04/09/23 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY 1

“Secrets of Sand”

Excerpt from Louisiana SeaGrant’s

SeaScope Folio by Dr. Pamela Blanchard

http://www.lamer.lsu.edu/classroom/seascope/index.htm

04/09/23 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY 2

“Secrets of Sand” Folio• Grade level = middle school (grades 6-8)• Subject area = earth science, math• Process skills = observing, describing,

measuring• Components = Wentworth Class Scale,

background, procedure/preparation, worksheets, activity extensions, resources

04/09/23 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY 3

What is sand?

• A geological term applied to particles with a diameter between 1/16mm-2mm

• Accumulation, or deposit, of small particles, such as a sand dune

• Most sand starts life as a rock - broken down over time by wind, rain, rivers, and frost

04/09/23 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY 4

Common sources of sand:• Skeletal remains of organisms (e.g. shells, sea urchin spines, coral)

• Weathering of continental granite rocks (mostly quartz and feldspar)• Weathering of oceanic volcanic rocks (e.g. lava, olivine)

• Grains precipitated from water (especially found in highly salty water)

04/09/23 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY 5

Activity Procedure• Use Scope-On-A-Rope

to look at sand samples• Students observe/list

physical properties using worksheet

• Measure sand grains using SOAR and determine if sample is well-sorted or not

04/09/23 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY 6

Activity Extensions• Language Arts: Sand Grain Saga

• Art: Sand Painting

• Geography: Locating sand samples on a map

• Home Economics: Sand Tart Cookies