Classroom Resources and Activities

Classroom Critters and the Scientific Method. Sally Kneidel. (Illus.) Golden, CO : Fulcrum, 1999. xiv+160pp. $17.95. 98-49128. ISBN 1-55591-969-3. Index; C.I.P.
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This book is a collection of 37 extremely well-structured and carefully conceived experimental tasks in the classroom study of animal behavior. The inquiry value of the book centers on the tasks author Sally Kneidel has developed and refined through her own teaching and research. For elementary and middle school science teachers, who may (and often do) lack science degrees or teach across disciplines, the book offers excellent examples of behavioral science experiments that appeal to young scientists. As an elementary or middle school sourcebook on experiments for teachers and curriculum developers in the behavioral sciences, this book is an excellent resource.

Consider the Earth: Environmental Activities for Grades 4-8, 2nd ed. Julie M. Gates. (Illus.) Englewood, CO: Teacher Ideas Press, 1999. xi+247pp. $25.00 99-11611. ISBN 1-56308-725-1. Index; C.I.P.
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This excellent resource book contains 126 different lessons for fourth through eighth graders (materials are adaptable for older students as well). The activities that are included range across a variety of categories--soil, plants, water, wildlife, weather, oceans, ecosystems, and the environment. Each lesson includes easily identified objectives, materials, vocabulary words, a setup time, an estimated duration, the setting for the lesson, and a suggestion as to the appropriate grade level(s) for the activity. The activities are primarily hands-on and inquiry based. Enough background information is included to help the teacher understand the context and guide students toward important concepts and questions.

Decay and Renewal, Student Edition. Nancy M. Trautmann and the Environmental Inquiry Team. (Illus.) Arlington, VA: NSTA Press, 2003. x+142pp. $5.95. 2003001325. ISBN 0-87355-212-1. C.I.P.
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Decay and Renewal, Teacher Edition. Nancy M. Trautmann, and the Environmental Inquiry Team. (Illus.) Arlington, VA: NSTA Press, 2003. viii+142pp. $9.95. 2003001325. ISBN 0-87355-207-5. C.I.P.
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These books are part of the NSTA Press' Cornell Science Environmental Inquiry curriculum series. The series aims "to enable high school students [grades 9-12] to conduct authentic environmental science research" (p. 1). Modestly priced and available in both student and teacher editions, they seem well-suited for use as an investigative unit within a high school biology or environmental science course, or as a textbook for a scientific inquiry course that incorporates individual student research projects. Using an inquiry-based science learning approach, these books are centered on the scientific construct of biodegradation. There clear focus can help students learn basic biological, ecological, and environmental science concepts and principles in connection with their everyday lives.

Dry Ice Investigations: Teacher's Guide. Lawrence Hall of Science. (Illus.) Berkeley, CA: GEMS, Lawrence Hall of Science, 1999. x+202pp. $21.00. ISBN 0924886153.
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In this book, dry ice becomes an engaging focus for scientific investigation at the middle school level. The book provides teachers with a complete guide to using dry ice to develop students' scientific investigation skills, as well as to explore the particulate nature of matter, states of matter, and the role of energy in phase changes. A teacher may select a strand that emphasizes chemical concepts, or one on conducting investigations, or piece on developing a scientific mind-set. The activities are carefully written and sequenced and have been tested and refined in the classroom. An additional strength of the volume is the wealth of supporting and supplemental information it offers. Because of its scope, this book would make an excellent addition to a teacher's personal or professional library.

Environmental Connections: A Teacher's Guide to Environmental Studies. Kathleen B. de Bettencourt, Matthew Feeney, A. Nicole Barone and Keith White. (Illus.) Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company , 2000. x+199pp. $21.95. ISBN 0787271055. Index.
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This book is a useful reference work for teachers covering topics in environmental studies. The purpose of the volume is clearly stated and generally met: to assist teachers who must deal with environmental topics by providing an introduction to each topic and a range of resources for further study. Each chapter in the volume offers the same simple format: an introduction, followed by a summary of issues, uncertainties, risks and trade-offs, and then a set of subtopics. Under each subtopic are an introduction and an annotated list of references. The useful annotated references are easily accessible, readable, and grounded in science; they appear to be balanced as well. The reference works are generally free or relatively inexpensive and often published by a government agency.

