Product Description

Geology explores why the earth looks and behaves the way it does, from the organised shapes of crystals to the ever-changing shapes of continents. Careful observation can reveal countless clues to a rock's history: How was the rock formed? What is its composition? Have wind, water, and gravity altered its appearance? Discover Nature in the Rocks introduces you to this fascinating world through directed observations and hands-on activities that lead you to your own exciting discoveries. These simple activities require only common household items, pencil, notebook, magnifying glass, ruler, water and a bit of natural curiosity.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #422004 in Books
• Published on: 1997-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 216 pages

From Booklist
According to education experts and other savants of sometimes doubtful motive, most Americans' grasp of basic science principles is abysmally shaky. But now, with this user-friendly introduction, help is available for understanding at least the science of geology. As the subtitle implies, the book is loaded with facts and projects. The writing is informative, tidy, engaging, and greatly augmented by the copious illustrations. The projects (the likes of "Measuring Longshore Currents" and "Understanding Isostasy") are simple, meaningful, and excellent for undertaking with children. Perfect for families, the book is also entertaining and useful for adults without children who are interested in painlessly learning some new or brushing up on their old geological knowledge. Mike Tribby

About the Author
Rebecca Lawton, Diana Lawton, and Susan Panttaja

Customer Reviews

Learning Names a Plus!
I loved this book! I wasn't bothered at all by the authors teaching the names of geologic processes and phenomena. Being a writer, I found it helpful and interesting to read all the new-to-me labels of things. The language of geology seems to be fascinating, and I enjoyed very much that aspect of the book. Beyond that, I found the book fun to read and easy to understand. It's unassuming cover doesn't convey how much information lies within its pages. I've also used it as a reference several times already in my writing. It's fun to have around, and I recommend it highly!

A geology book I could dig right into
This book is a miracle. I understand the Earth now. The concepts are clearly explained, entertainingly illustrated with remarkably weird experiments, and explored with an unmistakable sense of wonder and delight for the natural world. I highly reccomend this book for teachers, parents-or just your average scientist wannabe.

Too much geo-speak, not much that's engaging or enthusiastic
As an Earth Science teacher, geologist, and director of many summer science camps for K-8 children, I thought this book was interesting for its attempt to clearly describe geologic features, patterns, and phenomena. However, as one who has read nearly all of the Earth Science "discovery" or "hands-on" books currently in print, there are many, many other engaging and wonder-filled books available that you should consider instead. This book is full of projects (42 in a 216 page book), but some are unsafe (Fracturing Glass, heating marbles in a skillet-- marbles often have discrete air pockets and can explode when heated!),some are inappropriate (Soda Pop! involves shaking a can of soda and then pulling the tab--what every parent, caretaker, and teacher loves to clean up), only 1 is illustrated to show you what to expect, none give you age-appropriate guidelines, a few are distinctive (Volcano Tarts), but nearly all are uninspired recitations of time-worn activities associated with geology (vinegar and baking soda volcanoes, examining backyard dirt, plaster casts of "fossils"). If parents, teachers, or curious adults seek to engage themselves or their children in shared discovery, there simply isn't enough creativity or enthusiasm offered to compel discovery of the planet we are all intimately connected to. Discover Nature in the Rocks... is, as Mike Tibby of Booklist asserts, "loaded with facts" and it is a "useful" source of geologic information. Indeed, it reads like a textbook on Physical Geology. But as it excels in competent descriptions, it fails to convey to the reader any sort of passion in knowing--or the excitement of discovering--the Earth's amazing processes, patterns, energy, and beauty. Education experts bemoan the inability--if not indifference--of the general public to grasp basic scientific principles. We need "discovery" books to rekindle and sustain a personal fascination with the Earth. Discover Nature in the Rocks... errs in offering a learning strategy based on proper terminology over useful experiences. This rekindles nothing but indifference.