Earth Explorers Slides Earth Explorers
Investigation
Physical Properties of Earth Materials
Day One
Tuesday
Introduction & Exploration
Tuesday Questions
1
What are the physical properties of rocks, minerals, soil, and water?
2
How can we identify Earth materials using their properties?
3
Why are these properties important for Earth processes?
Learn the Properties
Stop at 3:46
Embedded media
"Watch for color, luster, texture, and hardness!"
Tuesday Vocabulary
Rock
A hard thing found outside made of tiny pieces stuck together.
Mineral
A tiny special part inside a rock. It has a crystal shape like a puzzle piece.
Soil
Soft, crumbly dirt where plants grow. It helps them be big and strong!
Physical Property
Something you can see or feel about an object without changing it.
Solid or Liquid?
Solids
They keep their shape!
Rocks Minerals Soil
Liquids
They take the shape of their container!
Water
Day Two
Wednesday
Rocks & Minerals Investigation
Recap Day 1
"What do we remember about Earth materials from yesterday's stations?"
What was the SAME in all the rocks you observed?
Hardness Test
Penny / Nail
Rock Sample
If your tool leaves a mark, the rock is softer than the tool!
3 Types of Rocks
Igneous
Formed from hot lava that cooled down.
Sedimentary
Formed from layers of sand and mud pressed together.
Metamorphic
Rocks changed by heat and pressure deep inside.
Day Three
Thursday
Soil & Water Systems
The Settling Jar
Predict & Observe:
"If we shake a jar of water and soil and let it settle, what will happen?"
1. Shake
2. Wait
3. Observe Layers
3 Types of Soil
Sandy
Feels gritty. Water drains through it very fast.
Clay
Feels sticky. It holds water for a long time.
Loamy
A perfect mix for growing big plants!
Day Four
Friday
Summarize & Present
Final Project
Your Material Poster:
A drawing of your material.
Color, Texture, and Uses.
A presentation to the class!
Gallery Walk
"What makes up the Earth around us?"
Final Reflection
Exit Ticket Question:
"What is one Earth material we learned about, and why is it important?"
Obtain
Evaluate
Communicate
Earth Explorers Worksheet Earth Explorer Journal
Investigation Log
Name: ______________________
Date: ______________________
Station 1: Rock Detectives
Draw your rock and describe it:
Color:
Texture:
Smooth
Rough
Hardness:
Station 2: Mineral Magic
What is its Luster?
Shiny
Dull
Did it attract a magnet?
Yes
No
Draw your mineral shape
Rock Talk:
What was the same in all the rocks you saw?
What was one thing that was different?
Station 3: Soil Scientists
Soil Type: __________________
Texture:
Gritty
Smooth
Sticky
Dry
Color: ____________________
Station 4: Water Wonders
Transparency:
Clear
Cloudy
Temperature:
Cold
Warm
Draw how water fills its container
Exit Ticket
What is one Earth material you explored today, and why is it important?
Earth Explorers Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide
Earth Explorers Investigation
Unit: Physical Properties
Grade: 1st Grade
Student Objective
Students will identify, observe, and summarize the physical properties of rocks, minerals, soil, and water through collaborative hands-on exploration.
Essential Vocabulary
Rock: Hard material made of tiny pieces.
Mineral: Tiny parts inside rocks (building blocks).
Soil: Soft, crumbly dirt for plants.
Physical Property: Traits we see or feel.
Station Materials Needed
Station 1: Rocks
Assorted rocks (Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic), Hand lenses.
Station 2: Minerals
Minerals (Mica, Quartz, Calcite), Magnets, Pennies/Nails for scratch test.
Station 3: Soil
Samples of Sandy, Clay, and Loamy soil, gloves, magnifying glasses.
Station 4: Water
Clear containers of water, thermometer, objects for floating/sinking test.
Discussion Prompts (Use during rotations)
Rock Station
"How can you tell the difference between a rock and a mineral just by looking?"
Mineral Station
"Do all minerals of the same kind have the same luster?"
Soil Station
"Why do some soils feel gritty like sand, while others feel smooth like flour?"
Water Station
"Does water keep its shape when you pour it into a different jar?"
Weekly Instructional Sequence
TUE
Introduction to Earth Materials
Objective: Identify rocks, minerals, soil, and water as Earth materials.
Hook: Pretend to be geologists! Use sticky notes to list rock properties.
Direct Instruction: Frontload vocabulary with the Earth Explorers Slides.
Activity: Begin rotation through investigation stations.
WED
Rocks & Minerals Deep Dive
Objective: Summarize key properties of rocks and minerals.
Video: Show "Rocks and Minerals for Kids" (stop at 3:46).
Investigation: Perform the Scratch Test to compare hardness.
Discussion: Explain how minerals are building blocks for rocks.
THU
Soil & Water Systems
Objective: Explore interaction between soil and water.
Experiment: The Settling Jar. Observe how layers form.
Instruction: Discuss types of soil (Sandy, Clay, Loamy) and water holding capacity.
