Exploring Energy with Toys: Complete Lessons for Grades 4-8

Rating:
Summary: Good Resource for Teachers of Science
Review: Like the other books in the "TOYS" series from Terrific Science Press, this book is an excellent resource. Although the cover indicates an intended audience of grades 4-8, I think the most of the 21 activities could be used with high school students as well.

The book includes a 10-page section on pedagogical strategies that is specific to the content of the activities and that also includes a sample assessment rubric. There is also a 13-page content review that I found to be both clear and useful.

Each activity is clearly laid out with the following sections: time required, key science topics, student background (if required), national science education standards, additional process skills (for some activities), materials - for getting ready - for introducing the activity - for the procedure - for the extensions, safety and disposal, getting ready, introducing the activity, procedure, variations and extensions, explanation, assessment suggestions (for some activities), cross-curricular integration, suggestions for further reading, and handout masters for some of the activities.

Although I like this book, I found myself a bit frustrated as I tried to find the toys needed for some of the activities. I found some, but not others. Some items are easy; we can all find LEGO's. Other items are more difficult. I bought out the toy store's end of summer clearance stock on the Explorer Gun a few years back. This year, it took me a few nights searching the web to find a distributor. I gave the book 4-stars because of this problem; it might mean that not all of the activities will be useable. I put an asterisk after those activities requiring items I found difficult to locate. You may be luckier.

Activities: (1) What Makes It Go? (2) The Toy That Returns (3) How Much Energy (4) Exploring Energy with an Explorer Gun®* (5) Pop Can Speedster (6) Ladybug, Ladybug, Roll Away (7) Rubber Band Airplane (8) Slingshot Physics* (requires a Sling Thing™) (9) The Catapult Gun* (requires the Insect Gun®) (10) Loop-the-Loop Challenge* (requires a Darda® car) (11) Homemade Roller Coaster (12) Bounceability (13) The Energy Transformation Game* (requires the Guess Who® game) (14) Drop 'n' Popper (15) Apply Your Energy Knowledge (16) Doc Shock* (requires the Operation® game) (17) Make Your Own Motor (18) Chemical Energy Transformations (19) Simple Machines with LEGO® (20) Get it in Gear with a LEGO® Vehicle (21) Squish 'em, Squash 'em, Squoosh 'em* (requires the Grape Escape® game)

Rating:
Summary: Good Resource for Teachers of Science
Review: Like the other books in the "TOYS" series from Terrific Science Press, this book is an excellent resource. Although the cover indicates an intended audience of grades 4-8, I think the most of the 21 activities could be used with high school students as well.

The book includes a 10-page section on pedagogical strategies that is specific to the content of the activities and that also includes a sample assessment rubric. There is also a 13-page content review that I found to be both clear and useful.

Each activity is clearly laid out with the following sections: time required, key science topics, student background (if required), national science education standards, additional process skills (for some activities), materials - for getting ready - for introducing the activity - for the procedure - for the extensions, safety and disposal, getting ready, introducing the activity, procedure, variations and extensions, explanation, assessment suggestions (for some activities), cross-curricular integration, suggestions for further reading, and handout masters for some of the activities.

Although I like this book, I found myself a bit frustrated as I tried to find the toys needed for some of the activities. I found some, but not others. Some items are easy; we can all find LEGO's. Other items are more difficult. I bought out the toy store's end of summer clearance stock on the Explorer Gun a few years back. This year, it took me a few nights searching the web to find a distributor. I gave the book 4-stars because of this problem; it might mean that not all of the activities will be useable. I put an asterisk after those activities requiring items I found difficult to locate. You may be luckier.

Activities: (1) What Makes It Go? (2) The Toy That Returns (3) How Much Energy (4) Exploring Energy with an Explorer Gun®* (5) Pop Can Speedster (6) Ladybug, Ladybug, Roll Away (7) Rubber Band Airplane (8) Slingshot Physics* (requires a Sling Thing™) (9) The Catapult Gun* (requires the Insect Gun®) (10) Loop-the-Loop Challenge* (requires a Darda® car) (11) Homemade Roller Coaster (12) Bounceability (13) The Energy Transformation Game* (requires the Guess Who® game) (14) Drop 'n' Popper (15) Apply Your Energy Knowledge (16) Doc Shock* (requires the Operation® game) (17) Make Your Own Motor (18) Chemical Energy Transformations (19) Simple Machines with LEGO® (20) Get it in Gear with a LEGO® Vehicle (21) Squish 'em, Squash 'em, Squoosh 'em* (requires the Grape Escape® game)