Help, I Have to Teach Rock and Mineral Identification and I'm Not a Geologist!: The Definitive Guide for Teachers and Home School Parents for Teaching Rock and Mineral Identification

HELP, I HAVE TO TEACH ROCK AND MINERAL IDENTIFICATION AND I'M NOT A GEOLOGIST!

The Definitive Guide for Teachers and Home School Parents for Teaching Rock and Mineral Identification to Elementary, Middle and High School Students

ISBN 978-0-9894112-1-9

Copyright © 2014 by Tracy DJ Barnhart. All Rights Reserved.

All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the author and publisher except in the case of brief quotations of 50 words or less embodied in critical articles and reviews with proper citation. No part of this book may be repurposed for commercial sales other than by the original author and publisher.

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www.MiniMeGeology.com

www.TracyBarnhart.com

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Help, I Have to Teach Rock and Mineral Identification and I’m Not a Geologist! I hope you find this book fun and informative. Not everyone who teaches rock and mineral identification is a geologist by trade, but that should not stop you from instilling a sense of wonder in your students about our Earth. This book will help you do just that.

I designed this book to give you the tools to explain rock and mineral identification to elementary, middle and high school students. The information in this book will allow you to customize your lessons and activities for different ages. This book is not based on any particular set of rocks or minerals so you can adapt the lessons to the samples you have on hand. If you need samples, I can help you choose the best set or loose samples for your activities.

If you have any questions about teaching rock and mineral identification, please contact me directly! My email is [email protected]

Sincerely,

Tracy Barnhart, Owner

Giverny, Inc. / Mini Me Geology

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1 Rock and Mineral Identification Basics

1.1          Tips for Teaching Rock and Mineral Identification

1.2          How to Perform an Experiment

1.3          Tools of the Geologist

Section 2 Mineral Identification

2.1          Crystal Shapes

2.2          Color

2.3          Luster

2.4          Streak

2.5          Mineral Density

2.6          Hardness

2.7          Cleavage and Fracture

2.8          Magnetism

2.9          Optical Properties

2.10        Calcite Fizz Test

2.11        Gemstones

2.12        Mineral Uses

2.13        Suggested Mineral Identification Exercises

Section 3 Igneous Rock Identification

3.1          Igneous Rock Formation

3.2          Volcanoes

3.3          Igneous Rock Textures

3.4          Color and Special Features of Igneous Rocks

3.5          Igneous Rock Uses

3.6          Suggested Igneous Rock Identification Exercises

Section 4 Sedimentary Rock Identification

4.1          Sedimentary Rock Formation

4.2