Teaching Children Science: Discovery Activities and Demonstrations for the Elementary and Middle Grades

Intended for both pre-service and practicing teachers, Teaching Children Science provides elementary science methods, content, and activities using Abruscato's “discovery approach” and presents contemporary ideas in a motivating, engaging writing style that captivates future classroom teachers and enhances his/her instruction in the science classroom.This text is divided into three parts: Earth/Space, Life, and Physical Sciences. Each of these three areas begins with a lesson and unit planning chapter followed by “A” Chapters presenting science content and “B” Chapters containing children's activities and demonstrations cross-referenced to the NSE K-8 Science Standards.

Table of Contents:
Most chapters conclude with “Summary Outline” and “Notes.” Welcome. I. The Earth/Space Sciences and Technology. 1. The Earth Space/Sciences and Technology: Unit, Lesson, and Enrichment Starter Ideas. Kelly's Gift. Assessing Prior Knowledge and Conceptions. Unit Plan Starter Ideas. Lesson Plan Starter Ideas for Common Curriculum Topics. WebQuest Starter Ideas. Classroom Enrichment Starter Ideas. MAKE THE CASE. Resources for Discovery Learning. Articles from Science and Children and Science Scope. 2a. The Earth's Surface, Atmosphere, and Weather: Content. Spaceship Earth: What Is It Made Of? The Earth's Atmosphere and Weather. 2b. The Earth's Surface, Atmosphere, and Weather: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations. ATTENTION GETTERS. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. DEMONSTRATIONS. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. 3a. The Cosmos: Content. Are We Alone? What Is the Universe and How Was It Formed? Our Solar System. Exploring Space: The First Steps. Exploring Space: The Next Steps. 3b. The Cosmos: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations. Attention Getters. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. DEMONSTRATIONS. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. II. The Life Sciences and Technology. History and Nature of the Life Sciences. Personal and Social Implications of the Life Sciences. Life Science Technology: Its Nature and Impact. 4. The Life Sciences and Technology: Unit, Lesson, and Enrichment Starter Ideas. The Tapper. Assessing Prior Knowledge and Conceptions. Unit Plan Starter Ideas. Lesson Plan Starter Ideas for Common Curriculum Topics. MAKE THE CASE. WebQuest Starter Ideas. Classroom Enrichment Starter Ideas. Resources for Discovery Learning. 5a. Living Things: Content. Living or Nonliving? That's the Question. Classifying Living Things. The Plant Kingdom: A Closer Look. The Animal Kingdom: A Closer Look. Bioterrorism: What Today's Teachers Must Know. 5b. Living Things: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations. ATTENTION GETTERS. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. DEMONSTRATIONS. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. 6a. The Human Body: Content. The Body's Systems. The Digestive System. The Skeletal-Muscular System. The Respiratory System. The Nervous System. The Excretory System. The Circulatory System. The Reproductive System. 6b. The Human Body: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations. ATTENTION GETTERS. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. DEMONSTRATIONS. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. III. The Physical Sciences and Technology. History and Nature of the Physical Sciences. Personal and Social Implications of the Physical Sciences. Physical Science Technology: Its Nature and Impact. 7. The Physical Sciences and Technology: Unit, Lesson, and Enrichment Starter Ideas. The Letter. Assessing Prior Knowledge and Conceptions. Unit Plan Starter Ideas. Lesson Plan Starter Ideas for Common Curriculum Topics. WebQuest Starter Ideas. MAKE THE CASE. Classroom Enrichment Starter Ideas. Resources for Discovery Learning. 8a. Matter and Motion: Content. From Atoms to Rockets and Other Technological Wonders. Matter. Motion. 8b. Matter and Motion: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations. ATTENTION GETTERS. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. DEMONSTRATIONS. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. 9a. Energies and Machines: Content. How Energy Is Transferred. Electrical Energy. Sound Energy. Light Energy. Heat Energy. Machines. 9b. Energies and Machines: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations. ATTENTION GETTERS. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. DEMONSTRATIONS. For Young Learners. For Middle-Level Learners. For the Teacher's Desk. YOUR CLASSROOM ENRICHMENT HANDBOOK. Position Statements of the National Science Teachers Association. Keeping Living Things... Alive. Safety Management Helper. Materials to Keep in Your Science Closet. The Metric Helper. Content Coverage Checklists. Your Science Survival Bookshelf. YOUR SCIENCE SOURCE ADDRESS BOOK. Free and Inexpensive Materials. The “Wish Book” Companies. Bilingual Child Resources. Special-Needs Resources. Science Teachers Associations. NASA Teacher Resource Centers. Index.