Wrap up your rocks and minerals science unit with this hands-on investigation lab! Students complete 7 stations to test the properties of a rock and classify what type of rock they have. Perfect for grades 2-5 as a performance task or science centers.

THIS RESOURCE INCLUDES

• Classifying Rocks anchor chart
• Supplies needed list
• Teacher instructions
• 2 differentiated sets of stations
  • For primary use as booklets
  • For upper elementary use as centers with science notebooks
• 7 hands-on stations for students to investigate properties of a rock
  • The weight station includes 3 options - measuring in oz, kg, or nonstandard form of measurement
• A reflection station to determine what type of rock students think they have based on their findings
• Station signs
• Most pages are black and white, but those that come in color also have an ink-saving version included

ALIGNS WITH THE FOLLOWING STANDARDS/OBJECTIVES

• Describe the characteristics of different rocks.
• Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
• Observe rocks using a magnifying glass and draw shapes and colors of the minerals.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

• Rocks (one for each student)
• A postal, food, or balance scale
• String
• Colored pencils or crayons
• Tape
• Glue
• Nails (4)
• Pennies (4)
• Large bowl with water
• Sandpaper cut into small squares
• Copy paper cut into small squares
• Wax paper cut into small squares
• Aluminum foil cut into small squares
• Magnifying glasses

INCLUDED FILE FORMAT

• PDF: This resource requires Adobe Reader (free software). The contents may not show correctly if using other PDF software.

Please ask ALL questions before purchasing.

© The Learning Effect, LLC | Tiffany Schmidt
All rights reserved by author.
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Please purchase additional licenses at a discounted rate for additional users.
Intended for classroom and personal use only.