Rationale:
Ever since I
was a small child, I have had a strong fascination with science. I have always
been extremely curious about how and why things occur and work around us. One
thing I noticed about my science classes though in high school was that they
lacked interesting and engaging books. When I was in school, we were only
provided with our textbooks and very few handouts. My goal as a teacher is that
I can get all of my students excited about the world around them and curious
about their environment by providing them with a wide variety of scientific
books and materials.
I realize
that my classes will always be composed of a wide array of students who possess
different learning abilities and skills. Therefore, I wanted to choose books
that would be appropriate for all levels of students. I don’t want my book
choices to be too complicated but at the same time I don’t want them to be too
childish and simple. I am going to be teaching 8-12 grade students and in my
opinion, I feel that picture books are a bit below their level. They need to
read books that are engaging, stimulating, and appropriate for their age group.
The books that I have chosen are exactly that. They will allow my students to
really think about their world and bring up questions that are necessary for
the understanding of their lives. I have also chosen books that cover several
different scientific areas including genetics, the human body, the universe,
and interesting science facts in general. By providing books that are engaging
for everyone and also cover an assortment of science material, I have confidence
that I can really get my students more attentive and involved with their
science studies.
1.
Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters
Written: by Matt Ridley
Published: by Harper Perennial
Copyright: 1999 by Matt Ridley
ISBN:
978-0060894085
Genre:
Non-fiction
Library
Location: Amarillo Public Library, Northwest Branch
Summary: This book
discusses genetics, DNA, and the human genome. There are 23 chapters that
represent and discuss each of the 23 human chromosomes of our body in detail.
Ridley also discusses how the Human Genome Project got under way and how it led
to such major scientific discovers about our DNA.
Personal
Comments: I enjoy this book because you don't need to know a lot of
biology jargon or background. It builds a solid foundation about human genetics
and our DNA. The book delves into how our DNA and chromosomes can play a role
in our personalities, memories, development, environment, etc. It's a great
book for learning about ourselves as a species and why we are the way we are.
Suggested
Classroom Use: I could use this during a genetics unit in biology
class. Most biology classrooms talk about human genetics, diseases, traits,
genes, chromosomes, meiosis, etc. This would be the perfect book to assign for
students to read. Since it discusses the 23 chromosomes in our body and that is
the usual size of a high school classroom, I could have the students each
choose a chromosome to research up on, create a project based around it, and
present it to the class.
2.
Strange Universe: The Weird and Wild Science of
Everyday Life- On Earth and Beyond
Written: by Bob
Berman
Published: by Times
Books
Copyright: 2003 by
Bob Berman
ISBN: 978-0805073287
Genre:
Non-fiction
Library
Location: Amarillo Public Library, Central Branch
Summary: This book
deals with the universe and how it affects us in our daily lives and routines.
It brings up a lot of mundane things that we see all the time and shows us how
they are actually very interesting science phenomena and concepts.
Personal
Comments: This book really opens your eyes up to all the different
science related things we see every day without ever realizing it and just how
amazing it truly is. Berman is able to take very complex scientific principles
and break them down in a very accessible manner. The chapters are also
relatively short which makes the book have a quick easy pace and enjoyable
feel.
Suggested
Classroom Use: This book could be used as just a reading assignment
at the beginning of the school year. Some students aren't as enthusiastic about
science as I am and I think that is partly due to the fact that they just
haven't had their eyes opened up to all the amazing science happening around
them. This book could be an eye opener to just how many scientific principles
actually occur around us and how much we take them for granted. After reading this
book, students will never look at a rainbow, cloud formations, or the moon the
same way again. Great introductory book to any biology related course.
3.
Your Inner Fish: A Journey Into the 3.5-Billion-Year
History of the Human Body
Written: by Neil
Shubin
Published: by
Pantheon Books
Copyright: 2008 by
Neil Shubin
ISBN:
978-0375424472
Genre:
Non-fiction
Library
Location: Amarillo Public Library, Central Branch
Summary: This book
shows how humans are related to all other organisms on our planet. Humans
usually view ourselves as the most superior organism on Earth but this book
shows just how much we have in common with other life forms. Shubin looks into
the fossils and DNA of other species and compares them to humans.
