NSTA - National Science Teachers Association

Everyday Earth and Space Science Mysteries: Stories for Inquiry-Based Science Teaching By: Richard Konicek-Moran NSTA Press Book Average User Rating: What are the odds that a meteor will hit your house? Do you actually get more sunlight from Daylight Saving Time? Where do puddles go? By presenting everyday mysteries like these, this book will motivate your students to carry out hands-on science investigations...  [view full summary] What are the odds that a meteor will hit your house? Do you actually get more sunlight from Daylight Saving Time? Where do puddles go? By presenting everyday mysteries like these, this book will motivate your students to carry out hands-on science investigations and actually care about the results. These 19 open-ended mysteries focus exclusively on Earth and space science, including astronomy, energy, climate, and geology. The stories come with lists of science concepts to explore, grade-appropriate strategies for using them, and explanations of how the lessons align with national standards. They also relieve you of the tiring work of designing inquiry lessons from scratch. “What makes this book so special is the unique way science is integrated into the story line, using characters and situations children can easily identify with.”—Page Keeley, author of the NSTA Press series Uncovering Student Ideas in Science [hide full abstract] Member Price: $20.76 Nonmember Price: $25.95 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School

Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers: Using Nonfiction to Promote Science Literacy, Grades 3–5 By: Jessica Fries-Gaither and Terry Shiverdecker NSTA Press Book Average User Rating: In Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers, science educators Jessica Fries-Gaither and Terry Shiverdecker help teachers blend literacy into elementary science instruction. This unique book will show teachers how to teach science using a variety...  [view full summary] In Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers, science educators Jessica Fries-Gaither and Terry Shiverdecker help teachers blend literacy into elementary science instruction. This unique book will show teachers how to teach science using a variety of nonfiction text sets (such as field guides, reference books, and narrative expository texts) and replace individual lessons with a learning-cycle format (including hands-on investigations, readings, directed discussion, and problem solving). Research-based and teacher-friendly, Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers shows how inquiry can engage your students in reading nonfiction texts, discussing important science concepts, and writing to both develop understanding and share information. Here are some of the book’s special features: • Eight units covering life, physical, Earth, and space science—from “Drip Drop Detectives: Exposing the Water Cycle” to “Classroom Curling: Exploring Forces and Motion” to “Beaks and Biomes: Understanding Adaptation in Migrating Organisms.” Two additional units cover the nature of science. All units have been classroom-tested for effectiveness and align with the National Science Education Standards and the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. • Detailed scientific background, common misconceptions associated with the content, an annotated list of the texts in the text set, safety considerations, reproducible student pages, and suggested assessments. • Authentic, inquiry-based contexts for reading, writing, and discussion through read-alouds, collaborative activities, graphic organizers, and writing prompts. Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers will change the way you think about engaging your students. The authors show that it’s possible to integrate literacy into elementary-level science instruction without sacrificing quality in either area. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $30.36 Nonmember Price: $37.95 Grade Level: Elementary School

Uncovering Student Ideas in Astronomy: 45 New Formative Assessment Probes By: Page Keeley and Cary Sneider NSTA Press Book Average User Rating: What do your students know—or think they know—about what causes night and day, why days are shorter in winter, and how to tell a planet from a star? Find out with this book on astronomy, the latest in NSTA’s popular Uncovering Student Ideas in Science...  [view full summary] What do your students know—or think they know—about what causes night and day, why days are shorter in winter, and how to tell a planet from a star? Find out with this book on astronomy, the latest in NSTA’s popular Uncovering Student Ideas in Science series. The 45 astronomy probes provide situations that will pique your students’ interest while helping you understand how your students think about key ideas related to the universe and how it operates. The book is organized into five sections: the Nature of Planet Earth; the Sun-Earth System; Modeling the Moon; Dynamic Solar System; and Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe. As the authors note, it’s not always easy to help students untangle mistaken ideas. Using this powerful set of tools to identify students’ preconceptions is an excellent first step to helping your students achieve scientific understanding. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $29.56 Nonmember Price: $36.95 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Science Formative Assessment: 75 Practical Strategies for Linking Assessment, Instruction, and Learning By: Page Keeley NSTA Press Book Average User Rating: Use assessment to inform instruction and learning in the science classroom! Science education expert Page Keeley shares 75 specific techniques that help K–12 science teachers determine students’ understanding of key concepts and design learning opportunities...  [view full summary] Use assessment to inform instruction and learning in the science classroom! Science education expert Page Keeley shares 75 specific techniques that help K–12 science teachers determine students’ understanding of key concepts and design learning opportunities that will deepen students’ mastery of content and standards. This book describes how each technique promotes student learning; considerations for design and implementation, such as required materials, timing, modeling the technique, and grouping students; modifications for different types of students or purposes; and ways the techniques can be used in other content areas. These flexible assessments can be used with any science curriculum. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $30.36 Nonmember Price: $37.95 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

More Everyday Science Mysteries: Stories for Inquiry-Based Science Teaching By: Richard Konicek-Moran NSTA Press 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: $20.76 Nonmember Price: $25.95 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School

