Students will explore the geology of the Earth while learning about rocks and minerals, the rock cycle, weathering, erosion and deposition, and the layers of the Earth.  

They will be able to experience demonstrations that resemble the rock cycle as well as hands-on activities that will solidify the concepts taught in this course.  If your student loves geology, then this course is a must!  Students will complete a small interactive notebook/lapbook throughout this course.  It will be a fantastic resource for future use.  I will upload the materials for their lap book each week.  Students will need a file folder (or an 11X17 sheet of any color construction paper), which will be the cover for their lap book.  We will add interactive notes to their lap book each week.)

Meeting One:  We will cover the three types of rocks and the rock cycle.  Students will complete a graphic organizer of the rock cycle.  I will introduce the final project, A Rock's Story, which will require students to write a story from a rock's point of view telling how it became a rock.  I will provide resource link's in the Outschool classroom to gather research for the final project.  

Meeting Two:  We will learn about minerals and the properties of rocks and minerals.  If students would like to test minerals, they can purchase a mineral kit from Amazon using the following link:  https://www.amazon.com/Toysmith-7922-Mineral-Science-Kit/dp/B002O07JLW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1547829836&sr=8-5&keywords=mineral+kit
(students will also need a penny and a nail to test the hardness of the minerals)  Students will complete a foldable gathering property of minerals from their mineral kit.  

Meeting Three:  We will learn about weathering, erosion, and deposition - We will conduct a rock cycle lab that will simulate weather, erosion, and deposition (Materials include a three different colored crayons, students will need shaved pieces of crayon prior to class on a 6" x 6" sheet of wax paper, and a piece of 6" x 6" foil.)

Meeting Four:
We will learn about the layers of the Earth.  We will dissect a hard-boiled egg and use it to compare the layers of the egg to the layers of the Earth.  Students will also share their rock story in class. 

A flex course allows learners to cover material during a time that is convenient for them each week.  Students are encouraged to check in with the teacher weekly via the Outschool classroom, which will allow for more engagement between the teacher and learner.  After weekly lessons, students can collaborate with their peers by replying to the announcements and lesson postings in the Outschool classroom.

Participation will include the Introduction post, discussion posts, assignments, and projects in the Classroom. This allows students to process what they are learning by collaborating with peers and the teacher.  Participation in assignments allows students to practice and reinforce learning.  This also provides opportunities for the teacher to gauge student learning and provide interventions if necessary.  Private messages or classroom comments are usually responded to within 24 hours with the exception of weekends.  

I can't wait for you to join me on this adventure as we learn about rocks and minerals!