Andrews, Beth L. Hands-On Engineering: Real-World Projects for the Classroom. (Prufrock, 2012).
Designed for use in grades 4-7 and aligned with “various standards for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM),” this compendium offers 26 kid-friendly lessons that teach science concepts through student- designed and tested objects. The book begins with an overview of design and engineering and the lessons that follow list the skills taught and materials needed. Vocabulary, an outline of purpose and objectives, online resources for building students’ knowledge of the topic, and step-by-step directions for preparing and implementing activities are also included. Reproducible worksheets are provided along with additional project suggestions that incorporate writing and research activities to extend the learning. From designing a transportable bridge to creating a catapult that hurls pennies to making an egg-cooking solar oven, kids are bound to learn important concepts as they build.

Edson, Marcia Talhelm. Starting with Science: Strategies for Introducing Young Children to Inquiry. (Stenhouse, 2013).
Edson, a clinical assistant professor at Boston University’s School of Education, effectively argues that inquiry-based science “should be at the center of every early childhood classroom.” More an expert in literacy than science, the author shares some best practices she discovered when challenged to design “a more robust science methods course” for early childhood majors.

The result is a well-organized, readable, and comprehensive overview on how to implement inquiry with the youngest students. Edson defines inquiry-based science; reviews teaching strategies; establishes the connections with reading, writing, and speaking; describes child-centered assessment; and discusses how to design an inquiry unit. Throughout, samples of student work and accounts from real-life classrooms and children provide clarity. Finally, early childhood teachers who have embarked upon the hard work of inquiry discuss how to succeed despite common impediments, while an appendix includes a pet study to get the ball rolling.

Fries-Gaither, Jessica & Terry Shiverdecker. Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers: Using Nonfiction to Promote Science Literacy, Grades 3-5. (NSTA, 2013).
Divided into two parts, this interdisciplinary guide begins by examining the research, noting a steady decline in the time spent on science in elementary classrooms (in part due to large blocks being devoted to ELA and math instruction). The authors remind teachers that “simply reading about science” cannot replace “the actual doing of science.” The learning cycle model for science instruction—engage, explore, explain, expand, assess—is reviewed, and opportunities for authentic literacy experiences within science inquiry are considered. Part II provides 11 complete inquiry units, primarily teacher-directed, a choice made by the authors in order “to support teachers new to inquiry.” Using multigenre nonfiction text sets as an anchor, each unit (the water cycle, fossils, the Moon, etc.) includes an overview, objectives, standards alignment, time frame, a list of texts, reproducibles, and a step-by-step description of how to guide students through each phase of the learning cycle.

Froschauer, Linda & Mary L. Bigelow. Rise and Shine: A Practical Guide for the Beginning Science Teacher. (NSTA, 2012).
Written specifically for the new teacher, this compilation of enthusiastically offered advice introduces five fictional teachers of varying backgrounds—Alberto, a former high school biology teacher now assigned middle school environmental science; Heather, an elementary substitute teacher just hired as a science specialist; Jason, a recent graduate teaching middle grades and high school; Sherrie, an industrial chemist switching careers; and Tanya, another recent graduate taking on high school Earth science. The 13 clearly written chapters are full of counsel supplemented by checklists and insightful comments from actual educators. Questions posed by the novice teachers are answered by Ms. Mentor (see the NSTA blog for more by Ms. Mentor), covering everything-a-new-teacher-needs-to-know from navigating the school environment and managing the first week of school to creating a learning environment and teaching strategies. Online resources for each chapter are available.

Hanuscin, Deborah & Meredith Park Rogers, eds. Perspectives: Research & Tips to Support Science Education, K-6. (NSTA, 2013).
In this compilation of past “Perspectives” columns from NSTA’s Science & Children journal, readers will find 27 articles grouped under six topics: “General Teaching Goals,” “Strategies to Facilitate Learning in Science,” “Teaching Science and Other Disciplines Together,” “Student Thinking and Misconceptions,” “Society and Science Learning,” and “Developing as a Teacher.” Each article-length chapter presents a teacher-posed question about an aspect of science instruction that’s answered by experienced educators with an eye to current research and suggestions for practical application in the classroom. There’s a lot of advice packed into this slim volume regarding important teaching issues, such as the effective use of children’s literature, understanding the learning cycle, the use of inquiry, how to support English Language Learners, the value of project-based learning, and the art of asking questions. In addition, the editors offer a few suggestions for using the articles in professional development workshops.

Martinez, Sylvia Libow & Gary Stager. Invent to Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom. (Constructing Modern Knowledge Press, 2013).
For anyone interested in learning more about the maker movement in education, this is an excellent starting point. Innovative educators, Stager, Executive Director of The Constructivist Consortium, and Martinez, President of Generation YES, urge teachers to look far beyond test prep and getting the answer right to offer students project-based learning that turns classrooms into settings where teachers talk less and children do more, makerspaces that value “making, tinkering, collaborative learning, and invention.” They start with a brief history of the maker movement, highlighting the work of Seymour Papert, a very early proponent of creative computer use by children, and continue with an in-depth look at how to get started. Ideas range from the “constructionism” learning theory to designing a good project to new fabrication tools (3D printers, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Makey Makey, etc.) to creating the learning environment and advocating for makerspaces in schools. A companion website provides links to the resources listed in the book—professional development, tutorials, project ideas, books, videos, creative materials, and much more.

