This teacher's guide to science in grades 4, 5, and 6 in the Buffalo Public Schools, New York, lists content areas for each grade level. Concepts or understandings to be developed for each content area are listed. Appropriate text and teacher guide pages are given to the science series developed by Herman and Nina Schneider to reinforce these…

Checklists for use in evaluating the progress of students in the primary and middle grades of elementary school in terms of their understanding of the methods of science and some aspects of scientific literacy are presented. The checklists are based on the objectives of the Science Curriculum Improvement Study, and deliberately ignore subject…

After a discussion of the place and purpose of science in the elementary school, and of methods for integrating science topics with language, applied number, art, and social studies, an outline of topics suggested as suitable for children in the Victorian (Australia) elementary schools is given. Suggested teaching activites to develop skills in…

Seven current elementary science programs were compared on the basis of curriculum and instructional characteristics and practicality. The Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) was found to rank highest. (CP)

AN INVESTIGATION WAS MADE OF THE READABILITY LEVELS OF NINE CONTINUOUS SERIES OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE TEXTBOOKS, GRADES 1-6. THE FOLLOWING SCIENCE SERIES WERE EVALUATED--ALLYN AND BACON, AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY, GINN, HARPER AND ROW, HEATH, LYONS AND CARNAHAN, MACMILLAN, SINGER, AND WINSTON. THE SPACHE FORMULA (SAFIER METHOD) WAS APPLIED TO…

The Pete's Dragon float from Disney World's electric parade is used to illustrate electricity. Primary and advanced tasks involving circuits are presented. (MT)

A science unit on clocks demonstrates the need to control variables to obtain reliable results from an experiment. Two activities, one for beginners and one for advanced students, are included. Directions for making a sundial are offered. (MT)

This science unit focuses on measuring skills using students' own sneakers and the unit of measure. Two activities with differing levels of difficulty are presented. (MT)

Described is a workshop for grades 5-8 school teachers and students related to synthetic polymers. Participants become familiar with polymer theory and practice experiments they can use in class. Sources of materials used in the workshop are listed. (RH)

Orthodontic braces and how they work are discussed. A science unit and task card on teeth is provided. (MT)

The slime mold Physarum polycephalum provides an easily maintained classroom plant which can act like an animal. Directions are given for: acquiring the organism; activating it; observing its life cycle; and viewing protoplasmic streaming. (DH)

Tree frogs are small (2-5 cm) animals which not only interest students but also can be maintained in classrooms for a few days. Characteristics (species, ranges, habitat, reproductive cycle, and locomotion) and housing/care needs are described. Long-term maintenance is not recommended due to the difficulty of providing live food. (DH)

Suggests using crickets for classroom activities, providing background information on their anatomy and reproduction and tips on keeping individual organisms or a breeding colony in the classroom. (JN)