Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science (1996)

8.1 The American Biology Teacher

Grade: Teacher resource The American Biology Teacher presents nonfiction articles that report on the results of research on teaching alternatives; discuss the social and ethical implications of biology; provide specific how-to suggestions for laboratory, field activities, or interdisciplinary programs; and present imaginative views of the future and suggestions for coping with changes. The articles, by science educators, are accompanied by statistical graphs and tables and are fully referenced. Each issue includes a software review (which gives a general description of the software's purpose and information on ease of operation), and several reviews of recent books on biology. The magazine provides background reading for elementary teachers.

Issues/price: 8 per year; $48.00 per year for National Association of Biology Teachers members; $60.00 per year for nonmembers. Publisher : National Association of Biology Teachers.

8.2 Art to Zoo

Grade: Teachers of grades 3-6+ Art to Zoo brings exhibit-based lessons and activities from the Smithsonian Institution to science, social studies, and art teachers. Each issue focuses on one theme and contains a step-by-step lesson plan outlining background information, lesson objectives, materials used, and subject covered. Also included are an English/Spanish "pull-out" page (which can be duplicated for student use) of questions and activities and a list of resources for further information. Art to Zoo features black and white photographs and illustrations. The publication is dedicated to promoting the use of community resources among students and teachers nationally.

Issues/price: 4 per year; free of charge. Publisher: Smithsonian Institution, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.

8.3 Chem Matters

Grade: Teacher resource Chem Matters is a magazine written for high school students that is also a useful source for keeping elementary school teachers up to date on recent chemical advances. Nonfiction articles covering such issues as nicotine patches, biodegradable bags, insect arsenals, and the chemistry of ink help relate chemistry to everyday life. Each issue contains puzzles, cartoons, and descriptions of real-life mysteries solved through chemistry. The Chem Matters Classroom Guide for teachers offers additional facts and background information for each article, as well as high-school-level chemistry demonstrations, laboratory experiments, and questions for students to answer.

Issues/price: 4 per year; $7.75 per year. Chem Matters Classroom Guide: 4 per year; $3.00 per year; no additional charge with subscriptions of 5 or more copies of Chem Matters. Publisher: American Chemical Society.

8.4 Chickadee

Grade: Students, preschool-grade 4 (ages 3-9) Chickadee magazine introduces young children to the world of nature and science. Each issue focuses on a key subject and includes brief, easy-to-read articles with minimal text accompanied by colorful photographs and lively illustrations. In addition, there are stories for reading aloud, games, hands-on experiments, posters, puzzles, and cartoons.

Issues/price: 10 per year; $14.95 per year. Publisher: Owl Communications.

8.5 Children's Magazine Guide

Grade: Students, grades 5-6+; teachers Children's Magazine Guide is a monthly subject index to children's magazines created for elementary and middle school students. Indexing 42 popular children's magazines, it directs users to specific articles on topics such as science, sports, current events, and popular culture. In addition, it indexes 9 major magazines and journals for teachers. The guide helps children find the science articles they need and is a useful tool for developing students' research skills. Every entry in this guide includes the name of the article, author, magazine, issue date, and page numbers.

Issues/price: 9 per year; $48.00 per year. Publisher: R. R. Bowker.

8.6 Connect

Grade: Teachers of grades K-6+ Connect is a bimonthly newsletter published throughout the school year. It offers practical articles, written by teachers, to support hands-on learning, problem solving, and multidisciplinary approaches to the teaching of science and mathematics. Each 20-page issue focuses on a key theme, such as investigating water, wetlands, energy, or variation and classification, and includes photographs and illustrations. Regular features include science and technology news (that is, current news stories chosen because of the teaching opportunities they offer) and resource reviews (theme-related items selected for their high quality and immediate usefulness).

Issues/price: 5 per year; $20.00 per year. Publisher: Teachers' Laboratory.

8.7 Discover

Grade: Students, grades 6+; teachers Discover magazine provides detailed, informative articles on biology, chemistry, computer science, earth science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, physical science, physics, space science, and technology. Each issue contains sections on breakthroughs in science, technology, and medicine, as well as a "Vital Signs" section written by medical professionals to capture the human side of medicine, a "Science Classics" cartoon section, and suggestions for further reading.

Each issue has a teaching guide to help translate information in the articles into classroom projects, curriculum ideas, and research activities. The teaching guide offers suggestions for using the magazine in different curriculum areas, vocabulary words of interest, and a reproducible quiz.

