readin’, ‘ritin, and the ‘rithmetic of the stars a touch...

Juliana Texley is the field editor of NSTA’s webpageand lead reviewer for NSTA Recommends.

y June, most teachers are more than ready toleave the classroom routine, but they are seldomable to leave their love of science behind. Theytravel, explore, and read, so that they can return

From past to future, catch a ride on Hubble to get thebest view. You’ve seen the spectacular snapshots, heard thehighly-charged political debate. But do you know the back-ground and technology that makes our new view of the uni-verse possible? Highlights from the Hubble Telescope: Postcardsfrom Space (Melanie Chrismer, Enslow, 2003) provides a ba-sic background into the mechanics of the project. RobinKerrod’s Hubble: Window on the Universe (Firefly, 2003) in-cludes more than 300 gorgeous Hubble images with a well-written, understandable text that will explain difficult con-cepts such as the birth and death of stars, the formation ofgalaxies and solar systems, and the expansion of the uni-verse. With this background you’ll be able to participate inthe national debate that is coming in the next few monthsabout Hubble’s future.

And don’t be afraid of Killer Rocks fromOuter Space (Lerner, 2003). Steven M.Koppes’s award-winning book takes an in-depth look at the mystery of meteors, com-ets, and asteroids and their impact onEarth’s history—and provides just enoughbackground on the mysterious Oort cloudto prepare teachers for the inevitable questions about Sednathat their students will bring to school in September.

A touch of classSome books for young people are so unique and inspiringthat they truly merit the designation “For All Ages.” Justfor pleasure or planning to share, teachers will enjoy the

innovative text and graphics of these award-winning books for students.

Into the Woods is a book that reflects boththe artistry and spirit of John James Audubon.(Robert Burleigh, Atheniium, 2003). Accom-panying stunning Audubon-inspired art are twodistinct tracts of text; a simulated letter fromAudubon to his family, explaining why he iscompelled to study nature, and excerpts from thenaturalist’s own journals. Lyrical poetry allowsthe reader to glimpse the natural world throughAudubon’s eyes.

The Case of the Monkeys That Fell from theTrees is a fascinating collection of stories aboutscientific forensics—ecological mysteries fromdeadly frogs to, yes, falling monkeys. The au-thor succeeds in conveying the scientists’ ownthought processes as they solve these problems.For teachers whose “Walter Mitty” dreams in-clude exciting research in exotic places, this

Bin the fall better prepared to share science with students.

It’s summertime, and professional development (in thespirit of the National Standards) is easy. Through reading, ateacher can spend valuable hours updating content back-ground and methods, or simply refreshing the spirit. NSTARecommends, the association’s premier review system forscience education, keeps in touch with the books that havethe potential to enrich and inspire.

So if your summer plans include some stimulating read-ing, join the club. Put your feet up, place a cold drink closeat hand, and join us for this summer’s NSTA Reading Club.When you’ve made your choices, log on to the NSTA websitefor casual conversation. We’ll share our best reads and deep-est thoughts, as we stock up on R & R.

Readin’, ‘Ritin, and the ‘Rithmetic of the starsEverything you always needed to know about science—butperhaps, were afraid to ask—is at hand in the latest booksfor both students and teachers. No matter how recently (orlong ago) you left formal education, new discoveries arebound to have changed your field. Here are several contentupdates that won’t slow your tan.

NSTA’s Stop Faking It: Finally Understanding Science So YouCan Teach It books have fallen into the category of guilty plea-sures for thousands of science teachers. Author William C.Robertson has a knack for explaining physical sci-ence concepts more clearly than your undergradprofs could ever have hoped, in a light and read-able way that will leave you feeling far more con-fident. (Choose from Energy, Force and Motion,and Light from NSTA Press in Arlington, Virginia.)

Biologists have been forced to re-examinealmost everything their textbooks have taughtabout cells and genetics in the past few years.Richard Walker’s Genes and DNA (Kingfisher,2003) earned a CBC/NSTA Award this year forits clear and current explanations for secondarystudents. Teachers can gain, too, from this easyreview. For a deeper look at the way DNA hastotally changed our taxonomy of life, life sci-ence teachers will enjoy Life on a Young Planet:The First Three Billion Years of Evolution on Earth(Andrew H. Knoll, Princeton University Press,2003). You’ll get a new appreciation of the do-main Archaea that ruled the planet for sometwo billion years and still comprise the bulk ofEarth’s biomass today.

