A chemistry teacher describes the elements of the ideal chemistry textbook. The perfect text is focused and helps students draw a coherent whole out of the myriad fragments of information and interpretation. The text would show chemistry as the central science necessary for understanding other sciences and would also root chemistry firmly in the…

Investigated how 11 9th-grade Portuguese physics textbooks dealt with heat and temperature and whether they were adequate information sources for students. Examination of ideas (which included correctness of concepts and arguments, global teaching approach, and learning activities) indicated that most of the textbooks were not consistent with…

Examines the contents of textbooks used in physics courses between 1967 and 1997 in Victoria, Australia for curriculum balance and emphasis on different aspects of scientific literacy. (Author/CCM)

Aspects of textbooks' readability are discussed and some recommendations are made. The results of applying three readability tests to 13 current textbooks are presented. (Author/BB)

This article reviews the Exploring Science elementary series by Laidlaw Brothers. Evaluation is on the basis of content, format, program features, student evaluation, and teachers' edition. The program is a blend of traditional and new hands-on activities. Emphasis is more content than process oriented, especially in the upper grades. (Author/MA)

Examines the reasons why errors occur in chemistry textbooks. Presents examples of the range of errors and proposes measures for addressing the problem. (ML)

Describes how teachers can use the Fry's Readability Graph to determine the reading level of textbooks in use and those being considered for adoption. Provides a listing of the reading levels of selected junior high school science texts. (JR)

Describes how to use a readability graph to determine the reading level of Biology textbooks. (MA)

Discusses reading levels of books in the sciences, and explains the use of the Readability Graph. Also reported are reading levels of selected high school physics texts. (GA)

The neglect of neutrino emission during nuclear beta decay in many general chemistry textbooks is discussed. (BB)

Analysis of instructional recommendations for mainstreamed students with disabilities provided in teachers' manuals of three elementary science textbook series revealed that there was a limited number of disability categories addressed, a poor match between recommendations and student needs, lack of consistency across grades, and inappropriate…

Argues that the failure to identify concepts and definitions with their corresponding levels of discourse has resulted in the propagation of historically outdated definitions and vocabulary in chemistry textbooks. Provides several examples of the problem from textbooks. Contains 36 references. (DDR)

Summarizes the origin, development, content, pedagogy, evaluation, and influence of a textbook for non-science majors entitled "Chemistry in Context: Applying Chemistry to Society." Considers the text's potential implications for other disciplines and for the instruction of science majors. (Author/WRM)

The purpose of the study was to determine the readability level and the level of involvement for selected science textbooks for grades 7-10. A review of related literature concerning readability scales and the Romey Index is included. Thirty secondary science texts were evaluated using the Fry Readability Graph and Romey's Involvement Index. The…

These aspects of the 1970-71 implementation program for a system-wide elementary school science program are discussed: selection of the elementary science textbook adoption committee and an outline of the committee's responsibilities; review of materials by the selection committee, including a list of general strengths and weaknesses of four…