Rocks and Minerals
Scholastic Science Readers Series
What’s inside...
This book provides a simple introduction to rocks and minerals, explaining their origins and formation processes. It covers the layers of the Earth and classifies common rocks as igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary. The guide also discusses fossils and gemstones, and includes a spotter's guide with photos to help identify and categorize minerals found in North America. Additionally, the book describes over 150 types of rocks and minerals.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some differences between rocks and minerals that you found interesting?
Can you explain how a specific rock or mineral is formed?
What role do you think rocks and minerals play in our everyday life?
If you could create your own mineral, what properties would it have?
Which rock or mineral from the book would you like to see in real life and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they already know about rocks and minerals to gauge their prior knowledge.
While reading, pause on pages with colorful illustrations of rocks and minerals and ask your child to describe what they see.
Link concepts from the book to real-life objects, such as kitchen salt as a mineral, to make the information relatable.
After reading, encourage your child to collect rocks from your yard or a nearby park and discuss their properties.
Create a small quiz based on the book to make learning fun and test your child’s retention of the information.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciating Nature’s Diversity
Explanation: This book showcases the vast variety of rocks and minerals, highlighting their unique characteristics and origins.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect the diversity in the natural world, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility and curiosity.
Example Lesson: Observation Skills
Explanation: The detailed descriptions and illustrations encourage children to pay close attention to subtle details and differences among rocks and minerals.
Real-World Application: Enhanced observation skills can help children in academic settings and in everyday problem-solving by encouraging a more attentive and focused approach.
Example Lesson: Scientific Inquiry
Explanation: Through exploring how rocks and minerals are formed and classified, children are introduced to basic principles of geology and scientific classification.
Real-World Application: This lesson underpins a scientific way of thinking, promoting curiosity and a methodical approach to understanding the world, which can help in both academic and real-world settings.
Example Lesson: Patience and Perseverance
Explanation: Understanding geological processes requires recognizing that these occur over long periods. The book explains these processes in a child-friendly way.
Real-World Application: Learning about slow geological processes can teach children the value of patience and the importance of long-term commitment to seeing results.