Is It a Mineral? (Grades 4-6)
The definition of a mineral is given in the Teacher's Background.
Activity 4 is designed to help students learn the definition and some of
the common minerals in Hawaii. Several types of materials are listed in
the left column. Students must decide if it is or is not a mineral and
explain why or why not. Ice, pencil lead (graphite), gold, olivine,
diamond, pyroxene, sulfur, table salt (halite), and plagioclase are
minerals. Water, steam, carbon dioxide, and mercury are not solid.
Teflon, stainless steel, and plastic are man-made materials. Pearl,
chlorophyll, and coal are organic. Volcanic glass lacks a regular
internal crystal structure.
Activity 4. Is It a Mineral?
Indicate whether the substances listed in the left column are minerals
(yes or no) and why or why not. An example is provided.
Substance Mineral Why or Why Not?
window glass no no regular internal structure
ice ___ ___________________________
water ___ ___________________________
Teflon ___ ___________________________
stainless steel ___ ___________________________
pencil lead ___ ___________________________
gold ___ ___________________________
pearl ___ ___________________________
olivine ___ ___________________________
plastic ___ ___________________________
diamond ___ ___________________________
chlorophyll ___ ___________________________
steam ___ ___________________________
coal ___ ___________________________
carbon dioxide ___ ___________________________
pyroxene ___ ___________________________
Sulphur ___ ___________________________
table salt ___ ___________________________
volcanic glass ___ ___________________________
mercury ___ ___________________________
plagioclase ___ ___________________________
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