I wanted my 7th graders to make cell models this school year, but I didn’t want everyone just making the same thing so I searched the internet for a variety of labeled pictures so that the students could make a variety of cell types.
Send me an email at generationscience3@gmail.com if you’d like more information about how I did this activity, including a rubric.
If you don’t have any supplies for studying minerals, my experience suggests that the following mineral specimens and supplies provides you with the least amount of materials you need for hands-on activities.
Mineral Samples
I chose these three because you get a variety of mineral properties for low cost. Talc is a cheap replacement for graphite and fluorite can work in place of hematite for a middle level hardness, although its luster and streak are the same as quartz.
| Mineral | Hardness | Streak | Luster |
| graphite | 1.5-2 | black | submetallic |
| red hematite | 5-6 | red-brown | earthy |
| quartz | 7 | white | glassy |
Additional Supplies
With these supplies your students can make observations and practice testing minerals for streak and hardness.
Need a Lab Worksheet?
