ROCKS & MINERALS

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 PICTURE, MATCHING, & INDEX CARDS INDEX CARDS, CHARTS, VOCABULARY,
WORKSHEETS, HANDWRITING PRACTICE
Picture Cards PAGES, LINKS, ANSWER KEYS

Uses 3 Charts 64

Three Types 8 Vocabulary 68

Mineral Tests 15 Handwriting Practice Pages 69

Matching Cards Quizzes 75

Uses 21 Activities 78

Three Types 25 Links 88

Mineral Tests 32 Teacher Pages

Index Cards Summary of Cards 89

Uses 38 Vocabulary 95

Three Types 43 Answer Keys 96

Mineral Tests 50 Activities 97

Activities 56 Links 100

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 How are rocks useful?
It may not seem like rocks are useful, but
rocks and minerals are one of the most
important resources on the earth. We use
minerals in everything we manufacture.
There are over 2,000 minerals in Earth’s crust
making them the most common solid
material on our planet.
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strong & beautiful
Some rocks are useful because they are
strong and beautiful. One of these rocks is
marble. Marble has been used in many
buildings. Artists carve marble into sculptures.
Slate makes shingles for rooftops. Granite is
used to construct buildings.
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 minerals metallic minerals
Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. All rocks There are metallic minerals and non-metallic
contain minerals. Minerals are what rocks are made minerals. Some metallic minerals are iron,
up of. Minerals are pure substances made up of
lead, silver, gold, and copper. Metallic
only one chemical, or the "ingredients" in rock. Rocks
are a mixture of minerals, or "the cake." Rocks can minerals can be melted.
be identified by the kinds of minerals that make up
their composition. Scientists use tests to help identify
a mineral.

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 mining
Mines are dug deep underground to take
ores from the earth's crust.
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quarry
A quarry is a big pit of rock and stone. Large
rocks are broken into smaller blocks and
stones. The blocks and stones are used to
make building materials. Dynamite is used to
blast big slabs of limestone. The stone is then
scooped up with a backhoe. A truck takes
the pieces to a factory where the stones are
turned into glass, steel, and cement.
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 non-metallic uses gems

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 sedimentary rocks (sediment) layers of sediment

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 Mineral Hardness

Talc 1
Gypsum 2
Alcite 3
Fluorite 4
Apatite 5
Feldspar 6
Quartz 7
Topaz 8
Corundum 9
Diamond 10

hardness Moh's Hardness Scale

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 Earth's crust
The Earth's outer shell or crust is made up of a
hard, solid material called rock. Earth's crust is
about 30 miles (48 km) thick. The crust covers
the whole Earth. The rock crust is even found
beneath the oceans.
rocks are made of minerals
Rocks are made of minerals. Some rocks are
made of only one mineral and some are made
of two or more minerals.

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 changed by heat and pressure metamorphic rocks
Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have been Metamorphic rocks are made from the two other
changed by heat and pressure. All metamorphic kinds of rocks. Limestone becomes marble when
rock was once igneous or sedimentary rock that was it is heated and pressed. Shale turns into slate,
changed by extreme heat or pressure. The heat
and sandstone turns into quartzite.
comes from volcanoes and other hot rocks beneath
the Earth’s surface. The pressure comes from the
layers of rock that press down on layers below them.
The minerals in the rocks change to form a new rock.
These are the hardest rocks on Earth and are used as
a building material.

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 acid test
Acid tests are used to check for specific
chemicals in rocks. If a tiny drop of diluted
hydrochloric acid is placed on certain minerals, it
fizzes and gives off bubbles of carbon dioxide
gas. Vinegar, a weak acid, can be used in an
acid test - it reacts to calcite. Certain minerals
react to acid tests in other ways by changing
color or dissolving.
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flame test
In the flame test, tiny particles of mineral are
burned. Each mineral produces a flame of a
particular color. A small fragment of a mineral is
placed on the end of a platinum wire and held
in a flame. Different metals in the mineral
change the color of the flame (such as sodium -
yellow; copper - blue and green; potassium -
violet).
Rocks & Minerals
 ROCKS & MINERALS
(3 types)

IGNEOUS METAMORPHIC SEDIMENTARY

(made from fire) (changed in form) (made from sediments)

Formed when magma (hot liquid Formed when heat and pressure Formed from particles of sand, mud,
rock) from deep inside the earth inside the earth change one kind of shells, decaying plants, animal
cools and hardens. Igneous rocks can rock into another kind of rock. remains, and pieces of rocks pressed
form above or below Earth's surface. into layers.

