Rocks and Minerals: Teachers

Interactive Geology

Introductory geoscience activities for K-2 classrooms.

Find helpful worksheets and projects for your classroom at Earth Science Resources.

The United States Geological Survey has extensive resources for K-12 teachers. Divided by grade level, these include lesson plans, activities, and multimedia resources for your study of rocks and minerals, including a unit on Schoolyard Geology.

An engaging interactive on rock types and the rock cycle from Annenberg Learner.

The Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History has excellent earth science resources for grades 5-8.

Rocks and Minerals

Sciencing brings you Rock Cycle Activities for Students.

National Geographic has some really helpful information for teachers to improve your background knowledge about the earth.

Check out “How do gemstones get their color?” — a Teacher's Guide from Newton's Apple.

Fossils

Here is a lesson plan about fossils from the U.S. Geological Survey.

PBS and WGBH presents an informative section about “Becoming a Fossil.”

There is also a section about fossils in the Northwest.

Idaho Geology

The Idaho Geological Survey is “the special public service and research agency at the University of Idaho mandated by law to collect and disseminate geologic and mineral data for the state.” There are connections to Idaho maps and geology-related links.

Idaho Mining Association provides links to information about the mining industry, inside and outside of Idaho.

Geological Scales

The Geologic Time Scale (archived) from the U.S. Geological Survey is drawn to scale so you can compare the relative lengths of geologic time divisions.

This Geologic Timeline (archived) is geared toward kids, from the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

Connect with Teachers

Connect with other teachers through the Idaho Earth Science Teachers Association.

Ask an Earth Scientist for teachers.