NSTA - National Science Teachers Association

Rocks and Soils By: Steve Rich A chapter from Bringing Outdoor Science In: Thrifty Classroom Lessons Average User Rating: Rocks and soil are indeed a part of everyday life and an important component of a complete science curriculum. Use the lessons in this chapter to introduce students to rocks and soils in their local area and beyond. The lessons in this chapter are Exploring...  [view full summary] Rocks and soil are indeed a part of everyday life and an important component of a complete science curriculum. Use the lessons in this chapter to introduce students to rocks and soils in their local area and beyond. The lessons in this chapter are Exploring Local Rocks, Characteristics of Rocks, Making a Rock Collection, How Humans Use Rocks, Characteristics of Soils, Soils From Here and There, Earth’s Changing Surface, Erosion, and Barrier Islands. This sample chapter also includes the Table of Contents, Preface, Correlation to National Science Education Standards, Safety Notes, and Index. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School

Insects By: Steve Rich A chapter from Bringing Outdoor Science In: Thrifty Classroom Lessons For no other reason than their sheer numbers, insects warrant a chapter in a book on outdoor science. Many species of insects have survived for millions of years, and in some ways remain unchanged. They are a real success story in the natural world. Use...  [view full summary] For no other reason than their sheer numbers, insects warrant a chapter in a book on outdoor science. Many species of insects have survived for millions of years, and in some ways remain unchanged. They are a real success story in the natural world. Use the lessons in this chapter to shape a unit on insects or to support instruction in a larger instructional unit on animals. Creating a “bug zoo” in your classroom gives students opportunities to see animal behaviors over a period of time, and perhaps even to design their own experiments and draw parallels between insects and other animals. At the very least, it may help students gain a greater appreciation for insects and make them think twice before succumbing to the human urge to immediately destroy insects on sight. Lessons in this chapter include: • Bug Zoo • Observing Insect Behavior • Insect Food Chain Predators of Insects • What’s the Difference Between a Spider, an Earthworm, and an Insect? • Fly, Hop, or Walk • How Insects Help Humans • Plants as a Habitat for Insects • Insect Metamorphosis • Pollination Nation • Wearing a Skeleton on the Outside [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School

Greening the School By: Steve Rich A chapter from Bringing Outdoor Science In: Thrifty Classroom Lessons Teaching about the natural, outdoor environment indoors can be done well, but it can be even more effective if the indoor environment is nature-friendly or “green” (to use the current lingo). Just trying to teach the value of a tree, for instance, seems...  [view full summary] Teaching about the natural, outdoor environment indoors can be done well, but it can be even more effective if the indoor environment is nature-friendly or “green” (to use the current lingo). Just trying to teach the value of a tree, for instance, seems a little more difficult if done in an atmosphere of paper waste. The lessons in this chapter may be used at the beginning of the school year to establish a culture of “going green” for the entire school year. Another logical time of year to consider a unit of these lessons would be the period surrounding Earth Day. Although these lessons do not constitute an entire unit, together they can help you launch an Earth Day unit or school recycling/ greening program. Lessons covered in this chapter are: • Recycling School Paper • Going Paperless • Composting Cafeteria Waste • Using Solar Energy • Saving Electricity • Saving Water • Reuse! • Helping Teachers Recycle More • Encouraging Recycling at Home • Community Cleanup Project [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School

Plants By: Steve Rich A chapter from Bringing Outdoor Science In: Thrifty Classroom Lessons Life on Earth as we know it is dependent on plants. This chapter will help you provide some of these initial experiences for students, but these lessons certainly do not constitute a complete unit on the plant kingdom. In each lesson, students will manipulate...  [view full summary] Life on Earth as we know it is dependent on plants. This chapter will help you provide some of these initial experiences for students, but these lessons certainly do not constitute a complete unit on the plant kingdom. In each lesson, students will manipulate some part of a plant or make direct observations, and this will be much more likely to ignite student learning than reading about plants in a textbook. Lessons in this chapter include: • How Plants Use Water • What Plants Get From Different Soils • Comparing Leaves • Comparing Seeds • Flowering Plant Dissection • Carnivorous Plant Dissection • How Humans Use Plants • Using Plants to Make Dyes [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School

In the Sky By: Steve Rich A chapter from Bringing Outdoor Science In: Thrifty Classroom Lessons The lessons in this chapter touch on the major topics that can be addressed on this subject, but they only represent a small portion of what can be accomplished through engaging students in thoughtful observations of both the day and night skies. The...  [view full summary] The lessons in this chapter touch on the major topics that can be addressed on this subject, but they only represent a small portion of what can be accomplished through engaging students in thoughtful observations of both the day and night skies. The sky is literally the limit. Lessons in this chapter include: • Clouds and Precipitation • The Sun and Its Impact on Earth • How Stars Can Guide Us • Our Solar System • Flying Animals • Air Pollution • How Does Wind Help Us? [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School

Water By: Steve Rich A chapter from Bringing Outdoor Science In: Thrifty Classroom Lessons Where does water go when it flows down a river? Can water move land? What is the most effective way to use water to grow plants? These are just a few of the questions that students can explore with the lessons in this chapter. No matter how “deep” the...  [view full summary] Where does water go when it flows down a river? Can water move land? What is the most effective way to use water to grow plants? These are just a few of the questions that students can explore with the lessons in this chapter. No matter how “deep” the curriculum on water studies, this topic is important for all people on Earth. Knowing how to harness water’s power, keep it clean, understand its flow, and respect its power will help all students develop the level of understanding needed to sustain and even improve the quality of water in their communities. Lessons in this chapter include: • Earth’s Water Cycle • Polymers—Helping Soil Hold Water • Using Water to Harness Energy • Versus Salt Water • Animals That Live in Water • Measuring Water for a Day • Droughts • Is There Water in Fruit? [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: