Name: ______________________

Mighty Minerals! Project(The Building Blocks of the Earth)

My mineral: ____________________________

Due Date: ____________________________

You and a partner choose how you want to present your project: poster(18”x22” maximum) or computer presentation (PowerPoint, etc.),

Your project must include: Name of your mineral shown clearly (and spelled correctly ) Picture with color of your mineral (from Internet, photographed, or neatly hand­drawn) Properties of your mineral:− Color(s)− Streak− Luster− Hardness (** see information below)− Crystal shape− Cleavage

** for hardness: include Moh’s hardness number and name two minerals that can be scratched by your mineral (softer) and two minerals that can scratch your mineral (harder), if possible.

Locations where your mineral is found. This may be general areas of theworld or specific areas. This depends on your mineral; some minerals arecommonly found around the world, others are found in limited areas (includea map).

Interesting facts about your mineral. This should include how your mineral isused (if it is useful to us), how commonly it is found, other interestingproperties (like magnetism, etc.), types of rocks in which it is found. Includeother information you find that is interesting (and that you understand).

A list of the sources that you used for information (books, encyclopedias,websites, etc.)

Your project should be attractive. Make it colorful and neat! Include yourname and homeroom teacher’s name.

Name: ______________________

Mighty Minerals! ProjectScoring Guide

______ Name of mineral is clearly shown and spelled correctly(5 points)

______ Picture of mineral is included with color (5 points)

______ Properties are displayed or included accurately:

___color

___streak

___luster

___hardness (including Moh’s number, two harder and

two softer minerals ­ if possible)

___crystal shape

___cleavage (12 points)

______ Locations where mineral is found with map (5 points)

______ At least 3 interesting facts (10 points)

______ List of sources is included (5 points)

______ Project is attractive and neat (3 points)

______ Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are accurate(3 points)

______ Your name and homeroom teacher are included (2 points)

Total 50 points

Rubric score: Presentation:

50 = 3+ Exceeding expectations

40 ­ 49 = 3 Meeting expectations

30 ­ 39 = 2 Approaching expectations

Below 30 Not meeting standards

Name: ______________________

Mighty Minerals! Project(The Building Blocks of the Earth)

Worksheet

My mineral: ____________________________

Due Date: ____________________________

How I’m going to present my project (circle one)

poster PowerPoint other

Mineral properties:Color(s) _____________________________________________

Streak _____________________________________________

Luster _____________________________________________

Hardness ________________ (Moh’s number)

_________________ __________________ (2 softer minerals)

_________________ __________________ (2 harder minerals)

Crystal shape ___________________________________________

Cleavage ____________________________________________

Where my mineral is found: ___________________________________________

Interesting facts (how is it used, interesting properties, rocks it forms….)

________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________My Sources [include title, author, and publication information. For websites, includeURL (www.) address, date you used that website and author, if available.]_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name: ______________________

_

Name: ______________________

Mighty Minerals! Project(The Building Blocks of the Earth)Some Suggested Resources

Encyclopedias (look up the name of the mineral)

Rock and Mineral field guides or other books (in our classroom,libraries)

Websites:

geology.com/minerals (good basic information, also hasinteresting information about careers in geology!)

mineral.galleries.com

geology.about.com/library/bl/blquickmineral_id.htm (lists themost common rock­forming minerals. These occur in commonrocks around the world. See if your mineral is on this list!)

http://www.sdnhm.org/science/mineralogy/resources/ ­ goodstarting place for some minerals (it does not have informationabout all the minerals in our project ­ sorry!)

http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/ – This website is run by theU.S. government. It is very reliable for accurate information. Itgives you access to a lot of information about how minerals areused by people.