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Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Subject Guide
Return to the main Curriculum page
Teachers looking for materials not found on this list are encouraged to search by subject in other grade levels and adapt those materials to their needs.
Abruscato, Joe
and Jack Hassard. The Whole Cosmos Catalog of Science Activities.
Glenview, IL: Good Year Books, 1991. Public Q164. A26 1991. A giant sized collection
of over 275 activities and science ideas. Science activities, creative arts
activities, puzzlers and games, science biographies and full sized board games.
Activities are divided into categories based upon whether they are life sciences,
earth sciences, physical sciences, aerospace, and technology. Focus is on fun.
Index and table of contents provided. PreK-6.
Adkins, Jan. Moving
Heavy Things. Boston: HM Co., 1980. Pub Juv T55.3.L5 A34 1980. A short,
black and white illustrated guide illustrating concepts of physics and engineering
with a series of examples of how heavy things are moved using human bodies,
jacks, levers, wheels, etc. Trivia and demonstrations appropriate for all ages.
Alevizon, Bill.
The Coral Reef Teacher’s Guide. Key West, FL: Reef Relief, 1998.
Biodiv. QH541.5. C7 C665 1998. A guide for teachers written by a non-profit
agency dedicated to the preservation of coral reefs, ‘the rainforest of the
sea.’ A binder full of extensive educator background as well as easy to read
daily lesson plans which are divided up into grade categories: K-5, 6-8, 9-12
grades.
Allison, Linda.
The Wild Inside: Sierra Club’s Guide to the Great Indoors. San
Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books; Boston, MA; Little, Brown, 1988. Public Q
163 .A44 1988. Cartoon illustrated book describing how to find nature in your
own home. Experiments and guided exploration for finding and observing insects,
mold, household products, etc. Good for lesson planning and homework assignments.
Parent/teachers can guide kindergarten to 4th grade.
Anno, Mitsumasa
and Akihiro Nozaki. Anno’s Hat Tricks. New York: Philomel Books,
1985. Public Juv QA63 .N4913 1985. Using bright illustrations and a story
like format, this beautiful hard cover books introduces mathematical concepts
by counting colored hats. Grades K-3.
Anno, Mitsumasa.
Anno’s Math Games. New York, NY: Philomel Books, 1987. Public
Juv QA95 .A5613 1987. Part I of III books with a visual approach to mathematical
concepts by Hans Christian Anderson award recipient. Elementary mathematical
concepts such as addition, visual comparison, and graphing are illustrated with
brightly colored elves. Exercises could be photocopied for worksheets. Explanatory
notes follow for teachers and older readers. K-5th grade.
Anno, Mitsumasa.
Anno’s Math Games II. New York, NY: Philomel Books, 1989. Public
Juv QA95 .A5613 1989. Book II of III books with a visual approach to mathematical
concepts by Hans Christian Anderson award recipient. Elementary mathematical
concepts such as addition, visual comparison, and graphing are illustrated with
brightly colored elves. Exercises could be photocopied for worksheets. Explanatory
notes follow for teachers and older readers. K-5th grade.
Anno, Mitsumasa.
Anno’s Math Games III. New York, NY: Philomel Books, 1991.
Public Juv QA95 .A5613 1991. Book III of III books with a visual approach to
mathematical concepts by Hans Christian Anderson award recipient. Elementary
mathematical concepts such as addition, visual comparison, and graphing are
illustrated with brightly colored elves. Exercises could be photocopied for
worksheets. Explanatory notes follow for teachers and older readers. K-5th
grade.
Antunez de Mayolo,
Kay. Seed to Seedling: A California Native Oak Curriculum for Kindergarten
through Sixth Grade Children. Sacramento: Sacramento Tree Foundation,
1991. Public SD397. O12 S43 1991. Inclusive, year long curriculum designed
by an organization dedicated to citizen tree planting, stewardship of and education
about oak trees. Teachers are shown how to take students step by step through
the process of growing an oak tree from acorn to seedling. Connections are made
with science, social studies, language arts, math and arts. Handouts, worksheets
and resources provided. Focus on caring for the environment. K-6th
grade.
Aquatic Outreach
Institute and Contra Costa Sanitary District. Kids in Gardens: Teacher
Resource. Student Education Program. Richmond, CA: Aquatic
Outreach Institute, 1997. Biodiv. QH541.5. G37 K52 1997. A binder which describes
the step by step process of how to create a school garden including securing
funding, choosing a spot, garden activities and environmental lessons. Handouts,
articles, how-to’s, activities, projects, additional teacher resources and bibliography
provided in easy to photocopy form. K-12.
Aquatic Outreach
Institute. Kids in Marshes: An Interdisciplinary Wetlands Education and
Exploration Program. Richmond, CA: Aquatic Outreach Institute, 1997.
Biodiv. QH541.5. M3 K52 1997. This binder is meant to guide teachers through
teaching a unit on marshes or wetlands. Beginning with background information
and progressing through to marsh action projects, the plan is interdisciplinary
and comprehensive. Many pages can be photocopied to produce handouts to compliment
the suggested hands on fieldwork. Additional resources include a bibliography,
field trip ideas, doing the unit with computers, possible funding sources, and
sources for ordering books and materials. Curriculum can be modified to suit
students Grades K-12.
Aquatic Outreach
Institute. Watching Our Watersheds: Reducing Pollution in the Sausal
Creek Watershed. Richmond, CA: Aquatic Outreach Institute, 1998. Biodiv.
TD 225. S25 W37 1998. A binder for teachers on how to educate students on the
reduction of hazardous waste in waterways, specifically in the San Francisco
Bay Area. Material and information are appropriate for K-12 but handouts, project
ideas, etc would need to be tailored for grade levels higher than fifth. Covers
reducing waste at home and school, nature observation, recipes for natural pest
control, field trip ideas, history of watershed pollution and more. Handouts,
projects, teacher resources, bibliography and funding sources provided. K-12.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Motion. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
1992. Public Juv QC133.5 .A73 1991. One in a series of short, brightly illustrated
guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts. The books can be read
and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though the concepts illustrated
by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for all kinds of teachers.
Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and, excepting ones illustrating
plant growth, take place quickly.
Motion illustrates such engineering and physics concepts as rockets,
catapults, inertia, and friction. Parent/teacher assistance necessary for pre-K
to 2nd grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Air. An Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
1991. Public Juv QC161.2 .A74 1991 One in a series of short, brightly illustrated
guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts. The books can be read
and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though the concepts illustrated
by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for all kinds of teachers.
Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and, excepting ones illustrating
plant growth, take place quickly.
Air illustrates physics concepts of displacement, pressure and bubbles.
Parent/teacher assistance necessary for pre-K to 2nd grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Color. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
1991. Public Juv QC495.5 .A73 1991. One in a series of short, brightly illustrated
guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts. The books can be read
and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though the concepts illustrated
by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for all kinds of teachers.
Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and, excepting ones illustrating
plant growth, take place quickly.
Color illustrates physics concepts of prisms, color wheels, etc.
Parent/teacher assistance necessary for pre-K to 2nd grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Electricity. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
1991. Public Juv QC527.2 .A733 1991 One in a series of short, brightly illustrated
guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts. The books can be read
and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though the concepts illustrated
by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for all kinds of teachers.
Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and, excepting ones illustrating
plant growth, take place quickly.
