Name: ______Period: ______

Purpose – Students will become more familiar with a specific mineral’s properties and characteristics, and to develop better research skills.

Directions – You will choose one of the almost 4,000 minerals found in the Earth. With the mineral you have selected, you will tell:

-How you received your name

-Where you are located

-Why you are important

-Include the five properties that distinguish you as a mineral

-Include facts and characteristics you possess, such as:

  • crystal form, luster, color, streak, hardness, cleavage/fracture, specific gravity, smell/feel/taste/etc.

-Pictures should be included

Timeline –

Date:

______Draw a mineral slip out of a bowl

______Begin researching your mineral. You may use library books, your textbook, the internet, or any other source.

______Begintyping your project. (rough copy) Be sure to follow the proper writing process.

______Final copy to be typed and handed in (due date)

My mineral is ______

Grading – This assignment is worth 35 points. Areas to focus on are spelled out on the rubric.

CATEGORY / 5 / 4 / 2 / 0
Focus on Assigned Topic (X2) / The entire paper is related to the assigned topic and allows the reader to understand much more about the topic. / Most of the paper is related to the assigned topic. The paper wanders off at one point, but the reader can still learn about the topic. / Some of the paper is related to the assigned topic, but a reader does not learn much about the topic. / No attempt has been made to relate the paper to the assigned topic.
Accuracy of Facts (X2) / All facts presented in the paper are accurate. / Almost all facts presented in the paper are accurate. / Most facts presented in the paper are accurate (at least 60%). / There are several factual errors in the paper.
Organization / The paper is very well organized. One idea follows another in a logical sequence with clear transitions. / The paper is pretty well organized. One idea may seem out of place. Clear transitions are used. / The paper is a little hard to follow. The transitions are sometimes not clear. / Ideas seem to be randomly arranged.
Creativity / The paper looks exactly like a really wanted poster with great descriptions. / The paper looks like a wanted poster with good descriptions. / The paper has the required elements but does not resemble a wanted poster / No attempt was made to create a wanted poster.
References / All references are presented properly and cited correctly. / Almost all references are presented properly and cited correctly / Most references are presented properly and cited correctly (at least 60%) / No attempt was made to present and properly cite references.