Talc Products Teaching Materials

Copyright 1997, The Clay Minerals Society

Permission is given to teachers to reproduce this work for classroom use only. All other rights reserved. Sale, distribution, or other reproduction of this work is expressly prohibited without written permission from The Clay Minerals Society.

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Objective: Students will be able to match cards that tell talc properties and uses with corresponding talc products to demonstrate their awareness of the uses of talc.

Preparation of Materials:

1. Print the accompanying pages on a printer (in color, if possible).

2. Cut out the card fronts and backs from the printed pages. Use a paper cutter if possible so that the edges are straight.

3. Cut 12 squares of mat board measuring 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. Glue the card fronts that list talc properties to the fronts and the corresponding product pictures to the backs.

4. Obtain a plastic shoebox. Use wide clear package tape to affix the label "Uses of the Clay Mineral Talc" to the outside of each end of the box.

5. Cut out the "Directions" card and glue to a mat board rectangle measuring about 4 1/2 by 6 inches.

6. Find an example of each of the products that will fit into the shoebox.

Lesson Instructions:

Pass around a hand specimen of talc. Ask students to brainstorm its properties (white, slippery, powdery, soft, etc.) Then ask students to suggest any uses they can for this mineral (often students are aware that talc is used in body powder.) Finally, allow students to work in small groups to match cards that list properties of talc with corresponding products. They will probably be surprised at the many uses of talc.