Everybody's Somebody's Lunch, Teacher's Guide: The Roles of Predator and Prey in Nature. Cherie Mason and Judy Kellogg Markowsky. (Illus. by Rosemary Giebfried.) Gardiner, ME: Tilbury House, 1998. 70pp. $9.95 ISBN 0-88448-199-9. Glossary; C.I.P.
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Everybody's Somebody's Lunch. Cherie Mason. (Illus. by Gustav Moore.) Gardiner, ME: Tilbury House, 1998. 40pp. $16.95. 98-38915. ISBN 0-88448-198-0. C.I.P.
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Richly illustrated and nicely balanced with the affectionate, but realistic, explanations this storybook takes a straightforward view of the food chain. The story provides a rich basis for discussions of ecology, predator-prey relationships, food chains, the death of a loved one, and even diet and food choices. The teacher's guide accompanying the book is organized into sections that roughly coincide with the text in the book. The 14 chapters in the guide contain about two pages of introductory text, one or more experiments or teacher demonstrations, and, often, one or more worksheets that are ready for class use. The guide alone, with its glossary, bibliography, list of Web sites, teaching resources, curriculum guides, and addresses of conservation groups, provides a wealth of material for studying the roles of predator and prey in nature. The solid story in the picture book adds icing to the cake.

Evolution in Perspective: The Science Teacher's Compendium. Roger W. Bybee, with a foreword by Janet Gerking. (Illus.) Arlington, VA: NSTA Press, 2004. 112pp. 2003021609. ISBN 0-87355-234-2. Index; C.I.P.
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An invaluable resource for life science teachers, Evolution in Perspective provides a clear, concise summary of the current issues and contemporary thinking surrounding the often-contentious issue of teaching evolution in school. The book uses a series of essays to explore teaching evolution from scientific, educational, and science teachers' perspectives. The authors include highly-respected leaders in the fields of evolutionary biology and science education. Unlike many volumes devoted to this subject, however, Evolution in Perspective does not lose the reader in long discussions of the meaning and nature of science. Rather, the articles are relatively short and contain pracitical advice for teachers who find themselves at the center of local controversy.

Exploring the Environment Through Children's Literature: An Integrated Approach. Carol M. Butzow and John W. Butzow. (Illus.) Englewood, CO; Teacher Ideas Press, 1999. xii+163pp. $22.00. 98-43477. ISBN 1-56308-650-6. Index; C.I.P.
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This reference book is a detailed guide for teachers and informal environmental educators who teach K-4 students about the natural world through various environmentally based stories. The integrated approach that is presented connects relevant literature to real-life experiences, leading to students developing insight into, and a deeper appreciation for, the natural world and the impact of humans on various ecological settings. Using both contemporary and classic children's literature, the authors outline a variety of strategies for activities to engage young learners in science, math, music, art, social studies, and language. Each of the 15 chapters addresses an appropriate book, short story, or essay from the literature that relates to topics based upon the complex relationships that exist between people and the environment. Teachers will find this integrated approach a useful reference in planning and teaching important environmental concepts to young learners.

Investigating Natural Disasters Through Children's Literature: An Integrated Approach. Anthony D. Fredericks. (Illus.) Englewood, CO; Teacher Ideas Press, 2001. Xii+194pp. $26.50. 00-051154. ISBN 1563088614. Index; C.I.P.
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This teachers' guide has chosen 29 children's books about natural disasters and has provided classroom activities for each book that enable the teacher to integrate the teaching of the science of natural disasters with the teaching of that book as literature. The volumes chosen include both factual literature and narrative stories and cover topics such as volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, avalanches, and landslides. The books and the classroom activities presented in the guide are most suitable for grades 3-6, but are adaptable to the entire K-6 range and to a wide spectrum of pupils' abilities.

Kids' Guide to Nature Adventures: 80 Great Activities for Exploring the Outdoors. Joe Rhatigan. (Illus.) NY: Sterling, 2003. 128pp. $17.95. ISBN 1-577990-373-8. Index.
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Light: Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It. William C. Robertson. (Illus. by Brain Diskin; from the Stop Faking It Series.) Arlington, VA: NSTA Press, 2003. x+107pp. $15.95. 2003004143. ISBN 0-87355-215-6. Glossary; C.I.P.
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This book is intended for teachers, parents, and homeschool educators who want to help students learn about light, but lack a good understanding of the subject themselves, although it would be valuable for anyone at any age who finds the science of light a bit baffling. Rays, waves, and particle models are discussed in turn. Activities that employ household materials introduce each chapter, and to skip these activities is to miss much. A useful kit in one of the activities includes a diffraction grating, polarizing filters, and set of colored filters. The chapter introductions are followed by clear explanations that are closely related to the initial activities. Each chapter concludes with a summary and some applications of the concepts discussed.

