We read the first chapter of Minn of Mississippi today, and I could feel the excitement growing for this book. In the fourth paragraph, Holling is already going into the formation of sandstone, limestone, shale and granite. I did not realize this would be mentioned (thinking I would be doing the rock study solo), but this was a great introduction to a number of our rocks in our identification kit.
After the first chapter, I took the opportunity to sit with Grace and have her describe to me the different characteristics of these rocks as she held them in her hand. Her favorite part is trying to make a streak on the white streak plate. By the end of it, she was correctly identifying each of the rocks, and understanding more about their origins.
I'm liking Minn!
Showing posts with label Geology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Geology. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
The Rock Samples Arrived
The last of our homeschooling materials arrived today: 50 samples (2 of each) of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. I also ordered white streak plates. Grace was asleep at the time I opened the package and sorted out all of the packets. When she awoke she came down to the office and immediately inquired about the rocks on my desk, asking if she could have a closer look in the bags.
Grace and Jack are two kids that will go under the deck and "collect" freezer bags full of smooth white stones that we laid down for landscaping. So, I knew multicolored and shaped rocks would peak Grace's interest. You got to love the ease of homeschooling when it is the children that ask you for a lesson.
Grace and I sat down together and I showed her the names of the rocks on the bags, and also demonstrated that some rocks made a streak on the streak plate, while others didn't. This instantly became and invitation to go through half of the rocks and discover which rocks made streaks. She noticed that Gypsum and Talc where "soft" and streaked the plate. She also picked up on the name of the rock "Magnetite" (no cues from me) asking if she could see if would stick on the fridge.
The "plan" was to just do sedimentary rocks, of which there are about 8 samples. This would tie in well with our freshwater fish study. However, Grace has been so interested in volcanos and magma over the last couple of weeks that it may end up we do an overview of all the rocks.
Grace and Jack are two kids that will go under the deck and "collect" freezer bags full of smooth white stones that we laid down for landscaping. So, I knew multicolored and shaped rocks would peak Grace's interest. You got to love the ease of homeschooling when it is the children that ask you for a lesson.
Grace and I sat down together and I showed her the names of the rocks on the bags, and also demonstrated that some rocks made a streak on the streak plate, while others didn't. This instantly became and invitation to go through half of the rocks and discover which rocks made streaks. She noticed that Gypsum and Talc where "soft" and streaked the plate. She also picked up on the name of the rock "Magnetite" (no cues from me) asking if she could see if would stick on the fridge.
The "plan" was to just do sedimentary rocks, of which there are about 8 samples. This would tie in well with our freshwater fish study. However, Grace has been so interested in volcanos and magma over the last couple of weeks that it may end up we do an overview of all the rocks.
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