Electricity has a wide range of experiments making batteries and
circuits and demonstrating instances of static electricity. Parent/teacher assistance
necessary for pre-K to 2nd grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Energy. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
1992.Public Juv QC73.4 .A75 1991 One in a series of short, brightly illustrated
guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts. The books can be read
and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though the concepts illustrated
by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for all kinds of teachers.
Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and, excepting ones illustrating
plant growth, take place quickly.
Energy illustrates biology and physics concepts including food energy,
batteries, flashlights and inertia Parent/teacher assistance necessary for
pre-K to 2nd grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Hot & Cold. San Diego: Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich, 1992. Public Juv QC256 .A73 1992. One in a series of short,
brightly illustrated guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts.
The books can be read and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though
the concepts illustrated by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for
all kinds of teachers. Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and,
excepting ones illustrating plant growth, take place quickly.
Hot & Cold illustrates physics and biology concepts including
heat traps, friction, hot air balloons, evaporation and freezing. Parent/teacher
assistance necessary for pre-K to 2nd grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Light. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
1991. Public Juv QC365 .A72 1991. One in a series of short, brightly illustrated
guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts. The books can be read
and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though the concepts illustrated
by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for all kinds of teachers.
Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and, excepting ones illustrating
plant growth, take place quickly.
Light has a combination of physics and biology experiments including
growth, refraction, magnification, shadows and periscopes. Parent/teacher assistance
necessary for pre-K to 2nd grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Machines. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
1992. Public Juv TJ147 .A73 1992. One in a series of short, brightly illustrated
guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts. The books can be read
and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though the concepts illustrated
by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for all kinds of teachers.
Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and, excepting ones illustrating
plant growth, take place quickly.
Machines has a wide range of engineering experiments including demonstrations
of levers, simple elevators and engines, ball bearings and pulleys. Parent/teacher
assistance necessary for pre-K to 2nd grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Magnets. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
1991. Public Juv QC757.5 .A73 1991. One in a series of short, brightly illustrated
guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts. The books can be read
and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though the concepts illustrated
by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for all kinds of teachers.
Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and, excepting ones illustrating
plant growth, take place quickly.
Magnets illustrates the physics concepts of attraction, magnetic
fields, polarizing, magnetizing metal, etc. Parent/teacher assistance necessary
for pre-K to 2nd grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Sound. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
1991. Public Juv QC225.5 .A69 1991 One in a series of short, brightly illustrated
guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts. The books can be read
and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though the concepts illustrated
by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for all kinds of teachers.
Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and, excepting ones illustrating
plant growth, take place quickly.
Sound includes experiments on voice, vibrations, sound waves, telephones
and instrument making. Parent/teacher assistance necessary for pre-K to 2nd
grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Electricity. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich, 1991. Public Juv QC527.2 .A733 1991. One in a series of short,
brightly illustrated guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts.
The books can be read and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though
the concepts illustrated by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for
all kinds of teachers. Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and,
excepting ones illustrating plant growth, take place quickly.
Electricity demonstrates physics properties including static and
batteries. Parent/teacher assistance necessary for pre-K to 2nd grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of the Senses. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
1992. Public Juv QP434 .A73 1991 One in a series of short, brightly illustrated
guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts. The books can be read
and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though the concepts illustrated
by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for all kinds of teachers.
Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and, excepting ones illustrating
plant growth, take place quickly.
Senses has experiments illustrating concepts of human biology including
hearing, sensing temperature, potpourri and cookie making. Parent/teacher assistance
necessary for pre-K to 2nd grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Things That Grow. San Diego: Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich, 1991. Public Juv QK731 .A37 1991 One in a series of short, brightly
illustrated guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts. The books
can be read and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though the concepts
illustrated by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for all kinds of
teachers. Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and, excepting
ones illustrating plant growth, take place quickly.
Things that Grow illustrates concepts about plant and fungal growth
including growing from cuttings, greenhouses, yeasts and molds. Parent/teacher
assistance necessary for pre-K to 2nd grade.
Ardley, Neil.
The Science Book of Weather. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
1992. Public Juv QC981.3 .A73 1992. One in a series of short, brightly illustrated
guides on different scientific and mathematical concepts. The books can be read
and understood by young and advanced readers alike, though the concepts illustrated
by the easy to follow instructions can be useful for all kinds of teachers.
Safe, fun experiments require only simple materials and, excepting ones illustrating
plant growth, take place quickly.
Weather would be very useful to San Francisco area teachers in explaining
fog and clouds. Other concepts demonstrated include rain, heat, humidity, evaporation
and barometers. Parent/teacher assistance necessary for pre-K to 2nd
grade.
Are We Building
Environmental Literacy: A Report by the Independent Commission on Environmental
Education. Washington, D.C.: ICEE, April 1997. Biodiv. GE80 .152 1997.
A report put out by a commission on Environmental Education of the George C.
Marshall Institute on the basics of environmental education: a general description,
current status of the field, the goals of the commission, and the materials
reviewed. The report also covers the various subsets of environmental education
including acid rain, biodiversity, economics, energy and natural resources,
forestry, global warming, population, risk analysis and waste management. This
report is appropriate to form policy or design a curriculum for any age group
but not for designing daily lesson plans.
Baron, Nancy and
Adrienne Mason. Our Oceans, Ourselves: Marine Biodiversity for Educators.
Hull: Quebec: Biodiversity Conservation Office, Environment Canada, 1995. Biodiv.
QH91.8.B6.B37 1995; Biodiv Ref. QH91.8.B6.B37 1995; Public QH91.8.B6.B37 1995.
A teachers guide to marine biodiversity complete with worksheets and dense and
extensive teacher background written by Canadian educators for educators worldwide.
Focus is on understanding and conserving marine biodiversity. Most suitable
for 4-8 grades but lesson plan ideas can be tailored to any grade level K-12.
Bossert, Heather
and Joan Heckscher. Learning Through Environmental Action: The Community
Action Model of Environmental Service Learning: A Guide for Educators.
Washington, DC: Community Alliance for Youth Action, 1999. Biodiv GE80 .B67
1999. This resource is appropriate for the non classroom based unit or educational
organization. The emphasis in this guide is experiential learning, which involves
hands on, community based environmental activities, reflection upon them, and
application of their new found knowledge in their daily lives. Includes a section
with additional resources and worksheet/activity ideas. Planning ideas span
grades K-12.
Bourgeois, Paulette.
The Amazing Paper Book. Reading, Mass: Addison-Wesley, 1989.
Public Juv. TS1105.5.B68 1989. Environmentally oriented art projects involving
paper, emphasis is on recycling. Projects include making gift wrap, wood block
printing, making paper. Environmental and historical anecdotes accompany each
project. Drawback: one lesson begins with a patronizing anecdote about Pacific
Islanders. Projects appropriate for K-12.
Braus, Judy A.
and David Wood. Environmental Education in the Schools: Creating a Program
that Works! Peace Corps, Information Collection and Exchange. Published
by North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), 1993. Biodiv.
GE77. B72 1994. This manual was a Peace Corps project and is a resource intended
for teachers developing or improving an existing environmental education program.
Though this resource is easy to read and navigate, it is quite long. Filled
with hypothetical examples, background information, handouts that can be photocopied,
and many games, stories, and field trip ideas, this resource serves teachers
of and curriculum developers for grades K-12.
