Return to Book List
Grade 4
Grade 4
Unit 6: Sorting It Out
 
The Malachite Palace
by Alma Flor Ada
 
Cross Curricular  
Minerals  
Cross Curricular
From the Student Web Page
The Mineral Malachite
Connect to this link:
http://mineral.galleries.com/Minerals/CARBONAT/MALACHIT/MALACHIT.htm


  1. Read the page.
  2. Click azurite and read.
  3. Click the Back arrow and then Specimens.
  4. Click photos to see larger pictures. Then click the Back arrow.
  5. Click Malachite and then jewelry to see malachite in another form.
About the Site

This Web site provides numerous photographs of the mineral malachite, both in its natural form and as it is used in jewelry design. In addition, students can view minerals that are closely associated with malachite, some of which are sometimes found in combination with malachite. The site offers a written description of malachite, including information such as its chemical composition and where it is found. This site is created by Amethyst Galleries, Inc.

What to Do

  1. Read the information with students.

  2. Guide students as they navigate through the site to see the various forms and uses of malachite.

  3. Have students write a list of facts about malachite or have them make a chart comparing its characteristics with those of other minerals shown at the site.
From the Student Web Page
Collection Highlights
Connect to this link:
http://www.austmus.gov.au/chapman/highlights.htm


  1. Click Rhodonite. Study the large picture and the facts.
  2. Click the Back arrow.
  3. Explore more minerals.
About the Site

At this Web site, students can view twenty-five minerals from the Albert Chapman Mineral Collection at the Australian Museum in Sydney. A clear, concise fact sheet accompanies each photograph. Fact sheets are quite useful for student research, and provide students with the necessary information to compare and contrast these minerals with malachite.

What to Do

  1. View Rhodonite with students.

  2. You may want to arrange students into groups and have each group research a mineral.

  3. Then have students collaborate to make a comparison chart.
Find Out More  
Malachite and Other Minerals  
Find Out More
From the Student Web Page
Gem Gallery
Connect to this link:
http://www.theimage.com/gemstone/gemstone.html


  1. Scroll down and click Malachite.
  2. Read the information. Click numbers at the bottom to see large images. Then click the Back arrow.
  3. At the bottom of the page, click Gemstones.
  4. Click to explore other minerals.
About the Site

The Gem Gallery, produced by www.themage.com, has links to more than 20 gems and minerals. The information about each mineral is in table form and includes facts about the place of origin, names, and special characteristsics of the gem, along with a few enlargable images.

What to Do

  1. Help student navigate the site and read text if needed.

  2. Ask students where malachite comes from.

  3. Ask what interesting facts students learned about malachite or other minerals.

  4. You may want to have a world map available to show students where the minerals are found.
From the Student Web Page
The Mineral Cabinet: Carbonates and borates
Connect to this link:
http://www.min.uni-bremen.de/kabinett/klasse_5.en.html


  1. Find and click each malachite picture to enlarge it.
  2. Find out where the mineral sample was found. Then click the Back arrow.
  3. Click other minerals that interest you.
  4. Which minerals do you think are beautiful?
About the Site

This part of the Mineral Cabinet shows 24 photographs of minerals and tells where the specimen was found. be sure to click each picture to see very large, interesting close-ups. The site originates from the Minerology/Petrography Department of the University of Bremen, in Germany.

What to Do

  1. You may want to show students a world map or globe and help them find the places where the minerals were found.

  2. Encourage students to click and explore other minerals on the page.

  3. Have students describe several minerals in detail and compare and contrast them. How might the mineral feel? How heavy might it be? What does it remind you of?
Leveled Books  
Royalty  
Leveled Books
From the Student Web Page
Romanov Family Album
Connect to this link:
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/palace/scrapbook.html


  1. Click Page One and look at the pictures.
  2. Click Anastasia knitting in the Mauve Room.
  3. Read the page. Then click the Back arrow.
  4. Click Page Four. Click and read Aleksey.
  5. Then go back. Study Alexandra in Jewels and Olga and Tatiana in Uniform in the same way.
About the Site

The Romanov Family Album provides a glimpse into the life of Imperial Russia's last ruling family. Click a photograph to enlarge it and to read a description. Students can view the photographs to make observations about how this royal family lived. Preview the site to select additional photographs to share with students.

What to Do

  1. Help students navigate the site as directed.

  2. View the site with students. Explain unfamiliar vocabulary and paraphrase the material as they read.

  3. Invite students to describe the royal life style by observing the photographs. Guide them by asking questions such as What kind of clothing did the family members wear? Did they wear royal garments for special occasions? What activities did the children do?
From the Student Web Page
Tudor Times
Connect to this link:
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/nettsch/time/tudors.html


  1. Click Kings and Queens and read about the rulers.
  2. Click Back to Tudor Page. Then click Daily Life.
  3. Go back. Then click and study Fashion.
  4. How were the lives of royalty and commoners different?
About the Site

Tudor Times is part of a larger historical site created by the students and staff of the Nettlesworth Primary School in Durham, England. In addition to brief profiles of the Tudor rulers and descriptions of fashion and daily life, the page features Important Events, a time line of world events that took place during the Tudor reign. You may want to explore Web Links, At Sea, Art Gallery, or Fun & Games to suggest other areas for student exploration.

What to Do

  1. You may want students to compare the power that kings or queens have today with what they had long ago.

  2. You may want to compare the lives of rulers with those they rule. How is life in a democracy different?

  3. As students read about daily life, encourage them to compare a typical day in 1500 with one today. Students can list similarities and differences, or illustrate these with pictures.