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Stories In Stone Introduction
Our class is studying about rocks and minerals in science. We have been creating salt crystals, examining rock and mineral samples, and even using microscopes to examine them. We would like to share some helpful information on rocks and minerals, because the way rocks are created, used, and found are really "Stories in the Stone!"

What's The Difference?
To organize our thoughts on rocks and minerals, we have decided to make a chart on the differences in rocks and minerals.
 * **Rocks** || **Minerals** ||
 * * Created from many minerals || * Naturally Occurring ||
 * * A Rough texture || * Created from elements ||
 * * rough texture || * smoother texture ||
 * * Made up of more than a substance || * Made of one substance ||
 * * Do not have the property of cleavage || * May have cleavage or fracture ||
 * * Does not have a crystal structure || * Never has a crystal structure ||
 * * Always made up of grains || * Always have a definite chemical composition ||
 * * Always inorganic || * Always inorganic ||

Rock Description Chart
Our group has so many properties, we could only put a few.**
 * In class we were given a rock set, and we had to make a prediction on whether it is a rock or a mineral. And we have to state why in our notes.
 * **Sample Number** || **Properties** || **Rock/Mineral** || **Why?** ||
 * #1 || White, glassy luster, crystal like || Mineral || If you look closely, you see a crystal structure. ||
 * #2 || Flat surface, obvious cleavage,brown || Rock || It is a blend of two colors, compressed. ||
 * #3 || Flat surface, pearly luster, fragile, cleavage || Mineral || Looks natural, probably cooled quickly. ||
 * #4 || Rough surface, fracture. || Rock || Looks rough, like a combination of minerals. ||
 * #5 || Shiny luster, rough, obvious rock || Rock || Looks very rough, has a combination of colors. ||
 * #6 || Pearly luster, shiny, black, volcanic || Mineral || Looks shiny, not a combination of grains. ||
 * #7 || Lightweight, rough, silky inside || Mineral || Looks composed of one chemical. ||
 * #8 || Rough, has fracture || Rock || Has different textures on different sections. ||
 * #9 || Looks crystillized, is very fragile || Mineral || Looks crystallized, very flaky. ||
 * #10 || Shiny luster, has many layers || Mineral || Has layers, looks sparkly. (crystals?) ||
 * #11 || Layered, pink sheets || Rock || Looks rough, contains fine grains. ||
 * #12 || Powdery, smooth || Rock || Looks like most common rocks. ||
 * #13 || Rough, small grains || Rock || Has many different colors ||
 * #14 || Rough inside, smooth outside, glassy luster || Mineral || Looks crystallized and clear ||
 * #15 || Gray, shiny luster || Mineral || Looks more like a rock, but has crystals ||
 * #16 || Looks layered, squashed grains || Rock || Looks like most rocks ||

Salt Experiment Procedure
I.)Problem/Purpose/Question Tell difference between rocks and minerals using crystal structures as a guide.

II.)Hypothesis We believe that crystals will form at the spot where the saltwater is. The water will probably evaporate, revealing sticky salt crystals.

III.)Materials A paper pate, paper cup, a spoon, salt, hot water, a stirring stick, and tape (optional)

IV.)Procedure First, take the spoon and tape it to the edge of the plate. Then pour some table salt into the paper cup, followed by the hot water. Stir the salt and water together and pour a little bit into the mouth of the spoon. Then let it sit over a few days.

V.)Data/Observations VI.) CER Based on the findings of this experiment, We believe that leaving salt water out will dry and grow in the open light, forming crystals.

Rock Riddles
We have taken pictures with skitch and uploaded them to Flickr. Then we posted them on our Home Page! We have 8 Rocky Riddles listed here. Can __//**YOU**//__ solve them?

















NSJT Stories In Stone Page 2
As you can see, this page has too much stuff. And it was only the mineral part of stories in stone!!! So as soon as we started the rock unit, we decided to advance this page and connect it to another. Enjoy!

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