How do young children learn math and science?  Exploring Science and Mathematics in a Child’s World examines the development of learning theory through twelve concept explorations on basic natural science themes.   The book models how best learning practices are constructed in classroom settings.  It also demonstrates how to apply mathematical concepts in authentic minds-on and hands-on experiences related to science.    Part One lays the foundation of child development, interrelated mathematics and science processes, and Concept Exploration design.  Concept Exploration provides an alternative approach to the usual reliance on a basis model, enabling the teacher and students to explore a wider range of design concepts.  This is outlined in Chapter Six.  Part Two contains chapters of activities based around a theme such as water, clouds, sun and shadows, wind, birds, insects, and more.  All of the activities correlate to the NSES and NCTM standards.  This is pictured in a chart at the beginning of each activity chapter for easy reference.    For schools where blended math and science courses are offered, this book fills a need as one that demonstrates appropriate content integration and will be a great reference for teachers for many years. 

Table of Contents:
PART I Chapter 1: A CHILD'S WORLD – How Young Children Learn INTRODUCTION Implications for Adults A Child's World of Cause and Effect Creating Environments that Support Development How Emergence of Language Supports Mathematics and Science Learning Emergence of Symbolic Language Mathematics Development     Pattern – the underlying theme of all mathematic and science     Sequence – organization and order of succession of events and experiences     Seriation – organizing or ordering things in a logical way     Spatial Relationships     Object Permanence     Sorting – putting together items with like attributes     Comparing – noting similarities and differences between items or events     Classifying      One-to-One Correspondence Thinking Skills     Observing      Imagining     Problem Solving            Collecting and Organizing Data National Standards in Mathematics and Science Review and Discussion Questions   CHAPTER 2: NURTURING CHILD DEVELOPMENT – Environments that Promote Learning INTRODUCTION Creating a Culture of Caring: The Teacher’s Role     Valuing Children and Childhood     Safety within a Caring Culture     Play     Providing Emotional Security     Being Responsive    Constructing Meaning through Misconceptions     Building a Sense of Community Families and Schools Together Children’s Questions and Curiosities      Experiencing Newness      Encouraging Wonder and Discovery      Teachers’ Roles in Creating a Curious Classroom Wiggle Room and Opportunities for Movement     Creating an Environment     Cooperative Culture for Independent Thinking Concept Explorations - Long term projects Documenting Experiences     Documenting through Concept Exploration Review and Discussion Questions   CHAPTER 3:  THE PROCESS OF PROBLEM SOLVING FOR CHILDREN INTRODUCTION The Nature of Problem Solving Problem-Solving Styles      Active Versus Reflective Styles How Problem-Solving Styles Affect Classroom Practices and Student Experiences        Teacher Tendencies      Student Tendencies Teacher and Student Interactions      Random Abstract Teachers and Concrete Sequential Students      Concrete Sequential Teachers and Random Abstract Students Classroom Experiences with Problem Solving Authentic Learning – Problem Solving in the Real World Design of Classroom Activities that Encourage Problem Solving Teaching at Each of the Four Stages of Problem Solving Collecting and Organizing Data Review and Discussion Questions CHAPTER 4:  MEASUREMENT ~ A WAY TO CAPTURE OBSERVATIONS IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE INTRODUCTION Using Senses to Experience the World How Things Change and Grow      Seeking Inventive Ways to Capture Change and Growth Formal Approaches and Techniques of Measurement     National Standards Concerning Measurement     Instructional Psychology for Teaching Measurement     Some Ideas for Teaching Children to Measure Ways to Help Children Communicate and Share Mathematical Ideas     Group Sharing and Discussion Format     Journaling        Making a Book        Modeling Appropriate Mathematical and Scientific Language     Relating Rational Counting of Units to the Process of Measurement     Providing Discrete Items to Count when Measuring     Developing Referents for Measurement     Temperature Review and Discussion Questions Resources for Teachers    CHAPTER 5:  ORGANIZING DATA IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS INTRODUCTION Usefulness of Charts and Graphs Types of Charts     