NSTA - National Science Teachers Association

Science From the Heart By: Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan A chapter from Teaching Science Through Trade Books Average User Rating: It's a fact: kids today are less fit than they were only a generation ago. Many are showing early signs of cardiovascular risk factors such as physical inactivity, excess weight, and higher blood cholesterol. Now more than ever, it is important to teach...  [view full summary] It's a fact: kids today are less fit than they were only a generation ago. Many are showing early signs of cardiovascular risk factors such as physical inactivity, excess weight, and higher blood cholesterol. Now more than ever, it is important to teach children how to keep their hearts healthy. The books and activities, in this chapter, engage students in simple heart investigations and help them learn that regular physical activity can promote heart health. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School

Cloud Watchers By: Emily Morgan, Karen Ansberry, and Colleen Phillips-Birdsong A chapter from Teaching Science Through Trade Books Average User Rating: Weather is a topic in science that is applicable to our lives on an everyday basis. The weather often determines what we wear, where we go, and what we do. The activities here focus on clouds and the part they play in determining our weather. In the...  [view full summary] Weather is a topic in science that is applicable to our lives on an everyday basis. The weather often determines what we wear, where we go, and what we do. The activities here focus on clouds and the part they play in determining our weather. In the K–3 lesson, students learn about different cloud types and sculpt each type out of shaving cream. In the lesson for grades 4–6, students learn about Luke Howard—the man responsible for naming clouds—and then investigate clouds by collecting real data for NASA’s S’COOL project (see Internet Resource). This sample chapter also included the Table of Contents, National Science Education Standards: Content Standards K–4, Content Standards 5–8, Alignment With A Framework for K–12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas, and Index. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Elementary School

Imaginative Inventions By: Christine Anne Royce A chapter from Teaching Science Through Trade Books Average User Rating: Invention assists students in understanding the relationships between the individual subjects of STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The playful nature of this chapter's trade books adds that additional spark of creativity...  [view full summary] Invention assists students in understanding the relationships between the individual subjects of STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The playful nature of this chapter's trade books adds that additional spark of creativity that is needed in the invention process. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School

Secrets of Flight By: Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan A chapter from Teaching Science Through Trade Books Average User Rating: The date was December 17, 1903. The place was a windswept beach near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. With Orville Wright at the controls and his brother Wilbur running alongside, the plane took off. This event lasted only 12 seconds, but it made history as...  [view full summary] The date was December 17, 1903. The place was a windswept beach near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. With Orville Wright at the controls and his brother Wilbur running alongside, the plane took off. This event lasted only 12 seconds, but it made history as the first successful sustained flight by a human-powered aircraft. The Wright brothers had uncovered the secrets of flight. In this chapter, students explore the history of flight and use problem-solving skills to improve the flight distances and flight times of paper gliders. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School

Rock Solid Science By: Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan A chapter from Teaching Science Through Trade Books Average User Rating: Children are naturally curious about the world around them, including the rocks beneath their feet. By observing, describing, and sorting a variety of rocks, students can discover that rocks have certain physical properties by which they can be classified....  [view full summary] Children are naturally curious about the world around them, including the rocks beneath their feet. By observing, describing, and sorting a variety of rocks, students can discover that rocks have certain physical properties by which they can be classified. This chapter takes a fun approach to learning about the properties, uses, and formation of rocks. Students in grades K–3 explore the properties and uses of their own “pet rock,” while students in grades 4–6 investigate “rock stories.” [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School

Rocking Around the Rock Cycle By: Christine Anne Royce A chapter from Teaching Science Through Trade Books Average User Rating: “What type of rock is this?” is a common question spoken by all children at some point in their young lives. Many students have rocks of all shapes and sizes in their “collections.” In this chapter, young students will have the opportunity to explore...  [view full summary] “What type of rock is this?” is a common question spoken by all children at some point in their young lives. Many students have rocks of all shapes and sizes in their “collections.” In this chapter, young students will have the opportunity to explore more in depth as they make observations of the three types of rocks—igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Upper-grade students who have some previous study of rocks can use these books to review what they know of the rock cycle. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School

Whoo Eats What? By: Emily Morgan and Karen Ansberry A chapter from Teaching Science Through Trade Books Average User Rating: Owls are fascination birds of prey. These nocturnal hunters are sometimes heard but rarely seen, making them even more intriguing and mysterious. These lessons feature two stories about owls. In both lessons, students dissect owl pellets to learn more...  [view full summary] Owls are fascination birds of prey. These nocturnal hunters are sometimes heard but rarely seen, making them even more intriguing and mysterious. These lessons feature two stories about owls. In both lessons, students dissect owl pellets to learn more about an owl’s diet. The stories, along with the pellet dissection, provide a context for student to learn about energy transfer from one living thing to another. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School

Antarctic Adaptations By: Christine Anne Royce A chapter from Teaching Science Through Trade Books Average User Rating: When students think of cold weather, they often think of mittens, snowflakes, and penguins! In this chapter, celebrate those tuxedo-clad birds that have come to symbolize winter and provides students with the opportunity to investigate adaptations that...  [view full summary] When students think of cold weather, they often think of mittens, snowflakes, and penguins! In this chapter, celebrate those tuxedo-clad birds that have come to symbolize winter and provides students with the opportunity to investigate adaptations that help penguins survive in their environment. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School

Science Measures Up By: Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan A chapter from Teaching Science Through Trade Books Average User Rating: Can you measure a dog’s tail in dog biscuits? Can you measure a desk without a ruler? Which is better: measuring a room in paces or meters? Which system of measurement do scientists use? This chapter explores these questions and more to help learners...  [view full summary] Can you measure a dog’s tail in dog biscuits? Can you measure a desk without a ruler? Which is better: measuring a room in paces or meters? Which system of measurement do scientists use? This chapter explores these questions and more to help learners understand why we use standard systems of measurement. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School

Seeing and Sorting Seashells By: Christine Anne Royce A chapter from Teaching Science Through Trade Books Students often become wistful for summer once the school year starts. Why not initiate a seashell classification activity to rekindle their interest in science and learning! Children love to handle and examine shells at any time of the year—with these...  [view full summary] Students often become wistful for summer once the school year starts. Why not initiate a seashell classification activity to rekindle their interest in science and learning! Children love to handle and examine shells at any time of the year—with these favorite nature objects, you often can’t get kids to stop talking and sharing their observations about them! Whether working with commercially purchased shells or treasured collections of your own, students will delight in seeing how each shell is unique but can be connected to many others through classifications based on its characteristics. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School