Mixing It Up: Integrated, Interdisciplinary, Intriguing Science in the Elementary Classroom. National Science Teachers Association. (Illus.) Arlington, VA: NSTA Press, 2003. xvii+184pp. $19.95. 2003011673. ISBN 0873552318.
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Move with Science: Energy, Force, and Motion. Roy Q. Beven. (Illus.) Arlington, VA: NSTA Press, 1998. Xii+147pp. $21.95. 98-84914. ISBN 0-87355-172-9.
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This book is a secondary-level activities-based book that can serve as both a teacher's guide and a student text. This excellent, well-written volume uses common transportation phenomena, inherently interesting to secondary-school students, to teach basic concepts of physics and some areas of human biology. The activities utilized as the basis for the teaching are interesting, use materials usually available in high schools, and are based on the National Science Education Standards. The information presented is accurate, has clearly stated objectives, is sequential in nature, emphasizes science concepts and processes, and is written in a manner that will be useful to both teachers and students.

My Monarch Journal: Parent-Teacher Edition. Connie Muther. (Illus.; photographs by Anita Bibeau.) Nevada City, CA: Dawn, 2000. 52pp. $9.95. 99-1561. ISBN 1584690054.
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My Monarch Journal describes the hatching of the monarch butterfly egg, the anatomy and development of the caterpillar, and its metamorphosis. Every stage is illustrated with numerous high-quality color photos, each accompanied by a question for the student, with space for answers and drawings. A short and also well-illustrated guide on finding milkweed plants and rearing monarchs, plus a glossary and a bibliography, are included, and the parent teacher edition contains thorough and accurate answers to the questions posed to the students in the first part of the book.

Rainforests: An Activity Guide for Ages 6-9. Nancy F. Castaldo. (Illus.) Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2003. 144pp. $14.95. ISBN 1556524765. Index.
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This activity guide offers a delightful overview of rainforests through the lens of environmental education.. This book does an excellent job of introducing children to rainforests of the world and their common features-the forest floor, the understory, the canopy, and finally the top. Each chapter includes several simple activities. While there are a number of science-related activities-for example, making compost and creating a rainforest bottle terrarium-this is not a book that stresses hands-on, inquiry-based science. Instead, these activities reinforce an appreciation for rainforest life. The book's layout and illustrations are excellent.

Recombinant DNA and Biotechnology: A Guide for Teachers, Second Edition. Helen Kreuzer and Adrianne Massey. (Illus.) Washington, DC: ASM Press, 2001. xvi+648pp. $49.95. ISBN 1555811752. Glossary; Index.
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This book is an excellent, thorough rendition of biotechnology from its inception up to 2001. All aspects of the study of DNA and RNA, from ethics to the basics of genetics to the latest research in molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology, are treated and illustrated thoroughly. The classroom activity section is truly unique and is also the superior part of the book. Included are discussions of replication, transcription, translation, the genome, DNA extraction, restriction enzymes, gel electrophoresis, recombination, the use of plasmids, sequencing, hybridization, PCR, mitochondrial DNA, gene transfer, and the evolutionary analysis of proteins. The appendix includes a very practical and complete description of methods and equipment.

The Resourceful Physics Teacher: 600 Ideas for Creative Teaching. Keith Gibbs. (Illus.) Philadelphia: Institute of Physics, 1999. ix+229pp. $30.00. ISBN 0-7530-0581-9.

The Resourceful Physics Teacher is a collection of hundreds of teaching ideas. Most are demonstrations, but scattered throughout are suggestions for models, explanations, or analogies that might clarify concepts for students. The sheer number of demonstrations included guarantees that any experienced teacher is bound to find some gems that are new. And for inexperienced physics teachers, the target audience, the book is a treasure chest of classics and helpful suggestions. The description of each demonstration identifies the concept being demonstrated, summarizes the instructions, articulates "hints" for avoiding potential difficulties or dangers, and lists the apparatus required.

Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. National Science Resources Center. (Illus.) Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1996. xv+288pp. $17.95. 95-26429. ISBN 0-309-05293-9. Index; C.I.P.
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Since elementary school teachers have a very wide variety of sciences to teach, the use of a resource that lists the numerous aids for teaching science can be extremely helpful. The National Science Resources Center developed this resource, which lists curriculum materials, teacher's guides, modules, experiments, references, periodicals, and methods of teaching science books. To assist the reader in selecting specific materials, a series of outlines describes the criteria related to pedagogy, inquiry activity, instructional approaches, and the appropriateness of materials and their presentation. This publication is highly recommended for every elementary school to make available as a reference copy for each teacher.

