National Academies Press: OpenBook

Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science (1996)

Chapter: 7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides

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Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
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CHAPTER 7
SCIENCE BOOK LISTS AND RESOURCE GUIDES

7.1 ASTC/CIMUSET Directory and Statistics 1995. Washington, D.C.: Association of Science-Technology Centers, 1995. 180 pp.

Price: 35.00 (ISBN 0-944040-39-X)

This directory lists the addresses, phone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses, and names of key staff members at more than 400 institutions. Included are science-technology centers, nature centers, aquariums, planetariums, space theaters, and natural history museums, children's museums, and other multidisciplinary museums. The organizations listed in the directory belong to ASTC (the Association of Science-Technology Centers) or to CIMUSET (the International Committee of Science and Technology Museums, a branch of the International Council of Museums). The statistics in the volume provide information about more than 2()() of these institutions. The directory is updated annually.

7.2 John T. Gillespie and Corinne J. Maden, eds. Best Books for Children: Preschool Through Grade 6. 5th ed. New Providence, N.J.: R.R. Bowker, 1994. 1,411 pp.

Price: $58.00 (ISBN 0-8352-3455-X)

Best Books for Children lists and provides evaluative comments on approximately 17,140) books highly recommended to fit the reading interests and academic needs of children. The comments are gathered from a number of review sources. The volume lists titles on a broad range of topics and includes an extensive section on the sciences. Best Books for Children is organized by topic and indexed by author, illustrator, title, and subject/grade level.

7.3 Margaret N. Coughlan, ed. Books for Children: A List of Noteworthy Books Published in the United States During 1994. No. 11. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 1995. 19 pp.

Price: $1.00 (Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office)

Books for Children is a small booklet produced annually by the Children's Literature Center of the Library of Congress. It is an annotated bibliography of some 100 noteworthy titles published the previous year. The books annotated are on wide-ranging topics, including adventure, natural history, and science themes. Entries are loosely arranged by age group and alphabetized by title. Each entry includes a one-or two-sentence description of the book and bibliographic information.

Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
×
Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
×

ORDERING INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATIONS IN CHAPTER 7

The prices given for books and other publications in chapter 7 do not include the costs of shipping and handling. Before placing an order, readers are advised to contact the publishers of these references for current ordering information, including shipping charges. In some cases, discounts or special rates may be available to schools and educators.

Publishers' names are cited in the bibliographic data of the annotations. Their addresses and phone and fax numbers are listed in appendix A, "Publishers and Suppliers."

7.4 Gary A. Dunn. Buggy Books: A Guide to Juvenile and Popular Books on Insects and Their Relatives. Special Publication No. 3. Lansing, Mich.: Young Entomologists' Society, 1990. 120 pp.

Price: $6.95

Buggy Books lists 736 nonfiction spider and insect books published since 1900 that are appropriate for young people. The guide has 2 sections: (1) books on noninsect arthropods (crustaceans, harvestmen, spiders, mites, ticks, and scorpions) and (2) books on insects. Each section contains an alphabetical listing of titles, as well as subject, author, and age-appropriateness indexes. The subject indexes include headings that could be helpful to teachers—for example, activities, experiments, crafts, photography of insects, and insect ecology.

7.5 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education. Earth Day in the Classroom: Mathematics and Science Materials and Resources for Teachers. ENC Focus Issue 2. Columbus, Ohio: Eisenhower National Clearinghouse, 1995. 26 pp.

Price: Free of charge.

This issue of ENC Focus offers a sampling of high-quality educational materials and other resources that can be used to highlight environmental issues in the classroom or incorporated into teaching about Earth Day. Each entry includes a description of a particular resource or title, a suggested grade level, and a listing of related materials, including those from the same series or items that are of the same resource type, such as videos and software. Because environmental science covers so many subtopics, a wide cross-section of materials in different media or formats is represented. A select bibliography, information on Earth Day Internet resources, and a list of relevant federal groups and agencies are also included.

