Explore Rocks and Minerals: 20 Great Projects, Activities, Experiments

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Explore Rocks and Minerals!: 25 Great Projects, Activities, Experiments (eBook) Pub. Date: 8/1/2010 Publisher: Nomad Press
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Explore Rocks and Minerals: 20 Great Projects, Activities, Experiments Pub. Date: 8/1/2010 Publisher: Nomad Press

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Overview

Highlighting the mysteries beneath the earth’s surface, this is the ideal kids’ companion to the fascinating subject of geology. Through an engaging array of hands-on activities, this helpful handbook guides children through testing minerals, creating crystals, sculpting edible models of the planet, and even baking volcanic meringue cookies. Exploring the reasons behind the physical changes of the world, this examination also outlines the rock cycle of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; the process of discovering fossils and what they reveal about the past; and how to start a collection of natural artifacts. Featuring 25 entertaining experiments with lively illustrations and fun facts, this intriguing guide also includes educational sidebars detailing significant contributors to the field of geology.

Editorial Reviews

storiesforchildrenmagazine.org

With 20 experiments, games, and projects to choose from . . . not only kids, but also families can have a wonderful time each weekend learning something new.

Children's Literature

Part of the "Explore Your World!" series, this green book that tells all you wanted to know and more about various forms of rocks and minerals. Embedded into the book are projects, experiments and activities that could easily be conducted at home for a small expense in collecting the materials and in some cases the results are yummy snacks. Color is the missing link in this book. All the pages are printed on recycled grey paper, which seems appropriate for a "green" book, but including color pages for certain rock formations would enhance the experience for those who are new to the subject. Earth science teachers would find a lot of use for this handbook in a classroom setting. The text is engaging and the print is easy on the eyes. The formatted like a textbook readers should have not trouble navigating this book. Not a book most would take up and read from cover to cover, unless one is strongly interested in geology. Reviewer: Patricia Williamson

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School Library Journal

Gr 3–5—Layers of the Earth and the common minerals that make up rocks are introduced in the first chapters. Each type of rock—igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary—has a dedicated section. How fossils are formed and how to collect rocks conclude the book. "Did U Know," "Wow" facts, "Words 2 Know," and "Just for Laughs" add information and break up the text. Abundant experiments and activities are strewn throughout, as are small black-and-white drawings. Many require the use of food products and adult supervision, but the directions are easy to follow. Making crystals, stalactites, meringue "pumice' cookies, and sedimentary rock will be fun, but also will help kids understand the concepts. The diagram of the rock cycle is more detailed than others. A miner mole can be found in various poses, guiding readers in the exploration of rocks. This book can be a useful resource for teachers and adults, but due to the lack of color pictures and information overload, kids will not find it as appealing as other rock books available.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781934670613
Publisher: Nomad Press
Publication date: 8/1/2010
Pages: 96
Sales rank: 854,242
Age range: 7 - 9 Years
Series: Explore Your World series Series
Product dimensions: 7.90 (w) x 9.90 (h) x 0.30 (d)

Meet the Author

Cynthia Light Brown is an environmental consultant specializing in pollution prevention, toxicology, and risk assessment. She is a founding partner and vice president of Clover Leaf Environmental Solutions. Nick Brown is a 15-year-old student whose favorite subject is science. They both live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Bryan Stone has worked on a variety of professional comics and illustration projects, including drawings for Dartmouth College’s Hopkins Center and the monthly comic Onion Head for BASH! magazine. He is the illustrator of Explore Colonial America!, Explore the Solar System!, and Explore Transportation! He lives in White River Junction, Vermont.

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SFC_Magazine

Posted October 21, 2010

more from this reviewer

Stories for Children 5 star rating

Synopsis:
Have you ever wondered what those sparkly specks in the piece of gravel in your driveway might be? Or why some crystals grow so big? In Explore Rocks and Minerals! kids can try activities that will help them figure out the answers, from testing minerals and making crystals, to making yummy models of the earth and volcanic meringue cookies. Sidebars about people in geology, such as a kid who helped discover a new kind of dinosaur, or a geologist who proposed a theory that no one else believed for a long time, help kids see the human side of geology.

Overall thoughts:
My family is really into interactive books where we not only read, but also are able to apply what we are learning. My kids really enjoyed the different experiments. I think growing the needle-like mineral crystals was their favorite, however, with 20 experiments, games and projects to choose from . . . not only kids, but also families can have a wonderful time each weekend learning something new. You will learn about the earth right down to its core. You will learn how different types of crystals and minerals form, how volcanoes are made and why they explode. Kids will also learn about erosion and metamorphosis.

Each chapter/section covers a different topic and has a clear explanation of underlying concepts making learning fun and engaging for the whole family. Not to mention the great black and white illustrations that not only added character, but also show how and why each topic happened or how to do the activity.

You will also find a glossary at the back of the book making this a great resource for schools/teachers as well. And even though this book is recommended for ages 6 to 8, my five and fourteen year olds loved reviewing this book with me. So don't let the suggested ages fool you. Any child would have a great time reading, learning and doing the activities in this book.

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