DOCUMENT RESUME ED 390 651 SE 057 034 AUTHOR Perry, Phyllis J. TITLE A Teacher's Science Companion. REPORT NO ISBN-0-07-049519-X PUB DATE 94 NOTE 225p. AVAILABLE FROM TAB Books Division of McGraw-Hill, Inc., Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850 (clothbound: ISBN-0-07-049518-1; paperback: ISBN-0-07-049519-X, $14.95). PUB TYPE Guides Classroom Use Teaching Guides (For Teacher) (052) EDRS PRICE MFOI/PC09 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Astronomy; Biology; Botany; Chemistry; Elementary Secondary Education; Ethology; Geography; Geology; *Hands on Science; Marine Biology; Paleontology; Physics; *Science Activities; *Science Experiments ABSTRACT The purpose of this guide is to highlight some broad areas in which teachers and other adults have exceptional opportunities to encourage and enjoy teaching children science. Each area in the book provides some hands-on ideas for projects as well as an annotated list of readily available resources that might prove helpful on the topic at hand. The resources include numerous print materials and selected videos, tapes, kits, and models, as well as a listing of agencies, magazines, or other references where additional information may be secured. Activities described are in the following areas: physics; chemistry; biology; botany; ethology; geology; paleontology; astronomy; geography; cartography; marine biology; and exploring science through writing, art, one's senses, and in the library. Contains an index and a glossary (JRH) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * from the original document. * ********************************************************************;:** ANL I in -- JAA (,) '94 J11111_ 1 11 U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of EduCalional Research and !moo:A.0,MM "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY CENTER (ERIC) O This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originang it I o Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality Points of view or opinions slated in this document do not necessarily represent TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES official OEFII unsituir or policy INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 113Y A Teacher's Science Companion A Teacher's Science Companion Dr. Phyllis]. Perry TAB Books Division of McGraw-Hill, Inc. New YorkSan Francisco Washington, D CAucklandBogota CaracasLisbon LondonMadridMexico CityMilan Montreal New DelhiSan JuanSingapore Sydney TokyoToronto ©1994 by Phyllis J. Perry. Published by Tab Books, a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc. Printed in the United States of America. All tights reserved. The publisher takes no responsibility for the use of any materials or methods described in this book, nor for the products thereof. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 DOH / DOH 9 9 8 7 6 5 4 Library of Congress Cataloging-in:Publication Data Peny, Phyllis Jean. A teacher's science companion I by Phyllis J. Perry. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 0-07-049518-1 ISBN 0-07-049519-X (pbk.) 1. ScienceStudy and teaching.2. ScienceExperiments. 3. Science projects. (2181.P355 1994 507.1'2dc20 93-43620 CIP Acquisitions editor: Kimberly Tabor Editorial team: Joanne M. Slike, Executive Editor Annette Testa, Book Editor Production team: Katherine G. Brown, Director 011ie Harmon, Coding Rose McFarland, Layout Joan Wieland, Proofreading Ruth Gunnett, Computer Artist Design team: Jaclyn J. Boone, Designer Brian Allison, Associate Designer GEN1 Cover design and illustration: Denny Bond, East Petersburg, Pa. 4524 For Casey, Clare, and Julia, who asked the questions, David, who helped with the answers, and M.K.H., who never lost faith. Contents About the resource booksxii Symbols used in this bookxiii Introductionxiv Exploring chemistry in the kitchen i Creating traffic-light colorsred to green2 Writing with invisible ink3 Using oxygen4 Conducting an oxidation experiment4 Making sugar crystals5 Creating needle crystals6 Making an emulsion6 Making mothballs move 7 Sculpting snack food science8 Resource books 9 Other resources14 2 Exploring physics 15 Explaining how a lever works16 Making a current detector 16 Making a battery17 Demonstrating friction 1 7 Making molecules move and make heat 1 7 Explaining wind energy18 Performing the obedient straw trick 19 Using straws to produce sound19 Performing the pencil trick20 Making a rainbow20 Resource books21 Other resources27 3 Exploring science in the backyard29 Making a hug box 31 Measuring the big jump 33 Setting up a vivarium at home or school33 Using photography 34 Resource books 35 Other resources39 4 Exploring botany41 Sprouting an avocado seed42 Sprouting lima beans43 Differing soils43 Varying amount of sunlight44 Making mushroom spore prints45 Growing a moss garden45 Resource