Author: Shannon Ventresca

Natural Resources and Mineral PREtest
1. People use minerals in their everyday life. Give 2-3 examples of things that people use that come from minerals (which mineral did each come from).

Name:___________________________
Performance Tasks
Q1—Pick one
Make a “book” to give 4 examples of how minerals are used every day. Pick one format:
children’s book
foldable book
online book
OR: Make an 8x10”collage of household items that are made from minerals and their products.
OR: Bring in (or photograph) 4 objects from home and identify which mineral each is made of. Helpful site:http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.mineralenv/minerals-in-our-environment/

2. Give 2-3 examples of renewable natural resources.
Give 2-3 examples of nonrenewable natural resources.
Are minerals natural resources? Why or why not?

Name:___________________________
Q2--Pick one:
Make a TREE map about natural resources with two main branches: renewable and nonrenewable. Include a SHORT description of each and 3 examples for each. Add minerals into the correct place.
OR: Watch the Brainpop called “Natural Resources”, then take the practice quiz (write the correct answers-letters only). Click on ACTIVITIES and do the activity sheet (1st tab).

3. Give some examples of how can we conserve Earth’s resources?

Name:___________________________
Q3--Pick one:
Make a poster about conserving natural resources (paper or online using something like Glogster)
OR Make a video (or series of photographs) of things around the house you can do to conserve.

4. What are the 3 types of fossil fuels?

Name:___________________________
Q4--Pick one:
Make a TREE map of the 3 types of fossil fuels (include which is solid, liquid, and gas)
OR Research where in the world each type of fossil fuel is found.
OR Watch the Brainpop called “Fossil Fuels”, then take the practice quiz (write correct answers) & do the activity.

5. All minerals have 5 things in common (mineral characteristics). Define or describe each below:
inorganic
natural
solid
made of crystals
chemical compound (or element)

Name:___________________________
Q5--Pick one of the following
List the 5 characteristics of all minerals with a description AND example for each:
Make a TREE map.
Make a Prezi or Powerpoint.
OR: Explain why each of the following is NOT considered a mineral (and is not made of minerals): water, oxygen, honey, rocks, plastic, paper

6. Define or describe each below.
color
luster
streak color
cleavage & fracture
hardness
density
special properties
density
special properties

Name:___________________________
Q6--Pick one of the following to describe how a mineral is identified:
Make a video of you using all of these tests to identify one mineral.
Make a TREE map with pictures or clipart for each identification test.
OR: create a dichotomous key that can be used to identify a mineral—demonstrate how it’s used with one mineral.
OR: You buy a piece of gold, but you’re not sure if it’s real; make a “flow chart” that shows the steps you would take to make sure you really have gold instead of pyrite.
OR: Watch the Brainpop called “Mineral Identification”, then take the practice quiz (write correct answers). Click on ACTIVITIES and do the activity sheet (1st tab).
OR: Make a crossword puzzle and key that includes words used to identified minerals (like luster)—can use puzzlemaker.com

7. A mixture of minerals is called a(n) _____________?

Name:___________________________
Q7--Using a book or the Internet, find an example of a mixture of minerals creating this (what minerals are involved)?