Birthstones by Month

BIRTHSTONE PROJECT

DUE: DEC 17, 2013

As we have learned in class the Earth is full of rocks and minerals! Some of those minerals are special - they are called gems. There are special gems called birthstones and they are paired with the months of the year. Birthstones are thought to bring good luck to those born in that month. Now it is time to learn more about your birthstone!

BIRTHSTONES BY MONTH:
January: Garnet (dark red)
February: Amethyst (purple)
March: Aquamarine (light blue)
April: Diamond (clear)
May: Emerald (green)
June: Alexandrite (pale pink)
July: Ruby (red)
August: Peridot (light green)
September: Sapphire (dark blue)
October: Opal (multicolour)
November: Yellow Topaz (yellow)
December: Turquoise or Blue Topaz (light blue)

Name:

Birthstone:

For this project you will need to:

1)  Complete a Gemstone Information Worksheet (Advertisement) OR a Gemstone Pokemon Worksheet (Pokemon Card).

Research your Birthstone. Go to the library or use Internet sites. Worksheets must be neat, written in pencil, and complete. You also need to provide a list of your sources (where you found your information) on the information sheet. Try to use more than one source.

2) Create an advertisement for your Birthstone OR design a Birthstone Pokemon Card.

The Advertisement must include the mineral’s name, chemical formula, a slogan that describes one or more of its important uses and other information from your worksheet. You must also include pictures or design a cartoon character based on your birthstone that relates to your slogan. Advertisements must be neat and colourful. They may be done by hand or computer printed.

The Birthstone Pokemon Card must include the mineral’s name, hardness, weakness, colour, location where it is found, chemical formula, and one or more of its important uses. You must also create a Pokemon character based on your birthstone. Your card must be neat and colourful and completed on an index card.

Gemstone Pokemon Worksheet Name:

Basic Pokemon

Gemstone: HP ¹

Stage:

Pokemon: Length: Weight:

Description:

(Hardness)

~(Weakness)

v(Chemical Formula)

?(Colour)

þ(Location)

?(Interesting Facts)

Gemstone Information Worksheet Name:

Name:

Pokemon Card/Poster Rubric

A / B / C / D
Worksheet Completion / The worksheet is accurately completed and includes additional information. / The worksheet is accurately completed / The worksheet is satisfactorily completed. Some information may be inaccurate or lack details / The worksheet is incomplete and/or many details are inaccurate
Information in Pokemon Card or Poster / Student was able to accurately and creatively transfer research information into his/her project / Student was able to accurately transfer research information into his/her project / Student was able to accurately transfer some research information into his/her project / Student had difficulty transferring research information into his/her project
Attractiveness / The project is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. / The project is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness. / The project is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy. / The project is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive
Conventions / Capitalization, spelling and punctuation are correct throughout the project. / There are few errors in capitalization, spelling or punctuation. / There are some errors in capitalization, spelling or punctuation. / There are many errors in capitalization, spelling or punctuation.

Name:

Pokemon Card/Poster Rubric

A / B / C / D
Worksheet Completion / The worksheet is accurately completed and includes additional information. / The worksheet is accurately completed / The worksheet is satisfactorily completed. Some information may be inaccurate or lack details / The worksheet is incomplete and/or many details are inaccurate
Information in Pokemon Card or Poster / Student was able to accurately and creatively transfer research information into his/her project / Student was able to accurately transfer research information into his/her project / Student was able to accurately transfer some research information into his/her project / Student had difficulty transferring research information into his/her project
Attractiveness / The project is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. / The project is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness. / The project is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy. / The project is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive
Conventions / Capitalization, spelling and punctuation are correct throughout the project. / There are few errors in capitalization, spelling or punctuation. / There are some errors in capitalization, spelling or punctuation. / There are many errors in capitalization, spelling or punctuation.