Physics for First Graders: Amazing Science Series by Sally Hewitt

As an elementary librarian one of my challenges was finding nonfiction trade books to support the curriculum, and one of the more difficult areas was in Kindergarten and Grade 1 science, particularly in the areas of physics and biology.

The terminology required to describe, for example, the physics of light, sounds like something from a high school textbook--reflection, refraction, spectrum, shadow--and such complex concepts require good supportive materials for their initial introduction to young children.

Crabtree Publishing's Amazing Science to the rescue! This new series, published with 2007-2008 copyrights, offers really basic concepts and principles in simple vocabulary, illustrated in eye-catching photographs which enhance the text perfectly.

Science terms are highlighted in blue on each recto throughout the text, and questions for the reader/listener ("Your Turn") are also added. For example, in Light (Amazing Science) on the page which discusses light produced by hot, glowing fireworks and light bulb filaments, the "Your Turn" box challenges the students to name something else which glows with heat and gives off light. In the backmatter, simple, step-by-step activities are included, along with a helpful glossary and index in each volume. As materials designed to augment the textbook presentation of concepts, the books in this series provide the teacher with ample opportunities to extend the material introduced in earlier lessons.

Titles in the series include Amazing Light (Amazing Science), Amazing Electricity (Amazing Science), Amazing Forces and Movement (Amazing Science), Amazing Materials (Amazing Science), Amazing Plants (Amazing Science), and Amazing Sound (Amazing Science).