Hands-On Physical Science [Paperback]

Laurie Westphal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1593632371 | ISBN-13: 978-1593632373 | Edition: 1

Introduce your students to the fascinating world of physical science with these creative and adventurous experiments in chemistry and physics. Kids naturally love experimenting with everyday elements in the world around them, especially when it comes to messy chemical experiments and jaw-dropping physics adventures.

With Hands-On Physical Science, teachers have a way to channel that enjoyment by introducing more than 75 exciting, hands-on experimental lessons in physical science to their students. This book gives teachers everything they need to set up exciting classroom activities such as an examination of Newton s laws by building Alka-Seltzer rockets, a lesson on energy through the design and building of roller coasters, and a look at chemical and physical changes through the creation of paper.

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About the Author

Laurie Westphal learned science, as well as most other subjects, in the same manner as other students—through the use of chapter reading and questions, and copying notes. After questioning this practice, she decided to break the mold when she entered the classroom as a teacher. She was given the freedom to develop engaging, product-based lessons and activities, which encouraged choice, the kind of teaching she missed as a student.

She used this method of teaching science for 14 years, both overseas and in the U.S., as well as presented staff development and worked in gifted education. She currently works as an independent gifted education and science consultant. She currently resides in Houston, TX and has made it her goal to share her vision for real-world, product-based lessons that help all students become critical thinkers and effective problem solvers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Prufrock Press; 1 edition (October 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593632371
• ISBN-13: 978-1593632373
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ahhh, some people have no problem talking on and on about themselves - I myself am a much better asker of questions. I make a great cocktail attendee as I can dodge and parry the multiple "polite" personal questions and come back with probing questions that make people feel I am truly interested in their various exploits. In a way, I guess I am, but more importantly, I am more interested in just not blathering about myself.

That being said - here is the short but sweet about me. I was raised in a small town in Northern Michigan called Roscommon (Go Bucks!) - small enough that if you goggle it you will get lots of pages on our sister city in Ireland rather than us. We had only one stop light for years in our county and it was a big deal when there was another one added. My graduating class had 104, and our top ten were all girls - it was a huge scandal that the newspaper ran our picture with the by-line "No Dumb Blondes Here!" (All but one were blonde by the way!) They had to print a retraction and everything!

College: I had the option of going to U of M or Grand Valley State. I had scholarships to both and went to tour both. U of M was huge forest of concrete with smog filled air as the campus buses took you from place to place. Grand Valley had forests of trees with multiple ravines running through the campus (ask any Laker they will tell you about Ravine Romping!) as well as smaller classes. I opted for GVSU. I went to major in Spanish with a minor in elementary education, but after my freshman Chemistry teacher had such an impact on me; he convinced me to also major in Chemistry. So, I did. I tell people my majors: Spanish and Chemistry and most just look perplexed and shake their head. I had entered college as a sophomore with all the AP, dual credits and placement tests so it didn't add any time to my years there.

My first job was teaching 5th and 6th grade science in Monterrey, Mexico. I told my mom in 10th grade that I was going to teach in Mexico and I made it happen right out of the gate; I was impressed with myself too. :)

After three years, I went to teach grades 4 -10 grade science and math (oh and art - people who know me find this riotously funny!) in Porto Alegre, Brasil.

After two years, the school was downsizing (going to K - 3 only) so I ended up coming back to teach in Texas (Michigan had just cut their property taxes to support education and people were being laid off big time!). I taught 8th grade advanced science for 8 years and a year of 6th grade science. Did lots of leadership jobs that no one else wanted (but sound really good on a resume) and eventually moved up as a master teacher in GT office for the district. That is where I found my true calling - working with teachers, helping them design activities and units for their students. I still worked with students weekly, I started a tutoring business when I bought my home so I still worked with students even though I was out of the classroom (and still do!) I worked in the GT office for 2 and half years before finally moving out on my own.

Now I travel the US doing presentations and working with teachers to help them better understand and meet the needs of their students.

I guess I am a better blatherer than I thought. :) I now live in Houston, Texas with my two Scottish terriers: Bri-Anna and Chadwick. I seem to be always working on a book of some kind and will have 5 more coming out in 2010. I have ideas for some to follow in 2011, but is getting ahead of myself! :)