Explains the importance of using well-chosen trade books for stimulating student interest and motivation in the natural world. Discusses how to assess and select trade books. Lists selected trade books on the life cycles of plants. (YDS)

Uses characters from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" to teach about human pedigrees and presents an activity demonstrating how traits are passed to offspring. (YDS)

Activities that use a common fluorescent light as a strobe light to make things appear to slow down, speed up, or stand still are presented. Background information on strobe lights and directions for the activities are provided. (KR)

Describes the use of "Water Crossings," a Project WET activity, with preservice elementary teachers in a science methods course. Discusses how the activity integrates applications from physical science with history and geography concepts. Explains that the teaching strategy used is a version of the scientific method. (WRM)

Activities in which students build their own simulations of fossils, using seashells, chicken bones, toy dinosaurs, or leaves as models and plaster of paris, sand, mud, clay, or a mixture of gravel and clay as a matrix are presented. Curriculum extensions are included. (KR)

Presents a brine shrimp activity designed for students in grades 5-12 to foster authentic scientific inquiry in addition to providing an engaging and exciting avenue for student exploration. Emphasizes that inquiry should be a critical component in the science classroom. (KHR)

A game used for test review based on the television game show "Jeopardy" is described. Sample categories, rules, models for category cards, answer pockets, and answer cards are included. (KR)

Explains the teaching opportunities, especially in science activities and laboratory experiments, of using technology in science classrooms. (YDS)

Uses a theatrical approach to implement dramatization into science classrooms. Explains how to use dramatic science in and outside of the classroom with different scenarios. (YDS)

Describes the main features, rationale, and goals of the Science, Math, and Social Studies Help (SMASSH) project which provides unified, mutually supportive educational experiences for elementary school children. Describes the learning cycle instructional approach, presents a brief background of the science concepts addressed in these lessons, and…

Two easy student activities that demonstrate physical weathering by expansion are described. The first demonstrates ice wedging and the second root wedging. A list of the needed materials, procedure, and observations are included. (KR)

Discusses using amphibians and reptiles as an excellent resource for students to observe and gain an understanding of the process of science. These animals are easy to maintain in the classroom and play important roles in ecosystems as the prey for many birds and mammals and as the predators of various organisms. (SAH)

Describes how to effectively get students who have difficulty listening, reading, and following directions to pay attention. Presents activities on making iced tea and covering a book. Activities include a materials list and a list of procedures with extension activities and conclusions. (SAH)

Discussed are ways in which the slide rule can illustrate a number of mathematical functions and concepts. Fundamental operations and visual advantages are reviewed. (CS)

Describes geography activities for elementary students. In the first activity, students learn how to understand coordinates and use them to read maps. In the second activity, students learn the concepts of the legend as well as how to use it to find their way around on a map. (PR)