The Sourcebook for Teaching Science, Grades 6-12: Strategies, Activities, and Instructional Resources [Paperback]

Norman Herr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0787972983 | ISBN-13: 978-0787972981 | Edition: 1

The Sourcebook for Teaching Science is a unique, comprehensive resource designed to give middle and high school science teachers a wealth of information that will enhance any science curriculum. Filled with innovative tools, dynamic activities, and practical lesson plans that are grounded in theory, research, and national standards, the book offers both new and experienced science teachers powerful strategies and original ideas that will enhance the teaching of physics, chemistry, biology, and the earth and space sciences.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Sourcebook for Teaching Science, Grades 6–12

Strategies, Activities, and Instructional Resources

The Sourcebook for Teaching Science is a unique, comprehensive resource designed to give middle and high school science teachers a wealth of information that will enhance any science curriculum. Filled with innovative tools, dynamic activities, and practical lesson plans that are grounded in theory, research, and national standards, the book offers both new and experienced science teachers powerful strategies and original ideas that will enhance the teaching of physics, chemistry, biology, and the earth and space sciences.

Each section of The Sourcebook for Teaching Science offers experiments, demonstrations, illustrations, games, puzzles, analogies, lessons, activities, and strategies for adapting the material for diverse student populations. Each topic is also supported by extensive background material that provides the scientific, organizational, and teaching principles needed to implement the lessons successfully. In addition, the book offers key information, lessons, and activities that will help students develop scientific literacy, reasoning, understanding, problem solving, and research skills.

The Sourcebook for Teaching Science also incorporates technological resources for teaching and learning science, including a free companion Web site, sciencesourcebook.com.

Praise forThe Sourcebook for Teaching Science

"This book is an excellent resource for every science teacher—it provides both theoretical background and practical applications for science concepts in all four major science areas: biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space science."
—Hedy Moscovici, Ph.D., director, Center for Science Teacher Education, and professor, California State University Dominguez Hills

"The Sourcebook for Teaching Science offers specific ways to enhance the curriculum, making it relevant, current, and personal to students. It provides suggestions for meeting the reform visions central to the National Standards, and it personalizes science in ways that provide real learning."
—Robert E. Yager, Ph.D. former president of NSTA, NARST, ASTE, SSMA, NABT, and IASTS, and professor emeritus, University of Iowa

"Dr. Herr is the unique amalgam of encyclopedic science knowledge and pedagogical expertise. The Sourcebook for Teaching Science and accompanying Web site represent the perfect combination of accessible resources for all things science education; every science educator should own and use this book."
—Andrew Stephens, science teacher, CALS Early College High School, Los Angeles, California

About the Author

Norman Herr, Ph.D., is a professor of science and computer education at California State University, Northridge. He earned his doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles, and has worked as a scientist, high school science teacher, college science instructor, science education consultant, and director of graduate programs in science education. Dr. Herr is co-author of Hands-On Physics Activities with Real-Life Applications and Hands-On Chemistry Activities with Real-Life Applications from Jossey-Bass.

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (August 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787972983
• ISBN-13: 978-0787972981
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 1.2 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Science & Math > Science for Kids

More About the Author

Norman Herr, Ph.D., is a professor of science and computer education at California State University, Northridge. He earned his doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles, and has worked as a scientist, high school science teacher, college science instructor, science education consultant, and director of graduate programs in science education. Dr. Herr has published research in the field of science education, and has co-authored Hands-On Physics Activities with Real-Life Applications, and Hands-On Chemistry Activities with Real-Life Applications for Jossey-Bass / John Wiley & Sons, Inc. He is the author of the Sourcebook for Teaching Science.

I could never decide which science I liked best, so I ended up studying them all. My job as a professor of science education unites my love for physics, chemistry, biology and environmental science with my love for teaching and research. I love to write books for science teachers and hope that others can be as enthusiastic about learning about the world around them as I am. I love to spend time outdoors, whether skiing, mountain climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, or hiking. My wife and three children love the outdoors as well, and our favorite past time is to go camping in the mountains I am an elder at Valley Presbyterian Church, North Hills, California and active in a variety of Christian ministries. I thoroughly enjoy writing and am looking forward to writing my next book.

Norm Herr

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST Teaching Resource Book EVER, June 12, 2009

By 

Sarah Blettner - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sourcebook for Teaching Science, Grades 6-12: Strategies, Activities, and Instructional Resources (Paperback)

I own a lot of "teaching" books. I have never had a book that had so much content that I could actually benefit from right away. This book is divided in such away to actually allow you to TEACH the most meaningful scientific processes that kids will need in all areas of science. It also has tons of cool experiments divided into the major science themes that kids will love that demonstrate these fundamental science concepts (induction vs deduction, indirect evidence to come to a conclusion, etc). It is FANTASTIC. You can teach content while teaching meaningful science techniques and skills.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars old and new ideas, September 1, 2008

By 

M. A. Wilkinson (Pacific Grove, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sourcebook for Teaching Science, Grades 6-12: Strategies, Activities, and Instructional Resources (Paperback)

What a great book! I've been teaching science for 19 years and don't remember a sourcebook that is as complete as this one. Old ideas and methods are revised and reviewed and new ideas are introduced and evaluated.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, July 14, 2009

By 

Concrete Cate (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sourcebook for Teaching Science, Grades 6-12: Strategies, Activities, and Instructional Resources (Paperback)

Very resourceful for all types of science subjects. Interchangable activities, very, very useful. Out of all the science subject sourcebooks I have purchased, this has been, by far the best and most useful.