Review of Math & Science for Young Children

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Science is a quest for explanations. This popular text continues to encourage teachers to help their students learn through discovery, while also providing content on the latest techniques in science teaching. This edition has been thoroughly revised and features a new co-author, Dr. Donald DeRosa of Boston University and a larger trim size and paperback binding for a fresher, more open feel. The book continues to use its well-regarded pedagogy to help students to learn science. They are: *A Look Ahead--topics to be discussed in the chapter*Make the Case--A reflective exercise that can be done individually or as a group.*Summary--A review of the main ideas in the chapter.*Going Further--Learning activities for further study*Resources for Discovery Learning--A listing of websites, books, and articles for further reference. This establishes a solid foundation in science pedagogy upon which they can build in later years. The 5 E's of Learning and Universal Design for Learning have been added to this edition and every chapter correlates to the NSE Content Standards.A new chapter on using technology in the classroom continues to build on the authors' belief that technology can enhance learning in the science classroom. The new package includes links to video and web resources on the MyEducationLab website. New To This Edition: NEW! Features a new co-author in this edition--Dr. Donald DeRosa of Boston University. NEW! A new paperback binding and larger 8 A " x 11" trim size gives the book a fresher and more open feel. NEW! Includes a new chapter (Chapter Using Technology to Enhance Science Learning. NEW! Gives an increased focus on technology/multimedia, engineering, and energy conservation--Includes a new Part IV on The Technological Sciences and more earth-friendly and "green" science activities in this edition. NEW! Fully integrated package--Each chapter correlates to video and web resources within the MyEducationLab website. *The MyLab series from Pearson offers innovative homework, student assessment, and multimedia instructional tools designed to enrich the learning experience and improve course outcomes. With detailed gradebook and customization options, instructors can easily monitor student progress and save valuable time.NEW! Includes The 5 E's Learning Cycle--The 5 E's learning cycle is an instructional design model that presents a framework for constructivist learning theories that can be effectively used in teaching science. *Engage--The task is introduced. Using connections to past learning, demonstrations of an event, and asking pointed questions, the teacher can spark the students' interest right away. *Explore--While the teacher facilitates, students take part in hands-on activities that allow them to work with materials. Questioning, sharing and communication with other learners should be encouraged during this stage. *Explain--Here the focus is on analysis. Students are encouraged to put observations, questions, hypotheses, and experiences into language. Communication between students and groups will aid student learning. Again, the teacher is the facilitator, leading discussions, asking questions, giving definitions, of helping students find the right words to describe their experiences. *Elaborate/Extend--Now students should be encouraged build and expand upon what they have learned so far, making deductions and inferences.They can apply what they have learned to real world situations. *Evaluate--Evaluation should be ongoing and should occur at all stages, in order to determine that learning objectives have been met. The teacher can use any assessment tool that they deem appropriate. At this time the teacher should encourage further study that builds upon what has been learned. NEW! Universal Design for Learning will be incorporated in Chapter 9Adapting the Science Curriculum-- Universal design is an approach to designing course instruction, materials, and content to benefit students of all learning styles. *Universal design provides equal access to learning, not simply equal access to information. This design model allows the student to control the method of accessing information while the teacher monitors the learning process and initiates any beneficial methods. Although this design enables the student to be self-sufficient, the teacher is still responsible for imparting knowledge and facilitating the learning process. The classroom becomes a positive learning experience for all students while minimizing the appearance that special accommodations are being made for any individual student.NEW! Reorganizes Parts II through IV to be more reader-friendly--The "A" and "B" subchapters of the previous edition will be broken out into content chapters and activities chapters. NEW! Teaches novice instructors how to differentiate among good and bad science kits and how to utilize them effectively in the classroom.

From the Back Cover

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About the Author

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From Publishers Weekly

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From The Washington Post

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This book called Janice VanCleave's Guide to More of the Best Science Fair Projects is a great resource for any teachers trying to teach science to students. The 50 original science fair projects cover the broad range of physical, mathematical and earth sciences and use low-cost, easily obtained and safe materials. The detailed explanation of how to approach and complete a project may be more valuable as a classroom and teacher resource than to an individual child, as it is written on a level perhaps more sophisticated than the abilities of the children who would select one of the book's unusual projects. A 2000 Parents' Choice® Approved winner.

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Grade 6 Up: Sussman uses a personable writing style to make a case for the importance of science in this book called Dr. Art's Guide to Science: Connecting Atoms, Galaxies, and Everything in Between. With humorous references to pop culture and questions designed to encourage critical thinking, he makes scientific fundamentals accessible. A systems approach for understanding science is used throughout.

However, to move from atoms to energy, the beginning of the universe, life, evolution, and global environmental issues means a brief overview at best–readers who are seriously curious will require further exploration. Most chapters end with a Stop & Think page that describes strategies for better comprehension and retention. Sometimes, questions and activities that encourage reflection are included. Profuse color visuals help to summarize and clarify concepts. Experiments are provided on a Web site.