Burnie, David.
How Nature Works. Pleasantville, N.Y.: Reader’ Digest Association,
1991. Public QH55 .B87 1991. Brightly illustrated hard-back reference book
with descriptions of and experiments to do on the natural world. It is divided
up into sections: Basics of matter, plants, fungi, aquatic life, insects/invertebrates,
birds, reptiles, and mammals. Designed for home laboratories, few of the necessary
materials will need to be bought. Index and glossary included. Assistance necessary
until 3rd grade, self-exploration from 3rd to 7th
grade. Concepts and demonstrations appropriate for all ages.
Butzow, Carol M.
and John W. Butzow. Science through Children’s Literature: An Integrated
Approach. Englewood, CO: Teacher Ideas Press, 1989. Public LB1585
.B85 1989. Using children’s literature as a spring board for understanding scientific
concepts—such as energy transfer and life cycles—this bibliography style resource
suggests a classic of children’s literature and suggests various activities
and projects, as well as the scientific concepts that might relate to it. Concept
mapping tips (for meeting objectives) and guidelines for selecting new titles
are part of the teachers guide. Selections are divided into sections by life,
physical, and Earth and space sciences. PreK-4.
Butzow, Carol M. and John W. Butzow. Exploring the Environment through Children’s Literature: An Integrated Approach. Englewood, CO: Teacher Ideas Press, 1989. Public GE 70 .B88 1999. This book of lesson plans is divided into three sections to cover three broad concepts: Land, Water and Environmental Impact. Each activity is built around a particular book, such as Jane Yolen’s Letting Swift River Go, and contains a series of questions, diagrams (that can be photocopied) and further resources on the same topic. Grades K-4 and adaptable to higher levels.)
California Dept.
of Education. California Endangered Species Resource Guide.
Sacramento, CA: California Dept. of Education, 1993. Biodiv QH76.5.C2 C344
1993. Easy to read guide for curriculum development with an endangered species
focus. Classrooms will identify an endangered animal, find out more about it,
and develop a plan to protect. Curricula are divided into different grade focuses:
K-3, 4-6, 6-9, 10-12.
California State
Board of Education. Science Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten
Through Grade Twelve. Sacramento: California Board of Education, 1990.
Biodiv Ref. LB1585.3 .C34 1990. This guide is designed by the California government
to guide curriculum designers and educators at all levels of education in producing
a science curriculum for students of school age. Complex and dense, this work
is aimed towards active learning. Different sections discuss what science is,
it’s major themes, it’s content (life, earth, physical science). The final two
chapters provide implementation guidelines and instructional materials criteria.
Chapters are at times broken out by grade levels. K-12, curriculum design.
The California
State Environment Education Guide: A Curriculum Guide for Kindergarten Through
Sixth Grade. Hayward, CA: Alameda County Office of Education, 1988.
Biodiv Ref. LB1585.3 .C35 1988. This text is designed to provide teachers/educators
with classroom lessons and instructional techniques that foster a fundamental
understanding of the environment. Divided out into units (each of which is aimed
at a certain age range) that focus on a certain aspect of environmental education
and include a teacher background, timeline, discussion questions, evaluation
techniques, homework and tips for parent involvement. Additional resources (organizations
and literature), handouts and index included. K-6.
Cecil, Nancy Lee.
Developing Environmental Awareness Through Children’s Literature: A Guide
For Teachers And Librarians, K-8. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, c1996.
Biodiv. GE105 .C43 1996 This bibliography is useful for educators who would
like to incorporate literature featuring environmentally aware characters into
their classroom activities or libraries. Each book listed has a description
along with two activity ideas and objectives accomplished using it. Resources
are divided into sections by subject and grade level: K-3, 4-8.
Center for Marine
Conservation. The Ocean Book: Aquarium and Seaside Activities and Ideas
for All Ages. New York: Wiley, 1989. Biodiv GC21.5 .O28 1989 Oceans
are the focus of the teacher resource that is formed mainly of games, puzzles,
and activities that can be photocopied for active learning. Not much accompanying
text, good as a supplementary source for classroom activities. Not broken out
by grade, good for K-6.
Challoner, Jack.
The Science Book of Numbers. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
1992. Public Juv QA141 .C49 1992. This book follows the same format as the
books by Neil Ardley, and contains bright illustration, minimal, easy to read
text and about ten different experiments which illustrate numerical and geometric
concepts. Good for students weak in math skills. Parent/teacher assistance necessary
for pre-K to 2nd grade, experiments can be conducted alone from 3rd
grade onwards.
Charles, Cheryl.
Aquatic Project Wild. Sacramento, CA: California Department of
Fish & Game, 1987. Biodiv Ref. QH90.55 .A68 1987 This black and white illustrated
text invites teachers and educators to explore waterways of all kinds and the
habitats that they support. Activity ideas are meant to be supplemental to existing
curriculum and encourage an appreciation of the human place in nature and the
environment. Interdisciplinary. Appendices include resources for further study
and materials. Each chapter indicates an age appropriate range K-12.
Chase, Jayni. Blueprint
for a Green School. NY: Scholastic Leadership Policy Research, 1995.
Biodiv Ref. GE70 .C48 1995. Developed by a pioneering environmental educator,
this enormous, hardbound books contains many activities for teachers and students
to make the school into an environmentally friendly place. Chase believes that
the only way towards positive change in the environment is education of children
and teaching them their place in the environmental web. K-12, not broken out
by grade level.
Computer
Aided Environmental Education. Troy, OH: North American Association
for Environmental Education (NAAEE) 1990. Biodiv GE70.C65 1990. This curriculum
uses and electronically based curriculum as a cost effective and time saving
replacement for actual contact with the natural world. Useful for curriculum
designers looking to add another dimension to their existing curriculum. Appropriate
for teachers of all ages.
Conservation
& Recycling: Educator’s Waste Management Resource & Activity Guide.
California Dept. of Conservation Division of Recycling. April 1992. Biodiv
TD794.5 .E38 1992. This educator resource, though not illustrated, is an extremely
useful resource for teaching about recycling. Giving both background information
and classroom activities (each specifically targeted to certain grade levels)
it has lesson plans, fun trivia, additional resources (print and multimedia),
community contacts (for speakers), teacher background and useful environmental
organizations. Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12.
Curriculum
Earth: An Awareness to Action Program for K-12. Philadelphia, PA: Schuylkill
Center for Environmental Education, 1997. Biodiv QH546 .C87 1997. A comprehensive
environmental curriculum with units that build upon one another as a student
grows older. Good for a school looking to implement a continuous curriculum
for the entire school. Stresses environmental awareness, knowledge, values and
action. Divided into grade levels K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
Dawson, Arthur.
Marine Mammal Activity and Curriculum Guide. Sausalito: the California
Marine Mammal Center, Department of Education, 1989. Biodiv Ref. QL713.2 .M352
1989. This guide to California marine mammal life is produced by the Marine
Mammal Center and would be well complemented by a visit to the center. Craft
and activities pages can be photocopied to produce handouts. Highlight includes
what mammals you can see when and where to see them. Also includes a bibliography
and glossary. Grades K-6.
Directory
of Environmental Educators. Troy, OH: North American Association for
Environmental Education. Washington, DC, 1997. Biodiv. Ref. GE 70 .N67 1997.
