How to think like a scientist: Answering questions by the scientific method (Hardcover)

by Stephen P Kramer (Author) "Whump, whump" went the tires of Pete's bike..." (more)
Key Phrases: laying more eggs, stealing something, water dishes

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5 After three examples of how you can get the wrong answer to a question by not using all the available information, depending too much on other people's answers, or wanting a certain result, Kramer presents the scientific method as a way of getting correct answers more often and explains how to set up an experiment using a control group. He bases his book on situations that children are likely to run into in their daily lives. This is a pleasant book with an open format; an amusing half-tone cartoon on almost every page illustrates the child-oriented experiments and supports the light tone of the book. The book explains the scientific method in greater depth than most encyclopedia articles, and suggests more everyday applications than books (generally for older readers) that are specifically intended to help with science fair projects, such as How Fast Do Your Oysters Grow? (Messner, 1982) by Norman Smith. Margaret L. Chatham, formerly at Smithtown Lib . , N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
Uses questions about hypothetical situations to introduce the process of thinking according to scientific method.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 44 pages
• Publisher: T.Y. Crowell; 1st edition (1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0690045638
• ISBN-13: 978-0690045635
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #844,572 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to scientific thinking for young kids!, September 12, 2005

By	Lee Say Keng "KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURER/TECHNOLOGY... (Singapore) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: How to Think Like a Scientist: Answering Questions by the Scientific Method (Hardcover)

I often buy bulk copies of this wonderful book to give away to young kids who attend my 5-Day hands-on learning camp, aptly entitled 'Science & The Art of Discovery.' My principal objective is to teach young kids how to think scientifically, inventively & productively.

The two authors have done a great job in producing this excellent piece of work. Although it has only 44 pages, the contents are comprehensively rich. It is also very well-illustrated with a simple story format & systematically organised as follows:

How do you answer questions?
Using the scientific method
What do you want to know?
What do you think?

If you want to get your young kids to understand & appreciate the scientific method or simply 'how to think like a scientist', go for this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't let the pink cover turn you off this book!, August 14, 2007

By	Malea Baer "Malea" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: How to Think Like a Scientist: Answering Questions by the Scientific Method (Hardcover)

While the bubble gum pink cover of Stephen Kramer's "How To Think Like A Scientist" may inspire you to reach for something else, pick up anyway! Between the cotton candy covers, lies a charming book which uses humor to express thought provoking ideas and to teach your child to think about science in a systematic manner.

One of the best ways to get the attention of a child is by telling a story and Kramer capitalizes on this idea. My son and I were both engaged by the stories and the lessons which flowed naturally from them.

Your child will not only learn the scientific method -- the process for exploring scientific ideas -- but also will learn the language of experimentation on which to base a lifetime of scientific study.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, informative book, March 13, 2008

By	D. Maniloff - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: How to Think Like a Scientist: Answering Questions by the Scientific Method (Hardcover)

I was very excited to find this book in my local library when I was starting out a "science week" with my kids during their spring break. It is simply wonderful! It explains the scientific method in such simple, logical terms and it was not at all difficult for my six year old to understand. It was entertaining as well as helpful in teaching my kids how to think like a scientist. The last chapter includes some ideas for children to apply the scientific method, in order to answer questions they are curious about. It is a nice ending to this book. Needless to say, I was discouraged when I saw the publication date, thinking this book would be out of print (I really wanted my own copy). I was delighted to find it here on Amazon. I am buying a copy as soon as I'm done with this review!