Rocks and Minerals Project Based Learning Activity Worksheets PBL Actitivies
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Selected reviews from TPT
★★★★★So far so good! The kids were excited to start it and able to get going right away. They were able to work at it themselves while I was busy with another group - very self explanatory.
Megan S. · September 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource for my unit on rocks and minerals. It's always so hard to find good materials for this unit. Can't wait to start this with my students tomorrow. Thank you.
Wendy M. · January 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Classroom and myself loved this resources! I set many up as rotation at centers and it worked very well. Kept the students focused and working collaboratively.
Melanie M. · March 2019 · TPT review
Rated by 151 teachers on TPT (see every rating on TPT). These are selected 4- and 5-star written reviews by teachers on TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers), shown word for word. TPT's newer 4-point scale ("Extremely satisfied" = 4) is converted to stars.
Rocks and Minerals Science Research Unit with Student Choice Project | Geology STEM Activity. Get ready to dig deep into the fascinating world beneath our feet! This Rocks and Minerals Science and Research Unit is a high-interest, cross-curricular exploration perfect for upper elementary or middle school students. Blending science, research, technology, writing, drawing, and student choice, this NO PREP resource is designed to hook learners and keep them engaged from start to finish.
Students will explore key topics such as rocks, minerals, the rock cycle, and mining—all while building critical thinking and research skills. Using books and online sources, students will investigate geology topics, record their findings, and then present their discoveries in a student-choice final project. It’s inquiry-based learning at its best, encouraging both creativity and scientific thinking!
Perfect for science centers, homeschool learning, research weeks, or enrichment, this exciting unit turns your students into real-life geologists on a mission to uncover the mysteries of the Earth!
This Resource Includes (Non-Editable):
- Student workbook with guided research pages
- Science writing and reflection prompts
- Pages for drawing observations and diagrams
- Graphic organizers for research and notetaking
- Final student-choice project template
- Prompts to explore:
- Types of rocks
- Characteristics of minerals
- The rock cycle
- How mining affects the Earth
- Inquiry-based challenge scenario to hook students into the unit
What is Project Based Learning?:
Project Based Learning is a method of teaching where students have a question or topic that relates to the curriculum that they work on for an extended period of time in an engaging, creative, and experimental manner and respond to the question through a challenge. The difference between PBL and creating a project is that projects are created AFTER learning and PBL allows students to learn through the entire process and toward a goal of answering a challenge or question.
The project is focused on student’s learning goals and curriculum using creativity, critical thinking, problem solving and self-management.
The best part about PBL is that it is brings a lot of learning subjects together in one project, allowing students to spend a lot of time on their PBL while meeting many aspects of the curriculum all at once.
ACCESS TO BOOKS AND TECHNOLOGY IS NEEDED TO RESPOND TO THE WORKSHEETS
This Product Includes: 32 pages
- Unit Plan for Rocks and Minerals (3 pages)
- Title Page
- Discover: Resources (Challenge intro page)
- The Big Ideas (which are covered in this unit)
- Before the Expedition, I Know...
- About Rocks and Minerals
- What to Bring on an Expedition
- The First Expedition: First Finds on Rocks
- Ask: How are Rocks Formed? (examining the three types of rocks)
- The Second Expedition: Erosion (Water and Wind)
- Inquiry: Igneous Rocks
- Inquiry: Sedimentary Rocks
- Inquiry: Metamorphic Rocks
- Draw the Rock Cycle + Questions
- Visual: The Rock Cycle and Rock Types
- Draw Rock Types (draw each of the three types of rocks)
- About: Mining Minerals
- Expedition: Mines (Underground and Open-Pit, advantages and disadvantages)
- Inquiry: Minerals and Metals
- Journal: Gold Rush (Modern Gold Mine Operation)
- Instagram Minerals
- Expedition: Uses of Minerals
- Coal Mining Comic
- Mining Pollution Magazine Cover Design
- Observe a Rock (Find a rock and make observations)
- Inquiry: Soil
- Research: Peer Feedback
- Share What You’ve Learned (student choice final project)
- Project Rubric
- Project Assessment and Reflection
Like this product? Check out my other Inquiry and Project-Based Learning Products:
Natural Resources, Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources Project-Based Learning Activity
Design a Map: Project Based Learning Activity
Inquiry-Based Learning: A Guided Unit For ANY TOPIC.
