Archive for the 'physical science' Category

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: The Periodic Table: Elements with Style!

Published by Stephanie on September 7, 2009 in physical science and book review. 0 Comments

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The periodic table??? Are you kidding me?  I never in a million years would have told someone I thought the periodic table could  be interesting, much less FUN!  The Periodic Table, Elements with Style! created by Basher and written by Adrian Dingle does the impossible, it makes you want to keep flipping through the pages to learn more about the different characters in the periodic table.
The book opens with a colorfully illustrated periodic table which is SO much more appealing than the standard, extremely drab periodic table, see for yourself!

Standard Periodic Table:

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(Image courtesy of: http://www.bpc.edu)

Each element has its own personal style, personality, and first person explanation of their properties.  The colorful illustrations and unique approach make each element identifiable and memorable in a way that could never be accomplished in a traditional approach.

Curriculum Connections
According to the SOL’s students won’t really start focusing on the elements at this level until 5th grade and therefore this would be an excellent addition to the lessons surrounding SOL 5.4 which covers key concepts about atoms, elements, molecules, and compounds.  However, I believe this would be a great book to have available to younger students even as early as 2nd and 3rd grade.  The illustrations and the easy flow of the first-person narrative would be great for a student who has an advanced interest in science or is simply a little bit ahead of some of their classmates.

Additional Resources

  • For really advanced students, they can try their hand at this Element Hangman.
  • This lesson plan from Instructorweb.com gives instructions for created WANTED posters for a specific element.  This would work well in conjunction with The Periodic Table, Elements with Style! since each element already has a distinct attitude.
  • The Hobby Shop provides a way for students to explore and experiment a little bit on their own.

Book: The Periodic Table, Elements with Style!
Author: Adrian Dingle
Illustrator: Created by Basher
Publisher: Kingfisher
Publication Date: May 23,2007
Pages: 128
Grade Range: 3 -College :)
ISBN: 978-0753460856

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: Forces Make Things Move

Published by Sarah on September 7, 2009 in physical science, book review, science and Uncategorized. 0 Comments

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Forces Make Things Move, written by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and illustrated by Paul Meisel, is from the “Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out” series (stage 2) which explores more challenging concepts for kids in the primary grades. The idea of invisible forces (such as friction and gravity) might be somewhat abstract to children, but since they experience them everyday, this book relates the concepts to them in an easier way to understand.  The story begins by explaining how pushing and pulling is a force, and how an object’s weight affects force.

“It’s why a breeze can’t blow your family’s car off the driveway. Other things, like leaves and papers and hats, don’t weigh very much. Even tiny forces can make them fly around. A little wind makes enough forces to make them move. But if your big brother is lying on the living room couch, you’re going to have to push pretty hard to force him off” (p. 8-9).

The second part of learning about forces and movement, is discovering what makes things stop.  Why won’t your toy car just keep going forever if it doesn’t hit anything to make it stop? This is the concept of FRICTION.  The book continues to explain about how different surfaces, including air and space, have more or less friction.

The final section of the book describes gravity. Kids don’t often wonder why they walk on the ground instead of the ceiling, but Forces Make Things Move explains how big of a force the earth exerts on objects. “Gravity is such a part of our everyday lives that you probably don’t even think about it. If you spill a glass of milk, you expect it to spill down, onto the floor, rather than up, onto the ceiling” (p. 27).

Like any good science book, the end of the story includes a science experiment for kids.  It is a very simple experiment about friction where the student uses a toy car and a ramp with different materials (sandpaper, towel, waxed paper, ect.) placed at the end. The student then decides which material has more friction and why.

Curriculum Connections
This book could be used as early as first grade to discuss force as pushes and pulls, using objects like toy cars (VA SOL 1.2).  By grade four, the children could read and understand this book on their own, and it will support the learning of how forces cause changes in motion, as well as the investigation of friction as an opposing force (VA SOL 4.2).

