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 * Preparation:** Will include as many of the minerals featured in the ISM Geology Online GeoGallery collection as possible. Suggested minerals include gypsum, fluorite, galena, pytire, calcite, mica, dolomite, crystalline quarz,sphalerite, and hematite. Magnetite, barite, graphite, or talc will be also included for the lab.


 * Skill:** Students will need to be able to follow directions to perform the mineral identification test and have an understanding of basic safety rules. Students will also need to be able to use identification guides or online resources for the Mighty Mineral Report

Part 1: Exploring Mineral Identification** 1. Distribute copies of the "What is a mineral?" work sheet. See students worksheets. Will discuss the five characteristics of a mineral to help students complete the top section. During the "Do Now" students will have time to complete the bottom portion of the worksheet. The students will use the five characteristics of a mineral to determine which items are minerals and circle those items. After they have finished, we will discuss the answer and the students will provide reasons excluding the items that are not minerals. 2. Distribute the testing sets of minerals and ask students to classify the speciments into 2 to 4 groups. After the groups have sorted the samples, I will ask students "How did you classify the minerals?" I will discuss the criteria that were used to sort the samples and make a list of the chalk board. Responses may include color, shape, size, and texture as well as other physical characteristics of the specimens. 3. I will explain that scientists use a variety of tests to identify minerals. Distribute the Mighty Mineral ID Guide. Compare the criteria used by the students in #2 to the tests listed on the Mineral ID Guide. 4. Distribute the testing equipment and Mineral ID Chart. The students will have time to practice testing the minerals in tsting sets. 5. Once the students are familiar with the testing process, they will have time to test all the speciments and record the data on the Mighty Mineral ID Chart worksheet. I will monitor the groups and provide assistance when needed. 6. After the students have completed all the mineral identification test, they will use the collected data and identification guides to identify the minerals. I might consider providing a list of minerals in the testing sets if the students experience a lot of difficulty with the identification process. 7. Students will wash their hands and clean up the lab area. Students will share their results with the rest of the class before revealing the names of the minerals.
 * Procedure:

1. Once students are familiar with the properties used for mineral identification, we will go the the Museum of Natural History to the Hall of Minerals. Students will complete the work sheet provided by the museum.** 2. After the trip to the museum, students will adopt a mineral found, and complete the Mighty Mineral Project, which consists of an advertisment and a data page. 3. Students will be allow to use printed or online reference materials to complete the data page. If mineral samples are available, students may also perform tests to obtain the data. 3. Students also need to create an advertisement with a cartoon character or superhero and slogan that highlights one or more important uses for their mineral. For example, fluorite might be represented by a superhero tooth (complete with a cape) and the slogan, "Mighty Fluorite saves the day by protecting the world from tooth decay!" 4. Students will staple the advertisement to the front of the data page. Create a display on "Mighty Minerals" in the classroom or hallway.
 * Part 2: Applying the knowledge.