Project-Based Learning: Animals and their Habitats with Science, Writing, and more
Simple Machines and Complex Machines Project Based Learning Activity
Design Process Planning Pages for The Design Cycle (FOR ANY DESIGN PROJECT)
About the Author:
Images and Lessons are Copyright Products
YOU MAY:
- Use this in your own classroom or homeschool setting
- Incorporate the pages into student workbooks or duo-tangs
- Purchase additional licenses for use in multiple classrooms
YOU MAY NOT:
- Use this on Outschool
- Upload or share this resource on your blog, website, or social media
- Distribute for free, email it to others, or post publicly
- Convert to another digital format or sell in any way
- Share beyond your own students or homeschool household
Sincerely,
Ms Artastic
FILES YOU WILL DOWNLOAD
- Discover Rocks and Minerals Ms Artastic PBL.pdf: the complete resource (PDF)
★ Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library
Pairs Well With
More selected reviews from TPT
★★★★★We used these during our homeschool study for Geology. They are simple and easy to use, very useful to me :)
Krystal R. · February 2026 · TPT review
★★★★★This was the perfect project-based learning packet for our 4th grade Rocks and Minerals Unit Study. It helped satisfy 4th grade Science Standards and brought this topic to life. Very comprehensive--We sifted through the packet and used roughly 2/3 of it in our study. We spiral bound the end result as something my kiddo can keep as an elementary school memento.
Christine J. · August 2025 · TPT review
★★★★★Great end of the year activity to keep them engaged but also to have fun with
Hanging Out With Miss B · April 2024 · TPT review
★★★★★This resource had everything I needed (and more) for my 4th grade Rock and Minerals unit. The students really enjoyed working through the activities.
Leopard Print Lessons with Mrs. Leo · February 2024 · TPT review
★★★★★I love the PBL approach! The students really loved these activities.
Cynara A. · October 2023 · TPT review
★★★★★The resources were thoughtfully scaffolded, ensuring students could build on their knowledge step by step.
CYNTHIA FEO · August 2023 · TPT review
★★★★★Excellent resource. It was perfect to review rocks and minerals with my fourth graders.
Sunshine State Educator · July 2023 · TPT review
★★★★★A fantastic approach to teaching Rocks and Minerals unit. Lots of fun lesson ideas that the students will find engaging.
Jay J. · November 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★used this resource with fourth graders and they loved it - very engaging
Rebecca Gober · November 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★This worked well as a student let project for Science.
Sherry Childers · August 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you!
Amber M. · April 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★My students love this PBL! Thank you
Lourdes S. · February 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource!!
Michele Hall · January 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★We started this the other day and the students really like it. As a teacher, I like the set - up of it and how easy it is to use.
Michelle B. · November 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★This worked great for an extension activity at the end of the year. The students loved it!
My Teacher Mrs Thrasher · July 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★Highly recommend this resource!
Amber D. · July 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you!
Emma W. · July 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★This resource supplied the necessary information for the rock cycle. I found it to be a little repetitive in places, and there was quite a bit of writing, maybe a little more than I expected. A little young for my 7th grade. I teach multi-grade classroom. Overall I would use it again.
Lisa S. · May 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★This is being used as a supplement to summer school learning
Stacie Wall · May 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★The activities in this resource were great for my stronger students who are working on researching skills!
Joan Y. · April 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★This was the perfect activity to round off our unit. Easy to use and engaging, thanks!
Vanessa Chapman · April 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★Excellent unit
REBECCA H. · February 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★This has been a great guide and resource for my child and myself. I appreciated the sheets that were specific to one type of learning. I would've have liked for it to be more involved in some sort of project. However, my children did enjoy using these sheets, and they came in very handy when creating their Prezi presentations.
Ivelisse Lozano · February 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource; I'm using it for next week's unit. I asked a few students to look at it and they are excited.
Emily R. · January 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★Great activity
Alexis E. · January 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★Super fun activity!!
Olivia Stiver · January 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★Students enjoyed doing the project.