Schoolyard Ecology: Teacher's Guide. Lawrence Hall of Science. (Illus.; from Great Explorations in Math and Science.) Berkeley, CA: GEMS, Lawrence Hall of Science, 1998. Viii+112pp. $16.00. ISBN 0-912511-37-0. C.I.P.
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In this era of hype about hands-on activities, the schoolyard is too often given short shrift, except for occasional nature walks. This resource targets and elaborates on mapping skills and investigations of spiders and ants within the schoolyard. A few other invertebrates are mentioned also. Each activity is for one hour or less, but most can be extended. Numerous identification guides will help teachers and students. The topics and processes meld science and mathematics with reading and language arts. Current Web sites, videos, computer software, journals, and books are referenced. A generous and appropriate number of caveats and safety concerns are described. Spiders and ants are so cosmopolitan that this resource should not be geographically limited.

Sea Soup Teacher's Guide: Discovering the Watery World of Phytoplankton and Zooplankton. Betsy T. Stevens. (Illus. by Rosemary Giebfried.) Gardiner, ME, Tilbury House, 1999. 128pp. $9.95. 99-39210. ISBN 088448209X. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.
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This book is designed to accompany Sea Soup: Phytoplankton and Sea Soup: Zooplankton. The three books form a unit to "help our young explorers develop enthusiasm and understanding for the diversity of plankton and the important role these microscopic drifters play in the survival of life on earth as we know it." But the teacher's guide easily stands alone. Following the most current science education philosophy, the guide is inquiry oriented, teaching readers how to ask appropriate questions, how to search for the answers, and how to draw conclusions that may lead to wise decisions. Throughout, the book adheres to the National Science Education Standards published by the National Research Council and the Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy issued by AAAS.

Sense of Place: Teaching Children About the Environment with Picture Books. Daniel A. Kriesberg. (Illus. by Dorothy Frederick.) Englewood, CO: Teacher Ideas Press, 1999. xxvi+145pp. $23.50. 98-54378. ISBN 1-563-08565-8. Index; C.I.P.
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This book is not at all what it appears to be. Belying its subtitle, it in fact has no pictures in it, but instead is a comprehensive bibliography of books for young children (K-6) on environmentally related issues. The volume lists children's books on a variety of topics, ranging from natural history to animals to community action groups. Most of the bibliographic entries include a short description of the book cited. Short activities are presented that can be used in conjunction with the books that are listed or that can stand alone to enlighten children of all ages to the issues concerning the environment around us.

Sharing Nature with Children: The Classic Parents' and Teachers' Nature Awareness Guidebook, 2nd ed. Joseph Cornell. (Illus.) Nevada City, CA: Dawn: 1998. 173pp. $9.95. ISBN 1-883220-73-4. C.I.P.
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Sharing Nature with Children has been in print for 20 years and deserves wider attention than it has yet received. The book contains nature activities to be used at environmental learning centers, nature centers, schools, and camps to help children focus on the natural world and improve their observation and concentration skills. Ecological concepts, such as food webs and plant succession, are presented, along with some identification skills. This low-tech activity-based approach has major implications for science teaching at all levels, standing in complete contrast to many current educational trends, which call for science activities to be highly structured, dependent on technology, and driven by objectives.

Shelterwood Teacher's Guide: Discovering the Forest. Judy Markowsky. (Illus. by Rosemary Giebfried.) Gardiner, ME: Tilbury House, 1999. 32pp. $9.95. ISBN 0-88448-211-1. C.I.P.
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The teacher's guide for Shelterwood will aid an instructor in helping youngsters discover the forest. Many of these so-called classroom activities serve perfectly to educate the short-term visitor to an arboretum or a botanical garden in understanding key concepts about trees, their environments in forests, the creatures that depend on them, and other related topics. Author Judy Markowsky gives good examples on identification procedure. This guide can be used beyond its connection with Susan Shetterly's fine Shelterwood story. I recommend it for grade school science classrooms, for public libraries, and to interested parents.

Teaching Physical Science Through Children's Literature: 20 Complete Lessons for Elementary Grades. Susan E. Gertz, Dwight J. Portman, and Mickey Sarquis. (Illus.) NY: Learning Triangle Press, 1996. vii+244pp. $17.95. 95-48084. ISBN 0-07-064723-2. Index; C.I.P.
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This volume for teachers using the integrated-learning approach presents 20 lessons in physical science concepts at the early to mid-elementary level. The authors compile concepts relating to the properties of objects and materials; light, heat, electricity, and magnetism; and the position and motion of objects. For each concept and associated learning objective, a work of children's literature conveys a theme that is literally or metaphorically related to the concept or objective. Teachers committed to integrated learning will value this book of lessons and will use it to extend integrated-learning principles to present science to their students.

