- This activity is great for young children. Spend some time showing your class or group a range of ores and the minerals and gems they produce. These will include diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and beryl. Be sure to emphasize the different colors of the different gems. Also discuss some of the shapes they are cut into. Then give the class colored construction paper, scissors and glitter of the same colors as the paper. Ask the class to create their own sparkling gem stones. Be sure to suggest creative new shapes for students who are unsure of what to do.
- Since real gem stones are very rare and expensive, it is best to use synthetic, or fake, gem stones for this activity. After identifying some of the most common gem stones and discussing where ores containing them can be found, ask the group to spread out and search for gem stones outside, where someone will have hidden them. Ask students to return with what they have found and identify their discoveries by name.
- For this activity, ask students to match certain features of certain gems with the gems themselves. Create a sheet with two columns, one labeled "features" and one labeled" gems." Under the "features" column, put information on gem colors, structures and the locations where they are found. For example, a feature of diamonds is that they are found in Sierra Leone. Leave the "gems" column empty and ask students to use the Internet to find the correct associations between gems and features.
- This activity could be done on its own or as a follow-up to the searching activity. Using a toothbrush and hot water, clean your fake gem stones by lightly scrubbing them with hot water. Once they are shiny, use them to decorate your classroom.
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