Issues/price: 12 per year; $17.49 per year ($14.55 for school year only). Publisher: Discover Science Program.

8.8 Dolphin Log

Grade: Students, grades 2-6+ Each issue of Dolphin Log presents a variety of nonfiction articles on science, natural history, marine biology, ecology, and the environment as they relate to the global water system. The articles have colorful and instructive photographs. Features cover such subjects as sharks, making recycled paper, survivors of ancient seas, and the comeback of the California grey whale. Regular features include "Nature News," "Did You Know?" (interesting and fun facts), "Creature Feature" (a focused exploration of one animal), and the "Cousteau Adventure'' cartoon series. The magazine has games, puzzles, and hands-on activities for children.

Issues/price: 6 per year; $15.00 per year. Publisher: Cousteau Society.

8.9 Electronic Learning

Grade: Teacher resource Educational technology, industry news, and conference and research reports are regularly featured subjects in Electronic Learning, a magazine on technology and school change. This periodical offers in-depth reviews of hardware and software. One major section provides articles on "Curriculum and Instruction." Another section, "Technology," focuses on evaluation and selection of software and on new and emerging technologies. An "Update" section provides a listing of new products available to educators, including software, hardware, books, CD-ROMs, and videodiscs.

Issues/price: 8 per year; $23.95 per year. Publisher: Scholastic.

8.10 Instructor

Grade: Teacher resource Instructor addresses all areas of elementary school curriculum and instruction. In addition to sections such as "Ready to Write" and "Math in Action," the magazine offers articles about child development and behavior, practical strategies for working with parents, and effective new teaching methods. It provides features and columns written by teachers, and ready-to-use hands-on activities. Each issue includes a hands-on science column or article and, once a year (in March), science is highlighted.

Issues/price: 8 per year; $19.95 per year. Publisher: Scholastic.

8.11 International Wildlife

Grade: Students, grades 6+; teachers International Wildlife features in-depth nonfiction articles exploring wildlife topics from around the world and global environmental issues. A representative sampling from an issue might include articles on the Fennec fox in the Algerian Sahara, disappearing forests in Canada, the earth's top 10 environmental problems, the Bahama Parrot, and the diversity of life in Borneo's Mount Kinabalu. Articles are accompanied by excellent photographs. This magazine is a useful tool for both teacher and student research on nature worldwide and is a natural supplement to the classroom library.

Issues/price: 6 per year; $16.00 per year. Publisher: National Wildlife Federation.

8.12 Kid City

Grade: Students, grades 1-5 Kid City (formerly, Electric Company) helps make learning enjoyable for students from 6 to 10 years old. The magazine features short articles on science, history, and social studies, and has lively, colorful photographs and drawings. Examples of science topics covered include flying squirrels, the senses, kangaroos, and how animals defend themselves naturally. Each issue includes stories, games, and puzzles to challenge students, as well as fiction, poetry, and art by children. Regular features include "Kid City News" (interesting news bits about children, towns, and schools across the country), "True But Strange" (facts from science and history), and children's reviews of new books, toys, games, tapes, and videos.

Issues/ice: 10 per year; $16.97 per year. Publisher: Children's Television Workshop.

8.13 Kids Discover

Grade: Students, grades 1-6+ Kids Discover helps children explore the wonder of the world around them. Each issue focuses on a key theme, such as oceans, rain forests, fire, weather, light, volcanoes, or space. Easy-to-read text is accompanied by excellent color photographs and illustrations. The magazine poses challenging questions to children, and includes puzzles, additional resources for children and teachers on the issue's theme, and instructions for related hands-on activities.

Issues/price: 10 per year; $19.95 per year. Publisher: Kids Discover.

8.14 Learning

Grade: Teachers of grades K-6+ Learning presents creative ideas across the curriculum as well as activities for teachers. Most issues focus on a key theme, such as rain forests, multiculturalism, or the White House bicentennial. In preparation for Earth Day on April 22, the March issue each year focuses on a key science theme. All articles are written by teachers for teachers. Subjects of the features include teaching techniques (for example, creative conflict resolution or motivating underachievers), teaching success stories, activity ideas, tips and time savers, a teacher-to-teacher reader exchange, and an activity book focusing on a particular subject.

Issues/price: 9 per year; $20.00 per year. Publisher: Learning.

