Hands-On Science Curricula

Appelhof, M.; Fenton, M.F.; and B. Harris. 1993. Worms Eat Our Garbage: Classroom Activities For A Better Environment. Kalamazoo, MI: Flower Press.
Basics for setting up and maintaining a worm composting system, with additional information on decomposition, food webs, and recycling.

Ahlgren, A., and F. Halberg. 1990. Cycles of Nature: An Introduction to Biological Rhythms. Arlington, VA: National Science Teachers Association.
Activities guide for students recognizing and measuring common rhythms, then challenges them to experiment with rhythms found in nature. For middle school students and up.

Brown, V. 1983. Investigating Nature Through Outdoor Projects. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books.
Intended for use in backyards and neighborhood lots, this book provides information and guidelines for drawing in watchable wildlife.

Bowden, M. 1989. Nature for the Very Young. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons.
Written specifically for pre-school children, but may be adaptable for early primary grades. Includes indoor and outdoor activities with tips for leading nature expeditions.

Bourgeois, P. 1993. The Amazing Dirt Book. Menlo Park, CA.: Addison Wesley Publishing.
Investigative activities about soil using simple, everyday materials. Part of the "Amazing" Series about such familiar items as eggs, apples, paper, etc.

Burnett, R. 1992. The Pillbug Project: A Guide to Investigation. Arlington, VA.: National Science Teachers Association.
Science investigations revolving around pillbugs and their habits.

Chinery, M. 1988 ed. The Complete Amateur Naturalist. New York, NY: Crown Publishers.

Cornell, J. 1979. Sharing Nature With Children. Nevada City, CA: Dawn Publications.
An old stand-by in nature center libraries, this small book contains activity ideas to stimulate and engage kids, using little equipment but one's senses and imagination.

Cornell, J. 1990. Sharing The Joy of Nature. Nevada City, CA.: Dawn Publications.
A sequel to the above book, more nature activities for all ages.

Christie, N. 1991. Regional Environmental Education Program (REEP) B Cycles Grade 5. The Schuykill Center for Environmental Education.
Introduce students to the finite and cyclic nature of minerals, air and water; and the need to conserve these elements.

Cvancara, A. M. 1992. Exploring Nature In Winter: A Guide to Activities, Adventures, and Projects for the Winter Naturalist. New York: Walker and Co.
Combination of both ecology content and investigative ideas. Includes chapters on winter botany, winter wildlife, winter astronomy, ice and snow.

Docekal, E. 1989. Nature Detective: How to Solve Outdoor Mysteries. New York: Sterling Publishing Co.
Backyard environmental education activities using cases, clues, and suspects. Appropriate for 2-6. Written for older children to read themselves.

Falada, S. 1989 Basic Projects in Wildlife Watching. Harrisburg, PA.: Stackpole Books.
A unique book covering the techniques of wildlife observation, tracking, and baiting.

Finkelstein, R. 1980. The Central Park Workbook: Activities for an Urban Park. Central Park Task Force.
All activities revolve around a park, with one chapter devoted to nature in a park.

Gates, J. 1989. Consider the Earth: Environmental Activities for Grades 4-8. Englewood, CO.: Teacher's Ideas Press.
A no-frills book without photos or lots of illustrations, but packed with activities in many science subjects: water, wildlife, ecosystems, and an extended chapter on soil.

Gutnik, M. 1984. Ecology: Projects for Young Scientists. New York: Franklin Watts, Inc.
Ecological projects aimed at science fair enthusiasts, but can be adapted for classroom use.

Hancock, J. 1992. What Is It?: A Guide to Biological Identification for Teachers and Students. Portland, ME.: J. Weston Walch.
An introduction to field identification and classification through the use of hands-on activities and a review of guides and supplies for instruction.

Hapai, M.N., and L.H. Burton. 1990. Bug Play: Activities with Insects for Young Children. Menlo Park, CA.: Addison Wesley Publishing.
Contains 26 interdisciplinary activities about insects, with sections on care and handling, observation, rearing and release.

Harlow, R., and G. Morgan. 1991. 175 Amazing Nature Experiments. New York: Random House.
This book catalogs activities under 4 headings: How things grow, Minibeasts, Trees and Leaves, and Seasons. Each section contains experiments, games, and things to make.

Harlow, R., and G. Morgan. 199x. 175 More Amazing Nature Experiments. New York: Random House.

Headstrom, R. 1991. Adventures with a Hand Lens. Dover Publications.
Assuming no previous science background, this resource opens the world of the small and delicate through detailed illustrations and 50 adventures using a hand lens.

Henry, L.K. 1989. Science in Special Places: Worksheets and Activities to Explore Animal Habitats. Belmont, CA.: David S. Lake Publishing.
Collection of blackline masters is a supplement for primary science classes. Focuses on a variety of animals and their corresponding habitats: forest, pond, desert, etc.

Henry, L.K. 1989. Science Through The Seasons: Worksheets and Activities to Explore the Four Seasons. Belmont, CA.: David S. Lake Publishing.
Combination of reproducible worksheets and ideas for related science activities. Addresses process skills of observation and classification.

Holley, D. Animals Alive!: An Ecological Guide to Animal Activities.

