Books that Address Materials,
Equipment and Their Uses

Guide to Math Materials: Resources to Support the NCTM Standards, by Phyllis J. Perry (1997), is an outstanding source book of videos, games, manipulatives, kits and literature for K-4 curriculum. It is well organized and follows the format of the NCTM Standards. The introduction includes an overview of each standard. Each chapter has numerous, yet brief, book and product reviews. At the end of the book is a comprehensive list of suppliers and publishers. This would be an excellent resource for department heads or administrators as well as classroom teachers.
Guide to Math Materials: Resources to Support the NCTM Standards, Teacher Idea Press. ISBN 1-56308-491-0

Math Games for Middle School: Challenges and Skill Builders for Students at Every Level is by Mario Salvadori (1998). "This book was written because I hated math in school and it took a Ph.D. to make me love it," confesses the author in this complete resource for hands-on activities for 11-14 year old students. He includes activities, questions, and in-depth explanations for everything from the asymetric approach to pi, to polyhedra, to "shooting craps the simple way." Mario Salvadori makes a point of writing as he taught-directly to the student, in the language of the student, using practical examples. Math Games provides early history of our emergence as mathematical beings with humor. Answers and solutions are explained in detail.
Math Games for Middle School: Challenges and Skill Builders for Students at Every Level, Chicago Review Press. ISBN 1-55652-288-6

Beyond the Science Kit: Inquiry in Action, edited by Wendy Saul and Jeanne Reardo, (1996), is a fascinating collection of teachers' experiences in ESIP-Elementary Science Integration Project, a two-year teacher research program involving the integration of science and literature. Wendy Saul asks, "When I am down to my teacher bare bones, who am I?" Many authors stress issues of time, values, and science as inquiry. Through instructors' journal entries, and anecdotal accounts of the school year, we read of the importance of authenticity, community, and reflective practice in teaching.
Beyond the Science Kit: Inquiry in Action, Heinemann. ISBN 0-435-07102-5

Science Workshop: A Whole Language Approach, by Wendy Saul, et. al (1993), takes from the "workshop" model, focusing on projects, process, and cooperative groups. Each chapter offers a different teacher's personal account in a very readable form. This is a collection that urges us beyond superficial examinations of science teaching to, "Start with local interest . . .with concrete experience. . . . Start always with a curiosity or concern, never with an abstract concept like molecules or fission that cannot be sensed and tested directly." The book includes appendices of reproducible forms and a sampler of materials and resources for several workshops.
Science Workshop: A Whole Language Approach, Heinemann. ISBN 0-435-08336-8

Inquiring into Inquiry Learning and Teaching in Science is edited by Jim Minstrell and Emily H. van Zee (2000). This investigation into science inquiry has contributions from diverse authors: scientists, teachers, researchers, professional development specialists, and administrators. It highlights authors working with various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Authors define what they mean by inquiry teaching and learning, and address a relevant question or issue in the context of their own practices. Historical and philosophical perspectives are examined as well as practical classroom settings.
Inquiring into Inquiry Learning and Teaching in Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). ISBN 0-87168-641-4

Science Toolbox: Making and Using the Tools of Science, by Jean Stangl (1994), has lots of projects using tools that are categorized as science tools, everyday tools, or homemade tools. Sections include experiments with lenses and scopes, light, wind, measuring time, electricity, etc. Many examples include clear, complete instructions for making equipment out of common items. While a good source of activities, the simple explanations offered seem only to skim the surface of the how and why of science. Suitable for grades 1-3.
Science Toolbox: Making and Using the Tools of Science, McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-8306-4352-4