Over three meeting days, students will learn the three stages of the rock cycle, how fossils form, and how to test minerals. Learners will view some of the teacher's rock and mineral collection, play fossil guessing games, conduct simple science experiments, participate in discussions, and watch educational slideshows. Everyone is welcome to bring their own rock, fossil or mineral to share with the group if wanted. Please limit sharing to one to three items per person, per day. 

Day One: The Rock Cycle
Learn about the three main types of rocks and the earth's processes that transform them over time. Students are encouraged to design their own rock collection box before class with labels for each stage of the rock cycle: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. We will conduct a simple volcano science experiment at the end of class. Please prepare the volcano before class if you wish to participate. Please check the classroom posts for more information about how to build the volcano. 

Day Two: Fossils
Discover how fossils form and what the five main types of fossils are. Check out examples of trace, cast, mold, and true-form fossils. While the teacher shares her fossil collection, find out what megalodon teeth, ancient sea creatures, fossilized scat, and dinosaur bone fragments look like. Make Play-doh or air dry clay mold and trace fossils during class. 

Day Three: Minerals
Gain an understanding of what minerals are and where they come from. Learn about common minerals used in today's society and the history of birthstones. Practice testing minerals for hardness, luster, and streak to learn how to identify them. Instructions on how to put together a mineral test kit will be included. 

*Please note: 
~Classes may run up to five minutes over time depending on learner questions and discussion. 
~The three days of your class may not be consecutive, please check your schedule for your meeting days (For example: Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday). 
~The first ten to fifteen minutes of each class will be dedicated to learner sharing, guided discussion, and explanation of the daily activities. 
~The purpose of this class is not to identify all of the individual rocks in your collection, but rather to learn the rock cycle, the types of fossils, and how to test minerals.