Science Resources

Effective teaching can be found where science and literacy overlap. This book helps teachers streamline busy schedules by focusing on cognitive skills shared by science and language arts. Designed to help build teacher confidence, it offers the background and insights teachers need to support students as they make sense of science content through language arts study. This unique approach pairs thinking routines from literacy—Observe and Wonder; Predict and Infer; Sort and Categorize; Analyze and Interpret; and Conclude and Apply—with hands-on science activities. The engaging strategies offer a fail-safe way for students to build knowledge and skills across the curriculum.

Additional Information
160 pages | 8.38" x 10.38"

This teacher’s guide supports a language-based Science unit for early primary classrooms, using the sixteen titles in Strong Nations Publishing’s Strong Science - Animals series.

The unit introduces early primary students to four easily recognizable animals that live in or near many communities in Canada: beaver, black-tailed deer, mallard duck, and raccoon. While learning about the animals, students will gain knowledge and skills mandated by Ministry of Education Science curricula in Canadian provinces and territories.

In addition, this teacher’s guide addresses other curriculum areas— Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Art—and provides information to help develop an appreciation for and understanding of Indigenous cultures.

This teacher-friendly, comprehensive teacher’s guide provides:

• lesson plans to introduce the books in the Strong Science - Animals series;

• lesson plans to address knowledge and skills common to Canadian Science curricula;

• activities to integrate the unit across the curriculum;

• activities to wrap up the unit;

• reproducible activity pages.

Educator Information
The Strong Science - Animals series and teacher's guide is recommended for use with grade one students, but it may also be useful in kindergarten classes.

Additional Information
170 Pages | 8.5" x 11" | Coil Bound 

This bundle includes one copy of each of the 16 Strong Science - Animals titles and the accompanying Strong Science: Animals - Teacher's Guide.

About the Strong Science - Animals Series
Strong Science - Animals is a language-based science series for primary students featuring animals that all Canadian students will recognize. Photographs and Indigenous artwork illustrate the series. Common learning objectives in science curricula across Canada are addressed, and suggestions for extending the learning to other curriculum areas, including Indigenous cultural awareness, language arts, math, and art, are included in the teacher’s guide. The sixteen books in this series are grouped into four levels that increase in complexity, designed to accommodate students with various reading abilities within a classroom. This feature facilitates the use of this series in literacy programs along with the Strong Readers series.

Books in this series are divided into four levels: Early Primary 1 (EP1); Early Primary 2 (EP2); Early Primary 3 (EP3); Early Primary 4 (EP4). Font size decreases as language complexity and word count increase across levels: EP1 books have approximately 40 words, EP2 books have approximately 60 words, EP3 books have approximately 80 words, and EP4 books have approximately 100 words.

Each book is 16 pages, 6.5" x 5.5", and paperback 

About the Strong Science - Animals: Teacher's Guide
This teacher’s guide supports a language-based Science unit for early primary classrooms, using the sixteen titles in Strong Nations Publishing’s Strong Science - Animals series.

The unit introduces early primary students to four easily recognizable animals that live in or near many communities in Canada: beaver, black-tailed deer, mallard duck, and raccoon. While learning about the animals, students will gain knowledge and skills mandated by Ministry of Education Science curricula in Canadian provinces and territories.

In addition, this teacher’s guide addresses other curriculum areas— Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Art—and provides information to help develop an appreciation for and understanding of Indigenous cultures.

This teacher-friendly, comprehensive teacher’s guide provides:

• lesson plans to introduce the books in the Strong Science - Animals series;

• lesson plans to address knowledge and skills common to Canadian Science curricula;

• activities to integrate the unit across the curriculum;

• activities to wrap up the unit

The teacher's guide is 170 Pages, 8.5" x 11", and coil bound 

Additional Information
Teacher Resource Bundle ISBN: 9781771746663

Educator Information
Recommended for use with grades 1 to 6 (elementary students).

