Rocks + Minerals: Concepts + Keywords 

Concepts Related to Rocks + Minerals

If your class is interested in studying simple machines and you choose to facilitate a rocks and minerals investigation, consider using any 3 or 4 concepts listed below. Choosing a limited number of concepts based on children's interests helps to narrow down the research required by teachers. It also helps teachers shape the investigation by diving deeper into the chosen content instead of feeling pressure to cover all concepts related to the topic. Choosing what's most relevant to the children in your class helps everyone get the most out of the investigation. 

TYPES OF ROCKS
TYPES OF MINERALS +PROPERTIES
​WHERE DO ROCKS COME FROM?
​CRYSTALS + GEMSTONES
​ROCKS + SOIL
EARTHS LAYERS 

ROCK CYCLE
IDENTIFYING ROCKS + MINERALS
​USES OF ROCKS + MINERALS
MINING + EXCAVATION
SEDIMENT + STRATIFICATION
EROSION + WEATHERING
VOLCANOS
​

PROTECTING ROCKS + MINERALS
FOSSILS
​GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES, TIME + FEATURES
PLATE TECTONICS
​GEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
JOBS IN GEOLOGY

Keywords

• Mineral: A natural, solid substance with a specific chemical composition and crystal structure.
• Rock: A solid material made up of one or more minerals.
• Crystal: A solid material whose atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern.
• Igneous Rock: Rock formed from cooled and solidified magma or lava. Example: basalt.
• Sedimentary Rock: Rock formed from the accumulation and compression of mineral and organic particles. Example: sandstone.
• Metamorphic Rock: Rock formed from the transformation of existing rock types through heat and pressure. Example: marble.
• Magma: Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface.
• Lava: Molten rock that has erupted onto the Earth's surface.
• Hardness: A measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched.
• Luster: How a mineral reflects light. Examples: metallic, glassy, dull.
• Streak: The color of a mineral's powder when rubbed on a streak plate.
• Cleavage: The tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces.
• Fracture: The way a mineral breaks along irregular surfaces.
• Density: The mass of a mineral per unit volume.
• Fossil: The preserved remains or impressions of ancient plants or animals in rock.
• Erosion: The movement of rock and soil by wind, water, ice, or gravity.
• Weathering: The breaking down of rocks and minerals by natural forces like wind, water, and temperature changes.
• Deposition: The process by which sediments settle out of the water or wind carrying them.
• Strata: Layers of sedimentary rock.
• Plate Tectonics: The theory explaining the movement of the Earth's plates and the activity that occurs at their boundaries.
• Geologist: A scientist who studies rocks, minerals, and the Earth's processes.
• Ore: A type of rock that contains important minerals that can be mined for a profit. Example: iron ore.
• Gemstone: A precious or semi-precious mineral that can be cut and polished for jewelry. Example: diamond.
• Pumice: A type of igneous rock that is so light it can float on water.
• Granite: A common type of igneous rock that is used in building and monuments.
• Sandstone: A type of sedimentary rock made from sand particles that have been compacted and cemented together.
• Marble: A metamorphic rock formed from limestone that is often used in sculpture and architecture.
• Geode: A hollow rock with crystals lining the inside.
• Quartz: A common mineral that comes in many colors and is found in many types of rocks.
• Mohs Scale: A scale used to measure the hardness of minerals, ranging from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).