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 Rocks & Minerals Vocabulary (page 1 of 2)
acid test: using chemicals to check for specific minerals in
rocks. Some acids, such as hydrochloric acid or vinegar, react
by fizzing; other acids react by changing color or dissolving.
cleavage: the way a mineral fractures or breaks. Minerals can
cleave into cubes, thin sheets, crystals, or irregular fractures.
flame test: when tiny particles of mineral are burned to identify
a mineral. Each mineral produces a flame of a particular color.
fossils: the remains or imprint of any plant or animal that is
preserved within rocks.
geologist: a person who studies the Earth.
hardness: a mineral’s ability to resist scratching.
igneous rock: rock formed by magma from deep within the
Earth or lava on the surface. Igneous means “made from fire.”
limestone: a rock made from animal shells and skeletons left
behind on the ocean floor when sea animals die.
magma: hot liquid rock.
metamorphic rock: rock that changes form by heat and
pressure from the Earth’s
crust.
luster: how a mineral reflects light. Some minerals are shiny and
others appear dull.
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Rocks & Minerals Vocabulary (page 2 of 2)
mineral: a non-living substance found in nature made up of
only one chemical.
mineralogist: a scientist who studies minerals.
ore: rocks that contain metals.
properties: features of rocks that can be used in identification;
these features include luster, cleavage, color, hardness,
chemical make-up, the size and shape of the grains.
quarry: a big pit of rock and stone.
rock: a non-living, natural solid made up of one or more
minerals. All rocks contain minerals and can be identified by
the kinds of minerals that make up their composition.
sand: particles of crumbled rock.
sediment: particles of matter such as sand, mud, shells,
decaying plants, animal remains, and pieces of rocks.
sedimentary rock: a kind of rock that forms by fine grains of
sediment.
streak test: a test made by rubbing a rock across a piece of
unpolished porcelain tile in order to show a sample’s true color.
texture: a rock’s surface - whether it is smooth or rough.
Rocks & Minerals
 ore acid
rock sand
test flame
magma fossil
luster quarry
streak igneous
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 ore acid
rock sand
test flame
magma fossil
luster quarry
streak igneous

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 cleavage hardness
property sediment
geologist properties
metamorphic sedimentary

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Circle the correct answer.

1 Scientists who study the Earth and its history are called:
geographers geologists mineralogists
2 There are ___ kinds of rocks
three four five
3 The word igneous means:
made from sediments change in form made from fire
4 Beautiful minerals such as quartz, topaz, ruby, emerald, opal, and sapphire are:
ore gems magma
5 Rocks are made up of:
chemicals minerals sand
6 The ___ test will show the true color of a mineral.
acid luster streak
7 The hardest mineral is:
diamond granite talc
8 Luster refers to the ___ of minerals.
color shine texture
9 Particles of matter (such as sand, mud, shells, decaying plants, animal remains, and pieces of
rocks) is:
ore sediment minerals
10 Metamorphic rocks are made from:
fire sediment heat and pressure

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 weighing
scratchrocks
test looking fortest
acid luster

various rocks (large, lightweight arock

selection
and aoflimestone
high androck
low or
luster
sea
rocks or small, heavy rocks) rocks
shell that will fizz
scale flashlight
piece of chalk
selection of hard and soft rocks magnifying glass
eye dropper(s)
Weighpennies
and compare all of the rocks. vinegar
Placepaper clips
rocks in andfrom
a row or nails
heaviest to Somepaper
minerals appear
towel and a shiny
plateand others
or tray to
lightest. appear dullonwhen the light hits them.
work
Scratch the rocks with a fingernail,
This is called luster. A mineral with a
penny, and paperclip or nail. Sort them
shiny luster istest
This simple metallic; a mineral
helps you with
tell rocks a
that
into groups; which rocks can be
dull
areluster
madeis of non-metallic.
calcite fromAsimilar
mineral rocks
scratched with a fingernail, a penny, a
with a non-metallic luster can
made of other minerals. Put a large look
nail?
glassy,
drop ofpearly,
vinegar or on
dull.
the chalk, then on
the rock or shell and watch what
happens for a minute or so. If the rock
is made of calcite, small bubbles will
start to form inside the drop of vinegar.