Katz, A. 1986. Naturewatch: Exploring Nature with Your Children. Menlo Park, CA.: Addison Wesley Publishing.
A British handbook to common backyard life, with suggestions for simple projects and activities.

Knott, R. 1989. Earthworms. Berkeley, CA: Lawrence Hall of Science, UC-Berkeley.
Experiments regarding the biology of the earthworm, with opportunities for observing, recording, and graphing.

Knott, R.C., and Herbert D. 1992. Delta Education Scis 3 B teachers guide level 3. Populations. Delta Education.

Kutz, M. 1987. The Doing Science - Adventure Series. Adventures in Life Science: Process Oriented Activities for Grades 4-6. Belmont, CA.: David S. Lake Publishing.
Consists of teacher lesson plans, copy pages, and discussion questions on various life science topics.

Lingelbach, J. 1986. Hands on Nature. Woodstock, VT: Vermont Institute of Natural Science.
Activities, each beginning with a question, are grouped into four separate chapters: Adaptations, Habitats, Cycles, and Designs of Nature. Good teacher background sections.

Lowery, L., and C. Verbeeck. 1989. The Fearon Book of Doing Science: Explorations and Adventures in Life, Earth, and Physical Sciences for Grades 1-6. Belmont, CA.: David S. Lake Publishing.
Process-oriented activities are organized into units for grades 1-3 and 4-6. Skill development in observation, comparison, measurement, data collection, and formulation of conclusion.

Lowery, L., and C. Verbeeck. 1987. Explorations in Life Science: Process Oriented Activities for Grades 1-3. Belmont, CA.: David S. Lake Publishing.
A sister text to the above Adventures in Life Science, this book contains activities with teacher's plans and reproducible pages for younger students.

Lowery, L. 1985. The Everyday Science Resource Book. Palo Alto, CA: Dale Seymour Publications.
Source of science concepts, activity suggestions, suggested materials to supplement any science program. Great resource when developing units. Elementary & middle school use.

Miller, L. 1986. The Nature Specialist. North Martinsville, IN: American Camping Association.
Written for camps, but easily adapted to schools, this resource contains over seventy activities indexed by age appropriateness, and leader preparation.

Pearce, T. 1990. Exploring Woodlands. Exeter: Wheaton Education and Hampshire Books.
Activity units focusing on single trees and their properties, followed by the woods as habitat, succession, and food webs. Clear, reproducible pages with good student charts.

Rights, M. 1981. Beastly Neighbors. Boston, MA: Little, Brown, and Company Ltd.
Chapters focus on urban flora and fauna, and urban environmental issues, with project ideas in building feeders, terrariums using simple materials.

Roa, M. L. 1993. Environmental Science Activities Kit. West Nyack, NY: The Center for Applied Research in Education.
Thirty two lessons on the following focus areas: land, wildlife, water, atmosphere, energy, and human issues. Reproducible student activity pages and charts, discussion questions.

Ross, M. 1993. The World of Small. Yosemite Association.
Hands-on nature explorations using a hand lens, for ages 6-12. Each book comes with a 5x magnifier.

Russo, M. 1991. The Insect Almanac: A Year Round Activity Guide. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
Brief activity suggestions accompany background information and excellent illustrations. Easy to read so this resource can be used by upper elementary students.

Savan, B. 199x. Earthwatch B Earthcycles and Ecosystems. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc.
Examines how natural cycles and specific ecosystems work and suggests activities to protect the Earth from further damage by pollution and waste.

Sisson, E.A. 1982. Nature with Children of All Ages. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
An older resource book with activities and background information about plants, insects, mammals, and birds. Also has a chapter on tips and tricks for teaching outdoors.

Stangl, J. 1994. Science Toolbox. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing.
Introduces children in grades 1-3 to basic science tools, providing them with 47 activities and easy directions for constructing their own tools.

Stenhouse - Kneidel, S. 1993. Creepie Crawlies and the Scientific Method. Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing.
Presents an overview of the scientific method and over 100 experiments with insects and other organisms, using the scientific method. Reproducible worksheets and charts.

Stronglin, H. 1991. Science on a Shoestring. 2nd Ed. Menlo Park, CA: Addison Wesley Publishing.
Organized around three topics: matter, change, and energy, these science experiments utilize only inexpensive, readily available materials. For K-8 teachers.

Tolman, M., and J. Morton. Life Science Activities for Grades 2-8. Prentice Hall.
Hundreds of activities featuring the discovery/inquiry approach. Lessons include starter ideas, activity directions, and reproducible student pages.

Van Cleave, J. 1990. Biology for Every Kid. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
101 easy experiments for all grades. A companion text is Earth Science for Every Kid.

Wasserman, P., and A. Doyle. 1991. Earth Matters. Washington, DC: Zero Population Growth, Inc.
A resource peripheral to schoolyard ecology, but good for discussion of populations.

Wellnitz, W. 1992. Science in Your Backyard. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: TAB Books.
Basic experiments for plants, animals, and earth science. Easy procedures using household materials.

Wilson, R. 1993. Fostering a Sense of Wonder During the Early Childhood Years. Columbus, OH: Greyden Press.
Addresses the appropriateness and implementation of environmental education into early childhood curriculum. Also has activity suggestions and good bibliographies.