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Free printables For schools and camps

Gem Mining ActivitiesFree printables for schools and camps

Turn your gem mining day into a hands-on science lesson. Predict, log, sort, graph and learn how rocks are made, with sheets for Pre-K through 5th grade.

See the printables →About gem mining
  • Pre-K to Grade 5
  • Ink saver option
  • Answer keys included
Colorful gems and crystals found while gem mining
Free for classroomsPrint as many as you need
How to use them

A lesson plan in a few clicks

Each sheet prints on one letter-size page. Pick a few, or print the whole pack.

Before

Go over the rules and predict what you will find.

During

Keep a mining log and play Gem Detective.

After

Sort, graph, match and learn the rock cycle.

Celebrate

Hand out Junior Geologist certificates.

11 free printables
Get ready

Before the gem mining

Set expectations and build excitement.

Prime Time CrittersGem Mining · Before · All ages

Gem Mining Rules

Go over these rules together before mining so every miner has a great time.

1

Listen to the mining crew

They will show you how to find the most treasure.

2

One bag per miner

Each miner gets their own bag of mining rough to search.

3

Take turns

Wait for your spot and give everyone a chance to mine.

4

Gentle hands in the water

Small, slow swishes keep the water in and everyone dry.

5

Gems stay out of mouths

Treasures are for looking at, not tasting!

6

Wash your hands

Wash or sanitize your hands when you finish mining.

primetimecritters.comFree for classroom and camp use
All ages

Gem Mining Rules

Six simple rules to go over before the mining starts.

Prime Time CrittersGem Mining · Before · Grades K-3
Name:Date:

What Will I Find?

Every bag of mining rough holds hidden treasure. Make your predictions!

Circle the gem colors you hope to find

Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Purple
Pink
Clear

I think I will find this many gems:

gems

Draw the gem you hope to find

Draw it here

How it works: miners pour their bag into a screen box and rinse it in the water. The sand washes away and the gems are left behind!

primetimecritters.comFree for classroom and camp use
Grades K-3

What Will I Find?

Kids predict the colors and number of gems they will find.

Play along

During the gem mining

Keep eyes busy and minds curious during the fun.

Prime Time CrittersGem Mining · During · Grades 1-5
Name:Date:

My Mining Log

Real geologists keep notes. Write down each treasure you find.

#ColorShiny or dull?Can you see through it?My name for it
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Geologists are scientists who study rocks, minerals and how the Earth changes. Today, you are one!

primetimecritters.comFree for classroom and camp use
Grades 1-5

My Mining Log

A field log for recording each gem as it is found.

Prime Time CrittersGem Mining · During · Grades K-3
Name:Date:

Gem Detective

Pick your favorite treasure. Look at it closely, then draw and describe it.

Draw your gem here

Circle the words that describe it

ShinyorDull
SmoothorBumpy
See-throughorNot see-through
BigorSmall

Its color is

If I could name it, I would call it

primetimecritters.comFree for classroom and camp use
Grades K-3

Gem Detective

Kids study one gem up close, draw it and describe it.

Keep learning

After the gem mining

Turn the excitement into reading, writing, math and science.

Prime Time CrittersGem Mining · After · Grades K-3
Name:Date:

Sort and Graph

Sort your gems by color. Color one box for each gem, starting at the bottom.

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
RedOrangeYellowGreenBluePurplePinkClear

I found the most

I found the fewest

How many gems did I find in all?

primetimecritters.comFree for classroom and camp use
Grades K-3

Sort and Graph My Gems

Sort the gems by color, then build a bar graph.

Prime Time CrittersGem Mining · After · Grades 2-5
Name:Date:

Gem Facts Match

Draw a line from each gem to the fact that describes it.

Amethyst
Nicknamed fool’s gold because it looks like real gold
Pyrite
A purple kind of quartz
Obsidian
Some pieces glow under a black light
Rose quartz
Volcanic glass made when lava cools very fast
Tiger’s eye
A pink kind of quartz
Fluorite
Has golden stripes that shimmer when you turn it

Did you know? Fluorite gave us the word fluorescent, which means something that glows under special light.

primetimecritters.comFree for classroom and camp use
Grades 2-5

Gem Facts Match

Draw a line from each gem to its fun fact.

