Minerals, Rocks, and Soil

by Barbara J. Davis

Overview

‘Minerals, Rocks, and Soil’ shows you how minerals, soil, and rocks form. You will learn where minerals can be found and how to identify them. You will find out all about the different types of rocks and what they can be used for. You will discover which types of soil are best for plants to grow in. So, come on a fantastic journey into the world of minerals, rocks, and soil! Sci-Hi is an engaging, comprehensive, and visually stimulating series that takes learning science core curriculum to a whole new level!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781410985217
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	08/01/2016
Series:	Sci-Hi: Earth and Space Science
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.44(h) x 0.19(d)
Age Range:	11 - 15 Years

Table of Contents

A world of minerals, rocks, and soil — Finding and using minerals — Identifying minerals — What is a rock? — Igneous rocks — Sedimentary rocks — Coral reefs — Metamorphic rocks — The rock cycle — What is soil? — Summary Quiz.

Editorial Reviews

Describing topics that are both timely and interesting to middle school students, the Sci-Hi series explores science with accessible text and engaging pictures. The authors break complex content it into short chunks that students can read and think about. These sections provide background information on the subject, show flow charts to explain concepts, and introduce key vocabulary. In students' hands, these books provide a great place to start research on a topic or can just be interesting reads. Each book in the series has the essential elements of good informational text. The tables of contents draw students in by framing questions in bubbles; students can then find the answers in the text. Key words are presented in bold type and are defined in the glossaries. Interesting facts are featured in sidebar notes, and students are guided to new information as they read. The images in the books are both current and global in their content. The use of varied text elements, such as diagrams, graphs, and charts are a real plus, presenting information in a variety of ways. The books also contain bibliographies of current books and websites that students can explore if they want more information on the subject. Students see Earth materials every day; in this book, they are introduced to minerals, rocks, and soil and learn about the specific characteristics used to define them. The authors explore the varied crystal structures that may be found in minerals, explain the properties used to identify them, and describe how they are used. The rock cycle is shown in a clear graphic along with examples of rocks that are formed in the various stages of the cycle. — David GillamNSTA9/23/2009

NSTA

The value of the first six of these wide-ranging introductions lies in their clear explanations, lively presentations, and numerous household (or local) and global examples of their subjects. The short chapters in Minerals, for example, cover such standard fare as "What Is a Rock?" and "Sedimentary Rocks," but are rescued by their use of short paragraphs that include helpful scientific definitions. Information in Climate Change ranges from an examination of Philadelphia’s climate over the past 30 years to a description of recent changes in Siberian permafrost. Multiple colorful sidebars and large and small diagrams and photographs will help students to grasp the fundamentals being discussed, and the easy but interesting science experiments will act as further reinforcements. Cycles brings together information that must normally be searched for across multiple volumes and drives home the message that Earth’s ecosystems and natural processes are delicately balanced and intertwined. Science Across Cultures, however, attempts to cover too much, discussing such diverse topics as science history and basics, careers, and controversies. Pass on this one. —Henrietta Thornton-Verman School Library Journal November 2009

School Library Journal

This series makes science high impact and electric. The essential question is on each book’s cover. There are full-color pictures and eye-popping illustrations on quality paper. With no white spaces, every page is an attention-grabbing feast of color and design. Information is dispensed in large type with key words in bold. Interesting facts appear in pop-up balloons making this book an enjoyable read, not just a text that supports a research project. While based on core science curriculum, the series is visually stimulating with photos, artwork, charts, graphs, science activities, projects quizzes, and reviews. These books present science topics in an engaging and comprehensive way that is appealing to today’s visual learners. Bibliography. Glossary. Timeline. Websites. Index. —Donna Reed, Librarian, Newark (Delaware) High School Library Media Connection January/February 2010

Library Media Connection