ARNOLD, Caroline. A Warmer World: From Polar Bears to Butterflies, How Climate Change Affects Wildlife. illus. by Jamie Hogan. Charlesbridge. 2012. ISBN 9781580892667. JLG Level: SCE : Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6)

The average annual temperature is warmer by just over one degree. Though it sounds very small, just a small rise in the temperature impacts the way nature adapts and survives. Arnold informs readers that with rising temperatures, ice melts. If it melts, then polar bears have less time to build up fat that helps them survive the winter, resulting in fewer cubs being born. Higher temperatures mean lower male loggerhead turtle eggs, making it more difficult for females to find a mate.

Using a color palette in collage and facts on note paper, Hogan and Arnold provide interesting details on important ecological factors without being alarmists. This nonfiction text also includes a glossary and bibliography of books and websites for further research.

FERN, Tracey. Barnum’s Bones: How Barnum Brown Discovered the Most Famous Dinosaur in the World. illus. by Boris Kulikov. Farrar. 2012. ISBN 9780374305161. JLG Level: I+ : Independent Readers (Grades 2-4)

From his early years on his family’s farm, Barnum had a knack for fossil finding. His training as a paleontologist and his work for the American Museum of Natural History (along with great determination) lead to the most exciting dinosaur discovery of our time―the tyrannosaurus rex. Often clothed in a beaverskin coat, Barnum’s archaeological digs take him into Montana where his team finds a partial skeleton. It will be years later before the full specimen is completed. Fern’s narrative brings this dedicated, eccentric scientist to life while Kulikov’s illustrations provide an excellent backdrop and support for the storytelling of this informative, entertaining picture book biography.

There can never be enough dinosaur books in an elementary school library, and this must-have title won’t remain on the shelf for long.

KAMKWAMBA, William and Bryan Mealer. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. illus. by Elizabeth Zunon. Dial. 2012. ISBN 9780803735118. JLG Level: NE : Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6)

In 2001, Malawi experienced a drought, which resulted in a famine. With fewer crops to sell, children dropped out instead of paying fees to attend high school. To conserve their food, families ate once a day. Just as they began to despair, one teen boy went to the library and read about an invention that could solve his town’s problems: a windmill. Using junk from the scrapyard, William and his friends built a windmill that would bring water to his mother’s garden, allowing it to grow all year. Another windmill brought well water for his father’s crops. “Magesti a mphepo―electric wind―can feed my country, William thought. And that’s the strongest magic of all.”

William Kamkwamba’s powerful picture book biography is beautifully told through collage illustrations and lyrical text. African phrases punctuate the story. An inspiring author’s note shares further details on “this boy who harnessed the wind,” and saved his village.

JENKINS, Steve. The Beetle Book. Houghton Harcourt. 2012. ISBN 9780547680842. JLG Level: SCE : Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6)

“Line up every kind of plant and animal on Earth and one of every four will be a beetle.” Jenkins produces another winner in his latest solo science book about beetles of all shapes, and sizes. Cut-paper collage illustrations are often enlarged to allow readers the opportunity to see the details in their structure. Though beetles come in many different forms, they all have the same basic structure―two antennae, six legs, and three main body parts. Jenkins shares amazing facts: the fire beetle has heat-sensing spots that can feel a fire from more than 20 miles away, the six-spotted green tiger beetle hunts down its prey and tears it to pieces; the Fijian long-horn beetle is seven inches long, and squeezes air from beneath its wings to make a hissing noise.

Readers will pore over the gorgeous illustrations and spout facts just like an entomologist.

JENKINS, Steve and Robin Page. My First Day: What Animals Do on Day One. Houghton Harcourt. Jan. 2013. ISBN 9780547738512. JLG Level: NEK : Nonfiction Early Elementary (Grades K-2)

From the team that brought us What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? (Houghton Harcourt, 2003) comes another award-winning science title. Lifelike collage illustrations and a large font create a beautiful book that’s accessible to younger readers. Told in the voice of the babies themselves, readers will learn about the variety of ways newly born creatures adapt to their environment. Golden snub-nosed monkeys and sifakas cling to their mothers for safety. Leatherback turtles are on their own from the day they are born. They race to the water for safety upon birth. Darwin’s frog babies hop out of their father’s mouth, as they are raised in a special pouch from the tadpole stage. Covering a variety of animals, the text expands in an author’s note at the back of the book.

Educators might use this book as a starting place for research. After reading the brief information, kids will surely be interested in knowing more. With 22 different creatures, they can work alone or in pairs to complete their research.

For ideas about how to use these books and links to supportive sites, check out the Junior Library Guild blog, Shelf Life.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.