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

By Tracy DJ Barnhart

Help, I Have to Teach Rock and Mineral Identification and I’m Not a Geologist! is the definitive guide for teachers and home school parents who teach geology. This book provides the details that an elementary, middle school, or high school teacher or parent needs to adequately explain the properties of rocks and minerals and how t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Giverny Press
• Release date: Oct 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9780989411219

Tracy DJ Barnhart

Tracy Barnhart was born and raised in Princeton, West Virginia. She grew up swimming and playing in the band. It wasn't until her twenties that she realized how much she loved a good story. Tracy attended Furman University planning to be a business major. Since Furman is a liberal arts school she had to take science and chose two geology classes her freshman year, which changed her path. After receiving a Bachelor of Science in geology from Furman she went on to receive a Master of Science degree in geology at the University of South Carolina. Tracy worked as an environmental consultant for many years, and then she took her love of rocks and minerals and turned it into a small business. Mini Me Geology's line of rocks, minerals, and fossils keep her busy when she is not writing her new Crystal Cave Adventures series. Tracy lives in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina with her husband, two kids and their very large Great Pyrenees, Brutus. When she's not writing, you can find her at the track for her kids' practices or maybe the beach on a lucky day.

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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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While the author has made every effort to provide accurate Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors, or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the author and publisher do not have control over and do not assume any responsibility for third party websites or their content.

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 [e-mail]

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