7.6 Will Snyder and the 1994 National 4-H Energy Education Review Team. Educating Young People About Energy for Environmental Stewardship: A Guide to Resources for Curriculum Development with an Emphasis on Youth-led, Community-based Learning. Chevy Chase, Md.: National 4-H Council, Environmental Stewardship Program, 1994. 47 pp.

Price: $5.00

Educating Young People About Energy for Environmental Stewardship is a resource guide for educators who wish to develop energy and environmental curricula and programs. The booklet includes descriptions of important criteria for choosing or evaluating such curricula; general and age-specific suggestions for developing programs and program formats; an annotated list of materials and resource organizations that focus on environmental and energy issues; information on accessing the 4-H electronic Energy Education Resources Database; and an overview chart of resources or organizations for teaching, learning, and program planning.

7.7 Educators Guide to Free Science Materials. 36th ed. Randolph, Wis.: Educators Progress Service, 1995. 259 pp.

Price: $27.95 (ISBN 0-87708-279-0)

The Educators Guide to Free Science Materials is an annual annotated listing of selected free, mixed-media science materials. It is designed to provide an up-to-date means of identifying materials currently available. This 36th edition classifies and provides complete information on the titles, sources, availability, and content of 225 films, 21 film strips, 5 sets of slides, 1 audiotape, 772 videotapes, and 374 printed items. The

Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
×

book is divided in sections by media format and is organized by subject within each section. Entries are indexed by title and subject. The guide's source and availability index provides the names and addresses of organizations from which materials may be obtained.

7.8 Patti K. Sinclair. E For Environment: An Annotated Bibliography of Children's Books with Environmental Themes. New Providence, N.J.: R. R. Bowker, 1992. 292 pp.

Price: $42.00 (ISBN 0-8352-3028-7)

E for Environment is an annotated guide to 517 children's books with environmental themes. Selections cover a wide range of subjects and are organized in 5 major areas: fostering positive attitudes about the environment, ecology, environmental issues, people and nature, and learning activities. Titles include fiction and nonfiction books for children from preschool to age 14; a handful of titles for adults who work with children are included. An appendix of environmental classics and titles that reflect environmental issues and "ecophilosophy" is provided. Entries are indexed by author, title, and subject.

7.9 National Energy Information Center. Energy Education Resources: Kindergarten Through 12th Grade. Washington, D.C.: National Energy Information Center, U.S. Department of Energy, 1995. 86 pp.

Price: Free of charge.

Energy Education Resources, published annually by the U.S. Department of Energy, lists organizations that provide free or low-cost energy-related educational materials to students and educators. The organizations represented range from nonprofit educational organizations to utilities, trade associations, publishers, and federal agencies. Each entry includes a short description of the organization, its address, and notes on relevant energy materials. Entries are broadly indexed by subject.

7.10 Richard J. Wilke, ed. Environmental Education Teacher Resource Handbook: A Practical Guide for K-12 Environmental Education. Millwood, N.Y.: Kraus International Publications, 1993. 448 pp.

Price: $19.95 (ISBN 0-527-20812-4)

This resource guide provides information on the historical background of environmental education curriculum and presents current, comprehensive information on useful publications, standards, and special materials for implementing a K-12 environmental education program. Topics covered in the first half of the book include creating or revising an environmental education program or curriculum, funding curriculum projects, developing assessment programs, and conducting special projects. Later chapters include an annotated bibliography of children's trade books (organized by subject), addresses and information on publishers and producers of curriculum materials, and an index of recently published reviews of environmental education software, videos, and curriculum guides.

7.11 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education. Equity in the Classroom: Mathematics and Science Materials and Resources for Elementary Teachers. ENC Focus Issue 1. Columbus, Ohio: Eisenhower National Clearinghouse, 1994. 26 pp.

Price: Free of charge.