Inquiry: The Key to Exemplary Science Edited by: Robert E. Yager NSTA Press Book Average User Rating: Science teachers aiming to foster inquiry in their classrooms will find the sixth title in the Exemplary Science monograph series, Inquiry: The Key to Exemplary Science full of helpful advice and new techniques. The 18 chapters in...  [view full summary] Science teachers aiming to foster inquiry in their classrooms will find the sixth title in the Exemplary Science monograph series, Inquiry: The Key to Exemplary Science full of helpful advice and new techniques. The 18 chapters in this monograph illustrate various forms of inquiry, offer detailed examples of planning and execution, and provide case studies highlighting successful implementation of inquiry. Student learning, development of positive attitudes, the ability to use concepts and skills in completely new situations are all demonstrated for use in your classroom. The National Science Education Standards call “for every student (every year) to experience the richness and excitement of knowing and understanding the natural world.” Editor Robert Yager notes that “in one sense, inquiry can be used as a synonym for science. Both include starting with questions, collecting evidence concerning the explanations offered, and arguing with others about the validity of the explanations. Science is a continuing quest for better understanding of the natural universe. This quest is inquiry! [hide full abstract] Member Price: $11.96 Nonmember Price: $14.95 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Light: Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It By: William C. Robertson, Ph.D. NSTA Press Book Average User Rating: Why is left right and right left in the mirror? Baffled by the basics of reflection and refraction? Wondering just how the eye works? If you have trouble teaching concepts about light that you don’t fully grasp yourself, get help from a book that’s both...  [view full summary] Why is left right and right left in the mirror? Baffled by the basics of reflection and refraction? Wondering just how the eye works? If you have trouble teaching concepts about light that you don’t fully grasp yourself, get help from a book that’s both scientifically accurate and entertaining—with Light. By combining clear explanations, clever drawings, and activities that use easy-to-find materials, this book covers what science teachers and parents need to know to teach about light with confidence. It uses ray, wave, and particle models of light to explain the basics of reflection and refraction, optical instruments, polarization of light, and interference and diffraction. There’s also an entire chapter on how the eye works. Each chapter ends with a Summary and Applications section that reinforces concepts with everyday examples. Whether you need a deeper understanding of how light bends or a good explanation of why the sky is blue, you’ll find Light more illuminating and accessible than a college textbook—and certainly more fun. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $19.96 Nonmember Price: $24.95 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School

The Story of Science: Einstein Adds a New Dimension By: Joy Hakim NSTA Press Book Average User Rating: Now, it’s time for your students to look over Albert Einstein’s shoulder as he develops a new kind of physics that points the way to more recent theories of particle physics and quantum mechanics. Joy Hakim will demonstrate how scientific thoughts today...  [view full summary] Now, it’s time for your students to look over Albert Einstein’s shoulder as he develops a new kind of physics that points the way to more recent theories of particle physics and quantum mechanics. Joy Hakim will demonstrate how scientific thoughts today are often written in the language of mathematics, such as E=mc2, and explains clearly what this means. Students will learn why relativity and quantum theory are perhaps the most important ideas in modern science, maybe of all time. This is the third book in the Story of Science series. The book is full-color throughout. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $15.96 Nonmember Price: $19.95 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Force and Motion: Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It By: William C. Robertson, Ph.D. NSTA Press Book Average User Rating: Intimidated by inertia? Frightened by forces? Mystified by Newton’s law of motion? You’re not alone—and help is at hand. The stop Faking It! Series is perfect for science teachers, home-schoolers, parents wanting to help with homework—all of you who need...  [view full summary] Intimidated by inertia? Frightened by forces? Mystified by Newton’s law of motion? You’re not alone—and help is at hand. The stop Faking It! Series is perfect for science teachers, home-schoolers, parents wanting to help with homework—all of you who need a jargon-free way to learn the background for teaching middle school physical science with confidence. With Bill Roberton as your friendly, able—but somewhat irreverent—guide, you will discover you CAN come to grips with the basics of force and motion. Combining easy-to-understand explanations with activities using commonly found equipment, this book will lead you through Newton’s laws to the physics of space travel. The book is as entertaining as it is informative. Best of all, the author understands the needs of adults who want concrete examples, hands-on activities, clear language, diagrams—and yes, a certain amount of empathy. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $19.96 Nonmember Price: $24.95 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School

Activities Linking Science With Math, K-4 By: John Eichinger NSTA Press Book Average User Rating: Science does not exist in a vacuum and, therefore, shouldn’t be taught that way. In that spirit, Activities Linking Science With Math, K-4, is a hands-on guide for preservice and inservice elementary school teachers who want to connect science...  [view full summary] Science does not exist in a vacuum and, therefore, shouldn’t be taught that way. In that spirit, Activities Linking Science With Math, K-4, is a hands-on guide for preservice and inservice elementary school teachers who want to connect science instruction with other areas of study—including visual arts, social sciences, language arts, and especially math. The 20 discovery-based and academically rigorous activities provided in this volume enrich students’ awareness of the world around them, encourage their natural curiosity, and promote the development of their problem-solving skills. The lessons—such as "Digging Into Soil," "Exploring the Mysteries of Fingerprints," and "What Makes a Boat Float?"—are teacher friendly, too, requiring no advanced expertise in any subject area and using only inexpensive and easily accessible materials. Each includes a list of needed materials, a step-by-step procedure, discussion questions, and assessment techniques. Activities align with the latest national standards for both science and math and cover topics from all scientific disciplines. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $23.16 Nonmember Price: $28.95 Grade Level: Elementary School