Help me get ready to teach middle school science...

[mommymonster]

My oldest is going into fifth grade in the fall and I feel the need to up my science game. I know I am strong in language arts and history/civics/poly sci. I'm a lawyer and that stuff comes easily to me. I enjoy science, but don't feel quite as confident in that universe.  I had a solid education growing up, but haven't done anything with that knowledge for 20+ years. 

 

We will soon be "vacationing" in an area with no cell phone coverage, no cable, wifi, tv for a few months -- basically the ultimate in screen-free time. I would like to plan a two month intensive reading program for myself in science where I read a few books in chemistry, physics, biology and geology (or thereabouts). It's not going to make me a scientist, but it will make me feel more confident as we approach the middle grades. 

 

I was thinking of starting with SWB's The Story of Western Science. Then, re-read Science Matters. Then, I would like to have a few books on chemistry, physics, biology and geology to read. This is purely self-education and self-enjoyment. We are atheists. 

 

For biology, I was thinking Darwin, Dawkins and Gould(?) 

For physics, I was thinking Einstein, Hawking, Feynman, Tyson-Degrasse, and Sagan (DH has multiple physics degrees)

 

My heart is not set on the biology and physics proposed authors. I'm drawing a blank on chemistry and geology. 

 

Can you recommend additional/alternate readings for my experiment? Thanks!

 

 

[Targhee]

Gould is actually geology (paleontology crosses into biology, but it is at its core geology in precept and practice), and a very good author.

 

Dawkins has made a name for himself in evolution, but less to do with science and more to do with anti-theism. I understand this isn't an issue for you, I just point it out because if you're already atheist then you don't need to listen to Dawkins and would get more scientific insight and learning elsewhere. The Selfish Gene would probably give you a better view of the modern concept of evolutionary mechanisms than Darwin, but really Dawkins is meh IMO. E.O. Wilson on the other hand is fabulous.

 

Degasse-Tyson is kind of an ambassador for astrophysics, and charismatic. I've never read anything he's written, but have enjoyed listening to him in podcasts and documentaries. I recommend Brian Green for accessible theoretical physics, though your spouse probably can advise you well in this subject.

 

These aren't authors, but interesting reads circling around chemistry: Napoleon's Buttons and Tge Disappearing Spoon.

 

since you enjoy history you might enjoy the BBC series Connections.. It was first filmed in the 70s or 80s, but it's lovely narratives which leap across time and the map connecting science and invention/technology to historical contexts and antecedents.

 

Have fun reading!

[Hunter]

You might like to read an AP/CC environmental science textbook. You can get older editions dirt cheap. AP geography overlaps with AP environmental science considerably.

 

Despite being an athiest, or possibly because you are, you might find the old 1990's Rod and Staff upperlevel science textbooks interesting as a contrast to athiesm and NOT what protestants think. I have an athiest retired science professor friend that relies upon me to introduce her to this type of stuff. Milestone has the 2 book set on sale this month.

 

AO is developing a living book science curriculum that includes a lot of modern secular trade books. You might want to skim those lists quickly.

 

You can get the Great Courses Joy of Science by the author of Science Matters at audible for just 1 credit. You can get older editions of the textbook for a decent price.

 

And of course you can get Great Course stuff directly from the publisher. Their videos are nice, but pricey. I do have an astronomy course.

Edited March 13, 2016 by Hunter

[Hunter]

These won't be good for you trip, but these Anneneberg physical videos are free to stream while you are home.

 

Mechanical Universe

http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html

 

The World of Chemistry

http://www.learner.org/resources/series61.html

 

Chemistry Challenges and Solutions

http://www.learner.org/resources/series218.html

Edited March 13, 2016 by Hunter

[Hunter]

Older editions of Edward Victor's textbooks on teaching science are cheap enough.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Science-Elementary-Middle-School-9th/dp/0130213136/ref=la_B001ITXQ6C_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457885294&sr=1-2

 

These textbook include outlines of all science topics expected to be covered. The older editions are the most teacher-friendly or dumbed-down depending on your opinion of such things.

Edited March 13, 2016 by Hunter

[8filltheheart]

Look through these book lists and see if any appeal to you. http://charlottemason.tripod.com/chem.html

[Hunter]

I saw The Chemistry Book recently and it looked good.

http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Book-Gunpowder-Graphene-Milestones/dp/1454911808/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457885721&sr=1-1&keywords=the+chemistry+book

 

Atlas of Chemistry and Physics also looked good.

http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Physics-Chemistry-Parramon-Studios/dp/0764127136/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457885986&sr=1-1&keywords=atlas+of+chemistry

 

Both of these books are part of a series that covers the other branches of science.

 

And never forget the Eyewitness series. The Eyewitness Books were used for grades 7 and 8 in the 1st edition of TWTM.

Eyewitness Matter

http://www.amazon.com/Eyewitness-Matter-Chris-Cooper/dp/0789448866/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457886538&sr=1-5&keywords=eyewitness+chemistry

Edited March 13, 2016 by Hunter

[mommymonster]

Thank you all so much for your comments! I'm really looking forward to digging into this study! 

