Making the Connection

Science
Grades K-4

Click here to search the Libraries and Frameworks site

Massachusetts Department of Education Frameworks - Science

Top of Page

Top of Page

Top of Page

Top of Page

Earth and Space Science

Skip down to Web Sites

Print and Media

Adams, Simon.  (2001).  The Best Book of Weather.  New York: Kingfisher. 

31 p. 0753453681.   $11.00.

Discusses weather, climate, seasons, the sun, the wind, lightning, storms, and other topics. 

Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Subjects: Weather

Standard: 3, 4; 6, 7, 9, 11

Strand:   Earth and Space Science Grades PreK-2; Earth and Space Grades 3-5                                                                                                          

Allaby, Michael.  (2000).  DK Guide to Weather.  London: Dorling Kindersley. 

64 p. 0789465000.   $17.00. 

A visually inspiring book that covers climate and seasons, wind, thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes, and more. 

Audience: Grades 3, 4, 5

Subjects: Weather

Standard: 6, 7, 9, 11

Strand:   Earth and Space Science Grades 3-5 

Bial, Raymond.  (2000).  A Handful of Dirt. New York:  Walker & Co . 

32 p.  0802786995.  $18.00.

Presents the nature and importance of soil and the many forms of life it supports.

Audience: Grades  3, 4, 5, 6

Subjects: Soil

Standard: 4, 5

Strand:   Earth and Space Science   

Bockneck, Jonathan.  (1999).  The Science of Soil.  Milwaukee: G. Stevens. 

32 p.  0836824687.   $22.00. 

Discusses the sources, ingredients, types, and nutrients of soil and the life forms that it supports. 

Audience:  Grades 3, 4, 5, 6

Subjects: Soils

Standard: 4, 5

Strand:   Earth and Space Science Grades 3-5                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Bosak, S. (1991) Science is… Ontario: Scholastic Canada Ltd.  515p. ISBN  0-590-74070-9
A treasure trove of facts, projects, and activities for the elementary teacher that has been designed to develop scientific literacy.  These activities encourage conceptual  understanding while using higher-level thinking skills. Topics explored include rocks, plants, weather, matter and energy, and the environment.
Audience: Teacher
Subject: Scientific concepts
Standard:
Strand Earth And Space, Life, Physical

Bradley, C. (1998) Life in the Mountains.  Chicago: World Book Inc.  32p. ISBN 0-7166-5214-5
The informative text accompanied by stunning photographs and explanatory illustrations introduces the animals, people, and plants of mountain regions. Some discussion centers on the environmental damage people have caused and suggests solutions. Similar volumes in the series look at woodlands, rain forests, deserts, Polar Regions, and oceans.  Each book has an index and glossary.
Audience: Grades 3,4
Subject: mountains
Standard:
Strand: Earth and Space Science

Dig In!  Hands-On Soil Investigations.  (2001) Arlington, Virginia: National Science Teachers Association Press.  129p. ISBN 0-87355-189-3
In these twelve lessons children will be up to their elbows studying soil formation, habitats, animals that depend on soil, plants that grow in soil, and soil conservation. Internet connections are included for each lesson and extensive bibliographies and other resources are appended.
Audience: Teacher
Subject: Soil
Standard:
Strand: Earth and space science

Flanagan, Alice K.  (2001).  Soil.  Compass Point Books. 

32 p.  0756500354 .  $20.00. 

Briefly describes the composition of various types of soil, the variety of plants and animals that live in it, and the necessity of soil to human life. 

Audience:  K, 1, 2, 3

Subjects: Soil

Standard: 4, 5

Strand:   Earth and Space Science Grades 3-5

Fowler, Allan.  (1998).  Energy from the Sun.  New York: Children’s Press. 

32 p.  0516262556.  $7.00.

This book gives a brief explanation of energy, then explains how energy from the sun allows plants to make food and produce oxygen that in turn give people the energy they need to play, jump, and move around

Audience:  K, 1, 2, 3

Subjects: Solar energy

Standard: 4

Strand: Earth and Space Science PreK-2  

Furniss, Tim.  (2001).  The Moon.  Austin: Raintree Steck-Vaughn. 

32 p.  0739827383 .  $18.00.

Describes the movements, eclipses, formation, exploration, and composition of the moon. 

Audience:, Grades 3, 4, 5

Subjects: Moon

Standard: 15

Strand:   Earth and Space Science Grades 3-5                                                                                                          

Greenaway, Theresa.  (2001).  The Water Cycle.  Austin: Raintree Steck-Vaughn. 

32 p. 0739827286  $26.00. 

Explains how Earth’s water is recycled and reused through a series of natural phenomena. 

