Earth Science - Earth Composition - Gemstones II

Everything Rocks and Minerals by Steve Tomecek

Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann

Discussion: 

How and where semi-precious gems form

Difference between precious and semi-precious gems

Activity: 

View jewelry in house through microscope

Attempt to identify precious from semi-precious stones

Earth Science - Earth Composition - Gemstones I

Everything Rocks and Minerals by Steve Tomecek

Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann

Discussion: 

How and where precious gems form

Worth of precious gems

Mining, shaping, polishing precious gems

Activity: 

Field trip to Natural History Museum (it was closed for government shutdown; we went to Tiffany's in Bethesda instead)

Earth Science - Earth Composition - Crystals

Crystals by Melissa Stewart

Vocabulary Added:
crystal: natural solid made of atoms that are always arranged the same way

Discussion:
Difference between "mineral" and "crystal"
Kinds of crystals, formation
Uses of crystals

Activity:
Making salt crystals (epsom and table salt)

Earth Science - Earth Composition - Minerals

Minerals by Melissa Stewart

Vocabulary Added:
mineral: a natural solid material that is not alive

Discussion:
What is a mineral?  How do they form?
Use of minerals
Eating minerals

Activity:
Finding mineral-based products around the house - distinguishing from plant- and animal-based products

Earth Science - Earth Composition - Elements and Compounds

The Elements  by Matt Mullins
Geology by Barbara Murck

Vocabulary Added:
element: the most fundamental substance into which matter can be separated by chemical means
atom: smallest individual particle that has all the properties of a particular element
compound: when atoms of different types combine
molecule: the smallest individual particle of a compound

Discussion:
classification of elements - periodic table
structure of an atom
molecules

Activity:
Find things around the house containing elements or compounds and identify them (borax, baking soda, carbon dioxide, salt, etc).