Ellen Johnston McHenry

Rocks and Dirt Ellen Johnston McHenry

A complete curriculum about rocks, minerals, and soil science for ages 10 to 15. The first half of the book (about 150 pages) is the student section. It has 8 chapters: Elements, Minerals, Silicate minerals, Rrocks, Limestone, Soil science, Deep down under, Ideas about the past. The text is challenging but easy to read. The tone is engaging and lively and sometimes includes cartoon characters. At the end of each chapter are comprehension self-check questions. Also, each chapter ends with some word puzzles or other pencil activities. The text has many full-color pictures and illustrations. The second half of the book (about 150 pages) is the teacher/parent section. This section contains a wide variety of activities, including labs you can do using household supplies, craft activities such as cut-and-assemble paper models and a chance to design your own agate, art activities such as step-by-step scientific drawings, card games and board games, songs, and demonstrations. Another special feature of the curriculum is that it has a playlist on the author's YouTube channel. The author has posted many helpful supplemental videos.