Rock Guide Suggestions Please

[Kathleen in LV]

My 6 year old son has a small rock collection (mostly rocks he found in his grandparents' yard that he thought looked neat). I am clueless when it comes to rocks or anything geology. I'm looking for a rock guide to help him identify his rocks. I was hoping to find something relatively straightforward with lots of pictures and clear explanations. I'm not so concerned with the reading level, as he can read reasonably well and I'm willing to help him with this project.

 

Also, if anybody has any other suggestions to further his interest in his rock collection, that would be great.

 

Thanks so much!

Kathleen

[CupOCoffee]

http://www.rocksmineralsandfossilsforkids.com

 

http://www.rocksforkids.com

 

These are two good places to start if you don't mind using the internet. Also, I got my DD a book Smithsonian Nature Guide: Rocks and Minerals just from a bookstore. There should also be plenty of books at the library.

 

I am not sure if rocks picked up here and there from outside would be found though. I have a lot of trouble convincing DD that the rocks she picks up from EVERYWHERE are anything other than just your average ordinary rocks. But who knows, maybe playing on these sites and looking in the books will get your son interested on higher level.

 

~coffee~

[foxbridgeacademy]

Even a good reader will have trouble with "real" rock guides. See if there's a Junior version on Amazon.

Also he will need a testing kit (heres ours http://www.amazon.com/American-Educational-Products-Mineral-Test/dp/B001167D5M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1360451460&sr=8-2&keywords=mineral+testing+kit ) or he can make up his own. You need a penny, an iron nail, piece of glass, 1 white, 1 black (non-glossy) ceramic tile to start.

When DD (our resident "rockhound) was younger she would often use http://www.amazon.com/Rocks-Minerals-DK-Eyewitness-Books/dp/0756637775/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360451294&sr=8-1&keywords=eyewitness+rocks+and+minerals#_

 

This is what we have now

http://www.amazon.com/Smithsonian-Handbooks-Rocks-Minerals/dp/0789491060/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1360451208&sr=8-2&keywords=rock+identification+kit

 

The thing she loves the most is getting a big bag of rocks (I get them from ebay cheap). She would love a tumbler but I am having trouble spending the large amount of money for a "good" one.

[duckens]

Loverboy has found good resources at The Rock Shed. Loverboy says to check the clearance section.

 

Loverboy just spent wayyyyyyyyyy too much money for our Rock-loving girls at Geoed.com. Note the spelling is NOT Geode (the rock) but GeoEd (Geology Education). He spent so much, I don't feel bad about what I plan to spend at the Homeschooling convention in a few months.... :thumbup:

 

Others in the Hive have recommended the Geology taught by the Happy Scientist. Regretfully, I have not yet used this curriculum. It's just on my list of "to-do" with the girls.

[Kathleen in LV]

Thank you for the really helpful responses. I'm looking forward to checking out all of the suggested resources.

 

Kathleen

[Kalmia]

Loverboy has found good resources at The Rock Shed. Loverboy says to check the clearance section.

 

Loverboy just spent wayyyyyyyyyy too much money for our Rock-loving girls at Geoed.com. Note the spelling is NOT Geode (the rock) but GeoEd (Geology Education). He spent so much, I don't feel bad about what I plan to spend at the Homeschooling convention in a few months.... :thumbup:

 

Others in the Hive have recommended the Geology taught by the Happy Scientist. Regretfully, I have not yet used this curriculum. It's just on my list of "to-do" with the girls.

 

 

Oh why oh why did you have to post something as dangerous as Geoed.com? Now that I know this website exists, I am going to go there and my pocketbook is going to get mugged!

 

Drooling over the twinned, brown, orthorhombic staurolite right now...