Fun and fascinating science is everywhere, and it’s a cinch to learn—just ask a science teacher! We’ve all grown so used to living in a world filled with wonders that we sometimes forget to wonder about them: What creates the wind? Do fish sleep? Why do we blink? These are common phenomena, but it’s a rare person who really knows the answers—do you? All too often, the explanations remain shrouded in mystery—or behind a haze of technical language. For those of us who should have raised our hands in science class but didn’t, Larry Scheckel comes to the rescue. An award-winning science teacher and longtime columnist for his local newspaper, Scheckel is a master explainer with a trove of knowledge. Just ask the students and devoted readers who have spent years trying to stump him! In Ask a Science Teacher, Scheckel collects 250 of his favorite Q&As. Like the best teachers, he writes so that kids can understand, but he doesn’t water things down— he’ll satisfy even the most inquisitive minds. Topics include: •The Human Body •Earth Science •Astronomy •Chemistry Physics •Technology •Zoology •Music and conundrums that don’t fit into any category With refreshingly uncomplicated explanations, Ask a Science Teacher is sure to resolve the everyday mysteries you’ve always wondered about. You’ll learn how planes really fly, why the Earth is round, how microwaves heat food, and much more—before you know it, all your friends will be asking you!

Fun and fascinating Q&As on topics from astronomy to zoology: “A treasure.” —Library Journal We’ve all grown so used to living in a world filled with wonders that we sometimes forget to wonder about them: What creates the wind? Do fish sleep? Why do we blink? All too often, the explanations remain shrouded in mystery—or behind a haze of technical language. For kids of all ages—or those of us who should have raised our hands in science class but didn’t—Larry Scheckel comes to the rescue. An award-winning science teacher and longtime columnist for his local newspaper, Scheckel is a master explainer with a trove of knowledge. Just ask the students and devoted readers who’ve spent years trying to stump him! In Ask a Science Teacher, Scheckel collects 250 of his favorite Q&As and provides refreshingly uncomplicated explanations. You’ll learn how planes really fly, why the Earth is round, how microwaves heat food, and much more on topics including: The Human Body * Earth Science * Astronomy * Chemistry * Physics * Technology * Zoology * Music and conundrums that don’t fit into any category “For any curious minded reader—young or old.” —Publishers Weekly

When it’s time for a game change, you need a guide to the new rules. Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices provides a play-by-play understanding of the practices strand of A Framework for K–12 Science Education (Framework) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Written in clear, nontechnical language, this book provides a wealth of real-world examples to show you what’s different about practice-centered teaching and learning at all grade levels. The book addresses three important questions: 1. How will engaging students in science and engineering practices help improve science education? 2. What do the eight practices look like in the classroom? 3. How can educators engage students in practices to bring the NGSS to life? Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices was developed for K–12 science teachers, curriculum developers, teacher educators, and administrators. Many of its authors contributed to the Framework’s initial vision and tested their ideas in actual science classrooms. If you want a fresh game plan to help students work together to generate and revise knowledge—not just receive and repeat information—this book is for you.

Questions, questions, questions! They are a large part of a teacher's stock-in-trade. We use questions to help students review, to check on comprehension, to stimulate critical thinking, to encourage creativity, to emphasize a point, to control classroom activtiies, reduce disruptive behaviour, to help determine grades, to encourage discussion, to discourage inattentiveness, and for other reasons and purposes. Questioning style and content varies from teacher to teacher, student group to student group, and situation to situation. The aim of this "How to..." booklet is to help you focus on a common teaching activity, the asking of questions. To illustrate some of the classifications and concepts discussed, excerpts from a videotaped lesson to third graders on magnetism appears at the end of this booklet.

By reading The New Science Teacher's Handbook, you will learn 12 specific steps that will help you on your way to becoming a skilled classroom teacher. The authors make each chapter both helpful and fun to read by including: The Story-actual experiences that happened within one of the authors' classrooms. As the authors note, these true stories demonstrate that even those who go on to write books on best practices in the classroom didn't start off as perfect educators; The Moral-what the authors learned from the story; Steps for Success-multiple solutions you can choose from to fit your concer.--Page [4] of cover.

Proven through more than a decade of rigourous research to be effective with both teachers and students, Making Sense of SCIENCE helps teachers gain a deep and enduring understanding of tricky science topics, think and reason scientifically, and support content literacy in science, thereby increasing student achievement. The materials presented in this book help teachers gain a solid understanding of trick science concepts and common misconceptions, support productive and worthwhile professional learning communities, and prepare teachers to implement standards-based science curriculum. Topics are central to the Next Generation Science Framework and aligned with the Common Core State Standards in literacy. This book guides teachers through investigations of motion, changes in motions, force, and the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, and features: hands-on experiments with easy-to-follow instrucitons and illustrations; clear explanations of tough science concepts; examples of classic misconceptions; a bank of formative assessments; a CD containing reproducible black line masters; and a guided protocol for evaluating student work in professional learning communities.

Rise and Shine provides a friendly support system that new science teachers can turn to in their first days, months, and even years in the classroom. This easy-to-read book offers plenty of helpful techniques for managing the classroom, maintaining discipline, and working with parents. But it also covers important topics unique to science teaching, such as setting up a laboratory, keeping the classroom safe, and initiating inquiry from the first day. Sprinkled throughout the book is candid advice from seasoned science teachers who offer both useful strategies and warm reassurance. Rise and Shine is designed to help preservice teachers, those in the first few years of teaching (regardless of grade level), and those who may be entering a new situation within the teaching field. If you need a mentor-or if you are a mentor or instructor who wants to support beginning science teachers-this book is for you.