Story of a rock

I am Sandstone which means I am a sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rocks form from weathered sediments, when they are compacted and squeezed to make a rock. We are pushed down into the earths crust after layer after layer of rock covers us. Then as we are pushed down, heat and pressure increase. The continued pressure transforms the rock. We are now a metamorphic rock.

Siumulations, Models, and Analogues

A simulation is an imitation of something
A model is a larger or smaller representation of something else.
An analogue is comparable to something else

Lesson plan examples of models:
Sedimentary rock layer lesson: http://library.thinkquest.org/J002289/act.html
-- Sedimentary rocks are made in layers. The layers of mud,sand, or even seashells are built up over a long period of time. The layers get squeezed and stuck together to make new rocks. This cookie is made in layers and you can still see the layers even after it is pressed and cooked.

Making fossils: http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/life19.html
-- Students make impressions of leaves, shells, flowers, etc.

Metamorphic rock: Butterfingers, crayons melted together.

Igneous: crystallization, fudge,

A Mineral is...

A Mineral is...
1. Naturally occurring
2. Solid
3. Inorganic
4. Has an orderly internal structure of atoms
5. Has a definite chemical composition

Most Common Earth Elements:

 

Oxygen	46.6%
Silicon	27.7%
Aluminum	8.1%
Iron	5%
Calcium	3.6%
Sodium	2.8%
Potassium	2.6%
Magnesium	2.1%
Other	1.5%

Elements, bonding, form

What do I know about...

• elements
• bonding
• form/crystals

I don't know have a background with chemistry and so I barely know anything about any of these! I know there is covalent and ionic bonding, but I don't know what they mean. I also know that elements have atoms and the elements are all listed on the periodic table of elements. 

Mrs. Stewart's crystal garden: http://mrsstewart.com/magic-salt-crystal-garden/
Recipe:
This is a classic crystal-growing project. You use charcoal briquettes (or other porous materials), ammonia, salt, bluing, and food coloring to grow a sort of crystal garden.

1. Place chunks of your substrate (i.e., charcoal briquette, sponge, cork, brick, porous rock) in an even layer in the non-metal pan. You want pieces that are roughly 1-inch in diameter, so you may need to (carefully) use a hammer to break the material up.
2. Sprinkle water, preferably distilled, onto the substrate until is has been thoroughly dampened. Pour off any excess water.
3. In an empty jar, mix 3 tablespoons (45 ml) uniodized salt, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) ammonia, and 6 tablespoons (90 ml) bluing. Stir until the salt is dissolved.
4. Pour the mixture over the prepared substrate.
5. Add and swirl a bit of water around in the empty jar to pick up the remaining chemicals and pour this liquid onto the substrate, too.
6. Add a drop of food coloring here and there across the surface of the 'garden'. Areas with no food coloring will be white.
7. Sprinkle more salt (about 2 T or about 30 ml) across the surface of the 'garden'.
8. Set the 'garden' in an area where it will not be disturbed.
9. On days 2 and 3, pour a mixture of ammonia, water, and bluing (2 tablespoons or 30 ml each) in the bottom of the pan, being careful not to disturb the delicate growing crystals.
10. Keep the pan in an undisturbed place, but check on it periodically to watch your very cool garden grow!