Customer Reviews

The Usborne Big Book of Experiments (Big Book of Experiences)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a second grade elementary school teacher, I am alwayslooking for educational books that I can use with my class. Ourschool library carries "The Usborne Big Book of Experiments". Our school was having a science fair and I found this book to be very helpful. My class loved the pictures and the experiments were exciting. Most of the supplies they could find at home. I am going to purchase this book for my own library,I've used it so much. I give this book an A+.

I had a chance to look over this book when my wife (a pre-school teacher) brought it home from work. Overall, it is well-illustrated and does an adequate job explaining the phenomenon presented in each experiment, considering the target audience.

However, I did find two obvious errors in the book, both on page 72. There it states that "It's a fact! The same side of the Moon always faces the Sun. The other side is always in darkness."... that statement is absolutely FALSE! [Perhaps they originally meant to state that the same side of the moon always faces the Earth, which IS true... but their statement that "... the other side is always in darkness" seems to indicate that they might have had it wrong from the beginning anyway.]

Regarding the question "Does the Moon spin?", also on page 72, the book states "No. However, it does revolve around the Earth - once every 28 days or so." Well, it's only half-wrong here. Of course the moon spins! How else could it keep the same side pointed at us as it revolves around the Earth every 28 days or so?

I understand, of course, that it is unrealistic to expect perfection. I could certainly forgive a typo here and there, or a simple mis-statement. However, I feel that, in an educational publication like this, the accuracy of the information being presented is much more important than nice illustrations. Anyway, I'd probably give the book a higher rating, if not for these obvious errors.

As a science teacher, I have found many of these experiments useful. They range from kitchen chemistry to basic life science. One of the experiments which my classes especially liked was the launching of rocket balloons.

Usborne gives good details on how to grow crystals. His suggested model human arm is easily constructed from basic classroom materials. He also shows how to construct a simple maze for pillbugs to travel through.

One shortcoming of this book is the near lack of experiments that are quantified, a feature especially needed for older children. However, many of them can be quantified with a little imagination. It would also be helpful if Osborne were to include a greater number of controlled experiments.

The contents of the book are nicely illustrated, and in color.

My kids are homeschooled and this is one of the books we are using, so far for our science experiments & learning science. We have fallen in love with doing experiments & testing our theories. This book is a pretty big part of that. It's clear, concise directions and lots of fun, colourful images. We really like it.

I bought this book after having checked it out countless times from our local library so that we could have the experiments at our fingertips whenever we wanted! My son started following these experiments when he was five and continues to enjoy and learn from them now that he is 7. The book can also serve an audience of up to about 12. The directions and explanations are clear and easy to understand. Materials are usually everyday items though we have often had to supplement with a run to the hardware store for certain parts (large battery, hose, etc). We have also given this book as a quality birthday present to several friends. It will keep you and your child busy and active on countless occasions.
by Nadine Slavinski, author or Lesson Plans Ahoy!: Hands-on learning for sailing children and home schooling sailors

It's a GREAT book..my 8 year old son loves it...some experiments are easy to make..