8.15 Learning and Leading with Technology

Grade: Teacher resource This journal for technology-using educators, formerly entitled The Computing Teacher, presents information on all aspects of precollege educational technology. It offers articles in subject areas such as application software, computer literacy, hypermedia/multimedia, and telecommunications/distance learning. Two major sections of the journal are "Technology in the Curriculum" (with

articles on applications in various curriculum areas including science) and "Educational Policy and Leadership." Columns of particular interest to elementary science teachers are "Software Reviews," "Mining the Internet," and ''Multimedia Sandbox."

Issues/price: 8 per year; $55.00 per year for International Society for Technology in Education members; $61.00 per year for nonmembers. Publisher: International Society for Technology in Education.

8.16 National Geographic World

Grade: Students, grades 3-6+; teachers A goal of National Geographic World is to instill curiosity about the world in young readers and to encourage geographic awareness. Each issue offers five or six nonfiction articles on science, geography, the environment, natural history, sports, and achievements of young people and adults. Articles are accompanied by excellent color photographs and illustrations, and children's art and writing are often included. The magazine features puzzles, maps, games, posters, hands-on projects, and contests to spark interest and encourage interactivity. National Geographic World is a useful teaching aid for a variety of curriculum goals.

Issues/price: 12 per year; $14.95 per year. Publisher: National Geographic Society.

8.17 National Wildlife

Grade: Students, grades 6+; teachers National Wildlife features in-depth nonfiction articles about nature, wildlife, and important environmental trends and issues. A representative sampling from an issue might include articles on dolphins, Superfund, recycling for the birds, beavers, Alaskan grizzlies, and the effects of flooding in the Midwest. Articles are accompanied by excellent photographs. This magazine is a useful tool for both teacher and student research on nature. It is a natural supplement to the classroom library.

Issues/price: 6 per year; $16.00 per year. Publisher: National Wildlife Federation.

8.18 NOVA Teacher's Guide

Grade: Students, grades 6+; teachers NOVA Teacher's Guide, published in conjunction with the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) series of NOVA educational science programs, helps teachers use the NOVA series with their classes. The guide includes 1-page lesson plans for many of the programs. Each lesson identifies a teaching focus and gives a brief program overview. The lesson plans suggest activities and discussions to conduct before and after viewing the NOVA programs. A reproducible student activity page accompanies each lesson to help students develop useful critical thinking skills.

NOVAzine, a magazine for students, comes in the teacher's guide. The student magazine contains nonfiction articles, interviews with notable people, puzzles, quizzes, and maps that relate to the PBS series being broadcast as the magazine is published. All or part of NOVAzine may be photocopied and distributed to students.

Issues/price: 2 per year; free of charge. Publisher: WGBH Boston.

8.19 Odyssey

Grade: Students, grades 4-6+ Odyssey presents nonfiction information related to astronomy. Each issue focuses on a main theme, such as technology from the space program, the moon, or superstition and science. Regular features include "Activity to Discover" (suggestions for do-it-yourself activities related to the issue's featured topic), "Backyard Observations" (tips on astronomical occurrences children can watch for the month), "Future Forum" (children's written thoughts on a proposed subject of interest), and "Ask Ely" (a question-and-answer column). Odyssey features excellent color photographs and illustrations.

Issues/price: 10 per year; $24.95 per year. Publisher: Cobblestone

8.20 Owl

Grade: Students, grades 3-6 Owl magazine helps children explore nature and science. Each issue focuses on a key topic such as wolves, goats, the Arctic, or island life. The magazine includes short, readable nonfiction articles, folk tales, puzzles and games, posters, cartoon adventures, and hands-on activities, all accompanied by colorful photographs.

Issues/price: 10 per year; $14.95 per year. Publisher: Owl Communications.

8.21 Ranger Rick

Grade: Students, grades 1-6 Ranger Rick helps children learn about animals and their habitats, about how to help endangered species, and about what other young people are doing to protect the environment. Each issue contains readable nonfiction text with excellent color photographs and drawings. Regular features include fictional stories about wildlife, "Dear Ranger Rick" (letters to the editor from children), puzzles, hands-on activities, and jokes and riddles.

Issues/price: 12 per year; $15.00 per year. Publisher: National Wildlife Federation.

8.22 Science Activities

Grade: Teachers of grades 1-6+ Science Activities is a source of experiments, explorations, and projects for the classroom science teacher. Written by science educators, each issue contains a cross-section of activities for all ages, from the young child to the advanced high school student. Each issue focuses on a key theme, such as exploring the earth inside and out, natural science activities indoors and out, and ecology at the mall and in the classroom. A sampling of topics from Science Activities includes fun with fungi, science through drama, discovering wildlife, and electrical conductivity. Regular features include news notes, computer news, book reviews, and information about new products available to the classroom teacher.

