Pebbles, Sand, and Silt
What do you call a scientist that studies rocks?
A scientist that studies rocks is called a geologist.
What do you call a scientist that studies volcanoes?
A scientist that studies volcanoes is called a Volcanologist.
Rocks are the solid material of the Earth's crust.
Investigation 1: First Rocks
NJ Science Standards for Investigation 1
5.2.2.A.1 Sort and describe objects based on the materials of which they are made and their physical properties.
5.2.2.A.2 Identify common objects as solids, liquids, or gases.
5.4.2.C.1 Describe Earth materials using appropriate terms, such as hard, soft, dry, wet, heavy, and light.
Three types of Volcanic (Igneous) Rocks
Basalt - hardest of the three volcanic rocks
Scoria - harder than tuff but softer than basalt
Tuff - softest of the three volcanic rocks
In this Investigation we will sort the volcanic rocks by its' properties, using our eyes.
Size
Color
Shape
Texture
Investigation 2: River Rocks
NJ Science Standards for Investigation 2
5.2.2.A.1 Sort and describe objects based on the materials of which they are made and their physical properties.
5.2.2.A.2 Identify common objects as solids, liquids, or gases.
5.4.2.C.1 Describe Earth materials using appropriate terms, such as hard, soft, dry, wet, heavy, and light.
Five types of river rocks - from largest to smallest
Large Pebbles
Small Pebbles
Large Gravel
Small Gravel
Sand
Peep and the Big Wide World - Quack and the Very Big Rock - Video
In this Investigation we will sort the river rocks by using a tool called: mesh screens
Large Mesh Screens
Medium Mesh Screens
Small Mesh Screens
In this Investigation we will also sort smaller rocks (sand and silt) by using: water
Investigation 3: Using Rocks
NJ Science Standards for Investigation 3
5.4.2.G.4 Identify the natural resources used in the process of making various manufactured products.
In this Investigation we will learn about Earth's Materials.
What are Earth's Materials?
Earth's Materials are:
Rocks
Minerals
Soils
Water
Metals
Precious Rocks
People use rocks to make many things like:
buildings or houses
brick walls
roads
sidewalks
statues
fireplaces
Investigation 4: Soil Explorations
NJ Science Standards for Investigation 4
5.4.2.C.1 Describe Earth materials using appropriate terms, such as hard, soft, dry, wet, heavy, and light.
5.4.4.C.1 Create a model to represent how soil is formed.
What is Soil? - BrainPopJr (Teacher Password)
Terra Firma - Getting To Know Soil - Discovery (Teacher Password)
There are four things that are mixed together to make up soil.
sand
gravel
humus
pebbles
Worms are also very good for soil.