Out of the Rock Teacher’s Guide Binder

This teachers’ guide binder contains 15 ready-to-use, hands-on, integrated learning activities on rocks, minerals, mining, geology, the environment and economics. Grades K-8.44 pp.; 3-ring binder;  8” x 10 1/2”; color contents.

Educational Standards: Next Generation Science Standards PS1, LS1, ESS3, and ETS1; and Common Core State Standards for language and math.

Education GeoSource

The Education GeoSource database has thousands of free resources, from lessons to outreach and teacher professional development, for use in classrooms, scout programs, or at home.

Understanding Coal

Hands-on, critical thinking activities introduce intermediate students to the formation of coal, the coal mining process, reclamation of lands, uses of coal, electricity generation, and advantages and disadvantages of utilizing coal. 112 pages.  Find related curricula at www.need.org.

This Mine Of Mine

Middle school students explore the formation, geology, recovery, and uses of coal, as well as the reclamation of coal mine sites. Using sand, clay, soil and rocks, students build a miniature plot of land containing coal deposits. Students then learn about surface mining, and practice the method on a plot of land. After the coal is mined, students reclaim the plot of land and discuss how the coal is transported and used. 10 pages.  Find related curricula at www.need.org.  Originally from Project Stone. 

All About Coal

Introduce primary and elementary students to the formation of coal, the coal mining process, reclamation of lands, and the uses of coal. Hands-on, multi-disciplinary activities. Free download.  59 pages.  Find related curricula at www.need.org.

The Rock Cycle

The Geological Society of London’s Online interactive resource The Rock Cycle, with the Rock Cycle Animation, shows how surface and deep Earth processes produce the rocks we stand on and use to build our homes.  Also find a glossary, demonstrations/experiments and extensive background information about the rock cycle.

Industrial Minerals Poster

Industrial Minerals are non-metallic, non-fuel minerals that are used in everything from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals. The front of the poster depicts 12 common industrial minerals and some of the important ways in which they are used. The back of the poster contains a map of industrial mineral producing areas of the United States, mine examples and three simple hands-on activities for testing mineral properties in the classroom. 36” x 24” 2-sided poster created in collaboration with the Industrial Minerals Association of North America.

Saskatchewan Mining Association Resources For Teachers Grades 9-12

Conduct activities about potash, uranium, coal, gold and modern mining techniques. Activities are from Saskatchewan Mining Association.

Grades 9-12

Potash, uranium and coal activities by resource:

Potash mining and new pilot mineral exploration activities.
Potash and Uranium Mining and Mill Tours.