Audience:  Grades 3, 4, 5, 6

Subjects: Hydrologic cycle, Water

Standard: 10, 11

Strand:   Earth and Space

Strand:   Earth and Space Science Grades 3-5  

Kepler, L.  (1996)  A Year of Hands-On Science. New York: Scholastic Professional Books.  302p. ISBN 0-590-70132-0
Two thematic units for each month of the school year cover a variety of topics grouped under physical, life, earth/space, and technology.    Units include weather, birds, seeds, and the night sky. Excellent bibliographies of children’s books, teacher resources, videos, and web sites accompany each topic.
Audience: Teacher
Subjects: Physical, life, earth/space, and technology
Standard:
Strand: Earth and Space, Life, Physical, Technology

Konvicka, T. (1999) Teacher’s Weather Sourcebook Englewood, Colorado: Teacher Idea Press 319p. ISBN 1-56308-488-0
A valuable resource for teachers in grades 4 and up that contains material on all aspects of weather along with current issues such as acid rain and global warming. Each chapter contains detailed information on a weather topic followed by activities and related science fair project ideas..
Audience: Teacher
Subject: Weather
Standard:
Strand: Earth and space science

Knapp, B. (1992) Lake. Danbury, Ct: Grolier.  Educational Corporation 37p. ISBN 0-7172-7187-0
How are lakes formed?  What are the types of lakes?  These questions are answered in a highly illustrated text designed to interest the young reader in landforms. Other titles in this 12-volume set cover Beach, Canyon, Reef, Volcano and other forms.  Each volume contains a glossary and an index.
Audience: Grades 2,3,4
Subject: Land Forms
Standard:
Strand:  Earth and Space

MacDonald, S. (1998) Everyday Discoveries: Amazingly Easy Science and Math using Stuff You Already Have Beltsville, Maryland: Gryphon House. ISBN 0-87659-196-9
Using science and math principles such as change, cause and effect, cycles, energy, and interdependence the author encourages young children to explore a variety of topics including bones, apples, trees, rocks, wind, ice. Fine explorations for the primary classroom.
Audience: Teacher
Subject: living things, bones, rocks, wind, ice
Standard:
Strand: Earth and space, life science

McKinney, Barbara.  (1998).  A Drop Around the World.  Nevada City, Calif : Dawn Publications.  32 p.  1883220726.  $8.00.

Presents the water cycle through the journey of a raindrop around the world, in sky, on land, underground, and in the sea, in its liquid, solid, and vapor forms, as it supports life everywhere.

Audience:  Grades 2, 3

Subjects: Hydrologic cycle, Water

Standard: 10, 11

Strand:   Earth and Space Science Grades 3-5                                                                                                                     

Morris, Neil.  (1998).  Rocks and Minerals.  New York: Crabtree. 

32 p.  0865058350.  $16.00.

This well-illustrated book discusses types, origins, and uses of rocks.  Includes a glossary. 

Audience:  Grades 3, 4, 5, 6

Subjects: Rocks, Minerals

Standard: 1, 2, 3

Strand:   Earth and Space Science Grades 3-5

Olien, Becky.  (2001).  The Changing Earth (Exploring the Earth).  Bridgestone.. 

24 p. 073680949X.  $19.00.

Each book in this series would be useful in learning about earth and space science.  Other titles include: Fossils, Erosion, Minerals, Rocks, and Soil. 

Audience:  Grades 3, 4, 5, 6

Subjects: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Geology

Standard: 4, 12

Strand:   Earth and Space Science Grades 3-5

Pellant, Chris.  (2000).  The Best Book of Fossils, Rocks, and Minerals.  New York: Kingfisher.  31 p. 075345274X.    $11.00.

Geology topics covered include planetary formation, identification and uses of rocks, minerals, and fossils, and gemstones and dinosaur bones.

Audience:  Grades 1, 2, 3,

Subjects: Rocks, Minerals, Fossils

Standard: 1, 2, 3;   5

Strand:   Earth and Space Science Grades 3-5; Life Science Grades PreK-2

Poppe, C. and VanMatre, N. (1985) Science Learning Centers for the Primary Grades.  New York: Center for Applied Research in Education. 241p. ISBN 0-87628-749-6
This rich resource for the primary teacher details directions to develop and organize science centers.  The five themes covered are space, plants, dinosaurs, senses, and human body. A wealth of information for each of the topics introduced.
Audience: Teacher
Subject: Space, plants, human body, dinosaur
Standard:
Strand: Earth and Space, Life, Technology

Relf, Patricia.  (1995).  The Magic School Bus Wet All Over: A Book About The Water Cycle.  New York: Scholastic.  0590508334.  $7.00.

