With your group, you are to evaluate a science textbook series and an innovative science project booklet. Textbooks must have a copyright after 1990 or be in current use in a classroom. Textbooks and teacher editions (make sure you see one) are available from your instructor, the media center, school district offices, and in your field experience classroom. The group will together evaluate the science project and a textbook. Make sure your group looks at several examples that give an overview of the entire science project (including a catalog if available), not just one book, and that you respond to the questions about the project as a whole.

Meet with your group to review the materials, using the questions below and the Textbook Rating Scale to guide you. Your group should together analyze the science project and discuss the textbook you have reviewed. Record some of your comments and discussions. Your group will then present a synopsis of their findings about the science project to the whole class. For your class presentation, prepare a one page fact sheet with a short overview of the project, strengths and weaknesses, and purchasing information (sources, web site, prices).

Each group will submit a written group analysis for the science project and an analysis of the textbook, a completed Textbook Rating Scale, and a paragraph synopsis comparing the science text with the project in terms of strengths, weaknesses, and choices for their own classroom. Include impressions of the text you evaluated, other texts evaluated by your peers, and the science project.

Areas to consider in reviewing science textbooks or projects:

1. Examine the front matter of the book. Give the name, publisher, and grade level of each of the books evaluated. What is the copyright date? What are (or seem to be) the overall goals of the book? Describe and give examples of the organization of the book (single lessons, topics, units, other?).

2. Examine several specific lessons. Describe the typical lesson format. Describe at least two specific teaching techniques suggested with examples. Identify the main kinds of materials suggested for use with the lessons. Are they easy to attain without buying an expensive boxed unit? What kinds of objectives are indicated for the lessons? Describe evaluation techniques suggested. Are there any unique features?

3. Does the book provide for constructivist learning or problem solving by the students? How is it structured? Could you use it easily? Is classroom management considered in the design of activities? What range of science process skills are used in one chapter? Which ones are emphasized the most?

4. (Textbook only) How well will the children for whom the book is intended be able to read it with understanding? Describe how interesting and appealing it will be for children.

5. What type of information will teachers who use the book find to enable them to understand the content and its organization? Is there enough help in planning? Are additional resources recommended?

6. Evaluate the book. What do you consider to be its strengths? What do you consider to be its weaknesses? Would you like to use this book in your classroom? Why or why not?