Additional Resources

  • This list is a good compilation of the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series (stage 2) books, and is also located on a “book club” blog which could be used as a great resource for any teacher who is looking for books to use in the classroom.
  • Here is a website that is filled with a plethora of energy and motion experiments for kids of all ages!
  • Science Online has been organized as a list of grade-specific links on force and motion computer activities and lesson plans.

Book: Forces Make Things Move
Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Publisher: Collins
Publication Date: August, 2005
Pages: 35
Grade Range: 1-4
ISBN: 006445214X

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean

Published by Kristin on September 7, 2009 in physical science and book review. 0 Comments

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If you’re searching for a traditional picture book (not too technical or difficult to read aloud) to incorporate into a science lesson, Arthur Dorros’s Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean is worth looking into.  This “Let’s-Read-And-Find-Out” book uses simple language and adorable illustrations to discuss how water makes its way to the ocean, and includes other science concepts along the way.

The book begins in a rainstorm and from there launches into an explanation of how and why water droplets form puddles, and eventually brooks, which flow into streams, which flow into rivers, and into the ocean.   Dorros does a wonderful job of making connections between the science concepts presented and everyday life.  For example, he writes, “Water always flows downhill.  It flows from high places to low places, just the way you and your skateboard move down a hill.”  The main idea behind the book is how (and where) water flows, but other concepts are included, as well, which gives teachers flexibility regarding how they incorporate it into their lessons. Plant and animal life, conservation and pollution issues, and even the Grand Canyon are mentioned, making this book a great choice for a variety of lesson topics.

Curriculum Connections
Follow the River from Brook to Ocean is appropriate for children in the primary grades, and might be expanded upon with additional discussion for older children.  It’s great for SOL K.5, which focuses on water flow and the properties of water, and could also be used with K.10, which addresses water conservation.  Because it does mention lots of different water-related concepts, the text is conducive to class discussion and might be a great way to introduce a variety of science lessons.

Additional Resources

  • Arthur Dorros’s website is a handy resource to find more information about his book series, video interviews, as well as fun activities to try in the classroom.
  • TypeAMom.net, used by homeschooling parents, offers a variety of hands-on activities involving water that would be easy to duplicate in a classroom.
  • This in-class activity combines lots of different science concepts involving H2O including water flow, pollution, color mixing, and the effects of salt on ice.

Book: Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean
Author/Illustrator: Arthur Dorros
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: May 1993
Pages: 32
Grade Range: K-3
ISBN: 0064451151

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: What Is the World Made Of? (All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases)

Published by Jennifer K. on September 7, 2009 in physical science and book review. 0 Comments

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What Is the World Made Of? (All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases) by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld, and illustrated by Paul Meisel, is a great resource to use when exploring matter.  The book begins by explaining what matter is in terms children can readily understand.  “Walls and blocks, dolls and socks.  Milk and lemonade.  Rocks and trees.  All these things are made of matter” (page 6).  After reviewing the basic definition of matter, the book goes on to discuss the three different states of matter; solid, liquid and gas.  Zoehfeld does an excellent job making matter understandable to children.

“Liquids have no shape.  You pour a glass of milk for your little sister, and the milk takes on the shape of the glass.  If she knocks it over, the milk spreads out on the tabletop…Milk is not round or square-it has no shape” (page 12).

After thoroughly explaining each state of matter, the book discusses how matter can change states (ie: from liquid to gas, liquid to solid).  The book provides examples of changes in states of matter, making the subject understandable for the elementary school reader.

Curriculum Connections
What Is the World Made Of? is appropriate for use in the kindergarten and second grade curricula.  The entire book would be a great tool to use when discussing that water occurs in three states; solid, liquid and gas (SOL K.5 a).  What Is the World Made of? can also be used at a more advanced level, when students study matter in greater depth.  Pages 9-16 provide a clear and concise explaination of the basic properties of solids, liquids, and gases (SOL 2.3).  Additionally, pages 19-27 tie in perfectly when discussing processes involved with changes in matter from one state to another (SOL 2.3 b). 