Personal
Comments: Shubin is a fish paleontologist that is able to shed light on
human anatomy by looking way back into the past at other life forms. He shows
us how we were able to develop some of our senses, anatomy, and physiology from
other creatures that you would never even think would be connected to us. This
book is very easy to read and also humorous. Really shows just how
interconnected all organisms are to each other on Earth. He simply describes
the history of life and anatomy, as revealed by fossils, DNA, and embryology. This
book will get any person interested in human anatomy and the how we evolved to
what we are today.
Suggested
Classroom Use: This book would be great to share with the class when
discussing human evolution and anatomy in relation to other species. When
discussing homologous and analogous structures among different species, this
would be a
wonderful book to have the students read up on for
extra credit.
4.
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Written: by Bill
Bryson
Published: by
Broadway Books
Copyright: 2003 by
Bill Bryson
ISBN:
978-0767908177
Genre:
Non-fiction
Library
Location: Amarillo Public
Library, Northwest Branch
Summary: This book
is simply about finding the answers to life, the universe, earth, and phenomena
that occur around us all the time. Bill Bryson questions the world around him
and through research, interviews, questions, and the search for answers, is
able to compile a wonderful book explaining the science all around us.
Personal
Comments: I really enjoyed this book because Bryson is just like most
of us. He isn't a world renowned scientist or an expert in any scientific
field. He is just an ordinary guy that decided he wanted to learn about the
world around him and become more knowledgeable about science. This book is an
easy and interesting read that I believe most people and students can relate
to. The author is about to explain why and how things occur around us in a way
that easy to comprehend and understand. He is able to make science relevant to
the average person. Instead of giving us the textbook answers about scientific
principles, he gives us insight into the little known facts about how these
things were discovered and studied.
Suggested
Classroom Use: I think this book would inspire some of my students to
become future scientist, biologist, or just give them the ability to question
the things around them instead of just accepting it without finding the
answers. This book shows that you don't need to be a super intellectual to have
a passion for science and the fuel to search for answers. If you have the
determination and drive, you can do anything. I think this book is a real
confidence booster and will get my students thinking and questioning the world
around them without the feeling of doubt or intimidation.
5.
Cosmos
Written: by Carl
Sagan
Published: by Random
House
Copyright: 1980 by
Carl Sagan Productions, Inc.
ISBN:
978-0394715964
Genre:
Non-fiction
Library
Location: Amarillo Public Library, Northwest Branch
Summary: Carl Sagan
is one of the greatest scientist of the 20th century. His book deals with the
past, present, and future of science. The book really breaks down how we began
to question the universe, how we got to where we are today, and where we will
likely be going in the future and the amazing discoveries will likely find. This
book mainly deals with the science of space but it also touches on different
areas of science including astronomy, genetics, physics, chemistry, biology,
etc.
Personal
Comments: The book is written in simple terms and is understandable to
those without a background in science. I also love this book because Sagan has
such an excitement and enthusiasm that can clearly be seen in his writing. This
book will get mostly anyone interested and want to keep reading just because of
the great simplistic writing style. The book is also full of great visuals,
photographs, and charts that will keep the reader entertained. Even though this
book was written over 30 years ago, it is still very relevant to the world
around us today.
Suggested
Classroom Use: I could use this book to show students that science
can only expand and improve upon itself. The studies, findings, and theories
never get outdated but rather build upon themselves and enlighten us and expand
our knowledge of the cosmos. This is a great book for showing students just how
important science is to all of us. Since this book covers so many different
topics, it would be a great book to do a short book report or presentation on
about their favorite scientific field. I also believe this book would open
students eyes to just how massive the universe is and how it effects us. Sagan
also talks about the things he wishes he knew more about in our universe and
would like to be able to explain. This would show students that questioning the
world around them is not a bad thing and that no matter how much we know, there
is always so much more we can expand upon and explore.
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