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Properties of Minerals Activities for Middle School Science

The resources below will provide students a comprehensive understanding of properties of minerals. All of the following lessons are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Properties of Minerals 5E Lesson includes materials for every "E" phase, including the Properties of Minerals Station Lab for Exploration and an interactive PowerPoint with digital INB templates for Explanation.

The lesson also includes introduction materials for Engagement, student-choice project ideas for Elaboration, and assessments for Evaluation.

After completing the Properties of Minerals 5E Lesson, students will be able to test the physical properties of minerals, including hardness, color, luster, streak, cleavage, fracture, and crystalline structure.

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The Properties of Minerals Inquiry Lab is a hands-on activity that is differentiated for advanced, on-level, and modified middle school students.

Students will evaluate the properties of known minerals. They will sort the minerals based on color, streak, luster, and hardness. After verifying their results, they will test two unidentified samples and determine their identity.

The Properties of Minerals Inquiry Lab includes a brief reading passage, comprehension checks, hands-on activities, reflection questions, and a CER conclusion.

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Properties of Minerals Classroom Experiences

Create a powerful student experience to help solidify students' understanding about the properties of minerals. The following experience is also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Escape Rooms

The Properties of Minerals Escape Room is an immersive experience for your students. It allows them to demonstrate their knowledge of the properties of minerals in a fun and engaging way.

Students must use what they have learned to test the physical properties of minerals, including hardness, color, luster, and streak. They must also be able to construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth’s mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes to complete the escape room.


Year-Round Resources

These year-round activities will increase your students' understanding of many middle school science topics. All of these activities are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Visual Data & Graphing

You're not alone if your students struggle with understanding graphs, charts, and tables. It's a skill that takes an enormous amount of practice. This resource will help students build a strong foundation in analyzing data and creating their own data visualizations.

Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups

These middle school science bell ringers are an excellent way to engage your students as soon as they walk into your classroom. This comprehensive FULL YEAR resource includes everything you need to start off each science class with an interesting warm-up activity.

Review Board Games

Each game board has been carefully designed to keep students engaged. There are 10 different action spaces on each board and dozens of question cards. All of the actions are related to science concepts and keep the students motivated throughout the game.

Each game is ready to play. Simply print out the board and the cards and let the students enjoy reviewing nine different units.


Essential Questions and Standards

Below are the essential questions and standards associated with the lessons and activities included in the properties of minerals unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Essential Questions
  • What properties identify a mineral?
  • How are different minerals identified?
  • What are some common uses for minerals?
Standards
  • TEKS Science 6.6 C - Test the physical properties of minerals, including hardness, color, luster, and streak

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Kesler Science Membership

Imagine never having to search for another middle school science lesson again. The membership gives you access to ALL of the Kesler Science products in one place (Yes, including everything above).

Say goodbye to long hours of lesson prep.