Lesson Summary Students examine a collection of 6 earth materials to determine which one is a rock.  Students then observe and record about the properties of all 5 minerals and the rock to try to determine which of the minerals make up the rock. Teacher Background The rock in this investigation is pink granite.  Pink granite contains the minerals mica, feldspar, quartz and sometimes hornblende.  The mineral not present is calcite.  This investigation gives learners the opportunity to use all of the skills, information, and processes learned in the previous 3 investigations.  Learners use knowledge of a variety of rock and mineral properties to identify a rock’s ingredients, just as geologists might do.  The Teacher Guide provides more information about each of the minerals and the pink granite used in this investigation.  A key part of this investigation is the students’ ability to support their conclusions with evidence. Set-up/Management Tip Mica is a very fragile, flakey mineral.  Students will need a reminder to handle mica with care. Literacy Support Books Available Through VAST Mediagraphies: (see Literacy Links) Science Stories “Rock of Ages” Word Wall/Word Bank The following words are key vocabulary words that will be introduced in this lesson and reinforced throughout the unit: granite feldspar hornblende mica