Independent Site Visits 9th Grade:
Prospect Park
Grade Level: 9th grade earth science
Learning Objective: Students will be able to investigate the effects of weathering in the city parks.
Materials: Students should have a pen, paper, handout sheet, hammers, weak acid, and sifting canisters.
Do Now:
Review topics.
Motivation:
Explain to the students how to use the equipment and safety tips.
Presentation:
Place students into groups of five. Have the students examine rocks and soil samples from the park.
1. Gather five different rocks; make a prediction as to what you think the color of the rock is.
2. Crack the rock with the hammer to show the mineral composition of the rock. Describe the actual colors of the rock. Was your prediction correct?
3. Place your weak acid on the rocks. Is there a reaction taking place? Explain why or why not.
1. Scoop a sample of the soil from the park and place it into the top part of the sifting canister.
2. Shake the canisters for a couple of minutes and separate the different sifting canisters.
3. What do you notice about the materials in the top canister as compared to the middle canister and the bottom canister?
4. How do those minerals feel from each of the canisters?
Guided Practice:
The groups will reconvene to discuss their examinations of the rocks and soil samples. They will discuss the weathering terminology that is represented by their data. They will be able to ask and answer questions based on what they did.
Homework
Students will go to the beach to take samples of that soil and place it into the sifting canister to observe the separation of sand particles.
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