Print and complete the worksheet. Then assess yourself using the rubric provided.

This is a homework activity to be completed out of school. It is also an experiment that may or may not succeed, so be prepared for some surprises.

1. In any local area where there is sometimes water, collect small quantities of clay, placing the samples in reclosable sandwich bags. Look for earthen material that is not "dirt" but has a relatively fine texture if dry. It will usually have a gray or slightly reddish color.

2. Label each bag with the location in which the material was found.

3. If there is no local source of clay (a rather unusual situation) use a dry sample of commercial clay. Crush it and place it in the sandwich bag.

4. Now add a few drops of water to the sample in each bag and squeeze the closed bag to mix the clay with water. Add water slowly, a few drops at a time, until the material is damp and, hopefully, holds together like cookie dough.

5. Keep a record of your observations. Decide whether each sample seems to be clay that sticks together and can be formed when damp or does it simply get wet and not stick together?

6. For each sample, write up your observations on the worksheet attached.

WORKSHEET 2. CLAY SAMPLES

Sample # ____

1. Where did you collect this sample? Describe the location.

2. What color is the sample?

3. What is the texture of the sample? How does it feel when dry?

4. Describe what happened when you added water to the sample?

5. Do you think this sample is clay? or common dirt? Why?

Sample # ____

1. Where did you collect this sample? Describe the location.

2. What color is the sample?

3. What is the texture of the sample? How does it feel when dry?

4. Describe what happened when you added water to the sample?

5. Do you think this sample is clay? or common dirt? Why?

Sample # ____

1. Where did you collect this sample? Describe the location.

2. What color is the sample?

3. What is the texture of the sample? How does it feel when dry?

4. Describe what happened when you added water to the sample?

5. Do you think this sample is clay? or common dirt? Why?

Sample # ____

1. Where did you collect this sample? Describe the location.

2. What color is the sample?

3. What is the texture of the sample? How does it feel when dry?

4. Describe what happened when you added water to the sample?

5. Do you think this sample is clay? or common dirt? Why?

Repeat for each additional sample.

ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR CLAY SAMPLES WORKSHEET

You can explain what clay is and describe some of its physical and chemical properties.

Beginning:
Answers to the questions are incomplete. Few samples are collected and/or reported on.

Competent:
Answers to the questions are complete and accurate. Several samples are collected and reported on.

Advanced:
Answers to the questions are complete, accurate, and detailed. Many samples are collected and reported on.