This directory produced by NAAEE contains a nationwide listing of environmental
educators who belong to the association as well as their institutional members.
Useful as a networking or coalition building tool to find other schools that
have or have had environmental education programs. Grades K-12.
Donald, Kathryn
B. Planting Seeds, Growing Minds: A Horticultural K-6 Curriculum.
Sacramento, CA: California Association of Nurserymen. Biodiv Ref. QK52.55 .D66
1991. This black and white illustrated activity book teaches the scientific
process and data analysis and synthesis using fun plant activities. Curriculum
is centered around Arbor Day but spans many weeks around that specific day.
Has teacher background, detailed plans, additional resources and growing projects.
Grades K-6.
Douglas, Susan
E. Life Through Time: The Evidence for Evolution. San Francisco:
California Academy of Sciences, 1989. Pub Juv QH362 .D68 1989. Fleshing out
many of the themes explored in the California Academy of Sciences’ ‘Life Through
Time’ evolution exhibit, this resource gives examples of many hands on classroom
activities that will help students better understand how life evolved on Earth.
Grades K-6.
Echols, Jean C.,
Kimi Hosoume and Jaine Kopp. Eggs Eggs Everywhere: Teachers Guide Preschool
to One. Berkeley, CA: Great Explorations in Math and Science, Lawrence
Hall of Science, 1997. Pub. QL 956.5 .E23 1997. Eggs serve as an introduction
to the beginning of life in this book of activities and ideas for young children.
Activities are both long (hatching eggs) and short (egg hunting) term and students
learn sorting, graphing, observation, elementary biology and ecology, as well
as egg and bird identification. PreK-1.
Education
and Recycling Educator’s Waste Management and Resource and Activity Guide.
Sacramento, CA: California Department of Education, 1994. Biodiv. Ref. TD 794.5
.E38 1994. Bilingual. This guide to recycling in schools is produced by the
California Department of Conservation and has games, worksheets, letters to
parents and many other worksheets that can be photocopied for classroom activities
and homework. All materials in both Spanish and English. Lessons are divided
into various grade levels and clearly state objectives, materials needed and
procedures. Comprehensively listed in back are additional resources and organizations
which are comprehensive and California specific. Grades K-12.
Ellis, Brian. Learning
from the Land: Teaching Ecology Through Stories and Activities. Englewood,
CL.: Teacher Ideas, 1997. Biodiv GE77 .E45 1997. This book of stories is loosely
based upon Native American legend and is designed to inspire students’ minds
in the area of science. Topics range from recycling to metamorphosis and a wide
variety of activities are used including map making, writing, using the scientific
method and more. Includes notes to the teacher, worksheets that could be photocopied,
follow up ideas, additional resources and an index. Appropriate for a resource
for all ages, K-12.
Environmental Education
Council. Aquatic Project WILD: Aquatic Education Activity Guide.
Boulder, CO: Project WILD, c1987. Biodiv QH90.55 .A68 1987. This supplemental
resource is meant to enhance an existing science curriculum and inform students
about ecology issues in the world of water. Activities are both classroom and
field trip based and are designated for certain grade levels, activities appropriate
for K-12.
Environmental
Education: Compendium for Energy Resources. Sonoma, CA: (Sonoma State
University). California Dept. of Education, California Energy Extension Service.
March 1992. Biodiv. QH541.2.E58 1992. A bibliography of energy curriculum ideas
for teachers, with many of the same resources that are found on this list. It
could be useful for those building a library of ecology materials or for teachers
searching for something beyond what the Academy holds on the topic of energy.
Resources provided for grades K-12.
Environmental
Education Collection: A Review of Resources for Educators, Vol. 1. Troy,
OH: North American Association for Environmental Education, 1997. Biodiv GE
70.E573 1997 V.1 This in depth review of environmental curriculum materials
was put together by the NAEE (North American Association for Environmental Education)
to help teachers find the appropriate resources for teaching about the environment.
Resources are arranged by title and reviewers discuss which subjects, grade
levels, cost, and more for each resource. Chart included for easy browsing.
For curriculum designers of all levels, K-12.
Environmental
Education on the Early Childhood Level. Troy, OH: North American Association
for Environmental Education (NAAEE) 1994. Biodiv GE70.E57 1994. A series of
essays compiled by the NAEE (North American Association for Environmental Education)
to highlight the importance of environmental education at the early childhood
level. Table of contents and additional resources included. Useful for curriculum
designers or students of education.
Environmental
Resource Packet: A Hands-On Approach for Primary/Middle School Teachers.
Holy Hill, SC: R&M Publishing Company, 1994. Pub.GE77 .I78 1994. This resource
guide was designed to integrate scientific concepts into other areas of the
curriculum and actively engage students in learning. It contains several different
in class activities and experiments focused on the environment (ecology) that
vary in duration from one class period to several months. Each project comes
with ideas on how to assess the students following it, how it utilizes other
subject areas, and how to extend outside the classroom by taking field trips,
inviting speakers to the classroom, etc. Grades K-8.
Essential
Learnings in Environmental Education. North American Association for
Environmental Education. 1990. Biodiv. QH541.2.E84. 1990. This collection of
facts, compiled by the NAEE (North American Association for Environmental Education),
is meant to serve as a database of facts for educators to inspire them to connect
concepts, facts and definitions in ecology. The book is more of an inspiration
guide than a science resource book, nor is it especially easy to use. A useful
chart helps break out facts by grade level, concept and focus. Useful for teachers
of grades K-12.
Every Child
a Scientist: Achieving Scientific Literacy for All. Washington, DC:
National Academy Press, 1998. Pub. LB 1585.3 .C46 1998. This short book is a
project of the National Academy of Sciences and is a great resource for teachers
and administrators advocating for better science education in their school and
for taking the first steps to bring their curriculum into compliance with National
Science Education Standards. Grades K-12.
Fossil Treasure
Box: For Elementary School Teachers. San Francisco, CA: California Academy
of Sciences, 1990z. Pub QE714.7 .F67 1990z. This box, designed by the California
Academy of Sciences to complement the Life Through Time exhibit, contains an
oversize wall chart with different eras pictured in timeline form. The accompanying
teacher guide suggests ideas for using the chart in different disciplines along
with some teacher background. Actual fossil casts come in the box to make the
package even more hands on. Grades K-6.
Garrett, Mary E.
Orienteering and Map Games for Teachers. Forest Park, GA: United
States Orienteering Federation. 1996. Pub. GV 200.4 .G37 1996. This introduction
to using maps in the classroom is based on the premise that children are natural
mapmakers and enjoy understanding physical objects in relation to themselves.
Progressing from simple games at the preschool level into complex topographic
maps at the high school level, this book can be used by many different teachers.
Grades pre-K to 12.
Gersohn, David,
and Robert Gilman. Household Ecoteam Workbook: A Six-Month Program to
Bring Your Household into Environmental Balance. Woodstock, NY: Global
Action Plan for Earth, 1992. Biodiv TD171.7 .G47 1992. This workbook outlines
an easy to understand six month, six step plan for households to reduce garbage,
improve water, transportation and energy efficiency, become an educated consumer
and to empower others to improve their households. Ideas can be adapted for
the classroom for children to bring home to their parents but the resource is
geared toward improving the environment as a multi-generational community. Grades
K-12.
