Synopses & Reviews
Science Essentials Elementary Level gives classroom teachers and science specialists a dynamic and progressive way to meet curriculum standards and competencies. Science Essentials are also available from Jossey-Bass publishers at the middle school and high school levels.
You'll find the lessons and activities at each level actively engage students in learning about the natural and technological world in which we live by encouraging them to use their senses and intuitive abilities on the road to discovery. They were developed and tested by professional science teachers who sought to give students enjoyable learning experiences while preparing them for district and statewide proficiency exams.
For easy use, the lesson and activities at the elementary school level are printed on a big 81/2" x 11" lay-flat format that folds flat for photocopying of over 150 student activity sheets, and are organized into four sections:
I. METHODS AND MEASUREMENT LESSONS & ACTIVITES
II. PHYSICAL SCIENCE LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
III. LIFE SCIENCE LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
IV. EARTH SCIENCE LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
Each section offers 12 to 17 detailed lessons with reproducible activity sheets for teaching basic concepts and skills in one main area of science at this level. Each lesson includes:
- The Basic Principle underlying the lesson and accompanying student activity
- The specific science Competency students will demonstrate
- A list of Materials needed to complete the activity
- An easy-to-follow, illustrated Procedure for presenting the lesson and accompanying student activity handout
- Observations & Analysis describing the desired results and answers to the student activity
- A two-page, illustrated Student Handout with step-by-step directions for carrying out the activity and recording observations and conclusions
The lessons in each section are followed by sample test items focusing on the concepts and skills emphasized in that section. These will help students prepare for the types of questions they will be asked in actual test situations and are followed by answer keys.
All three grade level volumes—Elementary, Middle School, and High School—give you stimulating and effective ways to help students master basic science content and prepare to demonstrate their knowledge at the particular level.
"Dr. Handwerker provides teachers with a set of student-centered activities that review all the essential science concepts that students should know by 4th grade. This book simplifies life for even the busiest science teacher."
—Pam Walker and Elaine Wood, coauthors, Crime Scene Investigations: Real-Life Science Activities for the Elementary Grades
Review
"Dr. Handwerker provides teachers with a set of student-centered activities that review all the essential science concepts for that students should know by 4th grade. This book simplifies life for even the busiest science teacher."--Pam Walker and Elaine Wood, coauthors, Crime Scene Investigations: Real-Life Science Activities for the Elementary Grades
Synopsis
Science Essentials Elementary Level gives classroom teachers and science specialists a dynamic and progressive way to meet curriculum standards and competencies.
Science Essentials are also available from Jossey-Bass publishers at the Middle School and High School Levels.
You’ll find the lessons and activities at each level actively engage students in learning about the natural and technological world in which we live by encouraging them to use their senses and intuitive abilities on the road to discovery. They were developed and tested by professional science teachers who sought to give students enjoyable learning experiences while preparing them for district and statewide proficiency exams. For easy use, the lesson and activities at the Elementary School Level are printed on a big 8 ½” x 11” lay-flat format that folds flat for photocopying of over 150 student activity sheets, and are organized into four sections:
- METHODS AND MEASUREMENT LESSONS & ACTIVITES
- PHYSICAL SCIENCE LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
- LIFE SCIENCE LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
- EARTH SCIENCE LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
About the Author
Mark J. Handwerker, Ph.D. has taught science in the Los Angeles and Temecula Valley Unified School Districts. As a mentor and instructional support teacher, he has also trained scores of new teachers in the "art" of teaching science. Dr. Handwerker is the author/editor of articles in several scientific fields and the coauthor of an earth science textbook currently in use.
Table of Contents
About This Science TestPrep Teaching Resource v
I. METHODS AND MEASUREMENT 1
Lesson 1 3
Lesson 2 7
Lesson 3 11
Lesson 4 15
Lesson 5 19
Lesson 6 23
Lesson 7 27
Lesson 8 31
Lesson 9 35
Lesson 10 39
Lesson 11 43
Lesson 12 47
METHODS AND MESUREMENT PRACTICE TEST
II. PHYSICAL SCIENCE 59
Lesson 13 61
Lesson 14 65
Lesson 15 69
Lesson 16 73
Lesson 17 77
Lesson 18 81
Lesson 19 85
Lesson 20 89
Lesson 21 93
Lesson 22 97
Lesson 23 101
Lesson 24 105
Lesson 25 109
Lesson 26 113
Lesson 27 117
Lesson 28 121
Lesson 29 125
Lesson 30 129
PHYSICAL SCIENCE PRACTICE TEST
III. LIFE SCIENCE 141
Lesson 31 143
Lesson 32 147
Lesson 33 151
Lesson 34 155
Lesson 35 159
Lesson 36 163
Lesson 37 167
Lesson 38 171
Lesson 39 175
Lesson 40 179
Lesson 41 183
Lesson 42 187
Lesson 43 191
Lesson 44 195
Lesson 45 199
LIFE SCIENCE PRACTICE TEST
IV. EARTH SCIENCE 209
Lesson 46 211
Lesson 47 215
Lesson 48 219
Lesson 49 223
Lesson 50 227
Lesson 51 231
Lesson 52 235
Lesson 53 239
Lesson 54 243
Lesson 55 247
Lesson 56 251
Lesson 57 255
Lesson 58 259
Lesson 59 263
Lesson 60 267
Lesson 61 271
Lesson 62 275
EARTH SCIENCE PRACTICE TEST
Appendix 287
Preparing Your Students for Standardized Proficiency Tests
What Parents Need to Know about Standardized Tests 287
The Uses of Standardized Tests 288
Test Terms 289
Common Types of Standardized Tests 292
Preparing Your Child for Standardized Tests 294
Cover Letter to Parents Announcing Standardized Tests 295
What Students Need to Know about Standardized Tests 296
Test-Taking Tips for Students 297
Test Words You Should Know 298
Creating a Positive Test-Taking Environment 299