The Earth Science Book: Activities for Kids [Paperback]

Dinah Zike (Author), Jessie J. Flores (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

If you're looking for the most fun on Earth.
* Make your own fossils (pg. 39)
* Create a tsunami in your bathtub (pg. 45)
* Watch a volcano erupt (pg. 47)
* Follow the path of a mini-glacier (pg. 73)
No other book on Earth science is packed with so much fun. The Earth Science Book's pages overflow with dozens and dozens of enjoyable, educational, and easy-to-do activities that explain basic Earth science facts and important environmental issues. Using simple materials you can find around the house or in your neighborhood, these activities show you all about the planet Earth, its composition and atmosphere, life on Earth, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-- Basic Earth-science concepts and related environmental issues are presented in an inviting format. Each chapter is introduced by a black-and-white photograph and a one-page overview. All are organized as a series of one-to-three-page topics. Over 200 line drawings and diagrams clarify and extend the information presented in the simple, precise text. Terms defined in the glossary appear in bold type. There is at least one hands-on activity for each topic. These easy-to-do projects require simple, readily available materials. Other features include: "Word Watch," which gives the origin and definition of key words; "Famous Faces," brief biographical sketches of contributors to the field of Earth science; and "Find It," related learning activities that do not involve experimentation. The last chapter includes a one-page list of organizations to contact for further information on becoming "environmentally wise." The only thing that is missing is a bibliography or list of further reading. This is a book that children will pick up and dip into on their own. Amateur scientists will love it, and teachers will find useful, educational, and entertaining ways to involve the whole class.
- Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

Contains dozens of fun-filled, educational and easy-to-do experiments which help explain basic earth science facts and environmental issues. Coverage includes the force of gravity, parts of the Earth, continents and islands, caring for land, water and the Earth's atmosphere, plants, animals, fossils, investigating fungi and bacteria, photosynthesis and much more. A significant amount of illustrations will make it extremely attractive to children.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (February 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471571660
• ISBN-13: 978-0471571667
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #473,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Elementary Use, August 31, 2005

By 

belowi (San Rafael, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Earth Science Book: Activities for Kids (Paperback)

I bought this book for use in my sixth grade classroom, it is a little to basic for my students but there are a few good demonstration and activity ideas. I bought the book looking for a large number of activities, and I found that this book has a little too much explanatory information on some subjects (1 activity every 2-3 pages in the book). I just wanted activities, not another textbook! I can see that for a self contained elementary classroom it would be a good resource and it should be marketed K-5.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not so many activities, November 20, 2010

By 

K. Rhoades "Mom's School" (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Earth Science Book: Activities for Kids (Paperback)

I am a certified science teacher and purchased this book to aid in teaching homeschool students. If you are looking for something with a Christian perspective with a creation basis, you need to purchase a different book. This book focuses on millions of years, has hominids in it, and assumes evolution and the big bang. The book is informative, but the activities are not very exciting if you are wanting to spark a child's interest in science. The illustrations are appropriate for middle school students and the information is presented in an easy to read format.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Earth Science Book: Activities for Kids, August 17, 2010

By 

Michael R. Jewell "Science Jewell" (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Earth Science Book: Activities for Kids (Paperback)

Although, at first glance this title looks too simple for my Middle School students, I must revise that opinion because the demonstrations and the labs I have been able to draw from this book have been exciting and will help greatly in this years classes. I believe that some of the material in this book will create an excitment in the classroom and help develop a much better understanding of many concepts for students who learn visually and by hands on experiences. I highly recommend this book to all teachers, parents, and students who have an interest in the Earth Sciences.