Reviewed by David Gillam
Elementary Teacher
In classrooms around the country, teachers are looking for ways to integrate science into various content areas. The activities in this book have been developed to break down the traditional boundaries between science and math. Guided by this book, teachers and students can participate in hands-on, discovery-based learning.
The activities provide a balance between the content areas while maintaining the true nature of the science and math content. The lessons use materials that are inexpensive and easy to find; you may already have them in your classroom. The 20 activities are grouped around science content areas—physical, chemical, Earth, and life science. There are also lessons that are grouped as general science, and these focus on inquiry and the nature of science. Each activity begins with an overview, followed by a list of processes and skills used. The author gives an estimate of the time required, lists of materials needed, and the science and math standards being addressed. Each activity includes a step-by-step set of procedures as well as extension and assessment ideas.
In the assessment section, the author gives sample rubrics that provide ideas on what to look for in students' work. This book would make an excellent addition to an elementary school's professional library. Teachers can use the ideas as they are written. Individuals or groups of teachers who want to develop science lessons using their own curriculum and integrating it with math also could use the book. One strength of this collection is that it shows the connections between science and math. Often when trying to show standards addressed in more than one content area, a writer has the tendency to include many more standards than are really addressed in the activity. In this case, a clear connection can be seen between the activity and the standards.
Review posted on 12/18/2009
|