6172RB Science a STEM approach Year 2 low res watermark

Earth and space sciences
OUR RESOURCEFUL WORLD
Lesson 4
Lesson plan
Introduction:
1. Students review their completed copy of the brainstorm from Lesson 1 (page 80). Using a thinkpair-share,
students discuss the questions What are rocks and are they different to minerals? Where
do we find minerals? Share ideas as a class. QP
2. View the video Real world science: Rocks and minerals at . This
shows objects made using important minerals and what these minerals look like when they are
unrefined. PC
Development:
3. Divide the class into groups of four and take the class outside to an area where it is okay to spill
sand. Give each group a pre-prepared large plastic tub, a sandpit sieve, a craft stick, a matchstick
and a fine paint brush. Students work as a team to uncover minerals from the large plastic tub
(ground) using the tools available to them. Students must ensure they handle each mineral carefully
without breaking or wasting any of the valuable resource. PC
4. Students sort and classify the minerals they found into three groups and give each group a label to
identify the type of mineral (rocks, gems and metals). Students look at each mineral in each group
and write a definition for each type, then share their definitions as a class and refine their own if
needed. They then take a digital photograph of each group and its definition. Note: If time allows,
encourage students to upload, resize and print a copy of the photographs or upload it to a class
blog. QP PC PA E
Differentiation
• Less capable students may be told the group names and encouraged to sort the objects into
each group. Students may work with an adult to write a definition or may describe the properties
of the objects in each group to their group.
• More capable students may be encouraged to find a dictionary definition for each group and
compare it to their definition. They may also be encouraged to identify the difference between
each type of mineral.
5. Using a think-pair-share, students discuss the questions How do we extract minerals from the
ground? What is mining? and How did people mine minerals in the past? Display the tools that
students used to mine their minerals from the large tub. What issues would miners have using these
tools for large-scale mining? How do we mine minerals nowadays? QP
6. View the video Modern Mining—How Eagle Mine produces nickel and copper at . This video explains in simple terms how nickel and copper are found, mined and
processed at Eagle Mine in the United States of America. Note: There are many different types of
mining and the process varies slightly for each; however, the main three-step process is the same.
Some sources state rehabilitation or restoration of the natural environment as a fourth step in the
process. This is becoming increasingly more important to provide a sustainable future. PC
Reflection:
7. Using a think-pair-share, students answer the question What is a mineral? C
8. As a class, test students’ knowledge of minerals by asking them a series of questions (with some
hints). Read the following to the class, then instruct students to move to one side of the class for yes
and the other side for no. Question 1. Is quartz a mineral? Does anybody make it? Where is it found?
Question 2. Is plastic a mineral? Who makes plastic? Do you know what plastic is made from?
Question 3. Is gold a mineral? Can you make gold? Where do you find gold nuggets? Question 4. Is
granite a mineral? What do you think it is made of? Question 5. Is charcoal a mineral? You can find
it after a fire has burned, but where does it come from? Question 5. Is an iceberg a mineral? What is
made of? Is it natural? Is it solid? QP PC PA E C
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R.I.C. Publications® – www.ricpublications.com.au 978-1-925431-95-7 YEAR Science:
2 A STEM APPROACH 91