mo2 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I'm not looking for a curriculum, just books about teaching science. Thanks to Alte Vesta Academy's many awesome science posts, I have Nurturing Inquiry on my list. Anyone else have a recommendation for books to get me inspired and motivated to teach science? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I found The Private Eye to be inspirational. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jar7709 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I like The Private Eye, too. And Sharing Nature with Children by Joseph Cornell has been a lot of fun to enrich our outside times. Curious Minds: How a Child Becomes a Scientist was fascinating--a collection of essays by working scientists on what sparked them to go into science fields. They aren't so much about teaching science specifically, but there are so many fascinating and well-written popular science books that also help me, at least, keep the excitement and interest up in myself, which naturally passes on to the kids. Authors like Mary Roach, Mark Kurlansky, Simon Winchester have some great reads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeverFamily Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 (edited) If you haven't read it already, this thread! Ruth (lewelma) completely changed the way I think about teaching science.:001_smile: Edited June 11, 2012 by ForeverFamily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Aw, thanks! As it happens, I just made a list of my books about teaching all subjects. I need a run through of the ones I've already read and to read some new ones that I haven't gotten to yet. I was going to try to do a subject per month over the course of a year to prepare me for entering the logic stage. Anyway, here is my list. Some of them are for younger kids but most can be applied to all ages. Remember, the library is your friend. :tongue_smilie: Science Notebooks Teaching Science with Interactive Notebooks Creepy Crawlies and the Scientific Method Keeping a Nature Journal The Everyday Science Sourcebook Doing What Scientists Do Scaffolding Science Inquiry Through Lesson Design Talking Their Way Into Science What Will Happen If… Organzing Wonder Science Is Golden Worms, Shadows, and Whirlpools Mixing It Up Inquire Within Picture Science Exemplary Science in the Grades PreK-4 Science Stories Outdoor Inquiries Beyond the Science Kit Writing in Science If you haven't read it already, this thread! :iagree:Great thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 This chart means more than an entire book to me. ReadingQuest.org's Guide for Cross-Disciplinary Application. I have it hanging on the wall above the computer to remind me to stop overcomplicating things. I sometimes get so wrapped up in the details that I stop teaching the big picture. Sometimes the harder I try, the less the student learns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeverFamily Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Aw, thanks! As it happens, I just made a list of my books about teaching all subjects. I need a run through of the ones I've already read and to read some new ones that I haven't gotten to yet. I was going to try to do a subject per month over the course of a year to prepare me for entering the logic stage. Anyway, here is my list. Some of them are for younger kids but most can be applied to all ages. Remember, the library is your friend. :tongue_smilie: Thanks for the great list! I would love to see the list of books you have for all of the other subjects. I love your idea of reading about one subject a month! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 How about brushing up on some science for yourself? I recently enjoyed Why Does E=mc2? And Why We Should Care? I was inspired after reading it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenangelcat Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I've been reading Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding Volume 2 in order to edit it for easier teaching. It's a curriculum but most of it is explaining the concepts and how to teach, to you the teacher. It has me super excited for when we start it up in the fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 I love Science Matters. Very inspiring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 I love Science Matters. Very inspiring! Just what I was going to suggest! It boils all of science down to the key principles that every educated person should know. Kinda helps you focus on what you need to actually teach . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 I love Science Matters. Very inspiring! :iagree::iagree::iagree: My brain must be totally fried to have not thought of that first :confused: Science Matters was THE book that transformed the way I taught science. Also the Robinson curriculum idea of waiting to do textbook science until after the student has learned a considerable amount of math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Just what I was going to suggest! It boils all of science down to the key principles that every educated person should know. Kinda helps you focus on what you need to actually teach . . . A must have book for anyone contemplating LCC. It is even recommended in LCC 1st edition. Way back when, I'm the one who told the author about the book :D He used it as a student text for grade 8 though :confused: I used it for ME, and PARTS of it for a lower high school student, supplemented with living books. I personally wouldn't use it directly with an 8th grader as their main text. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 A must have book for anyone contemplating LCC. It is even recommended in LCC 1st edition. Way back when, I'm the one who told the author about the book :D He used it as a student text for grade 8 though :confused: I used it for ME, and PARTS of it for a lower high school student, supplemented with living books. I personally wouldn't use it directly with an 8th grader as their main text. I adore the book for myself. I've read small sections of it out loud to dd to enrich a BFSU lesson, or to answer a question that has come up in conversation if my own answer was, um, less than cogent ;). My thought was to go through the book together in the second half of 8th grade, after finishing all 3 volumes of BFSU - kind of a wrap-up, "ok, here is the real take-home from all we've studied over the past 4 years: here is the stuff you really need to remember." We'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Keeping a Nature Journal and Science Matters. I also like the Stop Faking It! series by Bill Robertson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted June 12, 2012 Author Share Posted June 12, 2012 Okay, so lots of votes for Science Matters, which, conveniently enough, I have on my shelf but have not read. I'll pull it out. Aw, thanks! As it happens, I just made a list of my books about teaching all subjects. I need a run through of the ones I've already read and to read some new ones that I haven't gotten to yet. I was going to try to do a subject per month over the course of a year to prepare me for entering the logic stage. Anyway, here is my list. Some of them are for younger kids but most can be applied to all ages. Remember, the library is your friend. :tongue_smilie: Science Notebooks Teaching Science with Interactive Notebooks Creepy Crawlies and the Scientific Method Keeping a Nature Journal The Everyday Science Sourcebook Doing What Scientists Do Scaffolding Science Inquiry Through Lesson Design Talking Their Way Into Science What Will Happen If… Organzing Wonder Science Is Golden Worms, Shadows, and Whirlpools Mixing It Up Inquire Within Picture Science Exemplary Science in the Grades PreK-4 Science Stories Outdoor Inquiries Beyond the Science Kit Writing in Science :iagree:Great thread! Wow, what a list! You must have a better library system than I do. :glare: I also would like to see your lists for other subjects...just out of curiosity. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 (edited) Mo2, just read the 1st few chapters of Science Matters for NOW. I don't agree with the author about WHAT is most important, but he taught me that the most important things are the very things that are ignored in "rigorous" science. After covering some of the basics, HE thinks being able to understand the newspaper well enough to vote knowledgeably is worth spending 1/2 the book on. I don't disagree with him for adults, but I think fleshing out the topics in the 1st half of the book is more important for grade 10 and under. For a student that actually managed to finish BFSU and is well on his way through the other subjects, I guess voting science is what is next. That just isn't happening HERE :D Good luck rroberts! Edited June 12, 2012 by Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 (edited) Thanks for the great list! I would love to see the list of books you have for all of the other subjects. I love your idea of reading about one subject a month! Wow, what a list! You must have a better library system than I do. :glare: I also would like to see your lists for other subjects...just out of curiosity. ;) :blushing: I own all those books (plus a few more I didn't think were good enough to make the list). I just think any sensible person should actually just use the library. :lol: In fairness to myself, science is my pet subject and I've been acquiring those books for years. Here is the rest of my list...so far at least. Some books are on the list because I need a refresher. Some are here because they are supplements I need to be more purposeful with and add to our fun loop. Some are on here even though I'm actively using them because I want to correlate them to other things. Some are on the list because I want to do a scan and note take before selling or donating them. Art The Story of Art Drawing with Children Art in Story DK: An Introduction to Art Techniques First Steps Series: Sketching and Drawing First Steps Series: Painting Watercolors How to Teach Art to Children The Art of Teaching Art to Children Engaging Learners Through Artmaking How to Talk to Children About Art Raising Musical Kids Integrating Music into the Elementary Classroom CM Education in the Heart of the Home Charlotte Mason Companion When Children Love to Learn For the Children's Sake Charlotte Mason Education/More CME Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series Educating the Whole-Hearted Child General 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum The Complete Home Learning Source Book Homeschooling at the Speed of Life How to Design a Low-Cost Curriculum The Well-Trained Mind The Latin-Centered Curriculum Marva Collins' Way The Organized Homeschooler Climbing Parnassus The Core You Can Teach Your Child at Home The Unschooling Handbook Homeschool Your Child for Free Discover Your Child's Learning Style The Core Knowledge Sequence Creative Homeschooling History Connecting Children with Children Ways That Work Doing History All Through the Ages Philosophy for Kids Home Life The Rhythm of Home The Creative Family The Family Virtues Guide 365 Manners Every Child Should Know Everday Graces All Year Round Mrs. Sharp's Traditions The Teacher's Calendar Language Families Writing Non-Fiction Matters But How Do You Teach Writing Writing with Ease The Writer's Jungle Trait-Based Writing Rose, Where Did You Get That Red? Awakening the Heart MCTLA materials Voyages in English materials Nitty Gritty Grammar & More NGG Writer's Desk Reference Student Writing Handbook Grammar Land Lively Language Lessons w/Ruth Heller books Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry Poetry Goes to School Reading Strands: Understanding Fiction Spelling Power Sentence Composing for Elementary School Story Grammar for Elementary School Living Memory Latin for Children A materials DownWrite Funny Hot Fudge Monday Teaching the Classics Deconstructing Penguins Written and Illustrated By… Spider/Ask/Click Magazine teacher's guides How to Get the Most Out of Teaching with Newspapers Making Books that Fly, Fold... First Language Lessons Make Your Own Newspaper Kids Write