General Natural Science Resources: Curriculum Guides, Videos, Software & WebSites

Recommended Books by Grade Level
(6th grade, 11-12th grades)
(H) indicates availability at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Amherst, MA

Curriculum Guides:

AIMS (Adventures in Math & Science). 1987. Our Wonderful World. Solutions in Math and Science. Grades 5-9. (H)

A variety of experiments to get kids thinking about air, water, transpiration, soil, plants and animals.

Aquatic Project WILD. 1987. Western Regional Environmental Education Council. (K-12) (H)

"Connect" magazine, published by Teachers Laboratory, Inc. (H)
P.O. Box 6480
Brattleboro, VT 05302

An excellent source for a wide range of practical teacher written articles, provides valuable support for hands-on learning, problem solving and multidisciplinary approaches.

Dragonfly, a National Science Teacher Association magazine (H)
available at http://www.muohio.edu/dragonfly/

Herberman, Ethan. 1989. The City Kid’s Field Guide. New York: Simon and Schuster, Inc.(H)

Hogan, Kathleen. 1994. Eco* Inquiry. A guide to ecological learning experiences for the upper elementary and middle grades. Millbrook, NY: Institute of Ecosystem Studies. 392 pp.

Lingelbach, J. 1986. Hands-On Nature. Information and Activities for Exploring the Environment with Children. Woodstock, VT: Vermont Institute of Natural Science. 233 pp. (H)

Although geared for younger children, includes a variety of activities that are appropriate for middle school students.

Motz, L.L. et al. Prentice Hall Science Teacher’s Desk Reference. A Professional Guide for Science Educators. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Skip the product promotions, but read the professional articles that focus on the latest thinking in education.

National Science Resources Center. 1988. Science for Children: Resources for Teachers. Washington, DC: National Science Resources Center. (H)

Although already 10 years old, this well-organized guide is a terrific teacher resource. Curriculum materials are presented by subject and cross-referenced by grade level. Also includes professional organizations, equipment suppliers, information sources and supplementary resources.

Noyce, Ruth. 1984. COMETS Profiles. Career Oriented Modules to Explore in Science, Vols. I and II. Washington, D.C.: National Science Teachers Association.

Includes biographical sketches of 24 women with science careers and suggest science and language arts activities. Grades 5-9.

Outdoor Biology Instructional Strategies (OBIS). "Streams and Ponds." Delta Education, Box M, Nashua, NH 03061.

(Other OBIS modules: Animal Adaptations, Backyard--which includes a pond guide--, Bio-Crafts, Child’s Play, Forest, Games & Simulations, Human Impact, Ponds and Lakes, Outdoor Study Techniques) Grades 4-8.

Project WET: Curriculum & Activity Guide. 1995. Project WET. The Watercourse and Council for Environmental Education. Montana: Project Wet. (201 Culbertson Hall, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT Phone: 406-994-5392 (H)

A wide range of curriculum activities, with most geared to middle and upper grades.

Project WILD. 1983. Project Wild: Secondary Gr. 5-12. Western Regional Environmental Education Council. (H)

Project WILD. 1995. Taking Action: An Educator’s Guide to Involving Students in Environmental Action Projects. Western Regional Environmental Education Council, Inc. (H)

Includes an overview, rationale & possible outreach activities for students. Inspiring success stories.

Roth, Charles et al. 1988. Schoolground Science Activities for Elementary and Middle Schools.Lincoln, MA: Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Sisson, Edith A. 1982. Nature with Children of All Ages. Activitis and Adventures for Exploring,

Learning and Enjoying the World Around Us. New York: Prentice-Hall. 195 pp. (H)

Sheehan, Kathryn and Mary Waidner. 1991. Earth Child. Games, Stories, Activities, Experiments & Ideas About Living Lightly on Planet Earth. Tulsa, OK: Council Oak Books.

Generally for younger children, but some resources and good ideas to build upon.

Sierraecology, a quarterly newsletter written for teachers and Sierra Club leaders. Free.