Additional Resources

  • This Oobleck experiment is a fun and interesting way for students to further investigate solids and liquids.
  • This worksheet can be used to review the states of matter.
  • This online game is an interactive way to see if children are grasping the concept of matter.

Book: What Is the World Made Of? (All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases)
Author: Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 1998
Pages: 28
Grade Range: K-2
ISBN: 978-0-06-445163-5

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: Tires, Spokes, and Sprockets: A Book About Wheels and Axles

Published by David L on September 7, 2009 in physical science, nonfiction and book review. 0 Comments

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Summary
Michael Dahl and Denise Shea use a colorful array of pictures and colors to illustrate the use of wheels and axles. Not only does Michael Dahl thoroughly describe the wheel and axle, he also describes what belts, cranks and gears are for as well. This book is full of bright and vivid pictures that would be sure to capture a children’s eye. Also included in this book is an experiment that allows the child to fully see how a wheel and axle work.

Curriculum Connection:
This book is aimed at third grade. The use of the colors and pictures could be considered a little childish yet it is highly useful when acquiring the attention of a child. When studying SOL 3.2, the teacher could begin a class with this book followed by a hands-on experiment to further educate the children on how simple machines work.

Additional Resources:
Simple Machines: This is a fun activity aimed at educating 3rd graders by teaching them what machines on farms are considered simple machines.
Groupwork: This site could be used as an additional activity for children to work together to further grasp the idea of simple machines.
Glossary: This website offers a simple and easy to understand list of words that comprise simple machines. Some definitions contain activities as well.

General Information
Book:  Tires, Spokes and Sprockets
Author:  Michael Dahl
Publisher:  Picture Window Books
Publication Date:  2006
Pages:  24
Grade Range: 3rd grade
ISBN: 1-4048-1308-X

Buy this book.

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: Air Is All Around You

Published by Emma on September 7, 2009 in physical science and book review. 0 Comments

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Understanding the properties of gas can be difficult for young children. Franklyn M. Branley’s book, Air is All Around You, illustrated by Holly Keller, teaches kids about air as a gas in a fun and simple way.

This short book uses simple sentences geared towards early elementary readers to show how even though you can’t see it, air surrounds all of us. The reason why we can’t see it is because air is a gas: “That’s hard to believe because you can’t see the air, or smell it. You can’t feel it either, except when it’s moving. Or when you spin around.”

Branley even includes two short and fun experiments children can try on their own. They demonstrate how gases can exist even in water. For the first experiment, students fill a bowl with water and place a glass with a cloth in it upside down in the liquid. Air builds  up in the glass so that the cloth comes out dry. In the second experiment, children leave a glass of water sitting on a table for a few hours to see how air bubbles will eventually form.

The book then goes on to show kids how air is vital to life: fish need air to live in the water, astronauts need supplies of air to bring with them into space, and humans need to breathe in the air that constantly surrounds our planet. As the book simply repeats many times: “The air is all around us.”

Curriculum Connections
Branley’s book would be perfect to use in a kindergarten through second grade classroom when teaching students about the states of matter, specifically gases. Specific SOLs include K.5a, how water occurs in different states,  and 2.3b, the properties of solids, liquids and gases, specifically how matter changes from one state to another (evaporation).

Additional Resources
Looking for other books or activities when teaching about gases? Check out these sites:

  • Solids, Liquids and Gases would be a good book to introduce to the class before reading Air is All Around You because it uses simple definitions and real life photographs to define a solid, liquid and gas.
  • Looking for a fun and interactive way to teach about the states of matter? Sing this song with your students!
  • This lesson plan focuses specifically on the characteristics of air as a type of matter.