Everything educators need is included in this single work -- contemporary Indigenous stories to read aloud and explore with students, as well as story guides, a map, plant information pages, suggestions for classroom activities, discussion questions, inquiry activities, talking together points, information to support intergenerational or peer-to-peer learning, and connections to the Core Competencies and social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies.

Find a bundle for Animals Care for Mother Earth that includes the book and learning environment resources HERE!

Additional Information
32 Pages | 8.5" x 11" | ISBN: 9781771745970 | Paperback

Land, Water, and Sky from Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach completely aligns with BC’s New Curriculum for science. Grounded in the Know-Do-Understand model, First Peoples knowledge and perspectives, and student-driven scientific inquiry, this custom-written resource:

- emphasizes Core Competencies, so students engage in deeper and lifelong learning
- develops Curricular Competencies as students explore science through hands-on activities
- fosters a deep understanding of the Big Ideas in science

Using proven Hands-On features, Land, Water, and Sky contains information and materials for both teachers and students including: Curricular Competencies correlation charts; background information on the science topics; complete, easy-to-follow lesson plans; reproducible student materials; and materials lists.

Innovative new elements have been developed specifically for the new curriculum:

- a multi-age approach
- a five-part instructional process—Engage, Explore, Expand, Embed, Enhance
- an emphasis on technology, sustainability, and personalized learning
- a fully developed assessment plan for summative, formative, and student self-assessment
- a focus on real-life Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies
- learning centres that focus on multiple intelligences and universal design for learning (UDL)
- place-based learning activities, Makerspace centres, and Loose Parts

In Land, Water, and Sky students investigate characteristics of the land, water, and sky. Core Competencies and Curricular Competencies will be addressed while students explore the following Big Ideas:

- Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
- Observable patterns and cycles occur in the local sky and landscape.
- Water is essential to all living things, and it cycles through the environment.

Educator Information
This book is from the Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach (for BC) series. The new Hands-On Science comprehensive resources completely align with the redesigned Science Curriculum for British Columbia.

Recommended for grades 3 to 5.

Indigenous Consultant: Desiree Marshall-Peer, Cree-Ojibway
Indigenous Contributor: Melanie Nelson, Stó:lo¯ and In-SHUCK-ch

Table of Contents
Introduction to Hands-On Science

About Hands-On Science
Format of Hands-On Science
The Multi-Age Approach
Inquiry and Science
The Goals of Science Education in British Columbia
Hands-On Science Principles
Cultural Connections
Indigenous Perspectives and Knowledge
References
How to Use Hands-On Science in Your Classroom

Multi-Age Teaching and Learning
Module Overview
Talking Circles
Multiple Intelligences Learning Centres
Icons
Makerspaces
References
Curricular Competencies: How to Infuse Scientific Inquiry Skills and Processes Into Lessons

Observing
Questioning
Exploring
Classifying
Measuring
Communicating, Analyzing, and Interpreting
Predicting
Inferring
Inquiry Through Investigation and Experimentation
Inquiry Through Research
Addressing Students’ Literacy Needs
Online Considerations
References
The Hands-On Science Assessment Plan

Student Self-Assessment
Formative Assessment
Summative Assessment
Indigenous Perspectives on Assessment
Connecting Assessment to Curricular Competencies
Module Assessment Summary
Important Note to Teachers
References
Assessment Reproducibles
What Are the Features of the Land, Water, and Sky?

About This Module
Curriculum Learning Framework: What We Know and Understand
Curricular Competencies Correlation Chart: What We Do
Resources for Students
Initiating Event: What Do We Observe, Think, and Wonder About the Earth?
What Can We Learn About the Earth Through Stories?
What Do We Know About the Earth?
What Is the Land Like in British Columbia?
How Does Water Affect the Land?
What Are the Effects of Wind and Ice on the Landscape?
Why Do We Have a Day/Night Cycle?
Why Do We Have a Year Cycle?
What Are the Phases of the Moon?
What Is an Eclipse?
What Do We Know About Rocks and Minerals?
How Can We Compare and Classify Rocks and Minerals?
How Are Different Types of Rock Formed?
What Are Some Uses for Rocks and Minerals?
Inquiry Project: How Can We Care for the Earth’s Resources?
Appendix: Image Banks

About the Contributors

Additional Information
200 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | Spiral Bound

This resource for educators makes social emotional learning fun and engaging with 24 ready-to-use lessons about phenomenal plants and astonishing animals.

