Georgia S3E1.a
The Standard
Ask questions and analyze data to classify rocks by their physical attributes (color, texture, luster, and hardness) using simple tests.
Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science · Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the physical attributes of rocks and soils.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students ask testable questions about rock properties. They observe rocks, run scratch tests, record results, and sort rocks using color, texture, shine, and hardness.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students use tools safely and record observations in a clear table. They group rocks by more than one property and explain each choice with test data.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may sort only by color or assume shiny rocks are always harder. They may confuse hardness with how easily a rock breaks and describe texture without touching or closely viewing it.
How to Assess It
- Give students a data table for three rocks. Ask them to group two rocks together and cite two recorded properties that support their choice.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs four rocks, hand lenses, pennies, and fingernails to observe, scratch, record, and sort each sample.
Ask students to write which rock property made sorting easiest and support their answer with two observations.
Play Mystery Rock by reading property cards while students identify the matching sample from a labeled rock set.
Have students choose a rock for a playground path and justify the choice using hardness and texture data.
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Printable S3E1.a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to S3E1.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- S3E1
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the physical attributes of rocks and soils.
- S6E5.b
Plan and carry out an investigation of the characteristics of minerals and how minerals contribute to rock composition.
- S2P1.a
Ask questions to describe and classify different objects according to their physical properties.
- SKE2.b
Construct an argument supported by evidence for how rocks can be grouped by physical attributes (size, weight, texture, color).
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