This issue of ENC Focus highlights a selection of materials and resources that can be useful in assuring that gender, minority status, disabilities, and facility with the English language do not become barriers to the full participation of students in science and mathematics instruction at the elementary level. The 18 titles described in the booklet represent a variety of learning formats and grade levels, and include activity books, CD-ROM titles, and kits. For each title, indicators of usefulness or other evaluative information are noted when available. If the materials were developed in accord with national or state curriculum standards, the particular standards are indicated. A list of selected readings on equity and an overview of organizations concerned with equity in mathematics and science education are provided.

7.12 The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, III. Every Teacher's Science Booklist: An Annotated Bibliography of Science Literature for Children. Bernice Richter and Pamela Nelson, eds. New York, N.Y.: Scholastic Professional Books, 1994. 182 pp.

Price: $18.95 (ISBN 0-590-49381-7)

Every Teacher's Science Booklist presents short reviews of 890 science book titles published since 1990. It is designed to serve as an aid in selecting quality children's science books, planning classroom activities, and conducting science project research. Each review includes a description, the intended grade level, and a rating of the book's overall usefulness. Appendixes list adult resource books, science magazines for children, teacher resource magazines, and general interest science magazines, and provide a directory of publishers. Entries are indexed by author, title, subject, and grade level.

Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
×

7.13 Wendy Saul. Find It! Science. Mcllenry, III.: Follett Software Co., 1995.

Price: $189.00 ($50.00 for each additional disc)

This multimedia CD-ROM is designed to guide teachers, media specialists, and children in selecting appropriate literature to support science education in grades K-8. Featuring a user-friendly, playful interface for elementary and middle school learners, the application contains textual annotations and images of book covers for approximately 2,500 current books. The books were chosen from award-winning lists and recommendations made by librarians and science teachers nationwide. Reviews from journals are included for each book. Minimum hardware and software requirements for using this guide are a 68020 Macintosh with at least 4 MB of RAM, a hard drive with at least 4 to 5 MB of free space, a CD-ROM drive, System 6.0.7, and QuickTimes 1.5.

7.14 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education. Guidebook to Excellence 1994: A Directory of Federal Resources for Mathematics and Science Education Improvement. National Directory. Columbus, Ohio: Eisenhower National Clearinghouse, 1994. 182 pp.

Price: $18.00 (ISBN 0-16-043142-5)

This book is a directory of federal offices, programs, and facilities concerned with education in mathematics and science in grades K-12. It contains background information on 16 federal departments and agencies, descriptive information about federal offices and programs for mathematics and science education at the national and regional levels, and state-by-state contacts for many of these resources. Although the book does not list all federally funded education programs, it provides contacts for additional information. Regional editions are available for 1994 and 1995.

7.15 Barbara Walthall, ed. IDEAAAS: Sourcebook for Science, Mathematics and Technology Education. Washington, D.C.: American Association for the Advancement of Science; Armonk, N.Y.: The Learning Team, 1995. 235 pp.

Price: $24.95 (ISBN 0-87168-545-0) (Available from The Learning Team)

IDEAAAS is a reference work designed to foster communication, connections, and ideas among individuals involved in science, mathematics, and technology education. Included are the following: three detailed guides that can help locate sources of approximately 10,000 activities, materials, and programs within 80 different categories and 7 disciplines; a state-by-state listing of information about resources in each state; a section that details organizations with a national constituency; and a publications and media section. Scientific professional societies, state science societies, state science academies, state and federal agencies, community-based organizations, zoos, planetariums, nature centers, and many other informal or formal places of science are listed. Two indexes are provided: an organization index and a name index of project directors, education directors, curators, or those responsible for science, mathematics, or technology education for each organization listed.

7.16 Donna F. Berlin. Integrating Science and Mathematics in Teaching and Learning: A Bibliography. Columbus, Ohio: ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education, 1991. 54 pp.

Price: $5.50.