Guide to
Ecoliteracy: A New Content for School Restructuring. Berkeley, CA: the
Elmwood Institute, 1993. Biodiv Ref. QH541.2 .G83 1993. This collection of short
essays is designed to help teachers incorporate a curriculum of ecological literacy
into their classrooms. It is illustrated with black and white photos and drawings
and quite easy to read. Appropriate for secondary level education study and
for curriculum designers of all ages. K-12.
Ham, Sam H. Environmental
Interpretation: A Practical Guide for People with Big Ideas and Small Budgets.
Golden, CO.: North American Press, 1992. Biodiv QH75 .H36 1992. This book is
focused on teaching educators not only what to communicate in the natural world
but how to do it forcefully. The approach is grounded in theory and backed up
by 20 years of experience as an environmental educator and includes activities
and presentation ideas. Appropriate for curriculum designers and educators for
all grades K-12+.
Hampton, Carolyn
H., Carol Hampton, David C. Kramer, et al. Classroom Creature Culture:
Algae to Anoles. Arlington, VA: National Science Teachers Assn., 1994.
Pub. QH317 . C55 1994. This is a collection of the column Science and Children
from the NSTA publication. It is published for teachers concerned with the care,
maintenance and possibility of keeping live animals in the classroom. Easy to
read articles are each focused on a single creature or ecosystem that you can
have in the classroom. Education for teachers of all grade levels.
Hann, Judith.
How Science Works. Pleasantville, NY: Reader’s Digest Association,
1991. Public Q164 .H26 1991 This brightly illustrated Readers Digest publication
explains a number of experiments which utilize easily found ingredients and
are easily done at home or school. They are divided out into several sections
including matter, energy, air and water, light and sound, electricity, and magnetism.
Appropriate for independent exploration by 4-6 graders but experiments can be
done by all students grades K-12.
Harlow, Rosie and
Gareth Morgan. 175 Amazing Nature Experiments. New York: Random
House, 1991. Public Juv. QH55 .H3 1992. Easy to read, color illustrated experiments
on the natural world are divided into four sections: How Things Grow, Minibeasts,
Trees and Leaves, and The Seasons. Useful for units on ecology, plant biology,
and natural world. Glossary and index included. Experiments are suitable to
students who have a great deal of time to watch them occur, not many take place
within a day. Independent reading grades 4-8, content appropriate K-12.
Hart, Roger. Children’s
Participation: The Theory and Practice of Involving Young Citizens in Community
Development and Environmental Care. London: Earthscan, 1997. Biodiv
GE77 .H37 1997. This book was written by one of the foremost environmental educators
in the world and is designed for planners, educators and environmentalists who
are looking to strengthen child participation in the environmental movement.
Appropriate for teachers and curriculum designers for students grades K-12+.
Herman, M. Passineau,
Jr. Schimpf, A., Treuer, P. Teaching Kids to Love the Earth.
Pfeifer-Hamilton Publishers, 1991. Biodiv QH54.5 .T43 1991. This guide contains
186 outdoor activities for parents and teachers to do with children. Each activity
is supplemented by a story and ideas for reflections. Grades K-6.
Hollweg, Karen
S. Volunteers Teaching Children. North American Association
for Environmental Education 1995. Biodiv QH541.2 .H62 1995. This book is meant
to give volunteer groups a concrete guidebook for instituting and supporting
an urban environmental education program. Includes detailed plans for creating
a fee structure, educating volunteer teachers and implementing programs and
activities with students of all ages. All ages (not necessarily school based.)
Huckle, John, and
Stephen Sterling, eds. Education for Sustainability. London: Earthscan,
1996. Biodiv GE70 .E38 1996. This is a valuable series of essays written for
curriculum designers and teachers looking to implement an ecology program that
focuses on sustainable lifestyles. A number of international contributors wrote
the essays which focus on both formal and informal educational arenas and the
theoretical and practical aspects of teaching about the environment. Curriculum
design for all ages PreK-university.
Jorgensen, Eric.
Hidden Villa Environmental Education: Manure to Meadow to Milkshake.
Los Altos Hills, CA: Trust for Hidden Villa, 1991. Biodiv GE77 .J67 1991. A
series of hands on activities that can be done in or out of school produced
by an outdoor education center on the Peninsula. Amusing illustrations highlight
innovative activities such as interviews, tactile experiments and songs. Appropriate
for grades K-6.
Kasperson, J.,
Lachecki, M. More Teaching Kids to Love the Earth. Pfiefer-Hamilton
Publishers, 1995. Biodiv QH54.5 .K38 1995 These 156 activities are the second
of two books designed to help teachers and parents instill a love of nature
in children. Natural world activities, such as developing listening skills and
understanding growth, take place in urban, rural and suburban settings and each
begin with a story and end with suggestions for follow up resources. Appropriate
for K-6.
Kaza, Stephanie.
California’s Vanishing Flora: A Curriculum Guide to Endangered Plants
of California. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Fish &
Game, 1991. Biodiv Ref. QH76.5 .C2 K39 1991. A joint project between the California
Department of Fish and Game and the California Department of Education, this
resource highlights the abundant number of California native plants and the
hazards that they face. Games and lessons are appropriate for various ages and
the book is not aimed at any particular age group. Includes further resources
and a bibliography. All ages.
Kopp, Kathy. Sea
Life: Coloring Book. Monterey Bay Aquarium, 1994. Biodiv Juv QH91.17
.K66 1996. This coloring book is an excellent source for handouts and fun activities
that can easily be photocopied in order to interest children in marine life.
Facts about marine life appear underneath each drawing. PreK-2.
Kramer, Kathy.
Kids and Creeks: An Interdisciplinary Creek Exploration Program.
Richmond, CA: Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program, 1995. Biodiv Ref GC991.C2
K52 1995. This comprehensive resource is extremely useful for getting the most
of out a field trip to a stream or creek by teaching about runoff and pollution.
Extra resources for teachers include funding opportunities, places to visit,
and a bibliography. Meets California mandates to teach children about runoff
and pollution. Each activity is targeted toward a certain grade level. K-12.
Krueger, Alice
and John Sutton. EDThoughts: What We Know About Science Teaching and
Learning. Aurora, CO: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning,
2001. Pub LB 1585.3 E34 2001. This is a useful resource for beginning science
teachers or someone looking to create or improve an existing science program.
Using a question and answer format, it addresses many areas of teaching and
learning science such as teaching, assessment, curriculum, technology and learning.
The focus is on bringing science to every student in ways that suit different
learning styles and communities. Index and bibliography included. Grades K-12.
Let’s Reduce
and Recycle: Curriculum for Solid Waste Awareness. Washington, DC:
United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1990. Biodiv Ref. TD794.5 .L47
1990. and Teachers’ Guide. Biodiv Ref. TD 794.5 .S36 1991. A project of the
Environmental Protection Agency, this resource teaches about the value and necessity
for recycling and the vast amounts of waste that is produced in the United States.
Lesson plans have objectives and vocabulary and they are tailored to fit the
needs and interests of the community in which the school is located. Unit I:
K-6.
Lingelbach, Jenepher.
Hands-on Nature: Information and Activities for Exploring the Environment
with Children. Woodstock, VT: Vermont Institute of Natural Science,
1986. Biodiv QH51 .L56 1986. This resource is dedicated to making a teacher
of nature activities successful by keeping activities simple and arousing curiosity
in children and actively engaging them in discoveries. Pages can be photocopied
and lesson plans are detailed. Bibliography, glossary and index included. Activities
appropriate for K-12.
