1. 07/29/14 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
2. 07/29/14 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY2
“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
3. 07/29/14 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY3
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
4. 07/29/14 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY4
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)
5. 07/29/14 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY5
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
6. 07/29/14 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY6
Activity Extensions
• Language Arts: Sand Grain Saga
• Art: Sand Painting
• Geography: Locating sand samples
on a map
• Home Economics: Sand Tart Cookies
7. 07/29/14 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY6
Activity Extensions
• Language Arts: Sand Grain Saga
• Art: Sand Painting
• Geography: Locating sand samples
on a map
• Home Economics: Sand Tart Cookies
