Evaluation criteria for selecting an elementary school science program are given. The administrator's and teacher's roles are discussed. An evaluation instrument which provides a systematic approach to comparing science materials is given. (SA)

A study examined the general content and characteristics of elementary science textbooks and compared selected text segments from several content domains across publishers. The Merrill and Silver-Burdette science programs for grades 1-5 and one level of both the Holt and McGraw-Hill programs were evaluated. Results indicated substantial…

Evaluated the effectiveness of an in-service science program, designed to introduce the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) to 35 elementary schools, by measuring teachers' (N=168) use of living materials available from the school district's resource supply center. Findings include no significant increase in material usage by workshop…

Describes two elementary science curriculum materials. Reading about Science Skills and Concepts is a program containing a series of seven supplementary high-interest low-level science readers for upper elementary and middle school students. Beginning Everyday Science Early outlines why teachers should teach science to young children, teacher…

Provided are edited background papers prepared for a Meeting of Experts on the Incorporation of Science and Technology in the Primary School Curriculum. Papers are organized into four major sections. Section 1 is concerned with such topics as the rationale and objectives of science and technology in primary schools, selection of appropriate…

There are ways in which elementary teachers in general and rural elementary teachers in particular can overcome inadequate science preparation and can upgrade the science program resources of their small schools. Parents and children should be involved in obtaining free and inexpensive science-related materials throughout the year. These can be…