Book: Air is All Around You
Author: Franklyn M. Branley
Illustrator: Holly Keller
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date:1986
Pages: 40
Grade Range: K-2
ISBN: 0060594152

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: I Fall Down

Published by Kelly on September 7, 2009 in nonfiction, physical science, resource links, book review, teaching, reading and science. 0 Comments

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I Fall Down, written by Vicki Cobb and illustrated by Julia Gorton, introduces students to discover how and why objects always fall down when they are thrown up in the air, and why some of these objects fall faster than others.  Students follow a young boy through a series of experiments that lead to the explanation and understanding of how gravity works.  Concepts, such as the weight of objects, are introduced as well.   Teachers can also integrate manipulatives into the reading of the book to show first hand out different objects all at different rates of speed and in different types of motion.  The reading of this book serves as an excellent lesson introduction to force, motion, and energy.

Curriculum Connections

I Fall Down serves as an appropriate and useful resource to help teach, reinforce, and emphasize the following First Grade Force, Motion, and Energy Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL’s):

1.2 The student will investigate and understand that moving objects exhibit different kinds of motion.  Key concepts include:

b. objects may vibrate and produce sound

c. pushes or pulls can change the movement of an object

d. the motion of objects may be observed in toys and in
playground activities

Additional Resources

  • PPST offers a variety of motion resources for both kids and teachers, including a range of powerpoint presentations, games, and activity ideas.
  • This educational website offers worksheets and games specific to first graders learning and understanding of gravity, force, and motion.
  • Rockingham County’s website provides specific lesson plans catering to SOL 1.2, including a 10 day unit lesson plan!

Book: I Fall Down
Author: Vicki Cobb
Illustrator: Julia Gorton
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: October 2004
Pages: 30pp
Grade Range: 1st - 2nd Grade
ISBN-13: 978-0688178420

Teaching Magnets with Children’s Literature: Science with Magnets

Published by heather on September 7, 2009 in physical science, process skills and book review. 0 Comments

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 Science with Magnets, written by Helen Edom and illustrated by Simone Abel is an interactive book where students learn the functionality of magnets.

This colorful book is packed with exciting activities to assistance children in exploring the wonderful world of magnetism. All the experiments and activities are designed to be safe and easy for children to do in their own home. The book also provides real life examples of how magnetism is used in everyday life. “Magnets help to make many electronic machines work. Here you can find out about some of them: electric generator and tape recorders ” (20). In addition the book even teaches children how to create their own magnets.

Curriculum Connections
Science with Magnets could be used as a reference tool for students. It would be a great addition to a science work station where students can select which experiement(s) they would like to attempt on their own. This book can be used for SOL’s:

  • 2.2 Students will understand and investigate magnets

Additional Resources

  • Brain Pops Jr: Magnets: Is an excellent site dedicated to magnets. It is a kid friendly site that gives background information on magnets and houses an interactive video students can reference. The site also provides teachers with two simple activities they can try with their own students.
  • About.com Magnet Worksheets: Provides 9 PDF worksheets on magnets. There are word searches, vocabulary worksheets, crossword puzzles, writing activity sheets, etc.
  • Home School Tools: Magnets: This is a coloring activity that gives students the opportunity to do a scavenager hunt around the classroom. The objective is for the students to find items that are magnetic.

Book: Science with Magnets
Author: Helen Edom
Illustrator: Simone Abel
Publisher: E.D.C. Publishing
Publication Date: September 1992
Pages: 24 pages
Grade Range: 1-3
ISBN: 978-0746012598

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: What is the World Made Of? (All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases)

Published by Jamie on September 7, 2009 in physical science and book review. 0 Comments

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The book “What is the World Made Of” written by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld and illustrated by Paul Meisel, explores all about solids, liquids, and gases. The illustrations and everyday examples provided give young students a deeper understanding of the distinct phases of matter.