Webs     Venn Diagrams Types of Graphs      People Graphs      Concrete Graphs      Pictographs      Bar Graphs      Histograms      Circle Graphs      Line Graphs Using Maps to Organize Data Review and Discussion Questions Resources for Teachers   CHAPTER 6:  CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPING CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS INTRODUCTION Provides Solid Science and Mathematics Content      Solid Science Content      Solid Mathematics Content Considers the Appropriate Level of Child Development Truly Integrates Mathematics and Science Is Guided by the Child's World Incorporates Children's Literature Actively Involves Children through Common Basic Materials Is Founded on a Safe Environment Concept Exploration Design     Concept Exploration Introduction     Concept Exploration Activities for your Classroom     Conceptual Framework for Science and Mathematics Children’s Explorations National Science Education Standards National Council of Teachers of Mathematics National Standards      The Pre-K – 2 Content Standards      The Pre-K – 2 Process Standards Resources      Resource Books      Storybooks      Picture Books      Multicultural Books      Writing Your Own Book Review and Discussion Questions   PART II   MATH/SCIENCE CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS CHAPTER 7:  ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCE INTRODUCTION SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS     Newton's Three Laws of Motion and Basic Rocketry     Star Formation     Telescopes and Children Mathematics: Addressing the NCTM Standards through Concept Explorations     Number and Operation     Algebra and Patterns     Geometry      Measurement      Data Analysis Observing with All the Senses      Sight      Sound Safety Concept Explorations on Astronomy and Space Science for Your Classroom     1.  Solar System Models     2. Solar Dances     3. Golf Ball Lunology     4.  Moon Watching     5.  Binocular Beauties     6.  Observing the Sun     7.  Collecting Micro-Meteorites     8.  Balloon Rockets     9.  Film Canister Rockets     10.  Water Rockets     11.  Air Rockets     12.  Chemical Rockets     13.  How High Did It Go?     Activities in Other Exploration That Relate to Astronomy and Space Science Resources for Teachers      Books      Article      Websites     Children's Books on Astronomy and Space Science   CHAPTER 8:  BIRDS INTRODUCTION Science Concepts for Teachers     Bird Basics        Feather Structure and Types     Migratory Patterns MATHEMATICS:  ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS     Number Operation     Algebra and Patterns     Geometry     Measurement     Data Analysis with Number and Operation Observing with All the Senses      Sight      Touch      Sound SAFETY CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS ON BIRDS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM     1.  Adopt a Bird     2.  Feed the Birds     3.  Chart the Birds     4.  Food Preferences of Birds     5.  Constructing Bird Hotels     6.  What's A Bird Have to Say?     7.  Construction Time: Can You Build as Well as a Bird?     8.  Fright Distance     9.  How Do Birds Interact with Each Other and with Other Animals     10.  How High Do Birds Fly?     11.  Where Do Birds Go for the Winter?     12.  Feathers of Fine Friends     13.  Egg Incubators     14.  How Much Does a Bird Weigh?     15.  Birds in Different Cultures     Activities in Other Explorations that Relate to Birds Resources for Teachers      Books     Journal        Computer Disk      Web Sites     Children's Books on Birds   CHAPTER 9:  CLOUDS INTRODUCTION SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS     What Causes Clouds     Types of Clouds     Mathematics: Addressing the NCTM Standards Through Learning Experiences     Algebra     Geometry     Measurement     Data Analysis OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES      Sight      Sound SAFETY CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS ON CLOUDS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM     1.  Head in the Clouds     2.  Capture the Clouds     3.  Catch Your Breath     4.  How High Is a Cloud?     5.  What to Do with the Weather     6.  Cloudy Sky Stories     7.  I've Looked at Clouds from Both Sides Now     8.  Which Way are You Going?     9.  As the Saying Goes     Activities in Other Explorations that Relate to Clouds Resources for Teachers      Books      Websites     Children's Books on Clouds   CHAPTER 10:  INSECTS INTRODUCTION SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS     Insect Basics     Metamorphosis MATHEMATICS: ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH LEARNING EXPERIENCES     Number and Operation     Algebra, Patterns, and Sorting     Geometry     Measurement     Data Analysis OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES      Sight      Sound      Touch      Smell and Taste SAFETY CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS ON INSECTS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM     1.  