Customer Reviews

Teaching Children About Life and Earth Science: Ideas and Activities Every Teacher and Parent Can Use

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Elaine Levenson has done a fabulous job of putting together a book of science teaching principles and ideas for people who work with children, ages 4-10. The book begins with three chapters that tell us how to encourage the inquisitive nature of young children and nurture their science skills, how to organize a science unit, and how to make the language connection with science. These chapters are very clearly written in a pleasing format, so they are user-friendly even to the scientifically illiterate (like me). The rest of the chapters cover topics such as weather, animals, seed-bearing plants,and ecology in a beautifully organized fashion. Each unit begins with a list of objectives and a good base of information on the topic for the adult. Then the activities and procedures section begins, starting with the easiest and most concrete lessons and progressing to more difficult ones. Thus, each unit is ideally suited to families with siblings of all ages. At the end of each unit are lists of further rescources, grouped for children, adults and older children, and literature connections for younger children. There are also suggestions for field trips and other community connections. One thing I like about this book and its companion volume, Teaching Children About Physical Science, is that the graphics are pleasing and the text is easy to follow. But also, the author has a sound appreciation for how children's curiosity about the natural world around them easily creates opportunities for making science moments happen. I highly recommend this book to all parents and teachers, but especially to homeschoolers!

I just love this book. It is one I will be using often. If I had been taught this way in school I would have loved science. This book is filled with simple, interesting science lessons and experiments. Divided into eight subjects: models; the five senses; weather; volcanoes, rocks and erosion; animals and insects; seed bearing plants; and ecology. I highly recommend it. It has lessons anyone can do with objects around the house and my kids love it.

Elaine Levenson has written two of the very best hands-on science books for teachers, parents, or homeschoolers. The experiments are easy to follow and don't require elaborate, expensive equipment or a Ph.D in rocket science. I have used this book in my teaching, writing, and with my own children.With this book, and its companion volume Teaching Children about Physical Science, you'll have everything you need for great science.

I am so glad I bought this book. As a homeschool mom of three,I have spent a lot of money buying books and curriculums for science and this book just explained everything clearly. My son suddenly had this lightbulb go on when I was talking to him about the water cycle and suddenly seeing the examples of them everywhere. Where was this book 5years ago when I first started homeschooling?
Would have saved me some sleepless nights worrying about a science curriculum or how I was going to explain certain concepts to them without having to spend tons of money or paraphrasing everything.
The books has great scripting and leading questions to ask the children. Great visuals as well. I can't wait to get my hands on other books by her.
Carolyn