1. Rocks and Minerals
4th Grade Writing

2. What’s the BIG question
How to identify a rock or mineral resource from North Carolina and how is it used in the state?
This is your MAIN IDEA, what your paper is all about.

3. Breaking apart the BIG question
How to identify a rock or mineral resource from North Carolina and how is it used in the state?
Scientific Classification and description (look, feel, smell)
What region of NC is my rock/mineral found in (describe the region) and how is it excavated (how do they get it?)
What is its economic significance to the state (how does it help bring $$ to the state?)

4. Research
Scientific classification and description (how does it look, feel, smell)
What region of NC is my rock/mineral found (describe the region), and how is it excavated (how do they get it)?
What is its economic significance to the state (how does it bring $$ to the state)?
Interesting Facts
found in the Mountain region of NC.
Mountains are in the western part of the state.

5. Putting it all together
Each column of your chart will become a paragraph in your paper.
The “Interesting Facts” column can be the information you include in your opening paragraph to catch the reader’s attention.
In the end, you will have a 5 paragraph paper
Introduction (Interesting Facts)
3 paragraphs from your chart
Conclusion paragraph (summing up your points)