Properties of Minerals Station Lab - MS

This student-led, modular station lab introduces middle school students to the physical properties of minerals. By rotating through interactive input and output stations, students test, observe, and apply mineral properties in multiple ways. The structure encourages independence and engagement while reducing teacher prep time. Teachers act as facilitators, guiding learning rather than directing every step.

Note for Texas teachers: This resource aligns with the 2017 TEKS and will not be updated for the 2021 standards.

Structure & Differentiation

• Nine total stations: eight core activities plus a bonus challenge station

• Differentiated to support diverse learners, with scaffolds for remediation and enrichment activities for advanced students

• Includes station signage, readings, task cards, and resources to make implementation simple

• The Explore It! station may require a few common classroom supplies already available in most science labs

Students can complete the lab individually or in small groups, making it adaptable to different classroom settings.

Station Breakdown

Input Stations (building knowledge):

• Explore It! – Hands-on demonstration; digital version uses drag-and-drop in PowerPoint or Google Slides

• Read It! – Differentiated passages (English & Spanish) with comprehension and vocabulary questions

• Research It! – Online activity using facts, images, and graphs with guided responses

• Watch It! – Short video with comprehension prompts

Output Stations (demonstrating knowledge):

• Organize It! – Sorting/categorization tasks with manipulatives or digital tools

• Illustrate It! – Drawing/sketching mineral properties to reinforce understanding

• Write It! – Short-answer prompts requiring complete-sentence responses

• Assess It! – Task cards and vocabulary-in-context exercises to measure mastery

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Puzzles, games, and mini-projects for early finishers or advanced learners

Flexible Implementation

This lab is designed for both in-class and virtual learning. Files are fully compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making it easy to adapt to blended or online instruction.

This is a finished product; it will be updated with formatting or corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.