Reading Response Log: Science Books
Rationale:
The books I selected are ones that
cover the following topics; Ecology, Genetics, Physics, and Astronomy. The
reason for this is because I will be attaining my certification in secondary
science, meaning I will be able to instruct any science subject. There are many
different reasons why I chose these books. The first reason is because they
display the implications that science can pose. A second reason includes that
these books can aid students in learning basic science concepts. Thirdly, most
of these books illustrate to students that science is not about stating facts,
but is an instrument to help solve the world’s problems. A fourth reason is
that these books have many illustrations to keep readers interested. Finally,
the books I selected are great for extra information about specific topics.
Reading Response Log : Science Books
Rationale:
The books I selected are ones that cover the following topics; Ecology, Genetics, Physics, and Astronomy. The reason for this is because I will be attaining my certification in secondary science, meaning I will be able to instruct any science subject. There are many different reasons why I chose these books. The first reason is because they display the implications that science can pose. A second reason includes that these books can aid students in learning basic science concepts. Thirdly, most of these books illustrate to students that science is not about stating facts, but is an instrument to help solve the world’s problems. A fourth reason is that these books have many illustrations to keep readers interested. Finally, the books I selected are great for extra information about specific topics.
The authors for the books I selected all had different types of writing styles. Some authors wrote their work for only informational purposes. Other authors wrote their books by allowing student to learn the science concepts by performing quick experiments. Other authors posed a problem and displayed ways to solve the problem and allowing students to come up with their own ideas. Finally, the some authors wrote their books that allowed students to discuss their issues.
- Title: Acid Rain
- Author: Kathlyn Gay
- Illustrator: N/a
- Publisher: New York: Watts, Copyright 1983.
- ISBN# : 0-531-04682-6
- Genre: Environmental science
- Library Location: Cornette Library, West Texas A&M University
- Summary: This book examines all the aspects of acid rain and its effects on the environment. This book begins by talking about what acid rain is and how scientists test for it. It discusses the negative effects of acid rain on the environment, such as how it can affect the food web by killing sensitive zooplankton. Later on in the book it examines how countries are creating bills in order to counteract acid rain. It also examines the politics and economics of acid rain, such as trying to pass bills to restrict pollution and the costs of implementing those bills. It finally discusses how individuals can help with the problem.
- Personal Comments: Even though this book is a little out dated, it is a good display on how science is used. It examines the problems of acid rain and even discusses evidence which support that acid rain occurs. This is a good example, because all of the sciences have their foundation in evidence that has been accumulated over the years.
- Suggested Use in the Classroom: I would use this book to instruct my students on humanity’s impact on the environment. This would be a great for the ecology unit in Biology. I would have my students read this book and then require them to complete a research project. I would have them examine if acid rain has been reduced since the book was published, as well as the principles of science that were used to identify the problem. During the project I would have the students address the following questions; “In what ways did the global community and the United States government address the problem?”, “Could the same methods used to deal with acid rain be used to address the problem of Global Warming or Climate Change?”, and “Were the solutions offered in the book implemented to help reduce acid rain?” The main purpose of this book is to help students understand how science can be applied to the real world. For example, this book demonstrated how science was used to observe the effects of acid rain on the environment.
- Title: From Cell to Clone
- Author: Margery and Howard Facklam
- Illustrator: Paul Facklam
- Publisher: New York : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Copyright 1979
- ISBN# : 0-15-230262-X
- Genre: Biology and Genetics
- Library Location: Cornette Library, West Texas A&M University
- Summary: This book covers the fundamentals of biology and genetics, such as explaining Gregor Mendel’s experiments and even discussing the first microscope. The book gives a great short summary of the history of genetics. For example the book talks about how it was determined that DNA was the genetic material and how Watson and Crick determined the helical structure of DNA. It also discusses the two forms of science, which are basic and applied. Finally, it summarizes the implications of genetic engineering as well as the benefits.
- Personal Comments: Even though this book is considered a little old, it is great a illustrating how science is not about stating facts but is implementing facts to solve problems. This book also illustrates how science can pose moral implications to solve problems. This book has a great way of explaining how theories about DNA came about, which is a great supplement compared to textbooks that just state the facts.
- Suggested Use in the Classroom: The suggested use of this book would be for supplemental instruction. For example, most science text books only give information about current theories. However, they do not include how the theories came about or the evidence that supports the theory. This book is excellent at explaining background information about current theories in genetics. This book would be used in explaining the genetics section of a Biology course. I would have students read this book and write a paper over the controversies and benefits of genetic engineering. In addition, students would have to write about their own conclusions about whether or not the benefits of genetic engineering outweigh the moral issues. Later on in the biology course, I would have students draw a bacterium, or a virus, that they created to solve a problem or to use for their benefit. The main purpose of using this book is for students to understand that science can pose moral issues that should be resolved in order for science to progress.
