With the release of the "Next Generation Science Standards," many schools are reexamining the science materials they are using. Textbook companies and kit developers are eager to meet the demand for "NGSS"-aligned teaching materials. Teacher may have been asked to serve on a science curriculum committee, or to evaluate current…

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)

It can be helpful in learning science if the teacher places some emphasis on reading and comprehending language correctly. Described are few points of language which children find difficulty in understanding. (PS)

Charts basic information regarding national elementary science programs for children (grades K-8) or some combination in between. Includes the following information: project title, contact and address; overview description of program; present efforts in revision, completion, distribution; materials available; places using the program, commercial…

Discusses procedures for selecting textbooks. Provided are guidelines for reviewing textbooks, analyzing content, and analyzing strategies. (SL)

Reviews the Environmental Education Activities Manual series, edited by William B. Stapp and Dorothy A. Cox. Selected activities from each of the six volumes of the set are described. Volumes are organized according to age level. (CP)

Learning Science is a program with text materials for grades one through six. The program attempts to combine the strong points of a process oriented elementary program with a more traditional textbook format. The six books include the topics: Things, Changes, Systems, Variation, Action, and Models. (Author/MA)

Three sets of elementary science materials are reviewed (ESS activity cards, ESS readers, "We Discover the World") that represent what can be done to enhance and structure learning for a single concept or topic. "We Discover the World" is a set of materials designed to introduce children to their world and their environment.…

Compares textbooks and trade books for elementary grade levels. Recommends integrating trade books into hands-on science during the introduction of terms and examples. Points out the role of book content on elementary students' concept formation. Makes recommendations for selecting the right books for teaching science. (YDS)

Presented in this article is a set of guidelines to follow in the selection of a science textbook. Instructions on how to examine textbooks are given. Topics considered are types of experiments, appropriateness of content, definition of concepts, meaningful activities, sequence, reading level, eye appeal, and safety. (SA)

Reviews "Green Survival, It's Something You Do," an audiovisual program developed by the American Association of Nurserymen to develop students' awareness of the environmental benefits of green plants, and to encourage participation in individual/community landscape improvements. Also reviews the revised Addison-Wesley K-6 science program. (JN)