Issues/price: 4 per year; $58.00 per year for institutions; $32.00 per year for individuals; single-copy price, $14.50. Publisher: Heldref Publications.

8.23 Science & Children

Grade: Teachers of grades PreK, K-6+ Science & Children is a journal on teaching elementary school science. It contains articles by educators for educators on how to teach specific science activities (such as experiments with worms and fun-filled physics), as well as on more general aspects of science teaching (such as how to improve children's observational skills and reasoning abilities). Each article concludes with a list of topic-related resources. Regular features include "In the News" (science news items from around the country), "Teaching Teachers" (practical teaching methods for preservice and in-service teachers), and reviews of newly available print and software resources.

Issues/price: 8 per year; $52.00 per year, including National Science Teachers Association membership. Publisher: National Science Teachers Association.

8.24 Science Books & Films

Grade: Teachers of grades PreK, K-6+ Science Books & Films is written for librarians, media specialists, curriculum supervisors, science teachers, and others responsible for recommending or purchasing science materials. It provides critical reviews of the scientific accuracy and presentation of print, audiovisual, and electronic resources intended for use in science, technology, and mathematics education. Reviews include descriptions of the merits and demerits of a book or film and any accompanying supplements; the content, technical quality, and instructional value; the audience(s) for which the material is most appropriate and why; and how the material could be used for collateral reading or viewing, reference, or classroom use. Each issue includes a feature article, reviews by young readers, audiovisual notes about educational or professional materials and programs, an index of books and films, and a selection of the reviewers' favorite titles from that issue.

Issues/price: 9 per year; 40.00 per year. Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science.

8.25 Scienceland

Grade: Students, grades K-3 Scienceland nurtures scientific thinking in young children. Each volume focuses on a main theme, such as pill bugs, robots, or the Space Shuttle. Large, easy-to-read text accompanies excellent photographs and enjoyable drawings. Articles challenge children by asking questions and offering "Can you do this?" suggestions for activities. They help build reading skills with pull-out vocabulary words and definitions. Accompanying each volume of Scienceland is a teacher's guide, including an introduction to that volume's subject matter, objectives for each reading and activity, questions designed to focus children's thinking, and suggestions for additional activities.

Issues/price: 8 per year; $19.95 per year for regular edition (lighter paper stock); $42.00 per year for deluxe edition (heavier paper stock); 15.00 per year for teacher's manuals. Publisher: Scienceland.

8.26 Science News

Grade: Teachers of grades 6+ Though written primarily for scientists and university professors, Science News can be used by teachers at all levels to stay abreast of the latest developments in science, engineering, medicine, and mathematics. Each issue contains a lengthy article on a current subject of interest, such as the human genome, biodiversity, and erosion, as well as brief news items on such topics as biomedicine, chemistry, space science, and the environment.

Issues/price: Published weekly; $44.50 per year. Publisher: Science Service.

8.27 Science Scope

Grade: Teachers of grades 6+ Each issue of Science Scope presents nonfiction articles by science educators on the life, physical, and earth sciences and on science and society. The maga-

zine provides science teachers with ideas for creative, well-designed, and safe hands-on activities and demonstrations. Each issue features "scoops" (news items on recent scientific discoveries or investigations); information on helpful science resources; short, practical, how-to tips on lessons and teaching methods; and a colorful science poster relating to a key article in the issue.

Issues/price: 8 per year; $52.00 per year, including National Science Teachers Association membership. Publisher: National Science Teachers Association.

8.28 The Science Teacher

Grade: Teacher resource The Science Teacher provides nonfiction articles by science educators on innovations in science teaching, current developments in science, and classroom projects and experiments. Each issue contains brief news items on recent scientific discoveries, an idea bank of hands-on activities, and reviews of books and software relevant to teaching science. Though targeted for junior and senior high school teachers, librarians, principals, and supervisors, this magazine is a useful source of background information for elementary science teachers.

Issues/price: 9 per year; $52.00 per year, including National Science Teachers Association membership. Publisher: National Science Teachers Association.