Current literature related to reform in science and mathematics education endorses the integration of science and mathematics teaching and learning as a means of improving achievement and attitudes within both disciplines. This bibliography identifies and categorizes literature related to such integration. It is intended for classroom teachers, teacher educators, curriculum specialists, and researchers. The bibliography has 5 sections: (1) Curriculum, (2) Instruction, (3) Research, (4) Curriculum—Instruction, and (5) Curriculum—Evaluation. The fourth and fifth sections classify curriculum programs that include instructional activities and evaluation of curriculum programs. Although the bibliography contains 555 citations, this listing is not meant to be exhaustive and will be updated periodically.

7.17 Carol M. Butzow and John W. Butzow. Intermediate Science Through Children's Literature: Over Land and Sea. Englewood, Colo.: Teacher Ideas Press, 1994. 193 pp.

Price: $23.00 (ISBN 0-87287-946-1)

Intermediate Science Through Children's Literature contains ideas and directions for earth and environmental science activities that can be linked to 14 popular children's novels, such as Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Craighead George; The Cay, by Theodore Taylor; and Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O'Dell. The hands-on activities, which can be

Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
×

done in any order or can stand alone, include field trips, simple craft projects, library research, and collateral reading and writing. The first half of the guide combines novels with activities about land: students learn about the American prairie, tornadoes, weather, the Arctic, woods, the Rocky Mountains, and fossils. The second half of the guide connects books and activities that draw upon the environment of the sea: students learn about coral reefs, tropical lagoons, coastal islands, the ocean, wetlands, and whales.

7.18 The Latest and Best of TESS: The Educational Software Selector. 1993 ed. Hampton Bays, N.Y.: Educational Products Information Exchange (EPIE) Institute, 1993. 217 pp.

Price: $14.95 (ISBN 0-916087-16-6)

This 1993 directory is an annotated listing of essential information on 1,350 educational software programs that were among the most recently released Macintosh and MS-DOS programs and/or among the most highly rated by 50 respected software review sources. Organized by curriculum areas, the detailed entries include a program description, review citations, and software requirements. Subjects covered by the science-oriented programs include anatomy and physiology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, ecology and the environment, geology, meteorology, natural history, and physics. Addresses for software suppliers are provided. (Note: Interested readers should contact the publisher for information on the 1995 CD-ROM version of TESS, which has information on more than 17,000 programs.)

7.19 Isabel Schon. "Libros de Ciencias en Español." (A selection of recent science trade books in Spanish.) Science & Children, Vol. 32, No. 6 (March 1995): 30-32.

(Available from National Science Teachers Association.)

"Libros de Ciencias en Español" is a short bibliography, published in the National Science Teachers Association journal Science & Children , annotating recent science trade books in Spanish. (The annotations are in English.) The books are grouped by subject and within each section are arranged alphabetically by title. The following subject areas are represented: animals, conservation, encyclopedic series, nature, and physical science. A list of U.S. dealers of books in Spanish for children is provided.

7.20 Beverly Taylor Sher. Notes From a Scientist: Resources and Activities for Gifted Children: Some Suggestions for Parents. National Science Curriculum Project for High Ability Learners K-8. Williamsburg, Va.: College of William and Mary, Center for Gifted Education, 1993. 11 pp.

Price: $5.00

This brief publication contains thoughtful advice, ideas, and resources for parents and teachers who wish to enrich children's understanding and appreciation of science. It offers recommendations on selecting books, television and radio shows, and toys, and discusses the importance of adult mentors, scientific hobbies, role models, and field trips. The unique need for activities that nurture the development of girls' innate scientific abilities is noted. The emphasis in Notes From a Scientist is on creating extracurricular science opportunities that are fun and interesting.

7.21 National Science Teachers Association. NSTA Science Education Suppliers 1995. Arlington, Va.: National Science Teachers Association, 1995. 127 pp.