books46 Other resources53 5 Exploring ethology54 Adding a birdbath55 Making a windowsill bird feeder56 Constructing a nest box 57 Reading zoo treasure hunt signs61 Examining a world map of animals61 Drawing a combination animal62 Impressing footprints63 Setting up a miniature zoo63 Resource books64 Other resources75 6 Exploring geology and paleontology77 Starting a rock collection77 Making salt crystals 78 Performing a hardness test on rocks79 - Removing tarnish from a silver spoon80 Performing a limestone test80 Preparing a display82 Resource books82 Other resources88 7 Exploring astronomy90 Making a shadow board91 Drawing a sky map92 Making a cardboard sundial92 Constructing a star box93 Answering the question: Why is the sky blue?94 Modeling the planets94 Projecting constellations95 Clocking time exposure of star trails96 Resource books97 Other resources103 8 Exploring geography and cartography 104 Determining your walking speed106 Testing your sense of direction 107 Using a compass 107 Using a bicycle odometer108 Playing the party map game110 Determining time110 Mapping an imaginary island111 Telling star stories113 Using a wristwatch as a compass 113 Learning to "freeze" 114 Resource books 115 Other resources121 9 Exploring the watery world 123 Keeping pond specimens124 Collecting snails, fish, and tadpoles126 Using a microscope to study water 126 Collecting snail shells127 Displaying transpiration 128 Showing how plants make iood 128 Resource books129 Other resources 131 10 Exploring the ocean 133 Examining the different substances in salt water134 Showing how objects float 134 Turning salt water into fresh water136 Determining an object's floatability 136 Setting up a salt water aquarium137 Maintaining plants and animals in a salt water aquarium138 Resource books139 Other resources 14 7 11 Exploring science through your senses 149 Showing how smell affects taste150 Demonstrating the sense of touch150 Confusing your sense of touch 151 Determining an object's temperature152 Creating sound effects152 Demonstrating an optical illusion152 Resource books153 Other resources158 12 Exploring science throughwriting / 59 Writing a lune160 Telling a science acrostic160 Using a science "I remember" poem 161 Conducting the appearance of the pipe cleaners from outer space trick162 Observing a tree163 Writing a short story about a tree164 Resource books264 Other resources 1 71 13 Exploring science through art 172 Making a nature mobile/ 73 Creating leaf bookmarks 1 74 Assembg a shell garden 1 75 Making a fern print176 Experimenting with paper airplanes176 Creating shadow portraits177 Taking a trip to the zoo178 Resource booksJ79 Other resources183 14 Exploring science in the library 185 Dewey decimal classification system187 Makin:4 a library treasure hunt map: Step one 189 Giving a library treasure hunt quiz: Step two 189 Finding a library treasure: Step three190 Resource books190 Other resources195 Glossary 196 Index203 About the resourcebooks The listings of resources at the end of each chapter are the primary content of the book. This book was envisioned as a teacher's/parent's resource first, and a project book second. Special emphasis has been given to the resources to make them as clear and easy for the reader to find as possible. For this reason, the author chose to format the re- sources in a simplified manner, with the title of the book first in each listing. Resources highlighted with an asterisk (e) are specifically geared toward children of preschool age. i 1 4 Symbols used in this book adult fire supervision a il) electricity 1 g sharp object stove animal dangerous safety/proper chemical handling of animals and insects 3_ 0 Introduction Kids are curious, and that curiosity can be a springboard to learning. Within the school setting, teachers guide the child's educational de- velopment. Many learning opportunities can also be found in inter- actions between a child and other adults outside of school. Parents, grandparents, relatives, caregivers, scout and church group leaders, librarians, neighbors, and family friends, as well as teachers, may play a significant role in developing the talentsof all children. These adults serve as role models, listeners, and cheerleaders; pro- vide space and materials for activities; allow opportunities for grow- ing independence; and encourage creativity. Our society has become very mobile, and today it is both a rare and fortunate child who is surrounded by an extended family. Often a child's relatives and adult friends are scattered throughout the country and may have contact only by letter, telephone, and occasional visits. Even where contact is infrequent or must bridge considerable distances, there are opportunities to provide support and a positive influence. Adults want to make the most of the time they have to spend with children.