Readers are invited to join Ms. Frizzle and her class on a wet and wild ride through the water cycle that enables them to experience the processes of evaporation, condensation, and rain.

Audience:  Grades K, 1, 2, 3

Subjects: Hydrologic cycle, Water

Standard: 10, 11

Strand:   Earth and Space Science Grades 3-5

Ricciuti, Edward R.  (1998).  National Audobon Society First Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals.    New York: Scholastic.  159 p.  0590054848.  $9.00.

Detailed full-color spreads help beginning naturalists observe and understand over 150 types of rocks and minerals.

Audience:  Grades 3, 4, 5, 6

Subjects: Rocks, Minerals

Standard: 1, 2, 3

Strand:   Earth and Space Science Grades 3-5

Seabury, D.  (2000)  Ready-to-Use Earth Science Activities for the Elementary Classroom.  West Nyack, New York: The Center for Applied Research in Education. 237p.   ISBN 0-13-027977-3
This resource is  designed to provide practical earth science activities for the intermediate grades.  In sections covering the environment, ecology, and conservation there are over 180 pages of reproducible materials. Seabury provides a great start for earth science units.
Audience: Teacher
Subject: Ecology, environment, conservation
Standard:
Strand: Earth and Space, Life Science

Science
Grades K-4

Earth and Space Science

Skip to Print and Media Resources

Web Sites

Author Unknown   30, August 2002 The Earth Bowl The Franklin Institute on line This is fun site for students to create a dessert and learn the thickness of each layer of the earth.  The site is recommended for children ages kindergarten through 3 but I believe that this lab would be fun for older students.

URL:http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/activity/earth/earth-1.html 

Subject:  Geology

Standard #1  From a contour map,  build a model that shows the physical features and the location of wildlife plants.

COMING SOON

Top of Page

Top of Page

Top of Page

Top of Page

Top of Page

Top of Page

Life Science

Skip down to Web Sites

Print and Media

Bocknek, J. (1999)  The Science of Plants.  Milwaukee:Gareth Stevens Publishing 32p. ISBN 0-8368-2467-9.
Clear, concise information on all aspects of plant life including plant parts, seeds, plant fibers, and chemicals from plants is enhanced with numerous photographs.  Glossary, index, and web site list.
Audience: Grades 1,2,3
Subject: Plant Life
Standard:
Strand: Life Science

Bosak, S. (1991) Science is… Ontario: Scholastic Canada Ltd.  515p. ISBN  0-590-74070-9
A treasure trove of facts, projects, and activities for the elementary teacher that has been designed to develop scientific literacy.  These activities encourage conceptual  understanding while using higher-level thinking skills. Topics explored include rocks, plants, weather, matter and energy, and the environment.
Audience: Teacher
Subject: Scientific concepts
Standard:
Strand Earth And Space, Life, Physical

Carroll, K. (2000) Science for Every Learner: Brain-Compatible Pathways to Scientific Literacy. Tucson, Arizona: Zephyr Press.  177p. ISBN 1-56976-105-1
Through inquiry, story, music and other avenues Carroll introduces scientific concepts and methods for units on sound, electricity, living things, and the monarch Butterfly.  All units relate to national science standards.
Audience:  grades 1,2,3
Subject: sound, electricity, butterfly, and living things
Standard:
Strand: Physical science, life science

The Grolier Student Encyclopedia of Endangered Species.  (1995) Danbury, Connecticut: Grolier Educational Corporation. ISBN 0-7172-7385-7
A multi-volume reference chronicling f the endangered birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians of the world.  Entries are brief, but mention habitat, breeding, diet, estimated remaining population, and reasons for endangerment.  A photograph and map highlighting the animal’s current area of distribution accompany each entry.
Audience: Grades 3,4,5
Subject: Endangered species- birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians
Standard:
Strand: Life sciences

Hartley, K. . (2000) Hearing in Living Things Chicago, Illinois: Heinemann.  32p. ISBN 1-57572-246-1
This volume in a series on the senses has several short chapters that answer questions including What Do You Use Hearing For? How Do You Hear? How Do Animals Use Hearing?  Photographs on every page mirror and extend text. Glossary, sense map, index, and short bibliography. Other titles in the series cover seeing, smelling, tasting, touching and the sixth sense.
Audience: Grades 1,2,3
Subject: Senses
Standard:
Strand: Life science

Johnson, J. (1996)  Simon & Schuster Children’s Guide to Birds.  New York: Simon & Schuster. 96 p.  ISBN 0-689-80199-8
An introduction to the world’s birds organized by bird groupings and including habitat, reproduction, and scientific names.  Accessible information presented in a striking format. The brief presentations are filled with intriguing information.
Audience: Grade3, 4,5
Subject: Birds
Standard:
Strand: Life Sciences