Literature
for Science and Mathematics: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve. Sacramento:
California Department of Education, 1993. Biodiv Ref. Q163 .L57 1993 This resource
is a compilation that outlines different literature that can be used to teach
science that is approved by the California Department of Education. Literature
is categorized into different disciplines—life sciences, physical sciences,
mathematics, etc—and further described by appropriate grade level, whether it
has pictures, and what kind of resource it is. Useful for curriculum designers,
expanding a library or locating an appropriate textbook. Grades K-12.
Lowell, Laura.
Sifting Through Science: Teacher’s Guide. Berkeley, CA: Great
Explorations in Math and Science, Lawrence Hall of Science, Univ. of California
at Berkeley, 1997. Biodiv LB1585 .L68 1997 Using a number of hands on activities,
this black and white illustrated resource gives detailed science lesson plans
for early elementary students. All of the activities have been done by educators
at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley and teach basic concepts in physics,
chemistry and the scientific method. Can be adopted for pre-K. Grades K-2.
Marine Education:
A Bibliography of Education Materials Available from the Nation’s Sea Grant
College Programs. Ocean Springs, MS: J.L. Scott Marine Education Center
and Aquarium, 1991. Biodiv & Biodiv Ref. QH90.5 .M37 1991. This compilation
of textbooks, organizations, and marine educators is meant to serve as a resource
finder for marine educators: concentrating on both the North American oceans
and the Great Lakes. Materials are described fully and the resource contains
material appropriate for all grades and some materials in Spanish. Curriculum
designers for grades K-12.
Marine &
Coastal Educational Directory: San Francisco Bay & Monterey Bay.
San Francisco: California Coastal Commission, 1996. Biodiv QH105.C2 M27 1996.
This is a useful compilation of contact information for educators and education
resources in Northern California. Would be useful for generating field trip
ideas or for hiring a speaker. All ages.
Marzano, Robert
J., Debra Pickering, Jay McTighe. Assessing Student Outcomes: Performance
Assessment Using the Dimensions of Learning Model. Alexandria, VA: Association
for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1993. Biodiv. LB 3051 .M457 1993.
This guide for assessing students takes a new approach to gauging student knowledge
of a concept: rather having assessment test mastery of fact, it encourages teachers
to test understanding and a students’ desire to learn more—effectively gauging
a teachers’ ability to teach rather than a students’ ability to learn. Developed
by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development for all subjects,
not just science. Grades K-12.
Mayer, Juergen.
Teaching Biodiversity: Results of a Delphi-Study in Germany.
National Association for Research in Science Teaching, 1995. Biodiv. Ref. QH541.254.G3
M39 1995. This paper was presented at a NARST conference and discusses the importance
of using live specimens when educating about biodiversity. Useful as a reference
for grant writing or curriculum design.
McGlathery, Glenn
and Norma J. Livo. Who’s Endangered on Noah’s Ark?: Literary and Scientific
Activities for Teachers and Parents. Biodiv Ref. QL82 .M38 1992. Using
different activities, newspaper clippings and folklore, this paperback children’s
encyclopedia teaches students about different endangered animals around the
world. Some crafts and games included but information is substantive enough
to provide information for reports or papers. Has additional resources, index
and black and white illustrations. K-12.
Muir Woods
Environmental Education Guide. [California: Muir Woods National Monument,
1988?]. Biodiv Ref QK495.S5 M896 1988. This binder is a compilation of lesson
plans and activity ideas which are meant to introduce students to the cultural
and natural history of the redwoods, specific the stand at Muir Woods though
activities can be adapted for other areas. Includes tips for advance preparation,
vocabulary, materials needed and curriculum framework correlations. Lesson plans
are targeted at specific grade levels, K-6.
The NAAEE
Standards Project: Papers on the Development of Environmental Education Standards.
Dr. Deborah Simmons, ed. Washington, DC: North American Association for Environmental
Education (NAAEE), 1995. Biodiv. QH541.2.555. 1995 The North American Association
for Environmental Education is in the process of implementing standards for
environmental education in the schools. Papers address different topics of implementing
standards such as why they are important, what it will take to implement them,
what standards will be for educators themselves and also how the standards will
apply to the materials that they use to teach. Useful for environmental education
curriculum designers for all grades K-12.
National Gardening
Association. Growlab: Activities for Growing Mind. Joy Cohen,
Eve Pranis, et al., contributors. Burlington, VT: National Gardening Association,
1990. Pub. QK52. 55. C63 1990. By examining plant cycles, encouraging group
collaboration and integrating science with other subject areas such as language
arts and social studies, this book seeks to stimulate the students’ interest
in science while teaching them to protect the Earth. Each lesson has teacher
background, estimated time frame, materials needed and advance preparation that
needs to happen. Grades K-8.
Newmann, Dana.
Ready-to-Use Activities and Materials on Coastal Indians: A Complete Sourcebook
for Teachers K-8. West Nyack, NY: The Center for Applied Research in
Education Native Americans Resource Library, 1996. Public E76.6.N48 1995 v.3
The activities and lesson plans in these resource guides serve as an introduction
for students and teachers to the culture and history of the coastal Indians.
Topics such as religion, social order, dress and environment are addressed in
the resource section and are accompanied by black and white photos of Native
Americans from coastal tribes. Activities all are described on handouts that
can be easily photocopied. Material appropriate for grades K-8.
Newmann, Dana.
Ready-to-Use Activities and Materials on Plains Indians: A Complete Sourcebook
for Teachers K-8. West Nyack, NY: The Center for Applied Research in
Education Native Americans Resource Library, 1996. Public E76.6.N48 1995 v.2
The activities and lesson plans in these resource guides serve as an introduction
for students and teachers to the culture and history of the coastal Indians.
Topics such as religion, social order, dress and environment are addressed in
the resource section and are accompanied by black and white photos of Native
Americans from coastal tribes. Activities all are described on handouts that
can be easily photocopied. Material appropriate for grades K-8.
Nickelsburg, Janet.
Nature Activities for Early Childhood. Menlo Park, CA: Addison
Wesley Publishing Company, Innovative Series, 1976. Pub. LB1585 .N52 1976.
This classic guide for naturalists is illustrated by black and white photographs
and will guide educators through several projects that introduce children to
the natural world in an exciting, hands-on way. The book is divided into group
and individual projects and works on developing observation and exploration
skills both inside the classroom and out. PreK-3.
The No Waste
Anthology: A Teacher’s Guide to Environmental Activities K-12. Sacramento,
CA: California Department of Health Services, 1991. Biodiv Ref TD178 .N6 1991.
This resource contains activities that are action focused and often interdisciplinary
as they teach students about the environment. Each activity has teacher background,
a list of necessary materials and which grade level the activity is appropriate
for. Divided into three sections: Natural Resources, Solid Waste and Hazardous
Waste. Indexed by grade level and activity type. Grades K-12.
Oldham, Pat. Wildlife
Rehabilitation: A Coloring and Activity Book. Albuquerque, NM: 1995.
Biodiv. SF 996.45 .O45 1995. This pages of this resource are excellent for photocopying
for coloring and other projects that utilize large, black and white pictures
of animals. Each of the 25 animals pictured comes with a brief description or
game that teaches students about the plight of the animal in rehabilitation.
