Reviewed by Ernest D. Riggsby
Professor of Science Education
Atmosphere and Weather is a book of activities from J. Weston Walsh’s Hands-On Science series. Each volume follows a similar format featuring a carefully structured set of 16 to 20 activities requiring one or two class periods, with unusually complete teacher support. Atmosphere and Weather provides very useful enrichment for a middle school Earth science curriculum in the form of in-class and out-of-class activities and group projects. Each is supported by suggestions for pre-class preparation, instructional objectives, National Science Education Standards, required materials, helpful hints, and adaptations for both high and low achievers. Evaluation plans include quizzes with answers.
The volume also includes complete materials for students to work independently. The directions include diagrams for set-ups that students will understand. Reproducible student pages include diagrams, questions, space for answers, and follow-up activities to extend and clarify learning. For more highly motivated students there are Internet links to extend information and learning. Although many of the activities in these volumes can be found in various other sources, busy teachers (especially those new to the profession) will value the extra ideas included in these volumes. Science consultants and lead-teachers may use this entire series as a ready source of activities for staff development or mentoring.
Review posted on 2/2/2001
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