Rocks and Minerals Activities | Hands-On Science Investigation Lab

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 poster
• 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

FILE FORMAT

• PDF: This resource requires Adobe Reader (free software) to access and is NOT editable in any way. You will not be able to manipulate the content inside.

Please ask ALL questions before purchasing.

Copyright © Tiffany Schmidt (The Learning Effect)
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.