MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
ILO:

Traci found a sample of a solid material that was gray, shiny, and made of all the same material. What category does this sample best fit?

a. sedimentary rock

b. igneous rock

c. metamorphic rock

d. mineral

Correct Answer: d

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
ILO:

Which of the following best describes the relationship between a rock and a mineral?

a. Rocks are pure substances; minerals are not.

b. Rocks are made from minerals.

c. Minerals are made from rocks.

d. Rocks and minerals are the same thing.

Correct Answer: b

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
ILO:

Which one of the following is not characteristic of a rock?

a. varied colors and textures present

b. made only of crystals

c. layered

d. homogeneous (one element or compound)

Correct Answer: d

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
ILO:

A fourth grade class observes rocks. One sample feels rough and grainy. It has a plant fossil. Which type of rock is it?

a. sedimentary

b. igneous

c. granite

d. metamorphic

Correct Answer: a

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
ILO:

A rock sample has been changed by heat and pressure. It has wavy folds. Which type of rock is it?

a. sedimentary

b. fossils

c. igneous

d. metamorphic

Correct Answer: d

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
ILO:

Which of the following correctly matches a rock type with the process involved in forming the rock?

a. igneous ∆ pressure and heat

b. sedimentary ∆ erosion and weathering

c. fossils ∆ molten rocks and magma

d. metamorphic ∆ heating and melting

Correct Answer: b

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
ILO:

Obsidian, granite, and basalt are rocks formed from molten rock that has cooled. What kind of rocks are they?

a. sedimentary

b. fossils

c. igneous

d. metamorphic

Correct Answer: c

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
ILO:

Sandstone, shale, limestone, and conglomerate are common rocks in Utah. They form colorful rock formations and canyons. What type of rock are they?

a. sedimentary

b. fossils

c. igneous

d. metamorphic

Correct Answer: a

I	4^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
ILO:

Students looked at 5 rock samples with magnifying hand lenses. Look at the chart below and answer the next three questions.

Sample	Crystal Shape	Color	Texture
1	Yes	Grayish white	Smooth, soft
2	No	Speckled, light and dark	Rough, coarse
3	No	Reddish brown	Gritty, sandy
4	Yes	Gold	Smooth, metallic
5	Yes	Brownish white	Slick, smooth

1. Which of the above samples would be classified as minerals? Which would be rocks?

2. What do the rocks have in common?

3. What do the minerals have in common?

Correct Answers:

1. minerals: 1, 4, 5 rocks: 2, 3

2. The rocks do not have a crystal shape and are made from a collection of materials.

3. The minerals have a crystal shape and are made of one substance.

E	4^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
ILO:

Explain two ways you can tell a sample is a rock and not a mineral sample.

Possible Answers:

A rock sample has a combination of minerals, can be classified as sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic, is often more than one color, has bands etc.

P	4^th Grade	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
ILO:

Activity Description:

Students will identify whether rock samples are igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic.

Materials Needed:

a variety of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks that have been labeled by number (six rocks per student), Pencils and paper

Prior to Assessment:

Students should have been introduced to the rock cycle and the salient features of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.

Time Needed for Assessment:

one class period of 45 to 60 minutes

Procedure:

1.  Give each student six different rocks.

2.   Have students classify each rock into one of three categories:  igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.  (Students would identify each rock by its number.)

3.  Students should also explain what feature(s) of the rock helped them to decide what kind of rock it is.

4.  A data table such as the one below may be provided:

Sample #	Observations	Rock Type
1
2
3
4
5
6

Scoring Guide:

12 points total

6 points - 1 for each rock correctly identified as sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic

6 points - one for each rock for which at least one relevant salient feature was identified