NSTA Recommends
Learning About Weather: Science Works for Kids Series
by Jo Ellen Moore
Price at time of review: $9.95
80 pp.
Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
Monterey, CA
2000
ISBN: 1-55799-774-8
Grade Level: K-4
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Reviewed by Kevin Vidergar
Science/Math Consultant
Learning About the Weather in the Science Works for Kids series is designed to engage kindergarten and first grade learners in active science. The book includes teacher background and reproducible worksheets to support investigations of meteorology. The concepts addressed in Learning About Weather include kinds of weather, weather changes, meteorology instruments, and an introduction to the water cycle.
The diagrams and drawings throughout the book are very student-friendly with enough detail to understand the concept and enough room for students to draw and color without being frustrated. The book also provides many active investigations using simple materials. For example, teachers are encouraged to create logbooks with their students, a large one to document class activities and discoveries and individual logbooks for students to take home to share with their families. These logbooks will help teachers to catch any misunderstandings right away.
The teacher notes describe potential demonstrations well. For teachers who cannot purchase a wind vane or anemometer, diagrams are included for constructing them out of everyday classroom materials. I suggest that students help with this project so they can see how good science can be done with even the simplest of materials. This is what I liked most about Learning About Weather--all of the activities use simple materials to engage students. For example, the last three concepts in the book focus on the water cycle. Students in observing that materials can exist in different states, actively change water from one state to another, and compare the results of these activities to their daily and seasonal experiences with weather. This is good science!
Learning About the Weather could be used as a stand-alone science unit or integrated easily into a thematic unit. These books could also be as a resource for teachers of grades two and three to reinforce any concepts students might have missed. The book also includes a lengthy bibliography of excellent literature books that could be used to create thematic lessons.
Review posted on 4/11/2001
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