Title: "I.D. Please!" (Identifying the different types of coal.)

Grade Levels:
4-8 (Developed for 5th grade)

Subjects:
Language Arts, Science, Math, Technology

Learner Outcomes:

•  Students will identify and list characteristics of coal types, including peat.
•  Students will be introduced to the following vocabulary: anthracite, bituminous, lignite, peat.

Duration of Lesson :
One 45 minute class period

Materials:
Coal Samples
Student glossary notebooks
Fact sheet

Technology Tools/Courseware: internet sites showing the various types of coal classification

Teacher notes:
Coal Samples should be numbered with letter and group.
Remind students of assigned interviews for Lesson 3.
Distribute permission slips for Lesson 6 field trip.

Procedures:
1.  Students will be divided into groups of 4-5.
2.  Each group will receive an envelope or baggie containing a sample of the three types of coal (anthracite, bituminous, and  lignite) and a sample of peat.
3.  These samples are numbered and lettered. For example, anthracite might be D-2 meaning group D sample #2.
4.  Students will write the letter/number and give the name of that sample in addition to listing three characteristics of that sample.
5.  Continue until all four samples are completed. Then students will list the samples in rank of the lowest form to the highest form of coal.
6.  Each group will visit the internet site to identify their samples
7.  Students will enter appropriate characteristics in glossary notebook.

Modifications:
heterogeneous grouping of cooperative teams

Enrichment Activities:
Revisit Coal Assimilation/Coal Formation Activities

Evaluation/Assessment:
Glossary/Fact Notebook Evaluation

WV IGOs:
Science: 5.27
Technology: 5.65
Mathematics: 5.26
Language Arts: 5.36, 5.62

National Standards:

Language Arts

4.  Gathers and uses information for research purposes.
7.  Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts.

1.  Uses a variety of strategies in the problem solving process.

Authors:
Jeanne Brewster
Helen Curry
Judy Smith