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

by Abruscato, Joseph

• ISBN13: 9780205330027
• ISBN10: 0205330029
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780205402625
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

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

Welcome to Discovery Activities and Demonstrations for the Elementary and Middle Grades	xiii
Part I Earth/Space Sciences and Technology
Unit, Lesson, and Enrichment Starter Ideas: The Earth/Space Sciences and Technology	1	(24)
Kelly's Gift	2	(1)
Assessing Prior Knowledge and Conceptions	3	(3)
Internet Resources: Websites for Earth/Space Science Units, Lessons, Activities, and Demonstrations	4	(2)
Unit Plan Starter Ideas	6	(7)
Ideas Based on the NSE K-8 Content Standards	6	(3)
Ideas Based on Project 2061 Goals	9	(2)
Ideas Based on Typical Grade Level Content	11	(2)
Lesson Plan Starter Ideas for Common Curriculum Topics	13	(2)
Classroom Enrichment Starter Ideas	15	(7)
In-Class Learning Centers	15	(2)
Bulletin Boards	17	(1)
Field Trips for City Schools	18	(1)
Field Trips for All Schools	19	(2)
Cooperative Learning Projects	21	(1)
Science and Children and Science Scope: Resource Articles for Earth/Space Science Units, Lessons, Activities, and Demonstrations	22	(2)
Make the Case: An Individual or Group Challenge	23	(1)
Notes	24	(1)
The Earth's Surface, Atmosphere, and Weather: Content	25	(20)
Spaceship Earth: What Is It Made Of?	26	(11)
The Earth beneath Your Feet	26	(1)
Gradual Changes in the Earth's Surface	26	(3)
Violent Changes in the Earth's Surface	29	(1)
The Earth's Land Surface	30	(5)
The Earth's Oceans	35	(2)
The Earth's Atmosphere and Weather	37	(6)
Water in the Atmosphere	38	(2)
Violent Weather	40	(2)
Tomorrow's Weather	42	(1)
Summary Outline	43	(1)
Notes	44	(1)
The Earth's Surface, Atmosphere, and Weather: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations	45	(18)
Attention Getters for Young Learners	46	(1)
How Are Rocks the Same and Different? [ESS 1]	46	(1)
What Is in Soil? [ESS 1]	46	(1)
How Does a Thermometer Change on Hot and Cold Days? [ESS 3]	47	(1)
Attention Getters for Middle-Level Learners
What Crushed the Can? [ESS 4]	47	(1)
What Pushed the Egg into the Bottle? [ESS 4]	48	(1)
Can We Make Fog? [S&T 4]	49	(1)
Discovery Activities for Young Learners	49	(3)
How to Make a Fossil [S&T 1]	49	(2)
Weather or Not [ESS 3]	51	(1)
Discovery Activities for Middle-Level Learners	52	(5)
How Do Layers of Sediment Form? [ESS 4]	52	(1)
Quakes and Shakes: An Earthquake Watch [ESS 4]	53	(2)
How to Find the Dew Point [ESS 4]	55	(2)
Demonstrations for Young Learners	57	(2)
Indoor Rainmaking [ESS 3]	57	(1)
Whose Fault Is It? [ESS 3]	58	(1)
Demonstrations for Middle-Level Learners	59	(3)
You've Heard of Rock Musicians, but Have You Heard of Rock Magicians? [ESS 4]	59	(1)
How to Find the Relative Humidity [ESS 4]	60	(2)
Note	62	(1)
The Cosmos: Content	63	(20)
Are We Alone?	64	(1)
What Is the Universe and How Was It Formed?	64	(5)
Magnetars	65	(1)
Quasars, Pulsars, and Black Holes	66	(2)
Galaxies	68	(1)
Constellations	68	(1)
Our Solar System	69	(7)
Our Sun, a Star	69	(1)
The Moon	69	(1)
Planets	70	(5)
Meteors	75	(1)
Comets	75	(1)
Asteroids	75	(1)
Exploring Space: The First Steps	76	(4)
Space Probes	76	(1)
The Hubble Space Telescope	77	(1)
The Space Shuttle	78	(2)
Exploring Space: The Next Steps	80	(1)
VentureStar: The X-33	80	(1)
International Space Station Alpha: A Rest Stop on the Road to Mars?	80	(1)
Summary Outline	81	(1)
Notes	82	(1)
The Cosmos: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations	83	(22)
Attention Getters for Young Learners	84	(1)
Can You Move Like the Planets? [ESS 2]	84	(1)
Can You Move Like the Moon? [ESS 3]	84	(1)
Why Is Earth Called the ``Blue Planet''? [ESS 1]	85	(1)
Attention Getters for Middle-Level Learners	85	(3)
