Introduction    Task   Process    Learning Advice    Resources       Evaluation    Conclusion

Introduction

More than 4,000 rocks and minerals are on the earth.  How do they effect our daily lives?  Are they important to us?  Do we really need all that hard stuff lying around?  Often they are easily detected.  At other times they're invisible to the naked eye as they are contained within things we use every day of our lives.  Specific properties or characteristics of an entity assist us in identifying it.  We know a specimen with four legs, two ears, a wagging tail and a bark to be a dog.  Often we wish to make these our pets.  Pets enhance our lives in many ways.  Do rocks and minerals?  Rocks and minerals can be identified by analyzing specific properties or characteristics.  Once we have identified them we can also learn what uses people have for them.  Have you ever thought about having a Pet Rock?  How about a Pet Mineral?   

Task

Your task is to adopt a pet rock or mineral to enter in Mr. Moore's Illustrious Rock & Mineral Show.  Entering the show will require you to do research both on and offline to gather information about characteristics of your pet as well as why it is important to your life.  To enter the Pet Show you must choose an "entry form."  Three possible entry forms include a PowerPoint slide show, a 3D model or a poster displaying your pet.  Specific data must be included on the "Entry Form." 

Process
1.    Review the websites listed in the Resource Section.
2.    Choose a rock or a mineral which you wish to adopt.
3.    Complete the Adoption Request form and turn it in your teacher.
4.    Research your pet using books and the online resources.
5.    Complete your Entry Form project.
6.    Enter your pet in the Pet Show by submitting your Entry Form.
7.    Participate in the Pet Show.

Learning Advice

Your Be sure to view several websites before choosing which pet you wish to adopt.  As you look through the sites note special features and uses of this rock or mineral.  Pay special attention to why this rock or mineral is important in our lives or society today.  You will need to support why you want to adopt this particular pet.

Resources

Gallery of Minerals
http://db.education-world.com/perl/browse?cat_id=3389

Texture of Igneous Rocks
http://www.geo.duke.edu/geo41/rks.htm

Several Rock and Mineral Sites
http://www.geo.duke.edu/geo41/geo41.htm

http://www.geo.duke.edu/geo41/hotlinks.htm

Smithsonian Gem & Mineral Collection
http://galaxy.einet.net/images/gems/gems-icons.html

Rocks and Minerals Slide Shows online!
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Slideshow/Slideindex.html

Rocks and Minerals of Kentucky
http://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/webrokmn/rocksmin.htm

Teacher and Student Info on Rocks and Minerals
http://www.ttsd.k12.or.us/District/curriculum/elem/iscience/rocksminerals.html

Evaluation

Best of Show  

    10%    Adoption Request Form demonstrates logical reason for adoption
    50%    Entry Form has complete and accurate information
    40%    Performance in the Pet Show is creative and engaging

Honorable Mention
    Partial information provided on Adoption Request, Entry Form and Peformance

Conclusion

Our Pet Show has allowed us to take a hard look at the rocks and minerals which surround us.  We have seen why rocks and minerals are an important part of our lives.