Kepler, L.  (1996)  A Year of Hands-On Science. New York: Scholastic Professional Books.  302p. ISBN 0-590-70132-0
Two thematic units for each month of the school year cover a variety of topics grouped under physical, life, earth/space, and technology.    Units include weather, birds, seeds, and the night sky. Excellent bibliographies of children’s books, teacher resources, videos, and web sites accompany each topic.
Audience: Teacher
Subjects: Physical, life, earth/space, and technology
Standard:
Strand: Earth and Space, Life, Physical, Technology

Latimer, J. (2000) Songbirds. Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists) Boston: Houghton Mifflin.  48p.  ISBN 0-395-97946-3
Text describes the voices, feeding, and habitats of twenty songbirds. Illustrations by Roger Tory Peterson clearly show the physical characteristics of each bird. Excellent information presented for elementary students.
Audience: Grades 2-4
Subject: Birds
Standard:
Strand: Life Sciences

Locker, T. (1995) Sky Tree: Seeing Science Through Art.. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-024883-1
Through magnificent paintings and thoughtful text Locker records changes in a tree during the year and shows the special relationship between sky and tree. A question on each page leads to a discussion about the connection between science and art.  A unique look at a tree.
Audience: Grades 3,4
Subject: Tree and sky 
Standard:
Strand: Life science

MacDonald, S. (1998) Everyday Discoveries: Amazingly Easy Science and Math using Stuff You Already Have Beltsville, Maryland: Gryphon House. ISBN 0-87659-196-9
Using science and math principles such as change, cause and effect, cycles, energy, and interdependence the author encourages young children to explore a variety of topics including bones, apples, trees, rocks, wind, ice. Fine explorations for the primary classroom.
Audience: Teacher
Subject: living things, bones, rocks, wind, ice
Standard:
Strand: Earth and space, life science

Ostlund, K. (1999) Rising to the Challenge of the National Science Education  Standards: the Processes of Science Inquiry.  Fresno, California: S & K Associates. ISBN 0-9658768-1-0
Forty activities and investigations of life, earth, and physical science for the primary grades apply the process of inquiry to the science of discovery.  Specific topics covered are seeds, matter, and dinosaurs and fossils. Excellent reproducible materials. The companion volume for intermediate grades uses the same strategies for units on sound, rocks, and shells.
Audience: Teacher
Subject: Seeds, fossils, matter
Standard:
Strand: Life science

Pluckrose, (1998)  Sniffing and Smelling. Austin, Texas: Raintree Steck-Vaughn ISBN 0-8172-5228-2
The theme of smell explored through comments and photographs designed to encourage talk between adult and child.  Examples of meaningful questions appended.  The other four books in the series follow the same format.
Audience: Grades k,1
Subject: Senses
Standard:
Strand: Life science

Poppe, C. and VanMatre, N. (1985) Science Learning Centers for the Primary Grades.  New York: Center for Applied Research in Education. 241p. ISBN 0-87628-749-6
This rich resource for the primary teacher details directions to develop and organize science centers.  The five themes covered are space, plants, dinosaurs, senses, and human body. A wealth of information for each of the topics introduced.
Audience: Teacher
Subject: Space, plants, human body, dinosaur
Standard:
Strand: Earth and Space, Life, Technology

Seabury, D.  (2000)  Ready-to-Use Earth Science Activities for the Elementary Classroom.  West Nyack, New York: The Center for Applied Research in Education. 237p.   ISBN 0-13-027977-3
This resource is  designed to provide practical earth science activities for the intermediate grades.  In sections covering the environment, ecology, and conservation there are over 180 pages of reproducible materials. Seabury provides a great start for earth science units.
Audience: Teacher
Subject: Ecology, environment, conservation
Standard:
Strand: Earth and Space, Life Science

Simon, S. (1996) The Heart New York: Morrow.  32p. ISBN 0-688-11407-5
Clear information accompanied by stunning photographs makes this a fine text to read aloud.  This well-respected science writer has the text authenticated by physicians.
Audience: Grade 3,4,5
Subject: Human Body
Standard:
Strand: Life Science

Web Feet K-8: Subject Guide to Web Sites and Additional Resources.  (2001) Bala Cynwyd, Pa: Rocky Hill Communications  ISSN: 1533-2543
This excellent resource for curriculum development addresses a new topic in each of the nine issues per year. April,  2001, highlighted space and included web sites, books, videos, CD-ROMs, and professional resources. Key questions and web quests are integrated into each issue.  Check  www.webfeetguides.com for further information and possible format change.