Price: $5.00

NSTA Science Education Suppliers is published annually in conjunction with the January or February issues of Science & Children, The Science Teacher, Science Scope, and the Journal of College Science Teaching . This yearly publication includes lists of suppliers and school science laboratory equipment; lists of firms producing computer hardware and software; manufacturers and distributors of audiovisual materials and other media; and textbook, resource materials, and trade book publishers.

7.22 Only the Best: The Annual Guide to the Highest-Rated Educational Software and Multimedia 1994-1995. Alexandria, Va.: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), Education and Technology Resources Center. 1995. 185 pp.

Price: $25.00

Only the Best is an annual review guide of highly rated educational software and multimedia programs, compiled from the findings of top national software and multimedia evaluators. Although the book reviews software programs on a wide variety of topics, science and social studies programs predominate. Each entry includes a program description, cost, grade level, hardware requirements, a list of magazine reviews, and user tips. The guide, which is organized by subject area, also includes a list of titles useful for students or teachers in special education and a directory of software publishers. This title is also available in electronic formats.

Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
×

7.23 "Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children for 1995." Science & Children, Vol. 32, No. 6 (March 1995). 6 pp.

Price: $2.00 for a single copy of the 6-page reprint. (Available from Children's Book Council.)

"Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children for 1995" (published in the National Science Teachers Association journal Science & Children) is an annotated bibliography of approximately 50 children's science trade books published in 1994. The books, intended primarily for prekindergarten to eighth-grade students, were evaluated by a book review panel appointed by the National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council. Selection for inclusion was based on a book's accuracy of information, readability, and format and illustrations. The books are grouped by subject and within each section are arranged alphabetically by title. The following subject areas are represented in this edition: archaeology, anthropology, and paleontology; biography; earth science; environment and ecology; fiction; life science; physical science; and technology and engineering.

7.24 Maria Sosa and Shirley M. Malcom, eds. Science Books & Films' Best Books for Children 1988-91. Washington, D.C.: American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1992. 300 pp.

Price: $14.95 (ISBN 0-8058-1879-0) (Available from Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.)

Science Books & Films' Best Books for Children 1988-91 is a guide to recommended children's books and resource materials gathered from reviews published previously in Science Books & Films, the review journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Subjects covered include the life and physical sciences, mathematics, engineering and technology, medicine, the social and behavioral sciences, and science/language arts connections. Some sections also contain a separate listing of hands-on science books. Entries are arranged alphabetically within broad subject areas, which are then further subdivided into smaller topics. The guide is indexed by author and title.

7.25 Science Curriculum Resource Handbook: A Practical Guide for K-12 Science Curriculum. Millwood, N.Y.: Kraus International Publications, 1992. 384 pp.

Price: $29.95 (ISBN 0-527-20806-X) (Available from Corwin Press.)

This resource book provides basic information on the background of science curriculum design. It presents current information on trends in science teaching and curriculum development in grades K-12 and includes a step-by-step guide to creating or revising curriculum, information on grants for program development, exemplary science curriculum guides, comparisons of state requirements, and sources of ideas and materials for special projects. Rather than prescribing any particular form of curriculum, the handbook gives a sense of the available options and is a practical reference for curriculum developers, teachers, and administrators. It includes an annotated source list for materials, publishers, and project ideas and an index to reviews of science textbooks, videos, software, and support materials.

7.26 Wendy Saul and Alan R. Newman. Science Fare. New York, N.Y.: HarperCollins, 1986. 296 pp.

Price: $20.00 (ISBN 0-06-091218-9)

Science Fare suggests approaches to science education that are positive and enjoyable and that engage the natural curiosity and interest of children. The book recommends toys, books, and equipment that enhance any curriculum already in place. In general, Science Fare aids adults in providing children with resources that will help them understand and question their world. Practical advice is offered for purchasing science kits, tools, and written materials. This guide and catalog is an excellent sourcebook.

