3rd Standard Social Science Term 3 Unit 2 Mineral Resources Lesson Plan

UNIT 2

MINERAL RESOURCES

Learning Objectives

Children will be able to:

1. list the minerals found in Tamil Nadu.
2. describe the uses of the minerals.

A conversation between a father and son in their new house where some electrical work is going on. The son picks up an insulated copper wire from the ground.

Son What is this daddy?

Father That is a wire. We are using it to give electrical connection in our house.

Son This is blue thick wire and there are many thin metal wires inside this.

Father The thin metal wires are made up of copper.

Son Copper?

Father Copper is one of the most used mineral in today’s world.

Son I have read about minerals in school. They are very useful and are found naturally on the Earth.

Father You are right. Copper is very good conductor of electricity.

Son Is it?

Father Yes, Copper is used in all electrical appliances including computers, televisions, mobile phones and other electronic devices.

LET US KNOW Natural resources are important to us because they satisfy the daily needs of man such as food, clothing and shelter.

ACTIVITY

Let us write

Fill in the blanks.
(Gold, Iron, Copper)

Son Wow. I did not know that. Tell me about other useful minerals.

Father Another widely used mineral is Iron ore. It is mainly used to produce iron.

Son What are the uses of Iron?

LET US KNOW Iron ores are found at Kanjamalai in Tamil Nadu.

Father Iron is used to make vehicles, engines, railway tracks, ships, buildings, furniture, paper clips, tools, bicycles and thousands of other items.

Natural resources that once consumed, cannot be replaced are called non-renewable resources.

Think Coal, Petroleum and Natural Gas are called Fossil fuels. Iron, Copper, Bauxite, Gold, Silver and others are called Mineral resources.

LET US KNOW Non-renewable resources can be divided into three types. They are:

• Metallic resources
• Non - metallic resources
• Fossil fuel resources

Son Interesting. Is Gold Ore a mineral?

Father Yes it is. Gold is extracted from Gold Ore. It is considered as one of the most precious mineral.

Son That’s why it is used in making jewels.

Father You are right. Gold is also a very good conductor of electricity and it is found in small amounts in electronic devices including mobile phones, televisions and so on.

Son Oh is it?

Think Are there any minerals available in your district? What are they?

Father Another very useful mineral is Bauxite.

Son Bauxite. I have never heard of it.

Father Bauxite is used to make aluminium. Aluminium is used in electronics, construction, vehicles and even in utensils.

Son Tell me more about bauxite, Dad.

LET US KNOW The bauxite deposits are mainly found in the Shervaroy hills of Salem district, Tamil Nadu.

Father Bauxite is used in Aircraft making industry, electrical industry and is also used in making machines.

Son Interesting.

Father Bauxite is used to make paper, purify water and refine petroleum. It is also used to manufacture rubber and cosmetics.

Son This is very informative, Dad.

ACTIVITY

Let us do

Find the missing piece of the Aircraft.

Father Have you heard about Zinc?

Son No Dad. Tell me about Zinc.

Father Zinc is called the essential trace element because very small amount of zinc is necessary for human health. Our body does not store excess zinc, it must be consumed regularly as part of the diet. Common food sources of zinc include red meat, white meat and sea food.

Son What are the other uses of zinc?

Father Zinc oxide is widely used in the manufacture of many products such as paints, rubbers, cosmetics, medicines, inks, batteries, textiles and electrical equipments.

Son Oh! Really?

Father Another most useful mineral is Potash.

Son What are the uses of Potash?

Father 95% of Potash is used for making fertilizers. If the soil does not have enough potassium, potash fertilizers are used to improve the quality of soil. The remaining 5% potash is used in commercial and industrial products such as soap.

Son Thank you, Dad. This has been very useful. I am going to share this with my friends.

Father That’s a good idea! Son.

Glossary

Conductor : A substance that quickly conducts electricity, heat and so on

Precious : Valuable

Manufacture : Make

Recap

• Minerals are very useful and found naturally on the Earth.
• Copper is used in all electrical appliances.
• Iron ore is mainly used to produce iron.
• Gold is considered as one of the most precious metal.
• Bauxite is used to make aluminium.
• Zinc is called the essential trace element.
• Potash is used for making fertilizer.