Science: Annotated Bibliography

Science: Annotated Bibliography 1

Cindy England

ID#: 1737378

EDUC 8P31

January 13, 2000

Brock University

Science: Annotated Bibliography

In reference to The Ontario Curriculum Grades 1-8 Science and Technology (1998), the Earth and Space Systems strand for grade four indicates an introduction to geology through the study of rocks, minerals and erosion. This annotated bibliography focuses primarily on teacher resources for exploring the topics of rocks, minerals and erosion although several resources listed and are also excellent for inclusion into classroom lesson plans and student discovery.

The following overall expectations for the strand, as taken directly from The Ontario Curriculum Grades 1-8 Science and Technology (1998) were specifically targeted:

"demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties of rocks and minerals and the effects of erosion on the landscape"

"investigate, test and compare the physical properties of rocks and minerals and investigate the factors that cause erosion of the landscape"

"describe the effects of human activity (e.g., land development, building of dams, mine development, erosion-prevention measures) on physical features of the landscape and examine the use of rocks and minerals in making consumer products"

Additional resources were also collected to build on the above overall expectations and/or may be used as extended activities, such as with the introduction of fossils as one aspect of geology. Several field trip resources are also included and the use of local, Canadian-specific studies such as the Niagara Escarpment is an important resource that may be contrasted against several notable international geological sites.

Ackkerley, Janet; King, Lindsay; Kummling, Karen; Newton, John & Williams, Don. (1995). Environmental Hike Guidebook: For Environmental Hike Leaders and Resource People. Niagara Falls: Bruce Trail Association.

The Bruce Trail Association offers a large variety of resources to teachers exploring geology units. Guided tours of the Niagara Escarpment are available to classes, providing a local, Canadian perspective to the unit. Special geology-specific guided tours are also available focusing on such topics as: rock formation and identification, erosion and quarrying, soil types and growing conditions plus humans' uses including economics and recreational purposes.

The Bruce Trail Association also provides a guidebook providing a broad range of information related to the Niagara Escarpment. The guidebook discusses old growth forests, sedimentary rock forming the Escarpment and erosion - topics that teachers may use to expand their teaching knowledge and bring into the classroom for discussion.

Atal, Anand S. (1970). Background Information for Teachers' for Earth Science Slides. Vancouver: The British Columbia Science Teachers' Association.

A teacher resource collection consisting of a series of slides showing rock, mountain and canyon formations, volcanoes and geysers. A guidebook also comes with the slides to provide relevant background information on each slide plus diagrams of notable geological processes. Slides are professional in appearance and provide a wide variety of rock formations that may be easily included into a classroom lesson for visual effect and comparison purposes.

McKenna, James & Gottlieb, Erren (Producers). (1994/1995). Bill Nye the Science Guy: Rocks and Soil. Seattle: Public Broadcast System.

Bill Nye the Science Guy videos make a great addition to any teacher's library and can be used as a teacher resource, part of a classroom lesson or as extended activities through Bill Nye outreach materials. Episode #44, "Rocks and Soil", specifically deals with geology topics including, but not limited to, types of rocks and how rocks create soil. Bill Nye videos are typically loaded with interesting trivia facts, demonstrations and activities students can carry out themselves plus real world connections to topics discussed.

In addition to the videos, teachers and students may access Nye Labs via the internet at: . Here teachers and students may research previous episodes, review science demonstrations used in the videos, learn more about Bill Nye and send email concerning their science questions to the Science Guy himself.

Morris, Neil. (1998). Rocks & Minerals. New York: Crabtree Publishing.

Written at a junior reading level, Rocks & Minerals is an excellent book to introduce students to the many faces of geology and provides teachers with some lesson planning ideas. A large variety of rocks, minerals, ores and gemstones are covered with large, full-colour photographs. Other topics include geology's relationship with fossils, rocks from space and human uses of rocks, both prehistoric and current. Famous international geological areas are also highlighted such as the Grand Canyon, Mammoth Hot Springs and the Twelve Apostles of Australia.

Ideal Multi-Lab Science Set: Instructional Booklet.

Taken from Ideal's Multi-Lab Science Set for children, this instructional booklet provides information on geological and mineralogical history and terminology: colour, lustre, transparency, cleavage, hardness, streak and specific gravity - an excellent teacher or student resource if studying and/or testing physical properties of rocks and minerals and identification. A mineral chart composed of eight common minerals and their properties is included along with eleven geological experiments using mineral specimens, magnets, streak plates and a variety of other simple experimental equipment. This resource would be extremely helpful if planning to set up rock and mineral centres throughout the classroom or in conducting small lab experiments with students.

