Rocks and Minerals

In this web quest you will work with a group of three students. Your group will choose a rock or mineral from those that we have discussed in class, and research its uses in our environment. In this web quest you will learn the importance of rocks and minerals in your daily life.

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Task

For this web quest, you will research a rock or mineral that interests your group. You must choose a rock or mineral from those discussed in class and find out as much as you can about it by going to the sites provided for you in the resource section of this website. The information that you learn will be used to create a Power Point presentation based on what your group has learned about the rock or mineral you have chosen.

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Process

Choose a rock or mineral. Discuss with your group the rock or mineral you would like to learn more about. Once you have chosen your rock or mineral invite your teacher to the discussion for approval.
On paper take notes on your rock or mineral and what you want others to know about it.
Your research may include the following: (1) general description of the rock or mineral; (2) where it is found in the world; (3) what this rock or mineral is used for; (4) why is it important; (5) is this rock or mineral important to our community?
Before preparing your Power Point, do a rough draft of what you want it to look like on construction paper. Fold the paper in half and then in half again to make four squares. Each square will represent a slide for your presentation.
Use your rough draft to create your Power Point presentation. Create 4-6 slides about your rock or mineral.

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Resources

	Mineral Information Institute - Common Minerals and Their Uses
	MSW Minerals Council - The Uses of Rocks and Minerals
	Rocks, Gems & Minerals
	Atlas of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks, Minerals, and Textures
	Rocks and Minerals

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Evaluation

This chart shows how you will get a grade when you are working on the Web Quest. There is a possibility of receiving a total of 25 points on the project.

Rubric

	1	2	3	4	5
Following Directions	I did not listen to the directions, so I did not know what to do.	I did not follow the directions. I was frequently off task.	I followed the directions but I had to be reminded to stay on task.	I followed the directions and stayed on task while I was working on my project.	I followed all the directions and I helped other students who didn't know what to do.
Cooperation with partners	We played around instead of working on our project.	We could not agree on what we should be doing, so we wasted time.	We were able to work together to complete our project.	We worked together on the project but did not share the responsibility of presenting.	We worked, together on the project and shared the responsibility of presenting.
Use of resources	I was unable to find the information I was looking for.	I was able to find some of the information needed to complete my project.	I was able to find most of the information I needed to complete my project.	I was able to find all the information I needed to complete my project with help from others outside my group.	I was able to find all the information I needed to complete my project independently within my group.
Completion of project	I am just beginning to understand the task. My work is incomplete.	I worked on my project, but only included 2-3 slides of information.	I completed 3-4 slides of information on my project.	I included all 6 slides of information. My project looks like I rushed to finish.	I included all 6 slides of information. My project is carefully detailed.
Presentation of project	I was unable to participate in the presentation.	I participated in the presentation but could only remember (1-2) pieces of information.	I participated in the presentation and included (2-3) pieces of the project information.	I participated in the presentation and included all pieces of the project information.	I participated in the presentation and exhibited confidence in knowledge of all the material presented.

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Conclusion

What did you learn about your rock or mineral? After you have found out about the rock or mineral you have chosen and completed you Power Point presentation, share it with your class. You will learn all about the other rocks and minerals in the slide shows presented by your classmates. Maybe you will find another rock or mineral you find interesting and want to find out more information about it.

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Permission is granted to teachers and educators to use the information with in this site for educational purposes. If you modify this web quest and publish it for your use please forward a link to me. Comments and questions may be forwarded to the following email address.

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