Nature in a Nutshell for Kids: Over 100 Activities You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less [Paperback]

Jean Potter (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Make bubbles that bounce! Stir up a tornado in a jar! Make elastic from a dandelion! Predict weather from cloud formations! Discover the beauty and wonder of nature all year round with these quick, easy experiments and activities from Jean Potter. You can complete each activity in ten fun-filled minutes or less, and the clear step-by-step instructions and illustrations help you get it right every time. The projects are organized by season and help you learn about everything from why grass is green to how seals stay warm in icy arctic waters. You will find most of the materials already in your home, backyard, or neighborhood. The 112 activities in this book cover every aspect of the natural world, including plant and animal life, weather, ecology, rocks and minerals, the senses, the stars, and much more. You'll build a mountain the same way the earth does, find out whether your neighborhood ants prefer sugar or artificial sweetener, discover why maple seeds act like tiny helicopters, and explore the effects of acid rain on plants--all with the help of a leading educator. Children Ages 8-12

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-An appealing hands-on introduction to natural science. Each of the 102 experiments is easy, uses safe and mostly readily available household supplies, and is fun at the same time. Divided into seasonal sections, the activities have catchy titles, state hypotheses, list materials, lay out procedures, and finish with clear explanations. Among the noteworthy investigations are: how duck feathers react to water, how mountains are formed, what keeps a seal from freezing in icy weather, whether ants prefer sugar or aspertame, and more. This title compares favorably with Robert Brown's 200 Illustrated Science Experiments for Children (TAB, 1987) and Janice Van Cleave's 200 Gooey, Slippery, Slimy, Weird & Fun Experiments (John Wiley, 1992). Clear but undistinguished pen-and-ink drawings appear on every page. A useful glossary, addresses of science organizations, and an extensive list for further reading are appended. An entertaining addition that will encourage youngsters to consider the wonders around them.
Amy Adler, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, OH
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

An exciting, interactive way for children to explore the scientific principles at work in the natural world around them. Contains 100+ fast and easy activities running the gamut from how animals and plants grow to the formation of mountains and rivers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047104444X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471044444
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Earthquakes & Volcanoes
  • #80 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Experiments & Projects

More About the Author

Jean Potter is an experience early childhood consultant and the award-winning author of ten activity books that focus on art and science. Jean believes in making learning fun! Her career includes:
- classroom teacher
- director of West Virginia state ECE program
- Deputy Assistant & Acting Assistant Secretary of Education for the US Dept. of Education, Washington DC.

Jean Potter is a published author of children's activity books. Some of the published credits of Jean Potter include Science in Seconds for Kids: Over 100 Experiments You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less, Nature in a Nutshell for Kids: Over 100 Activities You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less, Science Arts: Discovering Science Through Art Experiences (Bright Ring Publishing) with MaryAnn F. Kohl, and Snacktivities!: 50 Edible Activities for Parents and Children (Robins Lane Press) with MaryAnn F. Kohl, Storybook Art (Bright Ring Publishing) with MaryAnn F. Kohl, Global Art (Gryphon House) with MaryAnn F. Kohl, and Cooking Art (Gryphon House, Inc.) with MaryAnn F. Kohl.

Jean lives in Charleston, WV with her husband and their triplets. She enjoys gardening, skiing, and playing at the beach.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST for Home Educator's, March 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nature in a Nutshell for Kids: Over 100 Activities You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less (Paperback)

I am a Home Educating mother of two. We have gone through literally dozens of Science books, some with sensational full color. However, this black and white back-to-basics book "Nature in a Nutshell for Kids" has been a knock-out with my kids! It's simple and the experiments/projects use things you already have in your home. The activities require that the kids get in touch with the world around them by getting outside and getting their hands dirty, so to speak. We checked it out at our local library, but now I'm purchasing one for our home library.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Kids Book!, November 29, 2005

By 

mykidsrbusy! "umateacher" (pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nature in a Nutshell for Kids: Over 100 Activities You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less (Paperback)

My kids are always looking for something interesting to do, so when I saw this book on line. I decided to get it with the hopes that it would keep my kids out of trouble while teaching them! THIE BOOK SURPASSES all of my expectations. I have copied one activity per week and let them go outside and explore. They have learned so much!The one activity that they really liked was the sanil one. They studied the snail for hours! Then my youngest one was thrilled with being able to identify the sounds of different birds...that lead us on a further exploration of birds. I higghly recommend the book....and did so to our school. They now have three copies that are dog eared! The kids love the book!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nature in a Nutshell -- good for kids, parents, teachers, camp counselors, March 18, 2006

By 

Susan Curry "Family Earth" (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nature in a Nutshell for Kids: Over 100 Activities You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less (Paperback)

The book is full of short activities that answer some natural questions that youth often ask. The activities tell information with wonderful graphic sense. Good for scout leaders, teachers, home school parents, camp counselors and outdoors families. Preparation and materials may take ten minutes to gather. Reading the activity can use up five to ten minutes. Yet, with such a wide variety of activities, each tuned to a particular season of the year, there are lots of options to do or not do. Very pleased with the thoughtful and "hands on" aspects of these activities. A motivated reading student can do most of them with out supervision.