Gems Across America Flex Class
Take a journey across America in this 4 week flex class where we seek out some of the most beautiful gems and minerals from this great land!
Valerie Kosa
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(147)
What's included
Homework
1 hour per week. Learners will have one worksheet per class to reinforce the topics discussed.Assessment
Learners will be assessed through the use of the homework worksheets, through class discussion on the classroom page and through identifying minerals that they find in their gem kit that will be purchased for the class. Learners will share in the classroom section their favorite gem and describe where to find it, how to find it and what is it's value. Learners will also share photos in the class section with their findings from their gem mining kit that they will purchase for the class.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
The United States is filled with beauty, from it's beautiful landforms and bodies of water to what is found underneath- gems and minerals! In this 4 week flex class, we will travel across the United States and uncover the hidden beauty found within. Through video, commentary, worksheets and challenges, We will discover where certain gems and minerals can be found, what they are made of, what gives them their beautiful color and we will have the opportunity to dig up some of these beautiful gems and minerals from the comfort of our own home. We will discuss how to find gems and what specifically to look for when digging through the dirt. We'll talk about sluicing techniques as well as digging techniques so that when you have the opportunity to travel to one of these mines, you will have great success in uncovering these beauties. We will also talk about how gems and minerals are valued. Learners will have the chance to uncover their own beautiful gems (see supplies listed below). In addition, we will divide up into teams and go on a scavenger hunt where clues will be given to each team and they will need to work together to uncover a mystery location and what gems are found in that location. Each team will be given their instructions and their clues and they will be able to collaborate using flipgrid.com.
Learning Goals
Learners will have the opportunity to identify where specific gems and minerals are located in the U.S. and how to find them. Learners will discover techniques for seeking out these gems and minerals and will have the opportunity to dig through to find some of these gems by using the purchased kit listed in the materials. Learners will uncover techniques used in gem mining such as panning and sluicing. Learners will discover the people who process these gems and make them into beautiful jewelry through polishing, heat treating, cutting and shaping different gems and minerals. Learners will identify what makes a gem it's particular color and what makes it valuable.
Other Details
Supply List
Handouts will be provided after each class to reinforce the content of each class. Learners will need to purchase the following kit (affiliate link) in order to search and identify gems during class. https://amzn.to/3dIpYlX
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined March, 2020
4.8
147reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Texas Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts
Bachelor's Degree in Education from University of North Texas
I have always been interested in beautiful gems and minerals and studied geology both in high school and at the University of Texas. When our family left for a 2.5 year RV trip throughout the U.S. and Canada, while homeschooling our children, we sought out as many gem and mineral mining opportunities as possible. We visited a diamond mine, we panned for gold with an expert miner, we found sapphires and garnets and we found amethyst, quartz and emeralds. We also searched for blue topaz. There are so many places in the United States open to the public to learn and discover these hidden and beautiful specimens and I hope to share what we've learned through a fun and engaging course. Reviews
Live Group Class
$9
weekly or $36 for 4 weeks4 weeks
Completed by 2 learners
No live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