Storytelling is a learning device used by humans for centuries, and for good reason: storytelling is one of the best ways to increase critical thinking skills and social emotional learning (SEL). Social Emotional Stories combines storytelling with thought-provoking lessons and activities to help elementary students improve their self-esteem, increase their engagement with school, and give them a sense of empowerment.

The book contains 24 individual lessons that include:

• An SEL objective with specific keywords like “inner strength,” “problem solving,” and “responsibility”
• An engaging story that focuses on a distinctive quality of either a plant (like the inner strength of bamboo) or an animal (like the courage of a pig)
• Multiple activities that are quick, easy, and require few supplies to help kids identify and dive deeper into the specific SEL concepts represented

Educators can use these lessons individually with students, in small groups, or with an entire class. The lessons are interdisciplinary and flexible, with only minimal prep time required, allowing educators to adapt them for their situation. Extensive digital content supports the lessons with reproducible forms and a full-color photo of each plant and animal.

Reviews
“Lewis introduces fascinating aspects of the natural world—its constructive and destructive power—to young students in a way that reaches beyond knowledge acquisition. She shows teachers how to build bridges to the inner worlds of children with analogical thinking, reflective questions, and thoughtful conversations that nourish not only their understanding but their agency. If you want to use learning as a way to develop your students’ character, intrinsic motivation, and an ethically grounded relationship with the world, this is the guide you need.”—Diane Stirling

“Barbara Lewis weaves factual information with down-to-earth, applicable activities and discussions to encourage students’ appreciation for nature, while building their power to observe and to understand people and their world as multidimensional. Throughout, Lewis is respectful of children’s capacity to discuss important issues and form their own opinions.”—Silvia Blitzer Golombek

“Another delightful book from Barbara Lewis, Social Emotional Stories is filled with fascinating depictions and insightful analogies to support character development. We recommend Barbara Lewis’s books to all the families who seek our services. Believing that children can make a difference, Lewis provides the inspiration for helping others, taking a stand against injustice, squelching rumors, and seeing beyond stereotypes. This book should be a staple in every school’s social-emotional learning curriculum.”—Linda Kreger Silverman, Ph.D., licensed psychologist, director of the Gifted Development Center

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 2 to 5.

Additional Information
176 pages | 8.50" x 11.00"

Properties of Energy from Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach completely aligns with BC’s New Curriculum for science. Grounded in the Know-Do-Understand model, First Peoples knowledge and perspectives, and student-driven scientific inquiry, this custom-written resource:

• emphasizes Core Competencies, so students engage in deeper and lifelong learning
• develops Curricular Competencies as students explore science through hands-on activities
• fosters a deep understanding of the Big Ideas in science

Using proven Hands-On features, Properties of Energy contains information and materials for both teachers and students including: Curricular Competencies correlation charts; background information on the science topics; complete, easy-to-follow lesson plans; reproducible student materials; and materials lists.

Innovative new elements have been developed specifically for the new curriculum:

• a multi-age approach
• a five-part instructional process—Engage, Explore, Expand, Embed, Enhance
• an emphasis on technology, sustainability, and personalized learning
• a fully developed assessment plan for summative, formative, and student self-assessment
• a focus on real-life Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies
• learning centres that focus on multiple intelligences and universal design for learning (UDL)
• place-based learning activities, Makerspaces, and Loose Parts

In Properties of Energy, students investigate properties of energy. Core Competencies and Curricular Competencies will be addressed while students explore the following Big Ideas:

• The motion of objects depends on their properties.
• Light and sound can be produced and their properties can be changed.
• Forces influence the motion of an object.

