Kindergarten Science Resources
Rocks and Soil
Textbook: This unit is from the book Discovery Science: Explorations for
the Early Years by Dale Seymour Publications. You should have multiple
copies of this book on your campus. The pdf files are included here in
case you cannot find the book or you are working away from campus.
Introduction pp. 73-78
Focusing Observations – Rocks pp.79-91
Focusing Observations – Soil pp.92-105
Classifying Rocks pp.106-115
Classifying Rocks pp.116-123
Organizing Observations pp. 124-132
Books:
1. Everybody Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor
Describes the qualities to consider in selecting the perfect rock for play &
pleasure. Suggests that students find their perfect rock. Easy Fiction
(Mistakenly listed as non-fiction in some SBISD library catalogs.)
2. Discover Minerals by Patricia Brinkman. Guided Reading, DRA Level 12,
Benchmark Education. Non-fiction
Great photographs with one line captions using vocabulary from unit. 24
pages including simple concept map, glossary and index.
3. Magic School Bus Inside the Earth by Joanna Cole. Ms. Frizzle’s class
takes a trip inside earth. Higher level vocabulary, but entertaining format.
4. Rocks and Minerals by Keith Lye. Text above kindergarten level, but
interesting pictures.
5. Rock Collecting by Roma Gans. Good for shared reading, then centers.
Use “Meriwether Online Catalog” on the Library Resources page to find a full
listing of books available in your school. Below are titles of books found in
SBISD catalog.
I love rocks / written by Cari Meister ; illustrated by Terry Sirrell.
Everybody needs a rock / by Byrd Baylor ; with pictures by Peter Parnall.
Rock / [by] Chris Oxlade.
Rock / by Mary Firestone.
Rocks / by Sally M. Walker.
Rocks / by Adele D. Richardson ; consultant, Francesca Pozzi.
The nature and science of rocks / Jane Burton and Kim Taylor.
Rocks : hard, soft, smooth, and rough / written by Natalie M. Rosinsky ;
illustrated by Matthew John.
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Kindergarten Science Resources
Rocks and Soil
Rocks and minerals / Delta Education ; Snapdragon Science ; Grass Roots
Media ; produced by Jeffrey P. Sayre and April Pulley Sayre ; written by April
Pulley Sayre.
Rocks, rocks big & small / written by Joanne Barkan ; illustrated by Heidi Petach.
National Audubon Society first field guide. Rocks and minerals / written by
Edward Ricciuti, Margaret W. Carruthers.
Rocks & soil / written by Janet A. Hale ; illustrated by Sue Fullam and Cheryl
Buhler.
Rocks & minerals / by Elizabeth Marcus ; illustrated by Dan Lawler.
Rock collecting / by Roma Gans ; illustrated by Holly Keller.
Rocks and soil / Natalie Lunis.
Rocks and soil / Neil Morris ; [artwork, Chris Forsey].
Rocks and soil / by Terry Jennings.
Rocks and soil / by Joy Richardson.
Rocks and soil / [by] Robert Snedden ; photography by Chris Fairclough.
Rocks & soil / written by Janet A. Hale ; illustrated by Sue Fullam and Cheryl
Buhler.
Dave's Down-to-Earth Rock Shop / by Stuart J. Murphy ; illustrated by Cat
Bowman Smith.
The rock-hound's book / Seymour Simon ; illustrated by Tony Chen.
The rock / written and illustrated by Peter Parnall.
Rock : let's look at pebbles / Angela Royston.
Rocks and soil / Natalie Lunis.
Rocks and soil / Neil Morris ; [artwork, Chris Forsey].
Rocks and soil / by Terry Jennings.
Rocks and soil / by Joy Richardson.
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Books in Spanish
Roca : miremos unas piedritas / Angela Royston.
Me fascinan las piedras / escrito por Cari Meister ; ilustrado por Terry Sirrell ;
[traductora, Jacqueline M. Cordova].
Rocas y minerales / Jane Walker ; [traduccion: Susana Vazquez].
Rocas y suelos / Terry Jennings ; ilustraciones, Norma Burgin ... [et al.] ;
traducción del inglés, Isabel Seriñá.
Las rocas : duras, blandas, lisas y asperas / por Natalie M. Rosinsky ; ilustrado
por Matthew John ; traduccion, Sol Robledo.
Descubre rocas y minerales / escritor, Joel E. Arem ; consultor, W.R.C.
Shedenhelm.
Games/Centers:
11 Games or Centers
Rock, Sand and Mud Poems/Jokes
PowerPoint:
Rocks and Changes
Websites
Information:
Discovery Bottles
Discover How Rocks Are Formed – Sedimentary, Igneous, Metamorphic
Edible Rocks – bake some sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic cookie rocks
Rock Song – good information to help you distinguish sedimentary, igneous, and
metamorphic
USGS Ask-A-Geologist
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=365
ROCK HUNTERS To observe rocks of various types and sizes and to record
these observations through drawings.
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Esheet.cfm?DocID=81
Rock Slide Show
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/pdfs/rockhunter_actsheet.pdf
My rock- center idea
http://atozteacherstuff.com/pages/400.shtml
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Kindergarten Science Resources
Rocks and Soil
My Rock Collection
Interactive/Games:
MSA's Rock'n Internet Site--The World of Minerals Games –Metamorphism! And
Minerals in Your House good for Kindergarten
BBC - Does It Wear Well? – interactive site testing rock attributes, uses some different
vocabulary, such as permeable, but the students can play the game independently
Video Streaming:
1. Rocks: The Solid Earth’s Materials #1 Non- fiction. United Streaming
Segments 1-4 Good for Kindergarten. Includes how to observe a
rock. Segments 5-6 about crust, mantle, core, types of rocks- could
be skipped. Segments 7-8 good explanation of erosion and sizes of
rocks.
2. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig. Fiction. United
Streaming and Power Media. Spanish version available in Power
Media.
The Duncan family is beside itself when son Sylvester turns himself into a
rock to escape the jaws of a hungry lion. Magic and suspense, along with
wonderful music and animation, bring this classic's children's story to life.
User name/Password reminders:
United Streaming Teacher sbisdteachers/teacher
United Streaming Student @ Home sbisdstreaming/video
Power Media Plus Teacher spbranch/teacher
Power Media Plus Student @ Home spbisd/student
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