Prime Time CrittersGem Mining · After · Grades 3-5
Name:Date:

The Rock Cycle

Rocks are always slowly changing. Read each clue and write the right word from the word bank.

MagmaIgneous rockSedimentary rockMetamorphic rock

Hot, melted rock deep under the ground.

Forms when melted rock cools and hardens.

Rock squeezed and heated deep underground until it changes.

Sand and mud settle in layers and get pressed together.

→↓←↑

Did you know? Obsidian is an igneous rock. It forms when lava cools so fast that it turns into natural glass!

primetimecritters.comFree for classroom and camp use
Grades 3-5

The Rock Cycle

Label the rock cycle using a word bank.

Grades 2-5

Gem Word Search

Find 15 rock and gem words hidden in the grid.

Prime Time CrittersGem Mining · After · Pre-K to Grade 1
Name:Date:

Color the Gems

Make each gem a different color. Add sparkles too!

Diamonds and pencil lead are both made of carbon. Diamonds are just packed together much tighter!

primetimecritters.comFree for classroom and camp use
Pre-K to Grade 1

Color the Gems

Six big gem outlines to color in.

Prime Time CrittersGem Mining · After · All ages
Junior
Geologist
Certificate of Awesomeness
Junior Geologist

This certifies that

mined for treasure with Prime Time Critters and discovered the amazing world of rocks and gems!

Date
Teacher or counselor
primetimecritters.comFree for classroom and camp use
All ages

Junior Geologist Certificate

Celebrate every Junior Geologist.

Answer keys

For teachers

Everything you need to check the work.

Prime Time CrittersGem Mining · Teachers · For grown-ups

Teacher Answer Key

Answers for Gem Facts Match, The Rock Cycle and the Gem Word Search.

Gem Facts Match

  • Amethyst: A purple kind of quartz
  • Pyrite: Nicknamed fool’s gold
  • Obsidian: Volcanic glass made when lava cools very fast
  • Rose quartz: A pink kind of quartz
  • Tiger’s eye: Golden stripes that shimmer
  • Fluorite: Some pieces glow under a black light

The Rock Cycle

  • Top left: Magma
  • Top right: Igneous rock
  • Bottom right: Sedimentary rock
  • Bottom left: Metamorphic rock

Magma cools into igneous rock. Rocks break down into sand and mud that become sedimentary rock. Heat and pressure turn rock into metamorphic rock, which can melt back into magma.

Word Search

AETSGEOLOGISTPCRIVOBSIDIANYSRGGEMSTONETRSWYYCSQUARTZITSFSDMINERNMTRMAVTSPARKLEEELGICAKANUWTBALADOCLBUFYDHSFTAAMETHYSTPUGETSLUICEUNYROCKCLVYLAVWSEDFJASPERMGVROFOSSILFTPSC
primetimecritters.comFree for classroom and camp use
For grown-ups

Teacher Answer Key

Answers for Gem Facts Match, the Rock Cycle and the Word Search.

Illustrations: Fluent Emoji by Microsoft, used under the MIT License.

Teacher FAQ

Good to know

Planning a visit?

Our mobile gem mining station comes to your school or camp, all set up and ready for miners of every age.

Book gem mining

or email info@primetimecritters.com

Are these really free?

Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your classroom, camp, scout troop or homeschool group.

How do I save them as a PDF?

Click Print, then choose Save as PDF as the printer. Each sheet comes out on its own letter-size page.

Can I print in black and white?

Yes. Turn on Ink saver above the sheets before printing and the colors switch to black and white.

Which ages are they for?

There is something for Pre-K through 5th grade. Each sheet shows a suggested age, and many work for a range of ages.

Do I need to book to use them?

No, anyone can use them. They are designed to go with a Prime Time Critters gem mining visit, so they work best before or after a visit.

Do the gem facts match what kids find?

The fact sheet covers gems that often turn up in mining rough, like amethyst, pyrite, obsidian, rose quartz, tiger’s eye and fluorite. Every bag is a little different, so it is fun to compare finds.

Bring the gem mining to your school or camp

Our mobile gem mining comes to you anywhere in South Florida. Pair it with these printables for a full day of learning.

Book gem mining →Contact us

Serving schools, camps and libraries across South Florida.

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