Students know how to identify common rock-forming minerals (including quartz, calcite, feldspar, mica, and hornblende) and ore minerals using a table of diagnostic properties.
Since rocks are made of minerals, the California Science Framework recommends teaching about minerals (Standard 4b) before rocks (Standard 4a). The order of content in the standards does not imply any sequence in teaching the standards.
When students take the statewide test covering Grades 4 and 5 science standards, the test booklet will include a reference sheet with a Mineral Identification Table and a Mohs Hardness Scale. These can currently be accessed at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/cstsciref.asp. Click on 5th Grade Mineral Information.
Since web addresses change and since this information may be difficult to download with a slow connection, we have reproduced it below. Note that this information is copyright 2003 California Department of Education.
Mastery of this information requires experience in answering questions based on the charts. Comparing and identifying minerals by closely observing them and performing the tests provides the most effective way to learn how to use the charts, understand their value, and retain that knowledge.
Mineral Identification Table
| Mineral |
Hardness |
Luster |
Streak |
Color |
Other |
| Calcite |
3 |
nonmetallic |
white |
colorless, white |
bubbles when acid is placed on it |
| Feldspar |
6 |
nonmetallic |
none |
colorless, beige, pink |
|
| Galena |
2.5 - 3 |
metallic |
gray |
lead-gray |
heavy for its size |
| Gold |
2.5 - 3 |
metallic |
golden yellow |
yellow |
used for jewelery |
| Graphite |
1 - 2 |
metallic |
black |
gray to black |
feels greasy |
| Hematite |
5 - 6.5 |
metallic or nonmetallic |
reddish brown |
silver-grey or red |
|
| Hornblende |
5 - 6 |
nonmetallic |
none |
dark green to black |
|
| Magnetite |
6 |
metallic |
black |
black |
magnetic |
| Mica |
2 - 2.5 |
nonmetallic |
none |
dark brown, black or silver-white |
flakes when peeled |
| Pyrite |
6 - 6.5 |
metallic |
greenish black |
brassy yellow |
called "fool's gold" |
| Quartz |
7 |
nonmetallic |
none |
colorless, white, rose, smoky, purple, brown |
|
| Talc |
1 |
nonmetallic |
white |
white, greenish to gray |
feels greasy |
Mohs Hardness Scale
| Mineral
|
Hardness
|
|
| Talc
|
1
|
|
| Gypsum
|
2
|
|
|
2.5 Fingernail
|
| Calcite
|
3
|
|
|
3.0 Copper Penny
|
| Fluorite
|
4
|
|
| Apatite
|
5
|
|
|
5.5 Glass
|
| Feldspar
|
6
|
|
|
6.5 Steel File
|
| Quartz
|
7
|
|
| Topaz
|
8
|
|
| Corundum
|
9
|
|
| Diamond
|
10
|
|
| 
