Series: iScience Readers
Copyright Year: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59953-418-3
Edition: Library
Grade level: 3-4
Dewey: 549
Subject: scientific inquiry, earth science
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 3.4
Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 143107
Lexile Level: 470L
GRL: R
Binding: Library Hardcover
Available: NOW
Primary BISAC: JNF05100
Secondary BISAC: JNF037060
This 32-page primary science book introduces basic information about the characteristics and identification of rocks. Students also learn how rocks form and change over time. Readers are presented with the problem of identifying three rocks. Additionally, they learn how to think critically to solve a problem.
The authors in this series use a problem-based learning scenario and questioning techniques that encourage science inquiry. This volume includes an iScience Puzzle with an explanation of how to solve it, a discover activity, a "science at work" section, connections to history, a glossary, sources for further reading, and additional notes. The illustrations are photographs.
This is a high-quality, durable book—perfect for the classroom. I highly recommend this book to teachers of students in grades K to 4. Upper-grade teachers with special education students as well as teachers using differentiated instruction will also find this book to be very useful. I love the problem-based learning scenarios presented in this series. As a teacher of 32 years, I found this teaching method to be very effective, as it promotes critical-thinking skills. I also found that using these strategies promotes student-generated research.
National Science Teacher's Association, Oct. 2011
This book is a member of a series of leveled Science Books called iScience Readers. These books follow a similar organization of information. Open ended questions are sprinkled throughout along with experiment and project ideas. The text is well distributed into the graphics and illustrations. Glossary words are in bold print. Connections are made to history, occupations, and how the reader can become more involved. There is a table of content, glossary, index, and an additional notes page that gives the answer to all the questions throughout the book, which is a really nice succinct feature of the book. I highly recommend this series.
Richmond Public Schools, October 2011
This is a great series for beginning science introduction and study. Books are easy to manage both in size and amount of pages. Each book has a colorful cover wtih a round colorful picture of the subject. Inside it is packed with information with great photographs. Text is 2-3 paragraphs per page. There are additional features highlighting the topic and sub-topic headings. I like the science puzzle at the beginning - almost an ice breaker into the topic. The discovery activity is a great hands on example of the topic. Very nice series for the younger elementary.
Garland Independent School District, June 2011