Educator & Series Information
This book is from the Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach (for BC) series. The new Hands-On Science comprehensive resources completely align with the redesigned Science Curriculum for British Columbia.

Recommended for use with students in grades 3 to 5.

Additional Information
200 pages | 8.50" x 11.00"

Properties of Matter from Hands-On Science for British Columbia completely aligns with BC’s New Curriculum for Science. Grounded in the Know-Do-Understand model, First Peoples knowledge and perspectives, and student-driven scientific inquiry, this custom-written resource:

• emphasizes Core Competencies, so students engage in deeper and lifelong learning
• develops Curricular Competencies through hands-on activities
• fosters a deep understanding of the Big Ideas in science

Using proven Hands-On features, Properties of Matter contains information and materials for both teachers and students including: Curricular Competencies correlation charts; background information on the science topics; complete, easy-to-follow lesson plans; reproducible student materials; and materials lists.

Innovative new elements have been developed specifically for the new curriculum:

• a multi-age approach
• an emphasis on technology, sustainability, and personalized learning
• a fully developed assessment plan for summative, formative, and student self-assessment
• a focus on real-life Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies
• learning centres that focus on multiple intelligences and universal design for learning (UDL)
• place-based learning activities and Makerspaces

Properties of Matter for Grades 3-5 addresses Core Competencies and Learning Standards while students
explore the following Big Ideas:

• All matter is made of particles.
• Matter has mass, takes up space, and can change phase.
• Solutions are homogeneous.

Educator Information
This book is from the Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach (for BC) series. The new Hands-On Science comprehensive resources completely align with the redesigned Science Curriculum for British Columbia.

Recommended for use with students in grades 3 to 5.

Additional Information
200 pages | 8.50" x 11.00"

Land, Water, and Sky from Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach completely aligns with the redesigned Science Curriculum for British Columbia. Grounded in the Know-Do-Understand model, First Peoples’ knowledge and perspectives, and student-driven scientific inquiry, this custom-written resource:

- emphasizes Core Competencies, so students engage in deeper and lifelong learning
- develops Curricular Competencies as students explore science through hands-on activities
- fosters a deep understanding of the Big Ideas in science

Using proven Hands-On features, Land, Water, and Sky contains information and materials for both teachers and students including: Curricular Competencies correlation charts; background information on the science topics; complete, easy-to-follow lesson plans; reproducible student materials; and materials lists.

Innovative new elements have been developed specifically for the new curriculum:

- a multi-age approach
- a five-part instructional process—Engage, Explore, Expand, Embed, Enhance
- an emphasis on technology, sustainability, and personalized learning
- a fully developed assessment plan for summative, formative, and student self-assessment
- a focus on real-life Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies
- learning centres that focus on multiple intelligences and universal design for learning (UDL)
- place-based learning activities, Makerspace centres, and Loose Parts

In Land, Water, and Sky students investigate characteristics of the land, water, and sky. Core Competencies and Curricular Competencies will be addressed while students explore the following Big Ideas:

- Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
- Observable patterns and cycles occur in the local sky and landscape.
- Water is essential to all living things, and it cycles through the environment.

Educator Information
This book is from the Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach (for BC) series. The new Hands-On Science comprehensive resources completely align with the redesigned Science Curriculum for British Columbia.

Recommended for use with children ages 4-8.

Additional Information
150 pages | 8.5 " x 11" 

Living Things from Hands-On Science for British Columbia completely aligns with BC’s New Curriculum for Science. Grounded in the Know-Do-Understand model, First Peoples knowledge and perspectives, and student-driven scientific inquiry, this custom-written resource:

• emphasizes Core Competencies, so students engage in deeper and lifelong learning
• develops Curricular Competencies through hands-on activities
• fosters a deep understanding of the Big Ideas in science

Using proven Hands-On features, Living Things contains information and materials for both teachers and students including: Curricular Competencies correlation charts; background information on the science topics; complete, easy-to-follow lesson plans; reproducible student materials; and materials lists.