Is Day Always as Long as Night? [ESS 6]	85	(2)
Can You Draw an Orbit? [ESS 6]	87	(1)
Where Does the Sun Rise and Set? [ESS 6]	87	(1)
Discovery Activities for Young Learners	88	(5)
Planets on Parade [ESS 2]	88	(1)
Making a Simple Sundial [ESS 3]	89	(1)
Sunlight in Winter and Summer [ESS 3]	90	(1)
Make a Solar System Mobile [ESS 2]	91	(2)
Discovery Activities for Middle-Level Learners	93	(5)
How to Build an Altitude Finder (Astrolabe) [S&T 4]	93	(2)
How to Build an Azimuth Finder [S&T 4]	95	(1)
Using Altitude and Azimuth Finders to Follow the Motion of a Planet [S&T 4]	96	(2)
Demonstrations for Young Learners	98	(3)
Moon Watcher [ESS 2]	98	(2)
The Shoe Box Planetarium [ESS 3]	100	(1)
Demonstrations for Middle-Level Learners	101	(4)
Space Journey [ESS 6]	101	(2)
What Is a Light-Year? [ESS 6]	103	(2)
Part II Life Sciences and Technology
Unit, Lesson, and Enrichment Starter Ideas: The Life Sciences and Technology	105	(28)
The Tapper	106	(1)
Assessing Prior Knowledge and Conceptions	107	(4)
Internet Resources: Websites for Life Science Units, Lessons, Activities, and Demonstrations	109	(2)
Unit Plan Starter Ideas	111	(11)
Ideas Based on the NSE K-8 Content Standards	112	(3)
Ideas Based on Project 2061 Goals	115	(5)
Ideas Based on Typical Grade Level Content	120	(2)
Lesson Plan Starter Ideas for Common Curriculum Topics	122	(2)
Classroom Enrichment Starter Ideas	124	(6)
In-Class Learning Centers	124	(2)
Bulletin Boards	126	(1)
Field Trips for City Schools	127	(1)
Field Trips for All Schools	128	(1)
Cooperative Learning Projects	129	(1)
Science and Children and Science Scope: Resource Articles for Life Science Units, Lessons, Activities, and Demonstrations	130	(2)
Make the Case: An Individual or Group Challenge	131	(1)
Notes	132	(1)
Living Things: Content	133	(14)
Living or Nonliving? That's the Question	134	(2)
Similarities in Living Things	134	(1)
Differences in Living Things	135	(1)
Classifying Living Things	136	(3)
The Five Kingdoms	136	(2)
How to Classify a Particular Living Thing	138	(1)
The Plant Kingdom: A Closer Look	139	(3)
The Structure of Flowering Plants	139	(2)
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants	141	(1)
Asexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants	141	(1)
The Animal Kingdom: A Closer Look	142	(2)
Vertebrates: Mammals	142	(1)
Sexual Reproduction in Vertebrates	143	(1)
Two Very Small but Very Interesting Living Things	144	(2)
Euglena	145	(1)
The World's Largest Bacterium	145	(1)
Summary Outline	146	(1)
Living Things: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations	147	(20)
Attention Getters for Young Learners	148	(1)
Is It a Plant or an Animal? [LS 1]	148	(1)
How Does Color Help Animals? [LS 3]	148	(1)
Are You a Good Animal Detective? [SPSP 2]	149	(1)
Attention Getters for Middle-Level Learners	149	(2)
How Are Seeds the Same and Different? [LS 5]	149	(1)
Can You Grow a Sweet Potato Plant Indoors? [LS 5]	150	(1)
Do Insects Have the Same Kinds of Body Parts? [LS 4]	151	(1)
Discovery Activities for Young Learners	151	(5)
How Is a Kitten Different from a Stone? [S&T 3]	151	(2)
What Is a Seed? [LS 2]	153	(2)
Who Goes There? [LS 3]	155	(1)
Discovery Activities for Middle-Level Learners	156	(5)
Male and Female Guppies: What's the Difference? [LS 5]	156	(2)
Do Mealworms Like or Dislike Light? [LS 6]	158	(1)
How Does Light Affect the Growth of Plants? [LS 7]	159	(2)
Demonstrations for Young Learners	161	(2)
The Curious Gerbils [LS 3]	161	(1)
Is It Alive? [S&T 3]	162	(1)
Demonstrations for Middle-Level Learners	163	(4)
The Birth of Guppies [LS 5]	163	(2)
The Insect Aquarium [LS 7]	165	(2)
The Human Body: Content	167	(14)
The Body's Systems	168	(1)
The Digestive System	168	(1)
Structure and Function	168	(1)
Food and Nutrition	169	(1)
The Skeletal-Muscular System	169	(1)
Bones: Structure and Function	169	(1)
