Summary
Under a microscope, a pinch of beach sand turns out to be a treasure chest of tiny rocks, shells, and even bits of coral. Deep Look reveals how each grain tells the story of where it came from.
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All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Talk about it
Sand is made of tiny pieces of bigger things. Waves and weather grind down rock, shell, and coral into grains over a very long time. Looking closely at sand shows evidence of weathering and where each grain began its journey.
- What are some different things that beach sand is made of?
- How do big rocks and shells turn into tiny grains of sand?
- What can a close look at sand tell us about a beach's past?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: sand, grain, weathering, erosion.
Try it: Look at a pinch of sand or salt with a magnifier. Draw three different grains and write where each might have come from.