Innovative new elements have been developed specifically for the new curriculum:

• a multi-age approach
• an emphasis on technology, sustainability, and personalized learning
• a fully developed assessment plan for summative, formative, and student self-assessment
• a focus on real-life Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies
• learning centres that focus on multiple intelligences and universal design for learning (UDL)
• place-based learning activities and Makerspaces

Living Things for Grades 3-5 addresses Core Competencies and Learning Standards while students
explore the following Big Ideas:

• Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.
• All living things sense and respond to their environment.
• Multicellular organisms have organ systems that enable them to survive and interact within their environment.

Educator Information
This book is from the Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach (for BC) series. The new Hands-On Science comprehensive resources completely align with the redesigned Science Curriculum for British Columbia.

Recommended for use with students in grades 3 to 5.

Additional Information
150 pages | 8.50" x 11.00"

Living Things from Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach completely aligns with the redesigned Science Curriculum for British Columbia. Grounded in the Know-Do-Understand model, First Peoples’ knowledge and perspectives, and student-driven scientific inquiry, this custom-written resource:

- emphasizes Core Competencies, so students engage in deeper and lifelong learning
- develops Curricular Competencies as students explore science through hands-on activities
- fosters a deep understanding of the Big Ideas in science

Using proven Hands-On features, Living Things contains information and materials for both teachers and students including: Curricular Competencies correlation charts; background information on the science topics; complete, easy-to-follow lesson plans; reproducible student materials; and materials lists.

Innovative new elements have been developed specifically for the new curriculum:

- a multi-age approach
- a five-part instructional process—Engage, Explore, Expand, Embed, Enhance
- an emphasis on technology, sustainability, and personalized learning
- a fully developed assessment plan for summative, formative, and student self-assessment
- a focus on real-life Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies
- learning centres that focus on multiple intelligences and universal design for learning (UDL)
- place-based learning activities, Makerspace centres, and Loose Parts

In Living Things students investigate plants and animals. Core Competencies and Curricular Competencies will be addressed while students explore the following Big Ideas:

- Plants and animals have observable features.
- Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment.
- Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment.

Educator Information
This book is from the Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach (for BC) series. The new Hands-On Science comprehensive resources completely align with the redesigned Science Curriculum for British Columbia.

Recommended for use with children ages 4-8.

Additional Information
150 pages | 8.5 " x 11" 

Properties of Energy from Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach completely aligns with the redesigned Science Curriculum for British Columbia. Grounded in the Know-Do-Understand model, First Peoples’ knowledge and perspectives, and student-driven scientific inquiry, this custom-written resource:

- emphasizes Core Competencies, so students engage in deeper and lifelong learning
- develops Curricular Competencies as students explore science through hands-on activities
- fosters a deep understanding of the Big Ideas in science

Using proven Hands-On features, Properties of Energy contains information and materials for both teachers and students including: Curricular Competencies correlation charts; background information on the science topics; complete, easy-to-follow lesson plans; reproducible student materials; and materials lists.

Innovative new elements have been developed specifically for the new curriculum:

- a multi-age approach
- a five-part instructional process—Engage, Explore, Expand, Embed, Enhance
- an emphasis on technology, sustainability, and personalized learning
- a fully developed assessment plan for summative, formative, and student self-assessment
- a focus on real-life Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies
- learning centres that focus on multiple intelligences and universal design for learning (UDL)
- place-based learning activities, Makerspace centres, and Loose Parts

In Properties of Energy students investigate properties of energy. Core Competencies and Curricular Competencies will be addressed while students explore the following Big Ideas:

- The motion of objects depends on their properties.
- Light and sound can be produced and their properties can be changed.
- Forces influence the motion of an object.

Educator Information
This book is from the Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach (for BC) series. The new Hands-On Science comprehensive resources completely align with the redesigned Science Curriculum for British Columbia.

Recommended for use with children ages 4-8.