Grades K-3.
Parrella, Deborah.
Shelburne Farms Project Seasons: Hands-on Activities for Discovering the
Wonders of the Natural World. Shelburne, VT: Shelburne Farms, 1995.
Pub. LB 1585.3 .P37 1995. This book is filled with activities rooted in the
belief that early contact with agriculture and the natural world can have enormous
impact in the child’s perception and value of the environment. Many activities
can be done in both formal and informal educational settings. Activities are
divided into sections by season and cover aspects of ecology, natural world
observation (such as plant growth and the world of insects). Bibliography, Index
and many worksheets to be photocopied. Grades K-6.
Pitman, Barb; Braus,
Judy and Lani Asato. The Biodiversity Collection: A Review of Biodiversity
Resources for Educations. Baltimore, MD: World Wildlife Fund, 1998.
Biodiv QH541.15.B56 P57 1998. This resource highlights 47 different biodiversity
oriented curriculum materials. Specifies which grade each resource is specific
to. Covers grades K-12.
Polacco, Patricia.
Thunder Cake. New York: Philomel Books, 1990. Public Juv PZ7
.P75186 Th 1990. Brightly illustrated, this book is the autobiographical tale
of how one woman overcame her fear of thunder with the help of her grandmother’s
recipe for cake. Useful as a supplement for a unit on weather. Grades K-2.
Potter, Jean. Science
in Seconds at the Beach: With Activities for Ponds, Lakes,
and Rivers. New York: Wiley, 1998. Public Juv Q164.P76 1998
These experiments you can do next to a body of water take place in less than
ten seconds. Useful for units on marine science. Manual is black and white illustrated,
easy to read and uses only household ingredients. Independent reading: grades
2-6, content appropriate for demonstrations K-12.
Project WILD:
Elementary Activity Guide. Sacramento, CA: California Department of
Fish and Game, 1986. Biodiv Ref QH53 .P76 1986. Project Wild is an award winning
education program consisting of activities, experiments, curriculum materials
and lesson plans intended to help students become responsible environmental
decision makers. Teaching wildlife awareness and ecology along with the geographical
and political issues of environmental issues, this resource can be tailored
toward local issues or can have a global focus. Grades K-6.
Resources
for Teaching Elementary School Science. Washington, DC: National Academy
Press, Smithsonian Institution, 1996. Biodiv LD1585.R47 1996. This guide annotates
about 350 curriculum packages, describing activities involved and what children
will learn along with how they comply with National Science Education Standards.
Grouped by scientific area—Life, Earth, Physical, Multidisciplinary and Applied
Science. For curriculum designers of K-6 grades.
Rights, Mollie.
Beastly Neighbors: All about Wild Things in the City, or Why Earwigs Make
Good Mothers. Boston: Little, Brown, 1981. Public QH53 .R53 1981.
This easy to read, black and white illustrated book is a guide to finding wilderness
wherever one lives, regardless of how urban that environment seems. Experiments
include growing vegetables, encouraging wildlife to settle in your backyard
and composting. Suitable for independent reading for students grades 5-9 or
classroom activities for any age K-12.
River of Words: National Environmental Poetry and Poster Contest for Students: Teacher’s Guide. Berkeley, CA: International Rivers Network, 1996. Biodiv GE77.R58 1996. This curriculum guide explores watersheds by engaging students in a poetry and poster contest. Includes teacher background on watershed ecology and teaching creative arts. Lesson plans, extensive bibliographies and sample poetry from students and other poets. Grades K-12.
Ruskey,
Abby. Promoting Environmental Education: An Action Handbook for
Russo, Monica. Insect Almanac: A Year-Round Activity Guide. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., 1992. Pub Juv QL467.2 .R87 1992. Beautifully illustrated and well indexed, this activity guide can be used both as a resource and as a guide for exploring the world of insects year round. Most activities center around finding, identifying and preserving insects. Glossary and index included. Independent readers in grades 3-12, teachers of all grades K-12.
Science for
Children: Resources for Teachers. Washington, DC: National Sciences
Resource Center, Smithsonian Institution, 1988. Biodiv Ref. LB1585 .S34 1988.
This children’s science resource guide is divided into three sections: curriculum
materials, supplementary resources and sources of information/assistance. Resources
are indexed by keyword and also by grade level. K-12.
Sense of
Wonder: Ecological Citizenship. Chicago, IL: The Chicago Academy of
Sciences,
Sharing Resources
1996: Southwest Marine Educator’s Association Regional Conference. Berkeley:
Southwest Marine Educator’s Association, 1996. Biodiv GC31.35 .S5 1996. The
Southwest Marine Educators Association has compiled many handouts, lesson plans
and activities and bound them together in this black and white illustrated guide
about marine ecology. Activities appropriate only for certain age levels are
designated but the resource has material that can be used with all students,
K-12.
Sheehan, Kathryn
and Mary Waidner, Ph.D. Earth Child 2000. San Francisco: Council
Oak Books, 1998. Biodiv GE77 .S53 1998. This collection of activities and projects
is aimed at producing an early environmental awareness in children and fostering
a natural inclination to preserve and protect the earth. Activities include
storytelling, visualization, gardening and celebration. There is a lot of room
to experiment with these interdisciplinary lessons and students will gain greater
awareness of life and water cycles, geography, observation, plant structure,
simple chemistry, and more. K-6.
Sinclair, Patty
K. E for Environment. An Annotated Bibliography of Children’s Books with
Environmental Themes. New Providence, NJ: R. R. Bowker, 1992. Biodiv
Ref. GE35 .S56 1992. This bibliography has 300 word annotations of various children’s
books which teach about the environment. Complete citations and age appropriate
designations. Indexed by author, subject and title and chapters are arranged
by broad topics. Grades K-12.
Sisson, Edith A.
Nature with Children of all Ages. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice
Hall, 1982. Biodiv. QH .S527 1982. This book of nature activities and adventures
is a good guide for introducing the natural world to children in either an academic
or non-academic setting. The book is divided into different ways to approach
the natural world, including studying mammals, ecology, plant and tree life,
and seasonal and geographical variation. Students are encouraged to observe
and record while capitalizing on a natural inclination to explore in nature.
Grades K-8.
Slagle, Kay. Food
for Thought: Agricultural Resource Directory for Teachers. Novato, CA:
University of California Cooperative Extension, 1992. Biodiv. Ref. S530.52 .D6
S58 1992. This directory was compiled specifically for Bay Area educators who
are interested in materials and organizations that promote understanding of
agriculture for students. Good for coming up with speaker and field trip possibilities,
as well as contact information for publications and teaching ideas. Includes
a top-ten list of curriculum guides and an index. Grades K-12.
Slattery, Britt
Eckhardt. WOW!: The Wonders of Wetlands. St. Michaels, MD: Environmental
Concern Inc. ; Bozeman, MT: The Watercourse, 1995. Biodiv QH87.3 .W69 1996.
This resource is a compilation of activities which are meant to take place in
wetlands or explain the ecology of them in the classroom. The curriculum can
be tailored to suit different areas and varying time frames. Most activities
in this resource are appropriate for students of all ages and age specific activities
are defined clearly. K-12.
Smith, Karlene
Ray and Anne Hudson Bush. Investigation Science Through Bears.