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 metamorphic
rock model
modeling clay of various colors
waxed paper
books or other heavy objects
Roll clay into small, pea-sized balls.
Place them together between two
pieces of waxed paper. Place this on a
hard, flat surface and top with several
heavy books or other objects. Picture
these books pressing down on rocks,
producing pressure and heat, changing
them over time from igneous or
sedimentary rocks into metamorphic.
Remove the books, and peel away the
waxed paper to see the results.
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granite paper
white drawing paper
crayons (colors that are in granite,
such as grays, black, white, pink)
Place the paper down on a sidewalk
and rub with the side of a crayon.
Move the paper slightly and re-rub with
another color. Repeat with a third
color. The paper will resemble granite
and can be used to cut rock shapes
out of for notebooks or display.
Page 19 of 22 Rocks & Minerals
 PROPERTIES OF MY PET ROCK
Tools needed:
✔ pencil ✔ ruler ✔ water ✔ flashlight ✔ magnifying glass ✔ coin
✔ colored pencils ✔ scale ✔ paperclip or compass ✔ vinegar ✔ white porcelain tile ✔ knife or metal file

Name your pet rock. Prediction of rock type: Draw a picture of your rock.

igneous metamorphic

______________________________ sedimentary

Size: Dry Color (colors are not just white - what Wet Color (water can cause minerals to
shade of white? Grey-white, eggshell white, change color):
golden-yellow, lemon-yellow, etc.):
small medium large
White Gray Yellow Green
White Gray Yellow Green
Length:
Black Brown Purple Red
Black Brown Purple Red
Inches_____ Centimeters_____
Other:_________________________
Other:_________________________
Weight:____________________

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 Rock Specimen Report Rock Specimen Report

Rock #__________ Date _____ / _____ / _____ Rock #__________ Date _____ / _____ / _____

Where did you Where did you

find the rock? _____________________________ find the rock? _____________________________

Is the rock: Is the rock:

rough smooth rough smooth

shiny dull shiny dull

light color dark color light color dark color

hard soft hard soft

What color(s) What color(s)

is the rock? ________________________________ is the rock? ________________________________

I think this rock is: I think this rock is:

igneous metamorphic sedimentary igneous metamorphic sedimentary

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 TEACHER PAGES - SUMMARY OF CARDS

USES

How are rocks useful?

It may not seem like rocks are useful, but rocks and minerals are one of the most important resources on the earth.
We use minerals in everything we manufacture. There are over 2,000 minerals in Earth’s crust making them the most
common solid material on our planet.
strong & beautiful
Some rocks are useful because they are strong and beautiful. One of these rocks is marble. Marble has been used
in many buildings. Artists carve marble into sculptures. Slate makes shingles for rooftops. Granite is used to construct
buildings.
minerals
Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. All rocks contain minerals. Minerals are what rocks are made up of.
Minerals are pure substances made up of only one chemical, or the "ingredients" in rock. Rocks are a mixture of
minerals, or "the cake." Rocks can be identified by the kinds of minerals that make up their composition. Scientists
use tests to help identify a mineral.
metallic minerals
There are metallic minerals and non-metallic minerals. Some metallic minerals are iron, lead, silver, gold, and
copper. Metallic minerals can be melted.
ore
Rocks that contain metals are called ores. Metals such as iron, lead, aluminum, copper, gold, and silver are found in
rocks. Most of the metals people use come from ores. The mineral pyrite looks like gold and is sometimes referred to
as “fool’s gold.”
metallic rock uses
Coins are made of metals found in rock. Most tools and machines are also made of metals. Steel is made when iron
ore (rock that contains iron), carbon, and limestone are heated in a very hot furnace.
non-metallic uses
Some non-metallic minerals are granite, limestone, quartz, salt, and sulfur. We use non-metallic minerals in
almost everything that is produced: talcum powder, chalk, cement, glass, medicine, fuel, rubber, paint,
matches, dishes, cooking pans, cleaning products, roads, and buildings.

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