Let's Build an Insect Zoo     2.  Create an Insect and Design Its Habitat.     3.  Bedtime Bonanza     4.  Plant Hotels     5.  My Life Story by Billy Beetle     6.  Insect Galls     7.  Butterfly Detectives     8.  Interviewing Insects     9.  Ant Investigations     10.  Insect Picnic     11.  Air Explorations     12.  Insect Songs     13.  Underground Activities     14.  Chromo Pubescents     Activities in Other Explorations that Relate to Insects Resources for Teachers      Books     Articles      Web Sites      Children’s Books on Insects     CHAPTER 11:  LEAVES INTRODUCTION SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS     The Value of Leaves     Photosynthesis     Compost MATHEMATICS:  ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS     Number and Operation and Algebra      Geometry      Measurement      Data Analysis     Patterns and Sequencing OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES      Sight      Sound      Touch      Smell SAFETY CONCEPT EXPLORATION ON LEAVES FOR YOUR CLASSROOM     1.  Falling Leaves     2.  Quiet Leaves     3.  Leafy Lunch     4.  Scratch and Sniff     5.  Evergreens Also Have Leaves     6.  Insects Like Leaves Too!     7.  A Tribute to Transpiration     8.  Leaves - Where Do They All Go?     9.  Leaves - Alike But Different     10. A Rainbow Connection of Leaves     11.  Leaves' Lasting Impressions     12.  From a Leaf's Perspective     Activities in Other Exploration that Relate to Leaves Resources for Teachers      Books      Web Sites     Children's Books on Leaves   CHAPTER 12:  MATH/SCIENCE CONCEPT EXPLORATION: LIGHT AND COLOR INTRODUCTION SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS     What Is Light and How Is It Produced?     Polarization     Light’s Enigma: The Duality of Wave and Particle Theories of Light     Visible Light     The Speed of Light     The Normal Sighted Eye     Primary Colors     Absorption and Reflection of Light     Refraction     What Are Lasers and How Do They Work? MATHEMATICS:  ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH LEARNING EXPERIENCES     Number and Operation     Algebra      Geometry      Measurement     Data Analysis OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES      Sight      Sound SAFETY CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON LIGHT AND COLOR FOR YOUR CLASSROOM     1. Pinhole Projects     2. Mirrors     3. Seeing Yourself as Others See You     4. The Candle Burning Under Water     5. Up Periscope     6. Doubling Your Fish     7. Reflections of a Laser Pointer     8. Magic Marker Magic     9. Combining Colors     10. Color Television Basic Color     11. Paper Chromatography     12. Technicolor World     13. Grow Plants with a Green Filter     14. Visualizing Sound with Light     Activities in Other Explorations that Relate to Light and Color Resources for Teachers      Books      Web Sites      Children’s Books     CHAPTER 13:  ROCKS INTRODUCTION SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS     Don't Take All Rocks for Granite- What are Minerals and Rocks?     The Rock Cycle MATHEMATICS:  ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS     Number and Operation     Algebra      Geometry      Measurement      Data Analysis OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES      Sight      Touch      Sound SAFETY CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON ROCKS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM     1.  Rocks Waiting to Be Found     2.  Swap Rocks with Students in Other Schools     3.  My Life Story by Rocky     4.  Building Stones     5.  Rainbow Rocks     6.  Stream Sorting     7.  Statues, Jewels, and Trinkets     8.  Rocks - Pieces and Parts     9.  Fossils     10.  Graveyard Geology     Activities in Other Explorations That Relate to Rocks Resources for Teachers      Books      Web Sites     Children's Books on Rocks   CHAPTER 14:  SEEDS INTRODUCTION SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS     The Nature of Seeds     Parts of a Seed     Seed Germination     Seed Transportation MATHEMATICS:  ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS     Number and Operation     Algebra and Patterns      Geometry      Measurement      Data Analysis OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES      Sight      Touch      Sound      Taste      Smell SAFETY CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON SEEDS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM     1. Eating Seeds is Fun!     2. What Foods Do We Eat?     3. What Do Our Animal Neighbors Eat?     4. Seeds Growing in Nature     5. The Germination Race     6. Trees Grow from Seeds     7. Flower Seeds to Flower Seeds     8. Pop corn, Indian Corn, Sweet Corn     9. Let’s be Gentle!     