Rocks & Minerals

What are rocks and minerals? Rocks and minerals are the raw materials of the Earths surface. Rocks are
made of countless grains of mineralsMinerals are natural, solid chemicals. They are classified according to
their chemistry and structure. Rocks are put into three groups: igneous (from molten rock), metamorphic
(altered by extreme heat and pressures), and sedimentary (created from layers of sediment).
--Fandom, John. Rock and Mineral. New York: DK Pub., 2005. Print.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Dewey Decimal Numbers

Petrology (branch of geology dealing with rocks)

Rocks
Minerals
Mineralogy

549 Mineralogy
549.2 to 549.7 Specific Kinds of Minerals
550 Earth Sciences and Geology
552 Specific Kinds of Rocks

Key Search Terms:

Local Places to Explore Rocks and Minerals:

Rocks
Minerals
Gems
Rocks
and
Minerals
Metamorphic Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Petrology

http://www.mnh.si.edu/ Smithsonian Institutes Museum of

Natural History
Frederick County Outdoor School
http://schools.fcps.org/outdoor/fifthgradeprogram.html
NIST Test Wall
http://stonewall.nist.gov/

NIST Test Wall

Web Resources:
Rocks for Kids is a place to learn how rocks and minerals are formed; how to identify different minerals; understand
the uses for different rocks and minerals; discover some cool experiments; and find additional recommended
resources. http://www.rocksforkids.com/
The Rock Cycle webpage shows users the rock cycle through a colorful flow-chart. Useful resource for
understanding how rocks change and under what circumstances;
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/rock.html
Rock Identification Key is a handy tool for eager rock-hounds looking to identify rocks and minerals in their
collections. http://rockhounds.com/rockshop/mineral_id/
Kids Habitat is a place designed for kids to learn to identify minerals, create your own collection and grow your own
crystals; http://www.sdnhm.org/archive/kids/minerals/index.html

Nonfiction Books:
Symes, R. F., Colin Keates, and Andreas Einsiedel. Rocks & Minerals. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2000. Print.
Full of colorful photos of rocks, minerals and crystals, this resources covers igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
rocks, as well as, fossils, rocks as tools, rock collecting and more.
Symes, R. F., and R. R. Harding. Crystal & Gem with CDROM. New York: DK Pub. (Dorling Kindersley), 2007. Print.
Learn about crystals--their colors, growth, uses, value, legends and more in this vibrant resource. Clip-art CD
included with the book.
Allen, Nancy Kelly. Minerals and Rocks. New York, NY: Rosen Pub. Group, 2009. Print.
Changing rocks, the uses for minerals, how minerals form and identifying minerals are some of the major topics in
Minerals in Rocks. A great resource for a quick overview;

Magazines:

FCPS Databases to Explore:

http://www.rockngem.com/category/articles/rg-kids/

In Trueflix check out: Geology: The Study of

Rocks

Monthly magazine articles, puzzles and quizzes for kids about rocks & gems.
**Check out databases for more magazine articles!

Fiction Books:
Frazier, Sundee Tucker. Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in
It. New York: Delacorte, 2007. Print.
A ten-year-old boy is able to connect with his grandfather over a common
interest in rocks and minerals.

Beauregard, Lynda, and Guillermo Mogorrn. The Hunt for Hidden

Treasure: A Mystery about Rocks. Minneapolis: Graphic Universe,
2012. Print.

SIRS Discoverer on the Web for newspaper,

magazine, and reference articles about geology,
plus graphics. Search for keywords to find a
variety of articles.
Science Reference Center (enter by logging onto
EBSCOhost & select SRC). Select Geology and
explore topics such as rocks, minerals and soil
and erosion.
You can access these databases by clicking on
the link or from the media page.

This graphic novel camp adventure involves the discovery of a treasure map.
The campers need to use their knowledge of rocks and the changes they
undergo to find the treasure.

Created by Kate Flynn for SLM 505, Module 3, April 21, 2013. This pathfinder if intended for 5th grade students
during the geology unit studying rocks and minerals. All clipart is courtesy of Microsoft Office. All images from
Morguefile. Professional Selection Sources/Tools used: KidsClick!, NoveList; Internet Public Library Reference
Center; WebDewey; FCPS OPAC and databases; MLA citation format.