7.27 Mary Budd Rowe. Science Helper K-8: Version 3.0. Armonk, N.Y.: The Learning Team, 1993.

Price: $195.00

Science Helper is a compact disc (CD-ROM) produced by the Knowledge Utilization Project in Science (see 5.7). It contains plans for 919 elementary science and mathematics lessons and 2,000 activities, compiled from 7 elementary science curriculum projects funded by the National Science Foundation during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Lessons are included from the following projects: Conceptually Oriented Program in Elementary Science (COPES), Elementary Science Study (ESS), Elementary School Science Project (Astronomy) (ESSP), Minnesota Mathematics and Science Teaching Project (MINNEMAST), Science: A Process Approach (SAPA), Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS), and Unified Science and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) (see chapter 5, "Curriculum Projects Past and

Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
×

Present,'' in this guide). Lesson plans or activities can be located on the CD-ROM using the following criteria (alone or in combination): grade level, subject, process skills, keywords, content themes, and programs. Each lesson plan has a detailed abstract that can be viewed on the screen, printed out, and used to find other, related lessons. Background information on each lesson is available, including an introduction, a listing of responsible authors, and the book's original table of contents. All lessons can be printed and copied as often as needed. Science Helper can operate on either the PC or the Macintosh platform.

7.28 Smithsonian Resource Guide for Teachers 1995/96. Washington, D.C.: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Smithsonian Institution, 1995. 73 pp.

Price: $5.00

The Smithsonian Resource Guide for Teachers 1995/96 is an annotated listing of educational materials and resources available from the Smithsonian Institution. Science materials are included in the following subject areas: anthropology/human life, astronomy/space sciences, botany/plant life, general science/ecology, geology/minerals/paleontology, and zoology/animal life. Materials are grouped by subject, and within each section are arranged alphabetically by title. The booklet lists catalogs, visitor guides, periodicals, and information on electronic (computer) access to the Smithsonian.

Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
×
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Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
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Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
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Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
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Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
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Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
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Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
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Suggested Citation:"7. Science Book Lists and Resource Guides." National Academy of Sciences. 1996. Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4966.
×
Page 155
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What activities might a teacher use to help children explore the life cycle of butterflies? What does a science teacher need to conduct a "leaf safari" for students? Where can children safely enjoy hands-on experience with life in an estuary? Selecting resources to teach elementary school science can be confusing and difficult, but few decisions have greater impact on the effectiveness of science teaching.

Educators will find a wealth of information and expert guidance to meet this need in Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. A completely revised edition of the best-selling resource guide Science for Children: Resources for Teachers, this new book is an annotated guide to hands-on, inquiry-centered curriculum materials and sources of help in teaching science from kindergarten through sixth grade. (Companion volumes for middle and high school are planned.)

The guide annotates about 350 curriculum packages, describing the activities involved and what students learn. Each annotation lists recommended grade levels, accompanying materials and kits or suggested equipment, and ordering information.

These 400 entries were reviewed by both educators and scientists to ensure that they are accurate and current and offer students the opportunity to:

  • Ask questions and find their own answers.
  • Experiment productively.
  • Develop patience, persistence, and confidence in their own ability to solve real problems.

The entries in the curriculum section are grouped by scientific area—Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, and Multidisciplinary and Applied Science—and by type—core materials, supplementary materials, and science activity books. Additionally, a section of references for teachers provides annotated listings of books about science and teaching, directories and guides to science trade books, and magazines that will help teachers enhance their students' science education.

Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science also lists by region and state about 600 science centers, museums, and zoos where teachers can take students for interactive science experiences. Annotations highlight almost 300 facilities that make significant efforts to help teachers.

Another section describes more than 100 organizations from which teachers can obtain more resources. And a section on publishers and suppliers give names and addresses of sources for materials.

The guide will be invaluable to teachers, principals, administrators, teacher trainers, science curriculum specialists, and advocates of hands-on science teaching, and it will be of interest to parent-teacher organizations and parents.

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