A Rock Is Lively
by Dianna Hutts Aston, ill by Sylvia Long
Chronicle, 2012
Beautiful illustrations and poetic, surprising text combine to make a terrific nonfiction picture book. If you thought rocks just sat there, think again. This book will make you look at rocks in an entirely different way.
Excerpt: …bubbling like a pot of soup deep beneath the earth’s crust…liquid…molten…boiling
The poetic text alternates wtih straight prose: Depending on what type of rock it is, a rock melts at temperatures between 1,300 and 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit (700 and 1,300 degrees Celsius).????????
A few fun classroom activities for after you read:
1) Go outside and find a rock. Or bring your favorite rock to school. Write a poem or story that show’s that rock’s “personality.”
2) As a group or individually, write a story from the point of the view of the rock. What adventures might a rock have? Whose pocket is it in? Whose shoe does it get stuck in? Where does it go?
3) What’s your favorite color? Use a rock guide to find a rock that incorporates your favorite color. Draw a picture of it and share information with other students.
4) Test for limestone in this fizzy experiment from National Geographic.
Review copy from my library.
Alicia at The LibrariYan?has the Nonfiction Monday roundup! Go learn something fun:>)
This looks cool! Maybe we can bring back pet rocks…
Exactly! Much more interesting rocks than 80s style, though:>)
This looks cool! Maybe we can bring back pet rocks…
Exactly! Much more interesting rocks than 80s style, though:>)
It’s a beautiful book, Laura. Glad to hear you talk about it!
Thanks, Linda. It really is. I really enjoy this set–at least, the three I’ve read. Not sure if there are more…
It’s a beautiful book, Laura. Glad to hear you talk about it!
Thanks, Linda. It really is. I really enjoy this set–at least, the three I’ve read. Not sure if there are more…
Great title and fantastic experiment!
Thanks for stopping by, Cathy!
Great title and fantastic experiment!
Thanks for stopping by, Cathy!
Thanks for sharing this poetic book. I laughed at your comment: If you thought rocks just sat there, think again.
Thanks, Jeanne. It would be interesting pre-reading to ask kids, “What does a rock do? What is exciting about rocks?”
Thanks for sharing this poetic book. I laughed at your comment: If you thought rocks just sat there, think again.
Thanks, Jeanne. It would be interesting pre-reading to ask kids, “What does a rock do? What is exciting about rocks?”
This may have possibilities for this summer’s reading theme of “underground,” or more specifically Dig Into Reading. Thanks for sharing.
Oooh, yes! (I assume HOLES is on your list? Hehe. Oh and Kate Messner’s OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW?) It’s so fun to have a theme and find books for it!
This may have possibilities for this summer’s reading theme of “underground,” or more specifically Dig Into Reading. Thanks for sharing.
Oooh, yes! (I assume HOLES is on your list? Hehe. Oh and Kate Messner’s OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW?) It’s so fun to have a theme and find books for it!
Sounds like a great book! I will definitely check it out. I LOVE your extension ideas! Thanks.
Thanks! I’m trying to figure out what I can offer to educators/librarians that’s useful, so I’ll be playing around with some various things over the next couple of months. It’s great to get feedback on what’s appealing:>)
Sounds like a great book! I will definitely check it out. I LOVE your extension ideas! Thanks.
Thanks! I’m trying to figure out what I can offer to educators/librarians that’s useful, so I’ll be playing around with some various things over the next couple of months. It’s great to get feedback on what’s appealing:>)