to get down and look from the side to determine the depth

Earth Materials BookletMock Rocks – Page 3

Take in your group and compare the measurements of your mock rocks

How close are your measurements? How different are your measurements? Reporters – share some of your groups

findings.

Review

What are some of the tools scientists use to study rocks? hand lenses, meter tapes

What information does each tool provide? hand lenses can help you determine properties

such as color and shape meter tapes can help you determine the diameter,

circumference and depth

Review

What kind of information is important to include in notes? properties – size, shape, color, measurements any information that will help you identify the

object How is a mock rock like/different from a real

rock it is alike because it is made up of different

materials It is different because

Review

How would you study a real rock? You would study a real rock the same way we

studied the mock rock

What We Learned

Rocks have many properties, including shape, size, color, and texture

Geologists use rock properties to help identify different rocks

Some dimensions of rocks can be measured and compared

Written in Stone

Read this story. Students will need to share books.