NSTA - National Science Teachers Association

More Everyday Science Mysteries: Stories for Inquiry-Based Science Teaching (e-book) By: Richard Konicek-Moran e-Book Average User Rating: Where do rotten apples go after they fall off the tree? Does the temperature of the wood affect the heat of the fire? Can you make water boil faster? How large a mirror do you need to see your whole body? This second volume of 15 mystery stories examines...  [view full summary] Where do rotten apples go after they fall off the tree? Does the temperature of the wood affect the heat of the fire? Can you make water boil faster? How large a mirror do you need to see your whole body? This second volume of 15 mystery stories examines more science concepts and reinforces the value of learning science through inquiry. Each mystery presents opportunities for students to create questions, form hypotheses, test their ideas, and come up with explanations. Focused on concepts such as weather and climate, thermodynamics, interdependency of living things, adaptation, life cycles, properties of matter, reflection and refraction, and chemical bonds, these mysteries draw students into the stories by grounding them in experiences students are familiar with, providing them with the foundation for classroom discussion and inquiry. “These stories are bound to reveal the wonderful ideas all students have, give them the confidence to explore their own thinking, and provide opportunities for them to ‘do’ science rather than have science ‘done’ to them.” —Page Keeley, NSTA President 2008–09 [hide full abstract] Member Price: $16.87 Nonmember Price: $19.46 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School

Mastery Learning in the Science Classroom: Success for Every Student (e-book) By: Kelly Morgan e-Book Average User Rating: In these pages, Kelly Morgan presents a compelling case for implementing a mastery learning science classroom and then shows us how to do it. Using research-based student performance data, Morgan compiles impressive statistics that support her assertion,...  [view full summary] In these pages, Kelly Morgan presents a compelling case for implementing a mastery learning science classroom and then shows us how to do it. Using research-based student performance data, Morgan compiles impressive statistics that support her assertion, “Mastery learning results in improved student learning and motivation.” Showing challenges as well as benefits, this text covers a step-by-step implementation from the traditional classroom to a mastery classroom, along with sample worksheets, checklists, a teacher grading grid, and additional resources. Beginning with the author’s personal experience in Chapter 1, “Why Did I Completely Change My Classroom?” mastery learning is then defined, approached using research-based techniques, and viewed through practical applications that will answer every question a teacher, parent, or principal might have about this methodology. And for the details, a chapter called “How Mastery Learning Might Look” provides a flexible model for readers to use or modify to fit any grade level or content area. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $9.72 Nonmember Price: $11.21 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Uncovering Student Ideas in Science, Volume 4: 25 New Formative Assessment Probes (e-book) By: Page Keeley and Joyce Tugel e-Book Average User Rating: Wouldn't it be helpful to know what your students' ideas are about a science concept before launching into a new lesson or unit? Newly released Uncovering Student Ideas in Science, Volume 4, offers 25 more formative assessment probes to help...  [view full summary] Wouldn't it be helpful to know what your students' ideas are about a science concept before launching into a new lesson or unit? Newly released Uncovering Student Ideas in Science, Volume 4, offers 25 more formative assessment probes to help reveal students' preconceptions of fundamental concepts in science, bringing the total to 100 probes for the popular series by author Page Keeley. Teachers of grades K-12 will find short probes with grade-band specifics that provide easy-to-follow suggestions for addressing students' ideas by promoting learning through conceptual-change instruction. Volume 4 adds to the probes in physical, life, and Earth and space science with a new category called "unifying principles." Also covered is a discussion on balancing formative assessment with summative assessment. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $18.82 Nonmember Price: $21.71 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Making Science Mentors: A 10-Session Guide for Middle Grades (e-Book) By: Bernie Zubrowski, Marian Pasquale, and Vivian Troen e-Book Average User Rating: Many peer-mentoring guides claim to be unique. This one is. It trains middle school science teachers to be effective mentors for other middle school teachers—and does so using a long-term, inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning how...  [view full summary] Many peer-mentoring guides claim to be unique. This one is. It trains middle school science teachers to be effective mentors for other middle school teachers—and does so using a long-term, inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning how to be a more effective science educator. Developed under a grant from the National Science Foundation, the principles of this guide’s procedures and materials were field-tested with 50 mentors and new teachers in a variety of middle schools. Making Science Mentors comes with everything you need to set up and run a comprehensive program: • 10 session-by-session lesson plans • A planning and observation protocol to guide mentor-mentee interaction, both in conferences and during classroom observation • Handouts and citations (on paper and on CD) for use in preparing mentors • Video clips on DVD that show middle grades science classrooms and teacher mentoring Making Science Mentors is ideal if you have state, district, or school-based teacher preparation programs and don’t want to start from scratch when setting up a research-based mentoring system. As the authors promise, “Using this guide, you will master inquiry-based mentoring and share it with mentors, who, in turn, will share it with their mentees, all in the name of improving the classroom experiences—and achievement—of students.” [hide full abstract] Member Price: $19.46 Nonmember Price: $22.46 Grade Level: Middle School

Uncovering Student Ideas in Science, Volume 1: 25 Formative Assessment Probes (e-book) By: Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, and Lynn Farrin e-Book Average User Rating: Before your students can discover accurate science, you need to uncover the preconceptions they already have. This book helps pinpoint what your students know (or think they know) so you can monitor their learning and adjust your teaching accordingly....  [view full summary] Before your students can discover accurate science, you need to uncover the preconceptions they already have. This book helps pinpoint what your students know (or think they know) so you can monitor their learning and adjust your teaching accordingly. Loaded with classroom-friendly features you can use immediately, the book is comprised of 25 “probes”—brief, easily administered activities designed to determine your students’ thinking on 44 core science topics (grouped by light, sound, matter, gravity, heat and temperature, life science, and Earth and space science). The probes are invaluable formative assessment tools to use before you begin teaching a topic or unit. The detailed teacher materials that accompany each probe review science content; give connections to National Science Education Standards and Benchmarks; present developmental considerations; summarize relevant research on learning; and suggest instructional approaches for elementary, middle, and high school students. Other books may discuss students’ general misconceptions about scientific ideas. Only this one provides probes—single, reproducible sheets— you can use to determine students’ thinking about, for example, photosynthesis, moon phases, conservation of matter, reflection, chemical change, and cells. Each probe has been field-tested with hundreds of students across multiple grade levels, so they’re proven effective for helping your students reexamine and further develop their understanding of science concepts. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $18.82 Nonmember Price: $21.71 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Uncovering Student Ideas in Science, Volume 2: 25 More Formative Assessment Probes (e-Book) By: Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, and Joyce Tugel e-Book Average User Rating: If Hollywood filmed this sequel, the studio would call it “Probes II: More Battles Against Misunderstandings.” Like the blockbuster before it, Volume 2 will reveal the surprising misconceptions students bring to the classroom—so you can adjust your teaching...  [view full summary] If Hollywood filmed this sequel, the studio would call it “Probes II: More Battles Against Misunderstandings.” Like the blockbuster before it, Volume 2 will reveal the surprising misconceptions students bring to the classroom—so you can adjust your teaching to foster a sound understanding of science. The popular features from Volume 1 are all here. The field-tested probes are short, easy to administer, and ready to reproduce. Teacher materials explain science content and suggest grade-appropriate ways to present information. But Volume 2 covers more life science and Earth and space science probes. New topics include forms of matter, changes in matter, living things and life processes, rocks and landforms, the day/night cycle, and objects in the night sky. Volume 2 also suggests ways to embed the probes throughout your instruction, not just when starting a unit or topic. This new classroom tool will help you not only uncover students’ existing ideas, but also use that knowledge to improve your teaching and advance student understanding of science concepts. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $18.82 Nonmember Price: $21.71 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Project Earth Science: Astronomy, Revised 2nd Edition (e-book) By: Geoff Holt and Nancy W. West e-Book Average User Rating: How well can your students … • Illustrate the reason for Earth’s seasons? • Explain how far a light year is? • Simulate the phases of the Moon? • Describe the effects of greenhouse gases? • Connect astronomy to other Earth...  [view full summary] How well can your students … • Illustrate the reason for Earth’s seasons? • Explain how far a light year is? • Simulate the phases of the Moon? • Describe the effects of greenhouse gases? • Connect astronomy to other Earth system science? Project Earth Science: Astronomy, Revised 2nd Edition, involves students in activities that focus on Earth’s position in our solar system. How do we measure astronomical distances? How can we look back in time as we gaze across vast distances in space? How would our planet be different without its particular atmosphere and distance to our star? What are the geometries among Earth, the Moon, and the Sun that yield lunar phases and seasons? Students explore these concepts and others in 11 teacher-tested activities. Background materials for students and teachers, detailed and illustrated procedures for doing activities, and supplemental resources provide students and teachers with tools to understand Earth as one planet among many in our solar system—and universe. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $21.42 Nonmember Price: $24.71 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Everyday Science Mysteries: Stories for Inquiry-Based Science Teaching (e-book) By: Richard Konicek-Moran e-Book Average User Rating: What causes condensation? Does temperature affect how well a balloon will fly? How do tiny bugs get into oatmeal? Through 15 mystery stories, this book memorably illustrates science concepts for students and reinforces the value of learning science through...  [view full summary] What causes condensation? Does temperature affect how well a balloon will fly? How do tiny bugs get into oatmeal? Through 15 mystery stories, this book memorably illustrates science concepts for students and reinforces the value of learning science through inquiry. Each mystery presents opportunities for students to create questions, form hypotheses, test their ideas, and come up with explanations. Focused on concepts such as periodic motion, thermodynamics, temperature and energy, and sound, these mysteries draw students into the stories by grounding them in experiences students are familiar with, providing them with a foundation for classroom discussion and inquiry. The story format is used because it is one of the most effective ways to engage students’ attention right from the start. Each chapter includes a list of science concepts explored, targeted strategies for using the stories with children in grades K–4 and with older students in grades 5–8, and a key matching story concepts with corresponding standards in the NSES. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $16.87 Nonmember Price: $19.46 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School

The Story of Science Classroom Companion: Einstein Adds a New Dimension (e-Book) By: Juliana Texley e-Book Average User Rating: The Story of Science Classroom Companion is a boon for teachers who choose master storyteller Joy Hakim’s Einstein Adds a New Dimension as a primary or supplemental physics text. Hakim’s newest title in The Story of Science...  [view full summary] The Story of Science Classroom Companion is a boon for teachers who choose master storyteller Joy Hakim’s Einstein Adds a New Dimension as a primary or supplemental physics text. Hakim’s newest title in The Story of Science series brings to life the history of Albert Einstein and his fellow scientists as they lay the groundwork for concepts of particle physics and quantum mechanics. The Classroom Companion, which includes editions for both teachers and students, follows Hakim’s text chapter by chapter and provides teaching tips, lists of key vocabulary words, activities, writing prompts, additional online and print resources, and more. Free to NSTA members, this easily downloaded e-book will help classroom teachers and parents of homeschoolers use Hakim’s outstanding Einstein Adds a New Dimension to integrate science process with science literacy. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: $9.95 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Energy: Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach it (e-Book) By: William C. Robertson, Ph.D. e-Book Average User Rating: Confounded by kinetic energy? Suspect that teaching about simple machines isn’t really so simple? Exasperated by electricity? If you fear the study of energy is beyond you, this entertaining book will do more than introduce you to the topic. It will...  [view full summary] Confounded by kinetic energy? Suspect that teaching about simple machines isn’t really so simple? Exasperated by electricity? If you fear the study of energy is beyond you, this entertaining book will do more than introduce you to the topic. It will help you actually understand it. At the book’s heart are easy-to-grasp explanations of energy basics—work, kinetic energy, potential energy, and the transformation of energy—and energy as it relates to simple machines, heat energy, temperature, and heat transfer. Irreverent author Bill Robertson suggests activities that bring the basic concepts of energy to life with common household objects. Each chapter ends with a summary and an applications section that uses practical examples such as roller coasters and home heating systems to explain energy transformations and convection cells. The final chapter brings together key concepts in an easy-to-grasp explanation of how electricity is generated. Energy is the second book in the Stop Faking It! series published by NSTA Press. Titles in the series are written with clarity, creative flair, and special empathy for science teachers and parents in search of a stress-free way to learn the basics. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $16.22 Nonmember Price: $18.71 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School