8.29 Science Weekly

Grade: Students, grades K-6+ Each issue of Science Weekly focuses on a single current science topic, such as volcanoes, wind power, or maps, and presents information on that topic from seven different reading levels. For each reading level, regular features include a vocabulary list, a weekly hands-on lab, a weekly problem-solving exercise, and a "writing for science" exercise. Accompanying each issue are teachers' notes (also keyed to specific reading levels) covering background information, questions and activities, and further suggestions for curriculum involvement.

Issues/price: 16 per year; $9.95 per year per student for subscriptions of 19 or fewer; $4.95 per year per student for subscriptions of 20 or more. Publisher: Science Weekly.

8.30 SuperScience Blue

Grade: Students, grades 4-6 SuperScience Blue provides science material that fits into all areas of the curriculum and helps students see the science connections around them. Containing in-depth nonfiction articles and related hands-on activities, each issue explores one key topic, such as hurricanes, endangered animals, or the physics and chemistry of construction. Accompanying each issue (at additional cost) is a teacher's guide, SuperScience Blue Teacher, outlining article topics, related curriculum areas, relevant process skills, learning objectives, general background, suggestions on introducing subject matter, questions for discussion, and lab tips. A resource section cites related books for teachers and children. Regular features of SuperScience Blue include an "Ask the Experts" question-and-answer column, a "We Dare You" problem-solving challenge, and a colorful, instructive, foldout poster relating to the issue topic.

Issues/price: 8 per year; $6.95 per year for magazine only; $27.80 per year for magazine and teacher's guide. Publisher: Scholastic.

8.31 SuperScience Red

Grade: Students, grades 1-3 SuperScience Red provides science material that fits into all areas of the curriculum and helps students see the science connections around them. Containing brief, easy-to-read nonfiction articles and related hands-on activities, each issue explores a key topic, such as magnets, trees, or foods and health. Accompanying each issue (at additional cost) are teaching notes outlining article topics, related cross-curricular objectives, tips on management, assessment, background, and extension ideas. A resource section cites related books for teachers and children. Regular features include a "Mystery" question to challenge children, science news, a math lab activity, and a colorful foldout poster relating to the issue topic.

Issues/price: 6 per year; $4.95 per year for magazine only; $25.00 per year for magazine and teacher's guide. Publisher: Scholastic.

8.32 3-2-1 Contact

Grade: Students, grades 3-6+ 3-2-1 Contact explores nature, science, and technology through short nonfiction articles accompanied by lively, colorful photographs and drawings. Examples of topics covered include animal-tracking satellites, the world of snowboarders, peculiar pets, and a journey through a rain forest. Each issue also provides games, puzzles, contests, and suggestions for hands-on activities. Regular features include "News Blasts" (brief items about enjoyable or exciting science stories), interesting questions and answers, reviews of video and computer games, "Future File" (interesting scientific developments coming our way), and "Basic Training" (a set of hands-on computer instructions

challenging children to solve a particular problem).

Issues/price: 10 per year; $17.97 per year. Publisher: Children's Television Workshop.

8.33 WonderScience

Grade: Students, grades 6+; teachers WonderScience provides enjoyable physical science activities for children and adults to do together. Each issue focuses on a key topic, such as optical illusions, weather measurements, the physics of music, or physics on the playground. Several hands-on activities related to the key topic are outlined. Each activity is accompanied by a list of the materials needed and step-by-step instructions for parents or teachers and children to follow. A letter to parents and teachers offers background science information and helpful hints about each activity.

Issues/price: 8 per year; $9.50 per year. Publisher: American Chemical Society.

8.34 Your Big Backyard

Grade: Students, grades PreK, K, 1 Your Big Backyard introduces children to the world of nature and helps them realize what people can do to protect the environment. The magazine combines colorful close-up photographs and illustrations with simple text. Regular features include read-to-me stories, poems, photos of baby animals, riddles, hands-on activities, and games. Each issue includes a letter to parents with supplemental information and questions to ask children about the articles involved. Teachers may want to refer to Your Big Backyard for ideas on outdoor activities, a science corner, and nature crafts. Animal and wildlife photographs provide useful material for class bulletin boards.

Issues/price: 12 per year; $14.00 per year. Publisher: National Wildlife Federation.

8.35 Zoobooks

Grade: Students, grades K-6+ Zoobooks examines wildlife and the animals' habitats. Each issue focuses on a single animal or a group of animals, and explores such subjects as body structure, behavior, and basic needs. Brief, factual text is accompanied by colorful photographs and drawings. Back issues are available.

Issues/price: 10 per year; $20.95 per year; $2.95 per issue. Publisher : Wildlife Education.