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one will provide more than a few hours ofvicarious exploration (Susan E. Quinlan,Boyds Mill Press, 2003).

You’ll feel decidedly older—butsmarter—after you thumb through Eureka!:Great Inventions and How They Happened(Richard Platt, Kingfisher, 2003). Couldthere really be a history lesson in the in-vention of the microwave oven or the cellphone? The story of inventors may send youtinkering in your own garage, or just giveyou a new appreciation of the Walkman orvideo game that you have taken for granted for a decade.

If it’s Tuesday, it must be the bayouIf gas prices are too high, or the pets too rowdy for you totake that summer trip you’d love, consider a virtual trekto a special place. Many of this summer’s best science readsare also great treks to exotic places.

Mike Tidwell’s Bayou Farewell: The Rich Life and TragicDeath of Louisiana’s Cajun Coast (Pantheon, 2003)is morethan a just memoir of a vanishing environment and habi-tat. The Louisiana delta is disappearing, not in smallpart due to the physical and cultural effects of oil drill-ing. Thousands of teachers who will take their class ona JASON Expedition next year will find this requiredreading. But all teachers should appreciate the politi-cal, social, and scientific implications of what is hap-pening at the mouth of the Mississippi.

It’s been 100 years since Lewis and Clark crossed thegreat West, but their long shadows still fall across both

history and science. In Su-san Munger’s Common to thisCountry: Botanical Discover-ies of Lewis and Clark (Work-man, 2003) you can travelwith the Voyage of Discov-ery and appreciate their in-credibly detailed notes onthe plants they encounteredon the trail. Beautiful bo-tanical illustrations and hor-ticulture notes accompanydescriptions of a dozen

plants. This is not only a history story but also a greatmodel for personal collecting and journaling. You mayeven be tempted to grow your own historical garden orpioneer an integrated lesson for the fall. (There are alsotwo award-winning books by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent,Animals on the Trail with Lewis and Clark and Plants onthe Trail with Lewis and Clark, which provide the same

sense of adventure for both young andadult readers [Clarion, 2003].)

Teacher talkAlmost ready to go back to business? Sum-mer is also the time to recharge your under-standing of professional practice, an idealopportunity to rethink what worked (andwhat didn’t) in the previous year and charta path for change.

You owe it to yourself and your studentsto spend a few hours with NSTA’s new sci-

ence safety book for middle level teachers. You’ll find apositive approach and a good dose of common sense, withupdates on the labs, equipment, and consumables that areno longer considered appropriate in today’s classrooms. Butbetter yet, the book provides exciting and practical optionsto encourage inquiry in safer classrooms. (Inquiring Safely,along with the elementary and secondary editions, are allavailable from NSTA Press.)

Has the push toward testing of reading made you feelthat science is “left behind”? It may be time for the deep

reading about best practicein Crossing Borders in Lit-eracy and Science Instruction(E. Wendy Saul, Editor,NSTA Press, 2004). Whilethe contributors’ extensiveresearch base may make thiscollection seem a bit heavyfor your beach chair, you’llcome away well-armed to in-tegrate reading, choose tradeand text books, encouragebetter science writing, and

defend the value of inquiry-based instruction in a daywhen the tests rule.

And even if you aren’t expecting reassignment, youwill lower your blood pressure and up your sense of hu-mor as fall approaches as you read Help! I’m TeachingMiddle School Science by C. Jill Swango and Sally BolesStewart. Here you’ll find practical ideas presented in away that every teacher can use, no matter how new orveteran. (NSTA Press, 2003.)

Double your pleasure by sharingOnce you’ve enjoyed these or other summer books for edu-cators, catch a wave—from the nearest wireless link—andsend us your comments at www.nsta.org. We’ll be lookingforward to sharing your ideas in our Summer Reading Clubforum. See you there.

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