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Do you need geology activities? For a classroom? Homeschooling? Something different for an after school program? Maybe you don't know how much you need them.
If you've ever taken a walk in the woods with a young child, you've probably observed a natural love of rocks and minerals. Shape, color, texture'any of these can warrant special notice, a quick pick-up and a drop in the pocket. Once home, those same rocks can spark a memory or an imagination of how it came to be there at just that spot in the path.
A love for the natural world is so universal that if you drop 'rocks and minerals' into a Google search you'll find over 9 million websites from countries all around the world--and lots of these are directed to children or made by children. On a short search, I encountered sites by teachers for students, by avid rock hounds for aspiring rock hounds, by colleges, universities, and museums, and by folks who just LOVE rocks!
That's why we recommend starting a geology club.
Geology Club In Ohio
Last year, Kathy Koenig of Cincinnati started a geology club for 7 and 8 year-olds. Being a teacher, she wanted to inspire kids in a subject she knew would be lots of fun. She also wanted to give the students plenty of opportunities for some genuine science work. She planned out a years worth of geology activities and lessons.
The Basic Plan
The club met for eight sessions monthly throughout the school year. Students paid $25 for the year-long club, all of which was to be used to purchase specimens, experimental materials, and geology activities, that could then be owned by the students. Kathy searched hard to find resources who would give her a lot for her money.
Attendance
Would you be surprised if you found out that this geology club had nearly 100% attendance, even on Friday afternoons after school? That's what happened! Even on the last day of the week, kids were thrilled to spend time LEARNING!
The students worked with:
- crystals and crystal growing
- classification of minerals
- the practical uses of minerals around the house
- the rock cycle and the events that lead to different formations
- how fossils are formed
- how to identify and dig for fossils
- and, of course, starting their own fossil,rock and mineral collections.
Careful Planning And a Little Help
While Kathy planned the sessions and led the meetings, parent volunteers were there to support the students in their geology activities. Most of the meeting time was spent in hands on geology activities with real specimens. The extra adult support allowed more of the children to be engaged and successful.
The Results
By the end of the year, students had not only learned a great deal, they had also begun personal collections, nicely labeled and ready for display. These budding paleontologists and geologists were becoming well-versed in the process of excavation and labeling'and they'd had a first-hand experience with creating good field notes. |
| Author: Claudia Mann |
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Author Bio:
Claudia Mann is a teacher, and a contributor to www.fossils-facts-and-finds.com where you can Learn more about fossils and fossil formation. Claudia and her husband own www.fossilicious.com, a place where you can find great fossils at great prices. |
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