Grade 3 Science

Unit Outline Title: Rock On! Topic Title: Rocks and Minerals Name of Lesson: Edible Rocks and Minerals Suggested Time: 1 class period Standards: S3E1a , S3CS1, S3CS3, S3CS8 Essential Question(s): Unit: What are the similarities and differences between rocks and minerals? Lesson:  How can we use physical attributes to classify rocks and minerals?  How do rocks look?  What physical attributes do minerals have?  What makes that rock on a girl’s hand not a rock at all? Assessment Description/Performance Task: Constructed response Informal assessment Performance task Selected response

Brief Description:  Students will explore the physical attributes of “cookie rocks” and compare/contrast them to the physical attributes of actual rocks. Instructional Methods Hook  Show students a chocolate chip cookie. Ask students to identify what type of cookie it is. How do they know? Show students a sugar cookie and ask them to identify it. How do they know? Discuss the attributes of each cookie.

Experiment  Then show students “cookie rocks.” (Use recipe below.) Ask students to identify what type of cookie it is. Responses will vary.  Share “cookie rocks” with students.  Brainstorm ingredients that make up the “cookie rocks.”  Students will “pick” out the minerals using toothpicks.  Students can identify each type of mineral on a sorting sheet.  Share rock and mineral samples with students.  Have students investigate samples with a hand lens.

Assessment  Collect “cookie rock” sorting sheets.  Provide students with a graphic organizer, or have them create their own using a sheet of notebook paper folded in fourths to record shape, texture, color, etc… of the rock and mineral specimens.  Ask students to orally explain the similarities and differences between the rock and mineral samples. Differentiation:  Students with fine motor difficulties can be given an unfolded paper clip to “pick” out the minerals in the “cookie rocks.” These break less frequently and can be folded to give more control to students. Teacher Note: paper clips should be taken up immediately following the experiment due to safety concerns.  Resource Learners may be paired with partners.

CCSD Version Date: July 14, 2006  Target Learners create a new “cookie rock.” For this Lesson: Rock Recipe 1 cup butter or margarine softened 1 ½ cup light brown sugar ½ cup sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 ¼ cup flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking powder ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips ¾ cup peanut butter chips ¾ cup white chocolate chips ¾ cup candy coated chocolate ½ cup pecans ½ cup raisins Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease baking sheets. Cream butter and sugars. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in chips, nuts and raisins. Bake 10 –12 minutes.  Real Rock and Mineral Samples  Blank sorting grid Vocabulary: Same as prior lesson.

CCSD Version Date: July 14, 2006