Rocks and Minerals
It’s All About The Rocks

Information, activities, and lesson plans on rocks, minerals, and crystals designed for students and teachers.

Here’s what you can do at Rocks And Minerals 4 U:

Learn: We have loads of information in one handy location! You’ll find pages about formation, identification, classification and use of minerals, rocks and crystals.
Share: Looking for great lesson plans for sharing your love of rocks, minerals or crystals? Browse through our lesson plans, puzzles, or rock club activities for fun, innovative ways to bring the gifts of the earth into your life.

If you love geology like we do, rocksandminerals4u.com is your one-stop rock, mineral and crystal resource.

Rocks And Minerals BlogRocks And Minerals Blog is where you will find the newest additions to www.rocksandminerals4u.com, including lesson plans and student activities on rocks, minerals, and earth science.

The Earths Interior - A look At The Inner EarthStudying the earth's interior can help us to understand earthquakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics and more about the inner earths natural processes.

What is A RockWhat is a rock? We all know what rocks are right? They are lying on the ground everywhere!

Igneous Rocks Born of FireIgneous rocks get their name from the latin word for fire - igneus. The name is appropriate because these rocks are born of fire.

Metamorphic Rocks - What Makes Them ChangeMetamorphic rocks</b> are one of the three types of rock classifications, the other two being igneous and sedimentary.

What Separates Sedimentary Rocks From The RestSedimentary rocks are classified in three main groups: clastic, chemical, and organic.

Examples of Common Sedimentary RocksThe table below shows examples of common clastic sedimentary rocks. They are listed by grain size in decending order.

The Rock Cycle Recycling The EarthThe Rock Cycle describes the process the earth uses to recycle rocks. Yes, even rocks are recycled.

What Is A Mineral?What is a mineral? For earth science these are the characteristics that classify a substance as a mineral. What do those characteristics mean?

Mineral Identification Based on Mineral PropertiesMineral identification is done by checking for certain mineral properties or characteristics. Minerals are inorganic compounds that occur naturally in the earth.

Mineral Classification, An Organizational NecessityMineral classification can be an organizational nightmare. With over 3,000 different types of minerals a system is needed to make sense of them all.

The Gallery of Minerals With Pictures and Descriptions.The Gallery of Minerals has examples of common minerals that are categorized by type. Each has a thumbnail picture of the specimen and a brief description of it.

The Rock Gallery has Igneous Metamorphic Sedimentary Rock Photos and TextThe Rock Gallery contains pictures and descriptions of common igneous metamorphic sedimentary rock. The igneous rocks are listed at the top of the page followed by metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.

Geodes: What Is A Geode?Geodes are like the Tootsie Roll Pop of the geology world because underneath the hard exterior lies a surprise center

Birthstones vary depending on which tradition you consultJust about everyone knows about birthstones or thinks they do. There are many traditional sources for birthstones. They do not all agree on the same stones for each month.

Jewelry, Beauty and Human AdornmentJewelry and gemstones have been commonly used for adornment since the earliest civilizations.

Lesson Plans on Rocks and MineralsWhen I create lesson plans, I do it with several thoughts in mind. First I think of the students who will view the lesson, but I also think of how they will use the information AFTER the lesson.

Crossword Puzzles For Rocks, Minerals, and GeologyCrossword Puzzles Help Students Learn New Vocabulary. As students face learning new information, one of the most important aspects is becoming familiar with the vocabulary associated with the subject.

Examples of Common Metamorphic RocksThe table below shows examples of common metamorphic rocks. Clicking on the name of the rock will bring up a larger picture and a description of the rock type in a new window.

Links of fun, and educational kids activitiesThese links of kids activities have unique products or provide free and fun activities for kids to do. Enjoy!

.About Us at Rocks And Minerals 4 UWho are these people anyway? Find out about us.

Rock Cycle Lesson PlanThe direct aims of The Rock Cycle Lesson is to learn that rock is recyclable and the processes involved in rock recycling

How Is Metamorphic Rock ClassifiedMetamorphic rock is classified by texture and composition. The texture can be foliated or nonfoliated.

Igneous Rock FormationIgneous Rock Formation

Igneous Rock Formation Recycling Metamorphic RocksIgneous rock formation can happen when Metamorphic rocks are remelted.

Metamorphic Rock Formation Transforming Sedimentary Rocksmetamorphic rock formation

Metamorphic Rock Formation Transforming Igneous RocksMetamorphic Rock Formation

Properties of MineralsMineralogists use a number of tests on the physical properties of minerals to determine their identity.

Rocks and Minerals 4 U Site MapRocks and Minerals 4 U Site Map

An Example of Igneous RocksThis is a pictorial example of igneous rocks.

Native ElementsNative Elements is the category of the pure. Most minerals are made up of combinations of chemical elements.

The SilicatesSilicates are the most widespread of the minerals. By themselves they make up over 90 percent of the weight of the earths crust.

The OxidesOxides are mineral compounds combining a metal with oxygen or a metal combining with oxygen and hydrogen.

The SulfidesThe sulfides are made up of sulfur combined with another mineral, usually a metal.

The SulfatesThe sulfates are made up of one or more metals in combination with sulfur and oxygen.

The HalidesHalides are formed by combining a metal with one of the five halogen elements, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, iodine, and astatine.

The CarbonatesCarbonates come from the combination of carbon, oxygen, and a metal or semimetal element.

The PhosphatesPhosphates are formed when phosphate combines with one or more of the metal elements.

The MineraloidsMineraloids is the term used for those substances that do not fit neatly into any of the eight classes of minerals.

Rock shops in the Western United States.We have visited so many Rock shops in our travels that we have begun to find our favorites based on a whole slew of different criteria.

Rocks and MineralsIt’s All About The Rocks

Rocks and Minerals
It’s All About The Rocks