Englewood, CO: Teacher Ideas Press, 1994. PUBLIC QL 737.C27 S58 1994. Interspersing
background information on bears with hands on, interactive activities, this
resource teaches basic concepts of science while investigating the lives and
ecology of bears. Includes both games and evaluation materials that can be easily
photocopied. Grades K-6.
Spivak, Lynn, ed.
Introduction to Animals and Ethics. San Francisco: the San Francisco
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 1993. Biodiv Ref HV4712 .I57
1993. This resource for teachers wanting to introduce the concepts of animal
ethics into their classes was developed by the San Francisco SPCA and includes
sections on endangered wildlife, animal research, pets and human and animal
rights. Pages can be reproduced for handouts. K-12.
Strauss, Martin
and Rosanne Werges. 4th R Recycling Curriculum. San
Francisco: City and County of San Francisco, 1989. Biodiv Ref TD794.5 .A15
1989. Issued also in Spanish as: 4th R: un plan de estudio
en reciclaje: para neveles de kinder a 5o grado. This binder of projects
and facts is assembled by teachers to teach about recycling. Lesson plans are
minutely detailed and handouts, permission slips, glossary, bibliography and
additional resources are easily photocopied. Though the activities and lessons
are still vital, check with the San Francisco Recycling Program for updated
facts and figures about current recycling opportunities and field trips. K-5.
Strauss, Martin
and Rosanne Werges. 4th R: Un Plan de Estudio en Reciclaje.
San Francisco: City and County of San Francisco, 1989. Biodiv Ref TD794.5 .A1518
1989. Issued also in English as: 4th R Recycling Curriculum.
This binder of projects and facts is assembled by teachers to teach about recycling.
Lesson plans are minutely detailed and handouts, permission slips, glossary,
bibliography and additional resources are easily photocopied. Though the activities
and lessons are still vital, check with the San Francisco Recycling Program
for updated facts and figures about current recycling opportunities and field
trips. K-5.
Suzuki, David T.
Looking at Plants. New York: Wiley, 1992. Public Juv QK49 .S88
1992. These fun experiments on plants can be done either at home or in the classroom
to teach students about botany (plant structure and systems), observation and
ecology. Activities include bottle gardens, leaf casting, making a plant obstacle
course and flower identification. PreK-12.
Taylor, Barbara.
Green Thumbs Up!: The Science of Growing Plants. New York: Random
House, 1992. Public Juv QK731 .T33 1992. This is one in a series of brightly
illustrated, easy to read and understand science experiments for beginning scientists.
Basic concepts of plant biology are explored in these simple experiments including
germination, composting and plant observation. Includes index. Grades K-3.
Taylor, Barbara.
More Power to You!: The Science of Batteries and Magnets. New
York: Random House, 1992. Public Juv QC601 .T44 1992 This is one in a series
of brightly illustrated, easy to read and understand science experiments for
beginning scientists. Basic concepts of electricity and magnetism, including
building circuits and making a compass, are explained through a series of simple
experiments which use household materials. Includes an index. Grades K-3.
Taylor, Barbara.
Over the Rainbow!: The Science of Color and Light. New York:
Random House, 1992. Public Juv QC495.5 .T4 1992. This is one in a series
of brightly illustrated, easy to read and understand science experiments for
beginning scientists. Basic concepts of color and light, including animal eyesight,
prisms, color wheels and more, are explained using a series of simple experiments
which use household materials. Includes an index. Grades K-3.
Taylor, Barbara.
Up, Up & Away!: The Science of Flight. New York: Random House,
1992. Public Juv QC161.2 .T4 1992. This is one in a series of brightly illustrated,
easy to read and understand science experiments for beginning scientists. Basic
concepts of gravity and flight are explained using a series of experiments using
household materials. Includes an index. Grades K-3.
Teacher’s
Guide, Marine World-Africa USA: Habitats. Vallejo, CA: Education Dept.,
Marine World Foundation, 1984. Biodiv QH541.2 .H33 1984. This book of animal
flash cards was intended to complement a visit to Marine World Africa USA but
they could be used on their own. Each set is tailored to different grade levels,
K-12.
A Thousand
Friends of Frogs: Center for Global Environmental Education Educator
VanCleave, Janice
Pratt. Janice VanCleave’s Play and Find Out About Math: Easy Activities
for Young Children. New York: Wiley, 1998. Public Juv QA135.5 .V36
1998. This book of conceptual math activities is designed for young children.
All of them take place with an adult helper and have brightly colored pages
with illustrated step by step instructions on patterning, counting, experimenting,
measuring and more. All activities involve household materials. PreK-2.
Walker, Sharon,
et al., eds. Global Environmental Education Resource Guide for Middle
School Teachers. Ocean Springs, MS: Gulf Coast Research Laboratory's
J.L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium, 1996. Biodiv GE80 .G56 1996.
This aid for teachers was created with a grant from the National Science Foundation
to be used primarily by middle school teachers but can be expanded to K-12.
Topics covered include Acid Rain, Biodiversity, Deforestation, Greeenhouse Effect,
Water Pollution, Ozone Depletion, and Sea Level Changes. Each topic contains
several detailed lesson plans that can be photocopied. Grades K-12 generally,
6-8 specifically.
Walthall, Barbara,
ed. IDEAAS. Sourcebook for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education.
Washington, DC: American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1995. Biodiv
Ref. Q183.3.Al I34 1995. A nationwide directory of science activities, institutional
resources, field trip sites, programs, volunteer opportunities and more. Also
contains a section with community outreach and classroom activity ideas. Resources
are broken out by state and activities are divided into discipline. Well indexed.
K-12+.
Walton, Richard
K. and Gordon Morrison. Endangered Wildlife: Peterson Field Guide Coloring
Book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1991. Biodiv Juv. QL83 .W34
1991. This brief, oversize book is a most useful source of materials to photocopy
for units on mammals and to give young children a closer look at various mammals.
Some brief descriptions accompany each picture. Color plates preface text. Grades
K-3.
Wasserman, Pamela.
Counting on People: Elementary Population and Environmental Activities.
Washington, DC: Zero Population Growth, Inc., 1994. Biodiv GE 77.W257 1994.
This resource uses basic counting skills to help students define what a population
is and understand how it grows while encouraging them to find relationships
between themselves and the environment. Illustrated, interdisciplinary activities
include songs and activities on pages that can be easily photocopied. Grades
K-6.
Westerman, Marty.
Easy Green. Martinsville, IN: American Camping Association, 1993.
Biodiv Ref. TD170.6 .W47 1993. This manual is designed to bring the concept
of ecological living to youth camps. Focusing on teamwork and step by step elimination
of wasteful practices, educators will be guided through the process of instituting
programs for composting, recycling, water conservation and more. Students help
by collecting data and becoming active partners in conservation. All ages, not
necessarily school based.
The Worm Guide: A Vermicomposting Guide for Teachers. Sacramento, CA: California Integrated Waste Management Board, 2001. Biodiv. S661 .P33 2001 "Vermicomposting is the process of using worms to process organic food waste into nutrient-rich soil." This curriculum guide is comprehensive: it introduces the concept, tells you how to set up your own worm bin, and provides lessons and objectives for you to use in your classroom and includes several handouts that can be photocopied. Designed for elementary teachers and students, the guide has a K-3 and a 4-6 module.