Geology Activities for Homeschooling
Roughly speaking, geology is the science studying the structure of the earth crust and materials the earth crust consist of: soils, rocks, sedimentation, minerals and geological formations.
Nothing can make homeschool’s science curriculum more interesting and dynamic than geology studies. Adding geology to the curriculum will better the quality of homeschooling as geology is sure to show the power of knowledge to your homeschool students and inspire them to greater efforts.
Geology module: how to organize studies?
Microscope is an object of true interest for both grownups and children. However, microscope is not necessarily used for studying cells and viruses, by means of microscope we can look at minerals and rocks. It is very interesting to look closely at what we usually cannot see, because of our eyes being unable to see really small objects. Knowing the makeup of things we threat as general and uninteresting teaches one of the most important lessons – nothing can be defined at first sight.
To make a microscope a success, make sure to do the following:
1. Collect many samples (rocks, minerals or soils)
2. Chip off small pieces in order to place them under the microscope.
3. Have your students to draw what they have seen.
4. Provide them with color pencils so that they can paint molecules of each sample.
Visiting a mine
Visiting a mine can be fantastic experience, as it will show your students how metals and minerals are extracted from the earth. Of cause your students will be happy to visit a mine, not only to explore mining process, but also to get down to the depths of the earth. Not everybody can boast of having such memories.
Tell your students of different layers of the earth and mining to make the mine experience both exciting and informative.
The Grand Canyon
No matter how far the Grand Canyon is from your home, visiting it is not only beneficial for geology lessons, but also a great way of having good time. Millions of years of stratification will come before you in the Grand Canyon.
You can explore the Canyon from the Colorado River, or hike down to the bottom of it, or just admire it from the rim, the manner in which you will explore the Grand Canyon is less important than the fact that you’ll be near it’s magnificence.
Panning
Gem stone panning is another way of making geology an interesting science. The profound experience of gem stone panning will stay in the mind of your students as a pleasant memory. It is sure to be a useful experience as it will show how our ancestors were trying to find gold.
For this family or homeschool activity to take place you will have to find a mining operation that is open to the public.
To make your panning experience informative, teach your homeschool students a lesson on gemstones. Check out if gemstone classes are offered by the mining operation