Teacher's Weather Sourcebook. Tom Konvicka. (Illus.) Englewood, CO: Teacher Ideas Press, 1999. Xvi+321pp. $25.00. 99-13551. ISBN 1-56308-488-0. Index; C.I.P.
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This comprehensive book includes everything a teacher of grades 4-8 would ever need in order to teach a unit on weather! It is both a reference volume and a complete book of lessons. The reference information is detailed, yet written at an appropriate level for teachers or older students, providing the content that is needed to supplement the lessons. Each chapter contains background information, interesting tidbits on the weather, a discussion of the application of the concepts presented, activities, ideas for science fair projects, applications to the community. The book is complete and accurate in every way.

Understanding Models in Earth and Space Science. Steven W. Gilbert and Shirley Watt Ireton. (Illus.) Arlington, VA: NSTA Press, 2003. x+124pp. $41.58. 2003015972. ISBN 0-87355-226-1. Index; C.I.P.
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Using Internet Primary Sources to Teach Critical Thinking Skills in Geography. Martha B., Sharma and Gary S. Elbow. (From the Professional Guides in School Librarianship Series.) Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2000. 184pp. $39.95. 99-088459. ISBN 0313308993. Index; C.I.P.
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This well-written book provides a framework for incorporating critical-thinking skills into the geography curriculum. The arrangement is quite good, with each chapter building on the information presented previously. Given with each Web site are the Web address, what type of data is available, what key topics are covered, a brief description of why the site is relevant to geography, and lesson plans. The lessons plans are well designed and quite appropriate for the intended grades. Although the book was written for both school librarians and geography teachers at the junior high and high school level, other librarians and educators will find the book informative and useful as well.

Windows on the Wild: Biodiversity Basics, An Educator's Guide to Exploring the Web of Life. World Wildlife Fund. (Illus.) Tustin, CA: Acorn Naturalist 1999. 477pp. $29.95 (educator's guide); $39.95 (complete set, Student Book and Educator's Guide). ISBN 1-881150-03-8.
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Windows on the Wild is a comprehensive, practical, and scholarly package that makes a teacher's work easier. The professionalism and pancontinental involvement of the World Wildlife Fund shows its strengths. The topic is biodiversity: the variety of life on our planet. The target audience is grades 7-9, however much of the material will work with younger and older students. The book is suitable for single lessons, units, interdisciplinary planning, or as a course of study. Familiar teaching strategies it advocates are building on prior experiences, innovative assessments, group learning, problem solving, and experiential learning. Four overlapping themes are education, community action, sustainability, and creating a sense of wonder.

Windows on the Wild: Biodiversity Basics, Student Book. World Wildlife Fund. (Illus.) Tustin, CA: Acorn Naturalist, 1999. 229pp. $11.95 (paper, Student Book); $39.95 (complete set, Student Book and Educator's Guide). ISBN 1-881150-04-6.
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This student manual completes an outstanding package for teaching topics in biodiversity. Many activities are in a game mode, with activity cards for directions or problems to solve, maps to construct, and graphs to record data. Hands-on activities are emphasized. The materials needed are readily available from home or school supplies. Science is melded with social studies, communication skills, poetry, mapping, basic math, simple economics, careers, and the role of zoos.

Woods Walk: Peepers, Porcupines & Exploring Puffballs! What You'll See, Hear & Smell When Exploring the Woods. Henry W. Art and Michael W. Robbins. (Illus.) North Adams, MA: Story Publishers, 2003. 122pp. $14.95. ISBN 1-58017-452-3. Glossary; Index.
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World's Best Places: Classroom Explorations in Geography and Environmental Science. Mike Graf. (Illus.) Westport, CT: Heinemann, 2000. XI+114pp. $15.00. 00-027771. ISBN 0325000034.
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This is a highly practical book that pre-service and in-service elementary school teachers will value. In the first chapter, the author explains his approach to teaching, which involves emphasizing the connection among the various parts of a curriculum. Chapter 2 walks the teacher through the process of getting started on Graf's variety of problem-based education. Chapters 3 through 5 explore wildlife projects, plant life projects, and geography and geology projects. Each of the author's descriptions is not only clear and succinct, but provides insight into real and exciting classroom teaching.

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