Additional Information
181 pages | 8.5 " x 11" 

Properties of Matter from Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach completely aligns with the redesigned Science Curriculum for British Columbia. Grounded in the Know-Do-Understand model, First Peoples’ knowledge and perspectives, and student-driven scientific inquiry, this custom-written resource:

- emphasizes Core Competencies, so students engage in deeper and lifelong learning
- develops Curricular Competencies as students explore science through hands-on activities
- fosters a deep understanding of the Big Ideas in science

Using proven Hands-On features, Properties of Matter contains information and materials for both teachers and students including: Curricular Competencies correlation charts; background information on the science topics; complete, easy-to-follow lesson plans; reproducible student materials; and materials lists.

Innovative new elements have been developed specifically for the new curriculum:

- a multi-age approach
- a five-part instructional process—Engage, Explore, Expand, Embed, Enhance
- an emphasis on technology, sustainability, and personalized learning
- a fully developed assessment plan for summative, formative, and student self-assessment
- a focus on real-life Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies
- learning centres that focus on multiple intelligences and universal design for learning (UDL)
- place-based learning activities, Makerspace centres, and Loose Parts

In Properties of Matter students investigate matter. Core Competencies and Curricular Competencies will be addressed while students explore the following Big Ideas:

- Humans interact with matter every day through familiar materials.
- Materials can be changed through physical and chemical processes.
- Matter is useful because of its properties.

Educator Information
This book is from the Hands-On Science: An Inquiry Approach (for BC) series. The new Hands-On Science comprehensive resources completely align with the redesigned Science Curriculum for British Columbia.

Recommended for use with children ages 4-8.

Additional Information
150 pages | 8.5" x 11"

Building environmental strength through a diversity of youth.

While concern about the state of our land, air, and water continues to grow, there is widespread belief that environmental issues are primarily of interest to wealthy white communities. Engage, Connect, Protect explodes this myth, revealing the deep and abiding interest that African American, Latino, and Native American communities – many of whom live in degraded and polluted parts of the country – have in our collective environment.

Part eye-opening critique of the cultural divide in environmentalism, part biography of a leading social entrepreneur, and part practical toolkit for engaging diverse youth, Engage, Connect, Protect covers:

• Why communities of color are largely unrecognized in the environmental movement
• Bridging the cultural divide and activate a new generation of environmental stewards
• A curriculum for engaging diverse youth and young adults through culturally appropriate methods and activities
• A resource guide for connecting mainstream America to organizations working with diverse youth within environmental projects, training, and employment.

Engage, Connect, Protect is a wake-up call for businesses, activists, educators, and policymakers to recognize the work of grassroots activists in diverse communities and create opportunities for engaging with diverse youth as the next generation of environmental stewards.

Educator Information
While this work has a US focus, it is still extremely relevant in other countries like Canada.

Additional Information
256 pages | 6.00" x 9.00"

Sow the seeds of science and wonder and inspire the next generation of Earth stewards.

The world needs young people to grow into strong, scientifically literate environmental stewards. Learning gardens are great places to build this knowledge, yet until now there has been a lack of a multi-grade curriculum for school-wide teaching aimed at fostering a connection with the Earth.

The School Garden Curriculum offers a unique and comprehensive framework, enabling students to grow their knowledge throughout the school year and build on it from kindergarten to eighth grade. From seasonal garden activities to inquiry projects and science-skill building, children will develop organic gardening solutions, a positive land ethic, systems thinking, and instincts for ecological stewardship.

The book offers:

• A complete K-8 school-wide framework
• Over 200 engaging, weekly lesson plans – ready to share
• Place-based activities, immersive learning, and hands-on activities
• Integration of science, critical thinking, permaculture, and life skills
• Links to Next Generation Science Standards
• Further resources and information sources.

A model and guide for all educators, The School Garden Curriculum is the complete package for any school wishing to use ecosystem perspectives, science, and permaculture to connect children to positive land ethics, personal responsibility, and wonder, while building vital lifelong skills.

Additional Information
320 pages | 8.10" x 10.00"