Classifying and Identifying Rocks Worksheet

Product description

From the author

When your science students have been introduced to the study of rocks, you may be interested in finding resources that will best serve and support their knowledge. This is a Classifying and Identifying Rocks Worksheet that will fit right in with your geology unit. This is ideal for upper elementary and middle school students in 4th – 7th grade. The objective is for students to correctly classify a variety of rocks.

It is a 1-page printable that comes with a graphic organizer at the top of the page and four short answer questions at the bottom.

The graphic organizer is composed of 7 columns and 7 rows. The column headings are as follows:

--Rock Name

--Colour

--Lustre

--Streak

--Transparency

--Magnetism (Yes/No)

--Hardness

This chart provides enough space to add details about 7 types of rocks.

The 4 questions will call students to determine the softest and hardest mineral from the samples as well as in the world.

While this worksheet can be completed independently, it will be just as effective to allow students to work together to complete the chart.

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In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

Test and record physical properties (colour, lustre, streak, transparency, hardness, magnetism) for a rock or mineral sample
Identify the softest and hardest minerals among a set of tested samples using recorded hardness data
Name the softest and hardest minerals known in the world

Teaching tips

Gather physical rock or mineral samples before assigning this sheet — the table has no pre-filled data and is designed to be completed through hands-on testing rather than reading
Review the Mohs hardness scale or a comparable reference before the softest/hardest questions, since the sheet asks students to name the softest and hardest minerals known in the world
Pair a streak plate and a magnet with the samples, since the table has dedicated streak and magnetism columns

Skills covered

Physical-property testing — students test and record colour, lustre, streak, transparency, hardness, and magnetism for rock or mineral samples.
Comparative data analysis — students use their own recorded hardness data to identify the softest and hardest samples they tested.
Mineral-hardness knowledge — students name the softest and hardest minerals known in the world.

Good to know

Questions teachers ask about this resource

What do students need besides the worksheet itself to complete it?

Physical rock or mineral samples to test firsthand — the data table has no pre-filled entries, since students record colour, lustre, streak, transparency, hardness, and magnetism from their own testing.

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Resource details

Concepts & topics

Core concepts

Physical properties of minerals
Mohs hardness scale
Streak and lustre
Magnetism testing

Topics

Classifying rocks Identifying rocks Minerals Geology Types of rocks Mineral identification worksheets

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Categories this resource belongs to

Earth Science Worksheets Science Worksheets Elementary Worksheets 4th Grade Worksheets 5th Grade Worksheets 6th Grade Worksheets

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