The one experiment in the book deals with the relationship between magnets and electromagnetism and requires materials that are available in a science lab. This attractive volume has several layout mistakes and typographical errors, but they don't mar its overall appeal. A Glindex replaces a glossary and an index. Unfortunately, it lacks enough access points to specific information. Neither a textbook nor a reference source, this title will work best as a browsing item.–Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

Review

"I recommend that all kids read this book full of amazing, incredible facts.  Teachers will find it a great resource.  The excellent pictures in this book will be of great interest."—Annie Liu, Kidsday Reporter (Newsday, July 9, 2006)

"This delightful volume reflects the true nature of science in a way that is truly ... 'joyful'." (National Science Teachers Association, April 2006)

"I recommend that all kids read this book full of amazing, incredible facts. Teachers will find it a great resource. The excellent pictures in this book will be of great interest." (Newsday, July 2006)

"In Dr. Art's Guide to Science, Art Sussman has written a very attractive, easy-to-read, and engaging science book that will help students better understand science taught at the middle school level." (Science Books and Films, July/August 2006)

"Art Sussman has written a very attractive, easy-to-read, and engaging science book that will help students better understand science taught at the middle school level." (Science Books and Films, July/August 2006)

Each procedure is followed by an explanation of what should have happened and why. At times these explanations involve concepts that children might not easily grasp from the experiment alone. A description of light rays and focal points, for instance, is hard to follow without elaboration or diagrams.

In another case, molecules are introduced as "...the smallest particles of a substance that can exist on their own," which is accurate, but not the clearest way to describe them. Some activities are so predictable that reading about them can substitute for performing them.

Other projects are more intriguing, such as using oil, water, and sunshine to make a rainbow, or creating a simple sand clock. The book is not terrifically exciting; its strength is that youngsters will be able to use it successfully on their own, and in many cases will learn a bit about science in the process. - Steven Engelfried, West Linn Library, OR

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Make lightning in your room!

Keep paper dry under water!

Lose weight by going upstairs!

See colors that aren’'t there!

Experience the magic of science with these quick, easy experiments and activities from Jean Potter. You can complete each activity in ten fun-filled minutes or less. Clear, step-by-step instructions and illustrations help you get it right every time. The projects help you learn about everything from why eggs aren’t round to how submarines surface and submerge.

You will find most of the required materials already in your home, backyard, or neighborhood, and you can perform the experiments practically anywhere. The 108 activities in this book cover twelve different subject areas, including air, animals, energy, gravity, magnetism, light, the human body, and much more. You’ll make a rainbow right on your floor, pop a balloon with a magnifying glass, make a coffee can roll back to you after you’ve pushed it away, and bend water as it streams from your faucet—all with the help of a leading educator. Children Ages 8–-12

Science Dictionary for Kids: The Essential Guide to Science Terms, Concepts, and Strategies is packed with more than 350 illustrated science definitions that every child must know. This is the ultimate science homework helper!

Science Dictionary for Kids provides hundreds of science terms with kid-friendly definitions and illustrations, perfect for any teacher of science or parent helping a child with science homework. From the basic science equipment, to the physical sciences, to Earth science, kids can flip to one of eight science categories to find the definitions they need.

The perfect reference for kids and their parents and teachers, the easy-to-follow definitions in this guide will help with any science assignment, project, or experiment. Most definitions include an illustrated version to increase comprehension.

Science Dictionary for Kids also includes a handy reference guide section, complete with commonly used formulas, measurement conversions, charts detailing household chemicals and acids and bases, instructions for using science equipment safely, tips on following the scientific process, and information on graphing results and data. This book needs to be on every child's desk!

• The perfect companion to Prufrock Press' bestselling Math Dictionary for Kids
• Comprehensive, easy-to-use reference guide to science terms for students (grades 4–9)
• Quick access to essential information and answers
• Kid-friendly graphics and illustrations to help define each term or scientific process
• Includes both standard and metric units of measurement for U.S. and Canadian markets

Prufrock Press offers award-winning products focused on gifted, advanced, and special needs learners. For more than 20 years, Prufrock has supported parents and teachers with a wide range of resources based on sound research.

The average day of a parent or teacher of a gifted or special needs learner is filled with a thousand celebrations and challenges. Prufrock's goal is to provide practical solutions to those challenges—to provide readers with timesaving, research-based tools that allow them to spend less time on the challenges and more time on the celebrations.

Prufrock Press' line of products features:

• Resources on parenting the special needs learner
• Sage advice on teaching in the inclusive classroom
• Advanced learning tools for gifted children and inquisitive learners
• Cutting-edge information on innovative teaching approaches
• Resources for college planning for gifted and special needs learners

Prufrock Press is committed to resources based on sound research. It has a senior advisory group composed of the top scholars in the field of education and psychology. All of the company's editors have graduate degrees in education or children's literature, and they all have classroom experience. In essence, when a reader holds a book by Prufrock Press, he or she knows that the information found in that book will be research-based and reflect agreed upon best practices in the field of education and child psychology.

About the Author

After teaching science for more than 15 years, Laurie E. Westphal is now an independent education consultant. Her goal is to share her vision for real-world lessons that help students become critical thinkers. She is the author of the Differentiating Instruction with Menus series and Hands-On Physical Science.