Rocks And Minerals

PROGRAM OUTLINE (2 hours)
This program is designed to help meet the expectations of the strand, " Rocks , Minerals, and Erosion"

ACTIVITIES
What is a rock?
Through examination of large samples of granite, quartz, shale. limestone, and sandstone, the concept of a rock being made up of minerals is illustrated. Three classes of rocks. Large samples are used to illustrate the differences between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

Born in fire
Igneous rocks are looked at in more detail to illustrate the differences and to discuss the formation of volcanic igneous and plutonic igneous rocks. Name that rock. Students work in groups of 3 to examine 12 common rocks of Ontario.

Hike
On a short hike, students observe sand dunes of the prehistoric Champlain Sea beach, glacial boulders (erratics), and the bedrock of this area as part of the Limestone Plain.

Rocks to go
Every student selects a rock sample to take back to class to share and identify.

PREVISIT PREPARATION
The program can be used either as an introduction or a wrap up to the strand. Helpful pre-knowledge- of the 3 main classes of rocks- igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic.
The difference between rocks and minerals.

CLASSROOM IDEAS
Make a class display with rock samples taken home from the Wildlife Area and others students bring in from home.
Worksheets done at the Nature Centre can form part of the student’s notebook.