Ortleb & Cadice. (1970). Diagrammatic Science Study Prints. St. Louis: Milliken.

Set includes eight large full-colour prints of geological processes such as types of erosion and a teacher's guide containing background information for each print's topic, extended study ideas and reproducible student worksheets. Prints are ideal for classroom display and to heighten student interest.

Royal Ontario Museum Education/Curriculum Department. (1999/2000). Royal Ontario Museum: School Visits. Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum.

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) provides a large variety of resources and unit planning options for teachers and tailors their school services according to the new curriculum documents (1998). At the grade four level, the ROM provides a lab/exhibit combination lesson on rocks, minerals and erosion. The ROM's, "Dynamic Earth: Inco Limited Gallery of Earth Sciences" is also available for school field trips, covering a variety of topics such as volcanoes, rock formations and the Earth's crust composition. Most recently, the ROM has also provided a brand new gemstone and precious rock exhibit that will introduce students to a vast number of gemstones, crystals and rocks, their uses in commercial products and jewellery, microscopic views of gemstones and rocks that glow.

Canada. Statistics Canada. (1994). Human Activity and the Environment 1994. Ottawa: Marketing Division, Sales and Services, Statistics Canada.

Set contains a copy of Statistic Canada's 1994 report on human activity and the Canadian environment plus a teacher's guidebook containing numerous student activity sheets, projects and case studies. Although written at a secondary reading level, this kit's focus on the relationship between human actions and use of the environment and the results of such actions and uses, including a section on geology and mineralogy, is a worthwhile component to an elementary geology unit. If adapted appropriately by the teacher, the information provided would bring a real world element into the unit and promotes the critical thinking and research skills emphasised in the science curriculum.

Message in a Fossil. (1996). Arlington, VA: Edunetics Interactive.

Although rocks, minerals and erosion are the main focus of the grade four Earth and Space Systems strand, fossils are also mentioned as a significant component. Message in a Fossil is a wonderful interactive computer simulation designed to introduce students to the field of palaeontology by allowing them to set up a dig site and dig for dinosaur bones and flora fossils. Students are also given the opportunity to identify fossils, learn about the organisms they came from and to create a diorama for presentation.

The software provides three levels of difficulty for students of varying levels and uses random selection when setting up dig sites to avoid repetition during repeat use. Progress reports are also available for each student so that teachers may keep track of student progress through the simulation. Lastly, if students find themselves stuck, the program provides a helpful character to guide the way and give suggestions.

Rock collection, magnets and streak plates.

Many schools, universities and educational resource centres provide rock and mineral outreach kits or teachers may choose to create their own. Some common minerals to have in the collection may include: calcite, epidote, feldspar, gypsum, magnetite, pyrite, rose quartz and talc. Magnets and streak plates are also valuable tools to provide students with, especially when identifying rocks and studying physical properties.

In conclusion, it is the intention of the above annotated bibliography to provide teacher resources for the grade four Earth and Space Systems strand of The Ontario Curriculum Grades 1-8 Science and Technology (1998) curriculum, focusing on rocks, minerals and erosion. Specific curriculum expectations as previously listed were focused on while collecting the resources. It is believed that the resources listed in this annotated bibliography allow for approaching the unit from a variety of perspectives and media styles and may be easily integrated into classroom studies. A focus on field trips and local Canadian-specific information has also been highlighted as central to the unit and may be used either as a key feature of the unit or as extension activities.

References

Atal, Anand S. (1970). Background Information for Teachers' for Earth Science Slides. Vancouver: The British Columbia Science Teachers' Association.

McKenna, James & Gottlieb, Erren (Producers). (1994/1995). Bill Nye the Science Guy: Rocks and Soil. Seattle: Public Broadcast System.

Morris, Neil. (1998). Rocks & Minerals. New York: Crabtree Publishing.

Ideal Multi-Lab Science Set: Instructional Booklet.

Ortleb & Cadice. (1970). Diagrammatic Science Study Prints. St. Louis: Milliken.

Royal Ontario Museum Education/Curriculum Department. (1999/2000). Royal Ontario Museum: School Visits. Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum.

Canada. Ministry of Education and Training. (1998). The Ontario Curriculum Grades 1-8 Science and Technology. Ontario: Queen's Printer.

Canada. Statistics Canada. (1994). Human Activity and the Environment 1994. Ottawa: Marketing Division, Sales and Services, Statistics Canada.

Message in a Fossil. (1996). Arlington, VA: Edunetics Interactive.

Rock collection, magnets and streak plates.