Mastering the Super 8 Minerals

There are several common minerals that tend to be frequently referenced or described in Earth Science texbooks, labs and even test banks for summative assessments.   

I call these the Super 8. The are Sulfur | Magnetite | Mica | Halite | Pyrite | Calcite | Quartz | Diamond

This lab activity takes about 20-30 minutes to complete with an additional 20-30 minutes time to prepare Mineral samples in advance of your laboratory time.

Laboratory Materials Needed

• Several trays of with mineral  samples of  Sulfur | Magnetite | Mica | Halite | Pyrite | Calcite | Quartz | Diamond (substitute mineral that you wish to emphasize)
• Include scratch plates or streak plates if desired (optional)
• a small compass to identify the Magnetite (optional)
• 2% Hydrolcloric Acid for Calcite/Halite identification (optional) 

Worksheets and Paper References Required

Teacher Recommendations

This lab is a great way to allow students to see what you have been talking about. With this lab, I like to conduct it a few times. The first time is before we start the unit. I supply the students with the minerals and have them complete the Pre-Unit Lab. I want them to look at the different samples (labeled) and write down what they observe. They will need to describe its color, smell, texture, how dense they think it is, and what they think a possible use for that mineral is. 

After we complete the pre-unit lab activity, I let the different groups discuss what they observed for about 5 minutes. This allows for them to understand why it is important to have others look at the same samples. 

Each time after we start the unit that I want students to complete the lab activity, I will inform them that they are to look at one particular part of what makes that mineral that mineral. 

My suggested schedule is:

1. Pre-Unit LAB

2. Identifying Features - provide the streak plate and compass.

3. Mass & Volume - provide triple beam balance and graduated cylinder.

4. Specific Gravity - review calculations for density. Work with the groups to calculate specific gravity. 

5. Uses - provide technology or assign as homework.

6. Lab Report - have students use their Pre-Unit Lab and their LAB to write up a lab report on what they learned. 

This schedule allows for me to monitor how my students are comprehending the material before moving on. This does mean that I will set the lab up on Monday (Pre-Unit Lab), during the last 30 minutes of class Tuesday (#2), last 30 minutes of class on Wednesday (#3), bell-ringer on Thursday (#4), class time on Thursday (#5), lab report due by Monday (completed as homework). 

This will make a small lab become integrated into the class time. When they are not doing the lab we are taking notes on the next things, discussing what they observed from the previous parts, and working on other review concepts.