Several local geologists found out that we are studying Our Changing Earth and Rocks and Minerals and have asked for our help.  They would like us to help them by becoming rocks and minerals detectives.  Our job will be to collect clues about rocks and minerals that are used in our area and to share our findings with the community in the form of a multimedia presentation.

Your group will use the Internet and other resources to collect clues about rocks and minerals and how they are used.  You will gather multimedia information to share with the other members of your group.  Your group will have a short debriefing session when you are finished with your search.  As a group, you will be looking for the answers to these questions:

• What are minerals?
• What are the physical characteristics of your assigned mineral?
• Where is your assigned mineral found as a natural resource?
• How is your assigned mineral used once it is mined from the earth?
• What are the three different types of rocks and how are they formed?
• What type of rock is your assigned mineral associated with?

1.     You will be assigned to groups of three.  Each group member will hold one of these positions:
             *  Mineral Detective - This person will find out what a mineral is and the specific characteristics of your assigned mineral.
             *  Locator Detective - This person will find out what your assigned mineral is found in nature and how your assigned mineral is used once it is mined from the earth.
            *  Rock Detective - This person will  find out what the three different types of rocks are and how they are formed.
 

2.     Once you've decided who will complete each job, you will begin your detective work using the Internet and other resources that are found in the Resources section.  You will need to go to the resource and read through the information presented, thinking about what you are reading.  Make sure you think about your goals as a detective and what you need to find out about rocks and minerals.
 
 

3.    You will need to save any information you want to use later in your folder on the computer.  Remember to copy and paste text into a word processor if you would like to use it as a reference.  And if you find an interesting picture, right click on the picture and "Save image as" into your folder on the computer.  Go here you need a reminder on how to save text, pictures, or sound.
 

4.     When you have looked through all the information, read through all your notes and decide what is the most important information that solves your detective work.  Meet with your group for your detective debriefing session.  Remember that you are responsible for teaching and sharing your information to the other members of your group.
 

5.     As a group, organize your information for a KidPix slideshow   using a storyboard.  You will need to create at least one slide  to answer each question.
 

6.     Use the storyboard to guide your group as you create your  KidPix slideshow sharing you detective work.
 

7.     When your group has finished your slideshow, find someone  you can present it to.  Practice giving your presentation  several times.  Take suggestions from your practice partners  and edit your slideshow as needed.
 

8.     Finally, you will  present the slideshow of your detective  work to different classes throughout the school.

• Classification Questions for Rocks -Questions like these will assist you in your classification process
• Harford County Rocks - Which rocks can be found in the area we live in?
• Rocks and Minerals Books to Enjoy - You may want to explore some books on the topic. Here is a list of rocks and minerals books with related ideas and projects.
• How are Rocks Formed? - Rocks can be classified into three main groups.

Check out this cool, easy to read table.
• Moh's Hardness Scale - The hardness of various rocks and minerals can be used as an another method of identification.
• Rocks and Minerals - What are rocks and minerals, anyway?
• Rocks and Minerals Reference Sheet - Locate information about different minerals

You will be evaluated on several things in this activity.  First, you will be graded on the quality of information you gathered about your mineral.  Next, you will be graded on the technical elements of you slideshow, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling.  You will also be assessed on the quality of you cooperative group work as you gathered, organized, and presented your information.  Lastly, you will be evaluated on the quality of your oral presentation  as you share your findings with the community.  Go here to view the scoring rubric.

You have  now successfully located the physical characteristics of your assigned mineral and where that mineral is found as a natural resource.  You have also located clues that tell others how that mineral is used once it is mined from the earth and the type of rock that mineral is associated with.