Muscles: Structure and Function	170	(1)
The Respiratory System	170	(1)
The Diaphragm, Windpipe, and Lungs: Structure and Function	170	(1)
Oxygen Transport	171	(1)
The Nervous System	171	(3)
Nerves: Structure and Function	171	(1)
The Senses	172	(2)
The Excretory System	174	(1)
The Kidneys: Structure and Function	174	(1)
The Skin and Lungs: Structure and Function	174	(1)
The Liver and Intestines: Structure and Function	175	(1)
The Circulatory System	175	(3)
The Heart and Blood Vessels: Structure and Function	175	(1)
Blood	176	(2)
The Reproductive System	178	(2)
Structure and Function	178	(2)
Reproduction and Heredity	180	(1)
Summary Outline	180	(1)
The Human Body: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations	181	(18)
Attention Getters for Young Learners	182	(2)
How Can We Help People See Us at Night? [S&T 1]	182	(1)
When Do We Do Things That Keep Us Healthy and Strong? [SPSP 1]	182	(1)
How Do Your Ears Help You Learn Things? [LS 3]	183	(1)
Attention Getters for Middle-Level Learners	184	(2)
How Does Light Affect Your Eyes? [LS 4]	184	(1)
What Is in That Cereal? [SPSP 6]	184	(1)
What Is in Cream? [SPSP 6]	185	(1)
Discovery Activities for Young Learners	186	(3)
The Mystery Bag [S&T 3]	186	(1)
Sniff, Snuff, and Sneeze [LS 1]	187	(1)
Using Your Senses to Classify Things [LS 1]	188	(1)
Discovery Activities for Middle-Level Learners	189	(4)
How Does Smell Affect Taste? [LS 4]	189	(2)
How Does Reset Affect Tired Muscles? [SPSP 6]	191	(1)
Are You Part of Any Food Chains? [LS 7]	192	(1)
Demonstrations for Young Learners	193	(2)
What Can Change Bones? [SPSP 1]	193	(1)
Your Nose Knows [LS 1]	194	(1)
Demonstrations for Middle-Level Learners	195	(4)
What Is Your Lung Capacity? [LS 4]	195	(2)
How Fast Is Your Reaction Time? [LS 6]	197	(2)
Part III Physical Sciences and Technology
Unit, Lesson, and Enrichment Starter Ideas: The Physical Sciences and Technology	199	(24)
The Letter	200	(1)
Assessing Prior Knowledge and Conceptions	201	(2)
Internet Resources: Websites for Physical Science Units, Lessons, Activities, and Demonstrations	202	(1)
Unit Plan Starter Ideas	203	(9)
Ideas Based on the NSE K-8 Content Standards	204	(3)
Ideas Based on Project 2061 Goals	207	(3)
Ideas Based on Typical Grade Level Content	210	(2)
Lesson Plan Starter Ideas for Common Curriculum Topics	212	(1)
Classroom Enrichment Starter Ideas	213	(7)
In-Class Learning Centers	213	(2)
Bulletin Boards	215	(1)
Field Trips for City Schools	216	(1)
Field Trips for All Schools	217	(1)
Cooperative Learning Projects	218	(2)
Science and Children and Science Scope: Resource Articles for Physical Science Units, Lessons, Activities, and Demonstrations	220	(2)
Make the Case: An Individual or Group Challenge	221	(1)
Notes	222	(1)
Matter and Motion: Content	223	(14)
From Atoms to Rockets and Other Technological Wonders	224	(1)
Matter	224	(8)
The Physical Properties of Matter	225	(1)
Molecular Theory	226	(1)
Chemical Changes in Matter	226	(2)
Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures	228	(1)
The Parts of an Atom	229	(2)
Quarks and Other More Fundamental Parts of Matter	231	(1)
Nuclear Energy	231	(1)
Motion	232	(4)
Newton's Laws of Motion	233	(1)
Gravity and Motion	234	(1)
Jet and Rocket Engines	234	(1)
Flight	235	(1)
Summary Outline	236	(1)
Matter and Motion: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations	237	(18)
Attention Getters for Young Learners	238	(2)
Why Do We Need to Wear Safety Belts? [PS 2] & [SPSP 9]	238	(1)
Where Does the Water Go? [PS 1]	238	(1)
Where Are Wheels? [PS 2]	239	(1)
Attention Getters for Middle-Level Learners	240	(1)
Why Do Mothballs Rise and Fall? [PS 5]	240	(1)
Can You Separate Sugar and Sand? [PS 4]	240	(1)
What Causes Lift? [PS 5]	241	(1)
Discovery Activities for Young Learners	241	(4)
Matter and Changes [PS 1]	241	(2)
From Gas to Liquid [PS 3]	243	(1)