Lanetta S. · December 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you for a digital resource I could use for my distant learners without spending hours making it.
Ireta Endress · December 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Excellent resource!
The After School Shop · November 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★This is perfect for my rocks and minerals unit. My grade 4s are learning some research skills and this work package is perfect for them to collect their information.
Joanna Minor · November 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★The kids loved it.
Lee B. · November 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource to supplement my unit!
Tami O'Banion · October 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★I really like this resource because it's a great way to teach and reinforce the key topics of the packet.
Emilio B. · October 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★I used this resource to supplement Mystery Science Birth of Rocks. It is wonderful! Also very engaging
Christine Michienzi · September 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★These are great inquiry and investigation activities for students!
Jacklin H. · September 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★My students love this resource! Thank you!
Julie M. · September 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★So happy I found this!
Rathgeber Resources · September 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Used this resource with my students as a research project. Lots of great organizers.
Mary K. · August 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★This was my favorite science unit I taught last school year. The students were so engaged and learned at their own pace.
Carrie M. · August 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★My students really liked this resource. Great Work!!
Michael A. · August 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★I used this with my high school students who need modifications and I found that it was comprehensive and engaging. I will be using it in the future.
Jenn I. · July 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource to support student learning.
Edmagication · May 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★this resource was very helpful...thank you!
Kennedy Kreations · April 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Very thorough and engaging activities.
Arita S. · April 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★This was a great end of unit resource for my 4th graders. They worked on completing the research portion of the project in class and then worked on slide shows, dioramas, and posters at home. The results were amazing!
Marcy Boatman · April 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★A fantastic resource that has been thoughtfully planned and engages the students.
Jonathan C. · March 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★My students enjoy this resource and are learning a lot about rocks! They love the independence of it and being able to work with a friend. They will know the rocks like the back of their hands when done! Thank you!
Robyn J. · February 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Terrific activities that engage learners. Thanks.
Sandra W. · February 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you. Great resource.
Kirsteen K. · January 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Great Resource!
Nancy M. · January 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Very helpful.
Christina O. · January 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★This was very helpful in teaching my Rocks & Minerals unit to my 3rd graders! Thank you!
Creatively Crafty · December 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★We loved this project! It was great for my students who were working above level!
Lindsey J. · December 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★a challenge but the kids liked it
Catherine Liebrock · November 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource!
Taylor H. · October 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Great for students to be in charge of their learning.
Mandy Branson · September 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★My school is beginning to dabble in PBL. This was a great first project. It was very easy to use. The students were able to pace themselves.
Amy W. · September 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource!
Sandra J. · September 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★This is the second resource I get from you and I love it, very comprehensive, lots of activities. Thank you!!
Dos Mesas Pequenas · August 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource! Thank you!
Lynne P. · August 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Resource saved me time. Great find!
May Lily Learning · August 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Awesome for what I needed it for!
Katlyn H. · July 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★This was a great way to have the kids research and learn about the rock cycle.
Amanda M. · July 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Exactly what I was looking for!
Julissa R. · July 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you! awesome project
Sheri Vanmeter · June 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★This was a great resource to use in stations and in collaboration.
Toni S. · June 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Excellent for 4th graders.
Mary T. · April 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Exactly what I was looking for. Great PBL resource!
C H. · April 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Used many components of this. Enhanced my Rocks and Minerals unit.
Mary Pat E. · April 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Excellent for my 4th and 5th graders.
CK's Language Lab · April 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Ok resource.
Amanda F. · March 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Thanks!
Kim T. · March 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★great resource
Joanna S. · March 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Perfect Project for a School fair!
Tara Guerrieri · March 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★my kids are really enjoying this unit!
brooke C. · March 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Great Resource - now that I've used it once, I will be able to move through what I need easily!
Valerie B. · March 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Everything I need to guide my daughter through rocks and minerals! Thank you
Tywana W. · March 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Nice resource
Jana W. · February 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource! Thanks!
Beyond Words and Numbers · January 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Well scaffolded activity.
Simply Sensational Learning · January 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★This is such a great resource for my students to be given independently. Thank you!