The story opens by describing impossible scenarios, such as “Did you even drink a glass of blocks? Have you ever played with a lemonade doll, or put on milk for socks?” to introduce the importance of matter. A foundation is thus set, showing that all things are made of matter. As the story progresses, more and more examples are given for the three phases of matter; solids, liquids, and gases. Everyday connections are given to show the properties of matter. Solids are explained using clay to show that they hold shape. Milk is used to explain how liquids take the shape of their container and have a definite volume. Finally, air is used to portray the qualities of the gas state of matter. Connections to everyday life are also provided to help kids understand phase changes of water, such as the idea of making ice cubes and the melting of ice cubes in warmer temperatures. The book ends with an easy and informative summation of the lesson, offering hypothetical, funny questions that show the importance of the distinct phases and properties of matter in the day to day lives of children:

“Can you imagine a world where your toys melt when it gets too hot? Where the walls of your house turn into hazy gas, and animals just walk in and out as they please? A place where, on cold days, you have to swim through the air, and where everything you’d like to drink is hard as a block? What a crazy world it would be!”

To find out more about matter, on the inside cover, the book also offers questions and further experiments to illustrate specific concepts about the three states of matter.

Curriculum Connections
This book provides a very thorough introduction to the topic of matter and its different phases. The book could be used for grades 1-3, providing easily understood, everyday examples of matter in different forms and the different phase changes of water (SOL K.5 (a)). The different properties of solids, liquids, and gases, including mass and volume, are also taught throughout the story (SOL 2.3 (a)(b)). The book provides hands-on activities and experiments for kids to more fully understand the topic, as well.

Additional Resources

  • This website provides an online quiz exploring the different states of matter. The quiz consists of 10 questions with correct answers and detailed explanations offered for each question.
  • This lesson consists of an experiment “The Power Of Ice,” focusing on water and its properties in different phases. The lesson provides space for student hypothesis, materials and procedures, as well as experimental conclusions.
  • This lesson plan will have students observe different phases of matter, changes in patterns, perform experiments, and explore differences between physical and chemical changes.

Book: What is the World Made Of? (All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases)
Author: Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Publication Date: 1998
Pages: 32
Grade Range: 1-3
ISBN: 0-06-445163-1

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: Who Sank the Boat?

Published by Cory on September 7, 2009 in physical science, book review, poetry, science and Uncategorized. 0 Comments

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Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen is a short, repetitive, and slightly rhyming story that helps children learn about sinking and floating, as well as making assumptions and hypotheses.  Who Sank the Boat? begins with several barnyard animals who decide that they would like to go for a short row in a boat, and follows them as they try to fit all the animals in the boat without it tipping over.

“Was it the cow who almost fell in, when she tilted the boat and made such a din?  No, it wasn’t the cow who almost fell in.  Do you know who sank the boat?

The story continues as the smaller animals begin to enter the boat, and the it gets lower in the water.

“Was it the pig as fat as butter, who stepped in at the side and caused a great flutter?  No, it wasn’t the pig as fat as butter.  Do you know who sank the boat?

The end has a surprise twist, that very few readers are likely to predict.

“Was it the little mouse, the last to get in, who was the lightest of all?  Could it be him? You DO know who sank the boat.”

This book teaches that something’s ability to float or sink can depend on the removal or addition of even a very small item, such as a mouse, as well as where items are placed inside a boat to keep the weight evenly distributed to help balance the boat.

Curriculum Connections:

This book can help children become familiar with water and its properties, and is able to support some materials, ie: allowing them to float, and its inability to support others, ie: sinking.  Through follow up lessons and assignments this book also assists students in understanding that water and its properties can be observed, tested, and recorded, as is reflected in VA Science SOL K.5c.

Additional Resources:

The Science NetLinks site has a good lesson plan involving an online sinking and floating activity as well as using aluminum foil to make miniature boats to practice making them float and sink.

The Athens State University website reccommends using this book to connect to measuring scales and units such as a pound, and figuring out which things are likely to weigh more and less than a pound.

The SEDL website has a good lesson plan for helping students make predictions about which objects will float or sink, as well as help them record data in graphic organizers.

General Resources:
Book: Who Sank the Boat?
Author/Illustrator: Pamela Allen
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publication Date: April 16, 1996
Pages: 32 pages
Grade Range: Kindergarten-1st
ISBN: 978-0698113732