10. All Quiet on the Stage!     11. Lights, Camera, Action     12. Story Time     13. Seed Mosaics     Activities in Other Exploration that Relate to Seeds Resources for Teachers     Books        Article      Web Sites      Children’s Books on Seeds   CHAPTER 15:  SUN AND SHADOWS INTRODUCTION SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS     The Sun is a Nuclear Furnace     The Earth's Revolution and Rotation Determine the Earth's Seasons     The Sun in Our Sky     Observing the Daily and Annual Motion of the Sun in Our Sky MATHEMATICS:  ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS     Number and Operation     Algebra      Geometry      Measurement      Data Analysis OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES      Sight      Touch SAFETY CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON SUN AND SHADOWS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM     1. Here Comes the Sun     2. I Saw the Sun Move     3. Me and My Shadow     4. Silhouettes     5. Exploring the Shapes and Sizes of Shadows     6. Photo Opportunities     7. Shadow Game     8. The Warmth of the Sun     9. The Sun Is a Spotlight     10. Mythology and the Sun     Activities in Other Exploration that Relate to Sun and Shadows Resources for Teachers      Books     Article      Web Sites      Children’s Books on Sun and Shadows   CHAPTER 16:  TOYS AND TOOLS INTRODUCTION SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS Simple Machines Mechanical Advantage Inertia Center of Gravity Friction Mass and Weight MATHEMATICS:  ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS     Number and Operation     Algebra      Geometry      Measurement      Data Analysis and Probability OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES      Sight      Touch      Sound SAFETY CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON TOYS AND TOOLS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM     1. Toy Festival     2. How Many Simple Machines Can You Find?     3. Rulers and Pencils     4. Strings and Things     5. The Toy Factory     6. Toys of Different Countries     7. The Human Machine     8. Invention Convention     9. The Ball Olympics     Activities in Other Exploration that Relate to Toys and Tools Resources for Teachers      Books      Article     Web Sites     Children’s Books on Toys and Tools   CHAPTER 17:  WATER INTRODUCTION SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS     Water Cycle     A Detailed Water Cycle     The Water Planet     The Curious Nature of Water MATHEMATICS:  ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS     Number and Operation     Algebra, Patterns, and Sorting      Geometry      Measurement      Data Analysis OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES      Sight      Touch      Sound      Taste and Smell SAFETY CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON WATER FOR YOUR CLASSROOM     1. Splish, Splash     2. Water, Water, Everywhere!     3. How Much Water Do We Use in a day?     4. Don’t Drown Lincoln     5. Little Water – Big Water     6. Water Resources and Water Treatment Plants     7. The Classroom River     8. Drip, Drop, Tick, Tock     9. Water Words     10. Water’s Work     11. Sequencing Water Processes     12. I Scream! You Scream! We all Scream for Ice Cream!     Activities in Other Exploration that Relate to Water Resources for Teachers      Books      Journal      Web Sites      Children’s Books on Water     Books About Rain     Books About Snow   CHAPTER 18:  WIND INTRODUCTION SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS     What Is Wind?     Wind Chill MATHEMATICS:  ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS      Geometry      Measurement      Data Analysis OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES      Sight      Sound         Touch     Smell and Taste SAFETY CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON WIND FOR YOUR CLASSROOM     1. See the Wind     2. Capture the Wind     3. Let’s Go Fly a Kite     4. Construct a Maximum Wind Gust Measuring Device     5. Watching the Leaves Blow     6. Animals Using the Wind     7. Using the Wind to Do Work     8. Water Evaporation     9. Micro and Macro     Activities in Other Explorations That Relate to Wind Resources for Teachers      Books      Websites       Children’s Books on Wind APPENDIX: NCTM PROCESS STANDARDS THROUGH GRADE 12 REFERENCES