KatchingKiddos · January 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Amazing product! Just know that this will take a big chunk of time! Well worth it though.
Laura Evelyn Ashley · December 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Thanks
The 4th to be Recon With · December 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Students loved it.
Barbie Appelhanz · December 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you love it!
Hedrick's Handouts and More · December 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★My students loved the project based learning!
Tami E. · November 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★This helped out during our Rocks and Minerals Unit. It worked great! Thanks
Brittany S. · November 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Love it. Can't wait to use it with my 6th grade.
MathDog Media · November 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you for working so hard on this resource. This will work perfectly in my classroom.
Pamela Knopf · November 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Love it!!
Traci G. · November 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★I was hoping it would have more links to information. The kids really enjoyed the mining part!
Deryl H. · October 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource!
Laura K. · October 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Great, thanks!
Krystel J. · October 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Great product, thanks!
Creative Critters · September 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Excellent resource! Thank you so much!
Krista M. · September 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★I am excited to get started on this unit! I think the kids will enjoy learning in this way and I am glad to have the resources to get them started!
Breck G. · September 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Awesome resource! Excellent for independent students!
Margaret M. · September 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Awesome resource!
Sheila Pamplin - The Dopamine Queen · August 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource to have in the PBL toolkit!
Melissa P. · August 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you!
Lauren D. · August 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★this looks awesome! Cant wait to give it a try!
Stephanie E. · August 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Thanks!
Selina W. · August 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★great
Brenda D. · August 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★I can't wait to use this with my students
eVA B. · August 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Looking forward to using this! Great resource.
Julie M. · August 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource!
Tara Pruitt · August 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★I was happy with the materials.
Wild Kinder · August 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★A super resource to have!
Bonnie-Jean N. · July 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Loved this product
DisneyLoveandSoFourth · June 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Good.
Cool Curriculum Printables · June 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Thanks!
Mary Lee N. · June 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Well put together packet.
Jennifer S. · May 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Perfect for grade 5! Thank you!
Kim M. · May 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Using this with my 3rd grade STEM class. Great ideas!!!
Stephanie DeLucia · May 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Can't wait to use this!
Nicole C. · May 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Great colorful representation of 6th grade standards
Robin F. · April 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Worked well!
NADIA PEREZ · April 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you!
Tina Tuell · April 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Excellent resource!
Tia Dickson · April 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★I like the graphic organizers
Scott U. · March 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Excited to use this
Lada karpova · March 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Love it !
Drawing the Goodness · March 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★So excited to see what my students create with this project!
Megan P. · March 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★GREAT RESOURCE
Educator Paradise · March 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★This is great! It's a huge resource!
Nicole D. · February 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★My students are loving it!
Tabitha M. · February 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★thank you
Exotic Animal University · January 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Love this! Thanks!!
Victoria H. · January 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Thanks!
Simple Perfection · January 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you! Found a way to make some type for project based learning this unit! The kids are really excited, and it aligns perfectly with the unit!
Megan C. · December 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Love your stuff!
Erin E. · December 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★I absolutely love this! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Sunshine for the Teacher · December 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource! Thanks
Chanda A. · November 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Well organized for the subject.
Timothy G W. · November 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Awesome! Thank you!
Kara M. · November 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★My students are loving this project.
Amber Hackworth · November 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Just what I was looking for! Thank you :)
Jacklyn Obiedzenski · October 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Thanks!
Jerusha B. · October 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Looking forward to using this lesson with my students! Thank you!
Linda D. · October 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★I am going to start this next week at school!
NM STEM Ready · October 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Love this!
Janna E. · October 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Such a great resource! Excited to see what my students have to think about it!
Lauren H. · September 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★A great resource. Looking forward to using it with my class.
Mummabell · September 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★A wonderful resource I look forward to using this school year!! Thanks.
Jen P. · August 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Great - thank you! :)
Kimberlee Vaughan · August 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Great activity
blair mouneu · August 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource.
Alison S. · August 2017 · TPT review
Rated by 151 teachers on TPT (see every rating on TPT). These are selected 4- and 5-star written reviews by teachers on TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers), shown word for word. TPT's newer 4-point scale ("Extremely satisfied" = 4) is converted to stars.
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