Experiments With . . .

Students are curious about all kinds of scientific processes. Trevor Cook's Science Lab series, including Experiments with Heat and Experiments with States of Matter will allow them to extend their curiosity beyond the science lab. Each title includes basic background information, a list of necessary materials (my favorite supply is "friends can help"), and about a dozen experiments students can complete to learn more about the world around them.

Each process is clearly photographed, step-by-step, and a basic explanation of what is happening is given. However, maybe the best part is that there is a section at the end of each experiment that asks, "What else can you do?" and then provides extensions beyond the basic experiment. The book also includes "jargon busters" to help students with unfamiliar language and the author includes a glossary and website to help students further their knowledge.

Many times students read about scientific processes in connection with their classwork. These books present experiments that will help students understand the concepts from a hands-on perspective, as well as think deeply about how the process connects to their lives.

Common Core State Standards Connections:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.9 Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.

In addition to Experiments with Heat and Experiments with States of Matter, other titles in the series include Experiments with Electricity and Magnetism, Experiments with Forces, Experiments with Light and Sound, and Experiments with Plants and Other Living Things. Maple Street, Milwood Magnet, Linden Grove, and Hillside all own Heat and States of Matter. Would you like to see the other titles in your library?