You are here

Bringing Science and Mathematics to Life for All Learners

Dennis M. Adams and Mary Hamm
Publisher: 
World Scientific
Publication Date: 
2008
Number of Pages: 
265
Format: 
Hardcover
Price: 
75.00
ISBN: 
978-981-279-163-4
Category: 
General
[Reviewed by
Paula R. Stickles
, on
04/17/2009
]

This book contains a great number of activities that would be useful to pre-service and in-service elementary and middle school teachers. Although the intended grade level or background knowledge required for each activity is indicated, the activities are easily adaptable to multiple grade levels. Additionally, the authors offer numerous ideas throughout the book of how to get started and how to design collaborative lessons and thematic units or projects.

Although the authors freely admit this book “quickly moves from the theoretical to actual practice,” they did not skimp on relevant research foundation. A highlight of this book is the decision to place the references at the end of each chapter. Thus, if this book is used as a resource it allows the user to quickly access relevant references for the topic at hand. The references for each chapter are extensive and serve as excellent resources.

This book includes a number of examples, procedures, activities, and projects that are designed to engage learners (particularly those who are not interested in mathematics and science) in areas they are interested. The approach of the authors follows the idea that students lacking basic skills should not be sidelined. The goal is to collaboratively engage students on problem solving tasks, which is essential to scientific inquiry.

Adams and Hamm not only include a number of activities but discuss collaborative learning throughout the book in addition to a chapter completely devoted to the topic. They include suggestions for formulating groups (e.g. multi-age flexible groups, assigned roles), arranging the classroom, inclusion, and differentiated instruction.


Paula R. Stickles (pstickles@millikin.edu) is an assistant professor at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. Her research interests include teachers’ mathematical problem posing, teachers’ beliefs, mathematical modeling, and problem solving.

Helping All Students Learn Science and Math

Student Inquiry in Science and Mathematics

Collaborative Learning

Differentiated Instruction: Multiple Paths to Learning and Assessment

Science for All Students: Collaborative Inquiry and Active Involvement

Learning about Mathematics: Mathematical Reasoning and Collaborative Problem Solving

Project-Based Learning: Projects, Thematic Units, and Collaboration

Technology, Science, and Math: The Motivating and Collaborative Possibilities of Powerful Tools