Grade Level: Kindergarten

Objective:
Students will acquire an understanding of how rocks are composed of different minerals.

State Goals Met In This Lesson:
State Goal 11: Understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments and solve problems.
Learning Standard 11A: Know and apply the concepts, principles, and processes of scientific inquiry.
Benchmark 11.A.1a: Describe an observed event.
Benchmark 11.A.1c: Collect data for investigations using measuring instruments and technologies.
Benchmark 11.A.1d: Record and store data using available technologies.

Background:
Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. Rocks can be composed of several minerals or just one mineral. Minerals determine a rock's color. Using cookies as rocks, this lesson demonstrates how minerals serve as the building blocks of rocks.

Materials:
Teacher:
Rock cookie recipe (attached)
Ingredients for rock cookies
Rock and mineral samples

Each Student:
Mineral sorting sheet
Rock cookie
Toothpick (a popsicle stick might work better)
Paper plate

Preparation:
You can determine whether or not you want to make these cookies with your class or make them ahead of time and bring the baked cookies to school. The following procedure is for cookies that have already been baked.

Procedure:

1. Show students the samples of the rocks and minerals that you have brought to class. Explain to the students that we often call all of these samples rocks, but some of them are actually minerals. It is difficult to tell the difference just by looking at them. The following activity will help students to understand the difference between rocks and minerals and how minerals are the building blocks of rocks. Suggestion: You could have your students look at their rocks with magnifying glasses after showing them pictures of different rocks & minerals and before going on to the next activity.
2. Show the students some of the different "minerals" that they will find in their "cookie rock," e.g., raisins, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, pecan pieces, candy coated chocolate pieces, and white chocolate chips. Discuss how these different "minerals" are all held together to make a "rock." Suggestion: You might want to brainstorm with your students about the ingredients that make up the cookies, to draw on their background knowledge – rather than just telling them.
3. Distribute to each student a rock cookie, paper plate, toothpick (a popsicle stick might work better), and mineral sorting sheet. Suggestion: While explaining the next step, you may want to talk a little about the tools that geologists use when digging for rocks. You could also introduce rock safety if you have not already done so.
4. Have students "pick" the "minerals" out of the cookies and sort the "minerals" on the mineral sorting sheet.
5. Ask the students to try to identify each type of "mineral."

Final Activity:
Students will be allowed to eat the "minerals" they found in their "rock," as well as any rock crumbs that may be left.

Extensions:
1. After the students have sorted the minerals, have them count how many "minerals" they placed in each sorting box. Math integration: You could develop a simple graph for your students to complete after the sorting. Have them graph their cookie “minerals.”
2. Try to find minerals in the rock samples that you brought to school. You may
need a hand lens.
3. Using a balance, students may compare the weight of different "rocks." What things would account for the differences in weights between rocks (size, number of minerals, type of minerals)?

Assessment:
Assessment will be conducted through teacher observation as students are picking out their "minerals." During this time the teacher will circulate throughout the classroom asking students questions about their "rocks" and "minerals," the difference between rocks and minerals, and how minerals are the building blocks of rocks. Based upon their answers, the teacher will be able to determine their level of understanding of this lesson.

Resources:
Non-Fiction Resources:
Moyer, Daniel, et al. Science. New York: Macmillian McGraw-Hill, 2002.

Young, Ruth M. Rocks and Minerals. Westminister, CA: Teacher Created Materials, 2002.

Internet Resources:
Metamorphic Magic
http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow1/oct98/act/payton4.htm

Illinois State Museum
http://www.museum.state.il.us/

Illinois State Standards
http://www.isbe.net

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.

Mineral Sorting Sheet