Learning Upside-Down Brilliance Unicorns Are Real How to Get Your Kid Off the Refrigerator and On to Learning Homeschooling Gifted and Advanced Learners Teaching Your Child to Love Learning: A Guide to Doing Projects at Home Dreamers, Discoverers, and Dynamos Study Is Hard Work Reading Is Seeing Comprehension & Collaboration Nine Thousand Straws I See What You Mean The Art of Inquiry: Questioning Strategies for K-6 Classrooms Active Questioning: Questioning Still Makes the Difference Math Math for Humans Math Power Elementary Mathematics for Teachers Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics About Teaching Mathematics Miquon materials The Cryptoclub Top Secret Kitchen Table Math 1, 2, 3 Games for Math So You Think You're Smart Math Puzzles Book Mathematical Activities: A Resource Book for Teachers (Cambridge Education) Math for Smarty Pants The I Hate Mathematics Book Curve Stitching Drawing Stars and Building Polyhedra Compass Drawings: Construction Designs Using a Compass and Ruler Anno's Math 1, 2, 3 Mr. Base Ten Invents Mathematics Chess for Children Base Ten Primary Grade Challenge Math Family Math How Math Works Life of Fred materials Math Art RightStart Math Games RightStart Activities for ALAbacus Math Games & Activities from Around the World (x2) The Secret Life of Math Real World Math for Hands-On Fun Nature Nature's Art Box Illustrating Nature Drawing from Nature No Child Left Indoors The Nature Connection Nature's Playground PE Teaching Swimming and Water Safety Teach Your Child to Swim Homeschool Physical Education Game Book YogaKids Yoga Calm Reading The Read-Aloud Handbook How to Get Your Child to Love Learning Readicide Honey for a Child's Heart Books to Build On The Kids' Book Club Book How to Read a Book Books That Build Character Classics in the Classroom ETA: And I am so embarrassed. Science Matters has been on my wish list forever because I've seen it recommended so frequently. Tonight I thought I would just get it from Audible because I could use another audio book and I've got credits stacked up. When I hit the add to cart button, it told me I'd already purchased it! Well, don't I feel silly! Off to put it on my iPod... Edited June 12, 2012 by Alte Veste Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipitous journey Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Alte Veste, thank you so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Look at Arabella Buckley's works. Very good stuff. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_11?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=arabella+buckley&sprefix=arabella+bu%2Caps%2C220 Most of her stuff you can find online for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 :bigear: taking notes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmmaNZ Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 :bigear: taking notes! Me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Here is the rest of my list...so far at least. donating them. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted June 12, 2012 Author Share Posted June 12, 2012 Alte Vesta Academy, thank you for sharing your list! I would like to eventually purchase one or two *really good books* on each subject, ones that I can read and re-read. Your list will probably keep me busy on Amazon for a few hours. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly1730 Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Alte Vesta Academy, thank you for sharing your list! I would like to eventually purchase one or two *really good books* on each subject, ones that I can read and re-read. Your list will probably keep me busy on Amazon for a few hours. :D :iagree: Thank you so much for sharing this list. Off to print:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TippyCanoe Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathwonk Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 (edited) a few gems: The man who mistook his wife for a hat, by Oliver Sacks; Lives of a Cell, by Lewis Thomas; Thinking Physics, by Lewis Carroll Epstein; The universe and Dr. Einstein, by Lincoln Barnett; Mathematics, the new golden age, by Keith Devlin. Edited June 12, 2012 by mathwonk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue G in PA Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Maggie Hogan just posted this on her FB today: http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/developing-a-love-of-science-in-our-children/ I love Maggie and always find her advice inspiring. :) And I came across this neat little resource for Nature Study: http://www.amazon.com/The-Nature-Connection-Workbook-Classrooms/dp/1603425314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339540292&sr=8-1 I forget how old your kiddos are, but this is for a wide variety of ages. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted June 12, 2012 Author Share Posted June 12, 2012 http://www.amazon.com/The-Nature-Connection-Workbook-Classrooms/dp/1603425314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339540292&sr=8-1 I forget how old your kiddos are, but this is for a wide variety of ages. :) This looks fun. My kids range from 3 to 10, so if I buy it now, I could get a lot of use out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El... Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 If you haven't read it already, this thread! Ruth (lewelma) completely changed the way I think about teaching science.:001_smile: Wow. I think my brain just exploded. That was a great thread! I want to do science like THAT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue G in PA Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Wow. Thanks for posting "Ruth's Thread"! I think you (and she) have just saved me a ton of money on new science curriculum for my elementary and middle school ages children. Seriously. I had been pondering doing the WTM method of Science with them and this just solidified my decision. :) I just wish I had done this sooner with my older dc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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