Sierra Club Public Affairs,
730 Polk Street,
San Francisco, CA 94109

Videos:

Available through WGBY's Lending Library

Race to Save the Planet: Teaching Modules (15 min/module) Produced by WGBH, 1992

Includes environmental questions on hazardous wastes, declining populations of marine fish, air pollution and global warming, biodiversity, trash and pesticides, water quality and water supplies.

The Secret of Life: Teaching Modules (15 min/module) Produced by WGBH, 1994.

DNA, biodiversity and extinction, biotechnology, genetics, evolution, cancer, genetic medicine, viruses.

Software:

Available through in the CIT

Interactive NOVA: Animal Pathfinders, produced by WGBH and Scholastic, 1990.

Explores the habitats and behaviors of seven different animals. Teacher’s guide included. MacIntosh version.

Interactive NOVA: Race to Save the Planet, produced by WGBH and Scholastic, 1990

Explores how human endeavors damage air, land and water and how habitats and species are affected by human encroachment. MacIntosh version.

The Secret of Life (videodisc), produced by WGBH & McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1995

Illustrates a range of complex biological concepts with video clips and still images. Teacher’s guide included.

WebSites:

http://biology.wsc.mass.edu (Includes experiments and a list of web resources, go to biology faculty and resources; search Buzz’s favorites, includes a great guide to MA reptiles)

http://eelink.net (Environmental Education Links, includes 2700+ environmental publications organized alphabetically by topic. Abstracts of each publication are included, along with ordering/address information)

http://eelink.umich.edu/wild/aquactvy.html (A Project Wild link for grades 4-12 on designing a habitat)

http://www.audubon.org (National Audubon)

http://epa.gov (The Environmental Protection Agency’s website--lots of great information and related links!)

http://www.fws.gov/r5soc/menu.htm (Conte Refuge Site)

http://www.fws.gov (US Fish and Wildlife Service; good sites on wetlands, fish, endangered species, habitat protection, migratory birds & related sites)

http://www.magnet.state.ma.us/envir/elb9-12.htm (Benchmark for Environmental Literacy for Grades 9-12 for MA)

http://www.montshire.net (Montshire Museum in VT; good links to CT River related sites)

http://www.nceet.shre.umich.edu/eetap.html (More environmental education resources)

http://www.nwf.org/nwf (National Wildlife Federation--terrific info on wetlands, habitats, pollution, Clean Water Act, water quality threats, endangered species, etc)

http://www.plt.org (Project Learning Tree--includes ordering info for secondary school curriculum)

http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river (Great info on river; check out their Biolinks!)

http://www.uwsp.edu/acad/wcee/weeb/link.html (Great web links)

http://www.weathermall.com/info/radio.htm (Latest climate data)

http://www.wgby.org/crei (Includes teacher information and more than 300 links, including PBS)

Book Resources for Sixth Graders:

Chisholm, Jane and Beeson, David. 1984. Introduction to Biology. London: Usborne Publishing Ltd., 48 pp. (H)

Dunlap, Julie. 1993. Aldo Leopold. Living with the Land. 21st Century Books, NY. 80 pp.(H)

(Related books in this Series: Rachel Carson, David Brower, Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Jacques Cousteau).

George, J. Craighead. 1988. My Side of the Mountain. E.P. Dutton. 176 pp.(H)

Mitchell, Andrew. 1982. The Young Naturalist. London: Usborne Publishing Ltd. 32 pp.(H)

Seed, Deborah. 1992. Water Science. Addison-Wesley Publishing, Co. 104 pp. (H) (An activities book)

Selected Reading for High School Juniors and Seniors:

Abbey, Edward. 1988. One Life at a Time, Please. New York: Henry Holt.

Abbey, Edward. 1982. Down the River. New York: Penguin Books.

Berry, Wendell. 1990. What are People For? San Francisco: North Point Press.

Carson, Rachel. 1962. Silent Spring. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin.

Leopold, Aldo. 1949. A Sand County Almanac. New York: Oxford University Press.

Outwater, Alice. 1996. Water.. A Natural History. New York: Basic Books