Investigation 1Part 1

Today you are going to be geologists. Geologists are scientists who study

planet Earth. One thing that a geologist studies about Earth is its rocks. Rocks are among the materials that make up Earth.

-ology means “the study of” -ologist means “a person who studies” Ento- means “insects” Bio- means “life” Geo- means “earth” If we put two word parts together, we get

new words.Entomology- the study of insectsEntomologist- a person who studies insectsWhat other words could we make?

Geologists make detailed observations of the rocks they want to study. They start with observations, because when they test the rock, the rock is usually changed in some way, and geologists want to be able to compare the change with the rock before the test.

Remember: Properties are things like texture, color, shape,size, mass or weight, smell, and other things.

The science tools we will use with our mock rocks are: Hand lens Meter tape Balances and mass sets (if available)

We will be working on pages 2 and 3 in our “Earth Materials” Notebook

Today we will be observing Mock Rocks. These are simulated rocks (not real). When you get your mock rock keep it in one piece for our activities today.

Your challenge is to describe your Mock Rock in detail in your journal. Be specific in your description so that later, if the mock rock changes in any way, you will have a record to refer to.

For notebook page 2 we will:

Make surface observations. You will sketch (draw) or trace the rock on the grid and write your observations.

Make magnified observations. You will draw a magnified view of a small part of your rock in the circle.

Review Vocabulary:

Diameter is the distance across a circular object

Circumference is the distance around a circular object

Depth is how thick an object is

diameterdepth

Each team of 4 students will be divided into pairs.

The team getter will collect the materials for both pairs in his group.

Materials needed for 2 pairs: 2 paper plates 2 mock rocks 1 set of measuring tools Colored pencils or crayons

Complete notebook pages 2 and 3 Remember to be as detailed as

possible

Pause to observe mock rocks.

Review properties of mock rocks

How did using the hand lens help you see more detail?

Share your work.

Display mock rocks on a table. Pairs trade Earth Materials notebooks to

see if they can identify mock rocks using each other’s notes.

Discuss what notes helped identify the right mock rock, and tell what additional notes would have helped.

Retrieve your mock rock and add details to your notes to improve your data.

What are some of the tools scientists use to study rocks?

What information does each tool provide?

What kind of information is important to include in notes?

How is a mock rock like/different from a real rock?

How would you study a real rock?

Put materials back on the science table.

Clean desk/observation area.

What words would you suggest we add to a word bank?

Geology- the scientific study of Earth’s history and structure

Geologist- a person who studies the Earth and the materials of which it is made

Property- something you can observe, such as size, color, shape, or texture

Circumference- the distance around a circular object

Diameter- the distance across a circular object

Depth- is how thick an object is from top to bottom

Meter tape- measures linear dimensions

Balance- measures mass Weigh- using a balance to determine an

objects mass

What properties can help us tell one rock from

another?

• How can you tell your mock rock from

another rock?

• Why do geologists try to look carefully at the

different properties?

• How can we make comparisons of the different sizes of

rocks?

Read the story called “Written in Stone” page 1-4 in Earth Materials Reader.