- Title: Astronomy for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments that Really Work
- Author: Janice VanCleave’s
- Illustrator: Barbara Clark
- Publisher: New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright 1991
- ISBN# : 0-471-53573-7
- Genre: Astronomy
- Library Location: Cornette Library, West Texas A&M University
- Summary: This book mostly has experiments that are quick and easy to implement. These experiments illustrate many basic concepts of Astronomy. For example, one experiment displays how craters are formed by using newspapers, carbon paper, and golf balls.
- Personal Comment: I really liked how this book had so many easy experiments to display basic astronomy concepts. Even though this book is geared toward younger children, this is still a great way to get students engaged with learning Astronomy. Also, when I was taking astronomy at WT, some of these experiments were used to help explain the concepts. I really enjoyed doing them and it made learning much easier.
- Suggested Use in the Classroom: I would mostly use this book by having my students conducting the experiments at the beginning of new units. This is a great way to get students engaged and it is a simple way to explain basic concepts. For example when discussing the orbits of planets, there is an experiment in which students learn to draw an ellipse. I would first begin the lesson by asking my students the question “How is that Neptune and Pluto can switch their positions with one another when they are traveling in their orbits?” Once students come to the conclusion that the planets orbits are not a perfect circle, I would have them read and implement this experiment so they can get a better understanding of an ellipse. The main purpose for using this text is to have student gain a better understanding of the basic concepts of Astronomy, and to provide fun and engaging activities.
- Title: Fun with Physics
- Author: Susan McGrath
- Illustrator: Loel Barr
- Publisher: Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society, Copyright 1986
- ISBN# : 0-87044-576-6
- Genre: Physics
- Library Location: Cornette Library, West Texas A&M University
- Summary: This book provides simple experiments that students can perform at home. It also illustrates how physics is applied to all aspects of students’ lives, such as how physics is applied to sports. It also gives brief explanations on how the basic principles of physics that are at work in the experiments.
- Personal Comment: I really enjoy all the types of experiments that students can do. This is a really great way to get students engaged in physics. In addition, I liked how it applies physics to the human body and sports. This allows students to relate this information and understand the importance of knowing about physics. I also enjoyed the pictures and illustrations that are used to capture the reader’s attention.
- Suggested Use in the Classroom: I would implement this text in two different ways. The first way would be to use the experiments as a way to introduce new concepts of physics. For example, one experiment uses two sheets of newspaper, a wooden stick, hammer, and a table. The wooden stick is placed on a table and 3/4 of it is sticking over the edge. Then the sheets of newspaper are placed over the part of stick that is on the table. Then a hammer is used to strike the stick at the place where it hangs over the table. If this experiment is done correctly, the stick should break due to the air pressure acting on the newspaper. After completing this experiment in front of my students, I would have them discuss how it was possible for two sheets of newspaper having enough pressure to hold the stick down so that it could break. The second method implementing this book is by having my students reading the experiments and completing them at home. Afterwards, I would have them write a lab report in which they should discuss in detail the principles of physics that were at work when they completed the experiment. The main purpose of using this book is for the students to develop a better understanding of physics, as well as checking the students’ knowledge in their lab reports.
- Title: Changes in the Wind: Earths Shifting Climate
- Author: Margery and Howard Facklam
- Illustrator: Paul Facklam
- Publisher: San Diego : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Copyright 1986
- ISBN # : 0-15-216115-5
- Genre: Weather and Climate
- Library Location: Cornette Library, West Texas A&M University
- Summary: This book examines and explains theories about Earth’s past and predicted climate, such as ice ages and global warming. It also discusses how natural factors such as volcanoes and the normal cycles of the sun can affect Earth’s climate. It finally examines how humanity can have an influence in changing the Earth’s climate, such as greenhouse gases creating a warmer climate and Nuclear winters.
- Personal Statement: Though this book is considered a little outdated, it is still a good read for students. The reason is because much of the scientific principles in this book have not changed. For example, in the book scientists used ice cores retrieved from glaciers to determine the composition of the atmosphere thousands of years of ago. This method is still used today and is the only way scientists can examine the atmospheric composition from the past. The topic of climate change induced by human activity is still relevant today and even more evidence has been discovered that supports this.
- Suggested Use in the Classroom: I would have students read this book when covering the topic of weather and climate. After reading this book, students would be required to do research on climate change. For example, the book discusses how there two theories of predicted climates for Earth. Students would have to address the following questions; “Does the theory that suggests that Earth is due for another Ice age still hold today?”, “What evidence is there today that supports this theory?”, “Is the theory that humans having a negative impact on Earth’s climate still hold today?”, “What new evidence has been discovered to prove this?”, “Which theory is more supported by the scientific community today?”. The main purpose of this assignment is to have students learn about climate and how it can change through time due to environmental and man-made factors. It also displays how the scientific knowledge is always changing and evolving with the discovery of new evidence.
