This Program is best suited for Fall or Spring. It cannot be offered when there's snow on the ground.

Framing Question
How does our use of rocks and minerals impact Forest Valley?

Learning Goal
If students explore the characteristics and properties of rocks and minerals, then they will be able to investigate how we use these valuable resources here at Forest Valley and assess the impact of these uses on our local environment.

Curriculum Connections

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/scientec18currb.pdf

Understanding Earth and Space Systems – Rocks and Minerals (pg. 93-95)

OE 3 - Demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties of rocks and minerals

• 3.1 describe the difference between rocks and minerals, and explain how these differences determine how they are used
• 3.4 describe the characteristics of the three classes of rocks and explain how their characteristics are related to their origin.
• 3.3 describe how igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks are formed

Possible Sequence of the Day

The framing question focuses on the learning of the day. The day starts with an engagement activity to assess understanding, engage the students, and introduce the framing question. The morning is spent doing investigations, exploring and conducting hands-on inquiry in regard to the stories of the history of the rocks at FV (properties, formation, relocation). The afternoon application activity is focussed on consolidating and applying that learning to look for connections that rocks and minerals have to living things based on their properties (use by humans, plants, animals).

Pre and Post Activities