Science
Grades K-4

Life Science

Skip to Print and Media Resources

Web Sites

COMING SOON

Top of Page

Top of Page

Top of Page

Top of Page

Physical Sciences

Skip down to Web Sites

Print and Media

Armentrout, P. (1997) The Pulley. Vero Beach, Fl:Rourke  24p. ISBN 1-57103-178-2
This entry in a series on Simple Devices introduces the types, uses, and benefits of pulleys and includes a glossary and index.  The Inclined Plane, Lever, Screw, Wedge and  Wheel are other devices covered in the series.
Audience: Grades 2,3
Subject: Simple Machines
Standard:
Strand: Physical science

Bosak, S. (1991) Science is… Ontario: Scholastic Canada Ltd.  515p. ISBN  0-590-74070-9
A treasure trove of facts, projects, and activities for the elementary teacher that has been designed to develop scientific literacy.  These activities encourage conceptual  understanding while using higher-level thinking skills. Topics explored include rocks, plants, weather, matter and energy, and the environment.
Audience: Teacher
Subject: Scientific concepts
Standard:
Strand Earth And Space, Life, Physical

Carroll, K. (2000) Science for Every Learner: Brain-Compatible Pathways to Scientific Literacy. Tucson, Arizona: Zephyr Press.  177p. ISBN 1-56976-105-1
Through inquiry, story, music and other avenues Carroll introduces scientific concepts and methods for units on sound, electricity, living things, and the monarch Butterfly.  All units relate to national science standards.
Audience:  grades 1,2,3
Subject: sound, electricity, butterfly, and living things
Standard:
Strand: Physical science, life science

Dahl, M. (1996) Levers.  Mankato: Bridgestone Books 24p. ISBN 1-56065-444-9
Photographs accompany these very brief descriptions of the uses, benefits, and types of levers.  Other titles in this early reading series describe inclined planes, pulleys, wheels and axles.
Audience: Grades 2,3
Subject: Simple Machines
Standard:
Strand:  Physical science

Kepler, L.  (1996)  A Year of Hands-On Science. New York: Scholastic Professional Books.  302p. ISBN 0-590-70132-0
Two thematic units for each month of the school year cover a variety of topics grouped under physical, life, earth/space, and technology.    Units include weather, birds, seeds, and the night sky. Excellent bibliographies of children’s books, teacher resources, videos, and web sites accompany each topic.
Audience: Teacher
Subjects: Physical, life, earth/space, and technology
Standard:
Strand: Earth and Space, Life, Physical, Technology

Tolman, M. (1995) Hands-On Physical Science Activities for Grades K-8.  West Nyack, New York: Parker Publishing.  352p.  ISBN  0-13-230178-4
A compendium of over 180 activities geared to teach thinking and reasoning skills on a range of topics- electricity, magnetism, simple machines, sound light, energy, and the nature of matter. Each section has numerous activities that answer questions related to the topic. Procedures are  clearly outlined and  materials needed are listed. Additional resources are listed in the brief bibliography.  An extensive list of science supply houses and some resources for free and inexpensive science materials are at the back of the book.  Other titles in the series cover life science and physical science in a similar format.
Audience: Teacher
Subject:  Electricity, magnetism, simple machines, sound, light, matter
Standard:
Strand:  Physical science

Science
Grades K-4

Physical Sciences

Skip to Print and Media Resources

Web Sites

COMING SOON

Top of Page

Technology/Engineering

Skip down to Web Sites

Print and Media

Kepler, L.  (1996)   A Year of Hands-On Science. New York: Scholastic Professional Books.  302p. ISBN 0-590-70132-0
Two thematic units for each month of the school year cover a variety of topics grouped under physical, life, earth/space, and technology.    Units include weather, birds, seeds, and the night sky. Excellent bibliographies of children’s books, teacher resources, videos, and web sites accompany each topic.
Audience: Teacher
Subjects: Physical, life, earth/space, and technology
Standard:
Strand: Earth and Space, Life, Physical, Technology

Poppe, C. and VanMatre, N. (1985) Science Learning Centers for the Primary Grades.  New York: Center for Applied Research in Education. 241p. ISBN 0-87628-749-6
This rich resource for the primary teacher details directions to develop and organize science centers.  The five themes covered are space, plants, dinosaurs, senses, and human body. A wealth of information for each of the topics introduced.
Audience: Teacher
Subject: Space, plants, human body, dinosaur
Standard:
Strand: Earth and Space, Life, Technology

Science
Grades K-4

Technology/Engineering

Skip to Print and Media Resources

Web Sites

COMING SOON