 

Gould is actually geology (paleontology crosses into biology, but it is at its core geology in precept and practice), and a very good author.

 

>>YAY! Cross-over points! Do you have a favorite book of his? I was thinking the Panda's Thumb and maybe Bully for Brontosaurus, but I was just looking through the book summaries online ...

Dawkins has made a name for himself in evolution, but less to do with science and more to do with anti-theism. I understand this isn't an issue for you, I just point it out because if you're already atheist then you don't need to listen to Dawkins and would get more scientific insight and learning elsewhere. The Selfish Gene would probably give you a better view of the modern concept of evolutionary mechanisms than Darwin, but really Dawkins is meh IMO. E.O. Wilson on the other hand is fabulous.

 

>> Looking at EO Wilson, I sorta want to read all of his works! On Human Nature looks like a good place to start? Would you recommend something else? I might get rid of Darwin and instead do the Selfish Gene, as you suggest. 

Degasse-Tyson is kind of an ambassador for astrophysics, and charismatic. I've never read anything he's written, but have enjoyed listening to him in podcasts and documentaries. I recommend Brian Green for accessible theoretical physics, though your spouse probably can advise you well in this subject.

These aren't authors, but interesting reads circling around chemistry: Napoleon's Buttons and Tge Disappearing Spoon.

 

>> Thank you! 

since you enjoy history you might enjoy the BBC series Connections.. It was first filmed in the 70s or 80s, but it's lovely narratives which leap across time and the map connecting science and invention/technology to historical contexts and antecedents.

 

>> Thank you for this comment. It's odd, but it profoundly shifted the way I look at knowledge acquisition. It also helps me to better understand my oldest. It's odd what a sentence written at the right time can do. In any case, thank you! 

Have fun reading!

 

 

 

You might like to read an AP/CC environmental science textbook. You can get older editions dirt cheap. AP geography overlaps with AP environmental science considerably.

Despite being an athiest, or possibly because you are, you might find the old 1990's Rod and Staff upperlevel science textbooks interesting as a contrast to athiesm and NOT what protestants think. I have an athiest retired science professor friend that relies upon me to introduce her to this type of stuff. Milestone has the 2 book set on sale this month.

 

>> Thank you for this suggestion! I was raised in a fundamentalist Christian household, and was raised with a mother who believed that dinosaur bones were planted by the devil to test our faith. I should try to get the perspective of what old earth Creationists believe. Also, to tease out a bit more to understand what the various religions believe on the subjects of creation and evolution. This might be an interesting rabbit trail! 

 

AO is developing a living book science curriculum that includes a lot of modern secular trade books. You might want to skim those lists quickly.

 

>> Digging around in the CM website now...

You can get the Great Courses Joy of Science by the author of Science Matters at audible for just 1 credit. You can get older editions of the textbook for a decent price.

 

>> We're going to be driving a ton. This might be something we can all listen to? 

And of course you can get Great Course stuff directly from the publisher. Their videos are nice, but pricey. I do have an astronomy course.

 

 

Look through these book lists and see if any appeal to you. http://charlottemason.tripod.com/chem.html

 

Thank you! I am not sure at all about the "story" of chemistry, and the books on the list are a great place to get oriented!  

[SilverMoon]

The author of Science Matters also did a fabulous lecture series on Great Courses. Before you click this link - ignore the prices on this website - It's called Joy of Science. If you want the DVDs look in the used section on Amazon or Ebay. If you wouldn't mind just listening you can get the whole series with a pdf guidebook for one Audible credit (if you sign up for the free trial they give you one credit). And Great Courses offers regular sales with super deep prices, as much as 80% off. They have an email list and Facebook page where these sales are announced.

 

 

I've enjoyed the lectures more than the book. They cover a lot more ground too.

Edited March 14, 2016 by SilverMoon

[mommymonster]

SilverMoon, Thank you for warning me about the prices! I clicked over to the Great Courses site and almost fell off my chair!  :w00t: I will have to check to see if I can find this series used! Thank you again.

[Targhee]

I actually don't have a favorite Gould.  I am a slow reader, ergo highly selective of my books.  Gould is prolific, and verbose. So thought he is entertaining and accessible, his books just take me too darn long to get through. I enjoyed The Book of Life because I am a (conservation) biologist, and it had lots of graphics  :D

 

I do believe that On the Origin of Species is a critical book, but not necessarily the best for understanding current evolutionary biological thought.  Dawkins' The Selfish Gene is a little more up to date, though like I said above I think Dawkins has created an agenda that is no longer about science but about anti-theism, which I don't care for.  Of E O Wilson, Biophilia or The Diversity of Life might be a good starting point.  Other landmark authors on conservation biology include Rachel Carson (Silent Spring and The Sense of Wonder) and Edward Abbey (Sand County Almanac and Desert Solitaire).

 

Enjoy!

 

Edited March 16, 2016 by Targhee