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  • Why Use Trade Books to Teach Science?

    Book Chapter |

    One of the most compelling reasons to use picture books to each science concepts is that picture books are highly engaging to students of all ages. This chapter describes what exactly is a trade book as well as some of…

  • Secrets of Flight

    Book Chapter |

    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…

  • Flick a Switch

    Book Chapter |

    When students flick on lights, boot up a computer, or turn on a television, do they think about how that energy is produced? The majority of electricity in the United States is generated from power plants that burn…

  • The Wonder of Water

    Book Chapter |

    Water is an extraordinary substance that we often take for granted. Not only is it what makes our planet uniquely habitable, water is the only substance on Earth that naturally occurs in three different forms. In this…

  • Kitchen Chemistry

    Book Chapter |

    The kitchen is a wondrous place for children to make observations and explore the basics of chemistry. Seize the opportunity and help students build process skills while cooking or baking. Almost everything we eat and…

  • Secrets of Seeds

    Book Chapter |

    From a tiny radish seed to a giant coconut, seeds come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. They all share one amazing secret: the potential to grow into a new plant when conditions are right. In this chapter, students…

  • Pumpkins!

    Book Chapter |

    Walk through any elementary school in the fall and you are bound to see students learning about pumpkins. Kids of all ages are fascinated by these versatile, edible members of the gourd family. Pumpkins are interesting…

  • Flower Power

    Book Chapter |

    Summer means flowers are in bloom! Each flowering plant produces a unique bloom that provides opportunities for students to make observations about plants. By comparing and contrasting flowers, students can connect…

  • Crazy for Loco Beans

    Book Chapter |

    Do you remember your amazement the first time you watched a Mexican jumping bean hop around in the palm of your hand? Investigating "jumping beans" is a unique way to get your students engaged in scientific inquiry.…

  • Seeing and Sorting Seashells

    Book Chapter |

    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…

  • Unusual Creatures

    Book Chapter |

    Triops, also called tadpole shrimp, are tiny aquatic animals that are easy to raise and fun to watch. Their rapid growth rate, underwater acrobatics, and entertaining feeding behaviors make these inexpensive and readily…

  • Thought-Provoking Questions

    Book Chapter |

    Why, what, and how: Three words that young students often speak when they are full of questions about activities and experiences in their daily lives. Helping students clarify their thought processes and ask a question…

  • Can You See Me Now?

    Book Chapter |

    “You can’t see me” is a popular childhood taunt, and although young children may not understand that hiding in plain sight does not conceal them, it does connect with a lesson about camouflage. In this chapter, students…

  • Survival Skills

    Book Chapter |

    Animals have many adaptations that help them survive in their environment and meet their special needs of food and shelter. This chapter focuses on two such adaptations: camouflage and beaks.

  • Antarctic Adaptations

    Book Chapter |

    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…

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