Diamonds in the Rough

School:: Veterans Memorial Elementary
Subject:: Science
Teacher:: Mattea Marks
Students Impacted:: 65
Grade:: 4
Date:: July 19, 2023

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

A Champion for Learning - $236.85

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 68

Students absolutely LOVED this activity! We observed the rocks before they were tumbled and made predictions of what they would look like after. Then I tumbled them over winter break. When we came back we observed the rocks again. Students each got to choose their own rock to take home along with a plastic stand. Many named the rocks and displayed them proudly on their desks. Thank you so much for helping me provide this opportunity for my students!

grant photo

Original Grant Overview

Goal

To provide my 4th-grade science classes with an engaging, hands-on learning experience during our Rocks and Erosion science units.

What will be done with my students

Students will be able to observe many different types of rocks and minerals during our Rocks and Minerals unit. They will work to classify these rocks and minerals based on their properties. Then when we go into our Weathering and Erosion unit, we will put their rocks in the rock tumbler and use that as a model for weathering in nature. They will predict what will happen to them and then check to see if their predictions were correct after they come out of the tumbler. After observing them again, each student will get to take a rock home with a display stand to keep!

Benefits to my students

My students will use these rocks to enhance their learning about rock and mineral properties as well as the process of weathering. During this unit, we will also read the book, "If You Find A Rock" by Peggy Christian. They will be able to enjoy this piece of literature as well which talks about how many things rocks can be used for. They will also love being able to take their smooth rock home to keep as a memory rock!

Budget Narrative

This budget includes a double-size professional rock tumbler, 6 different types of rocks, and acrylic display stands for students to display their rocks at home.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	Viyuki Professional Rock Tumbler	$101.99
2	Bulk Sodalite Rocks	$10.99
3	Raw Fluorite Stones	$16.99
4	Raw Lapis Lazuli Rough Stones	$15.99
5	1 lb Amethyst Stones	$17.98
6	1 lb Bloodstone Rough	$18.97
7	1 lb Tree Agate Rough	$17.94
8	Acrylic Display Stands (4 pks of 20)	$36.00
	Total:	$236.85

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