What's the Matter in Mr. Whiskers' Room?

by Michael Elsohn Ross, Paul Meisel (Illustrator)

Overview

"Oh, to be a kid in Mr. Whiskers’ primary science classes! The next best thing is doing hands-on explorations at school or at home with this guide." — KIRKUS REVIEWS

Mr. Whiskers, the teacher, has that wild look in his eyes again. That’s the look that means, Get ready for hands-on science! This time the subject matter is . . . matter. Using seven science stations, Mr. Whiskers encourages his kids to use all their senses to make observations and draw conclusions. Everyone’s a scientist in Mr. Whiskers’ class, where hands-on mini-experiments lead to Big Ideas — and promote an ongoing passion for independent, open-ended discovery.
Back matter includes supplemental activities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781417790715
Publisher:	San Val, Incorporated
Publication date:	08/28/2007
Pages:	45
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	660L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Michael Elsohn Ross is the author of more than forty books for children, most about science or world cultures. He lives right next to California's Yosemite National Park, where, for close to thirty years, he has been working as a naturalist, taking visitors on hikes and walks to learn all about the park. His ideas, he says, "come from my work as a naturalist and my adventures with school kids."

Paul Meisel is well known for his illustrations in more than thirty children's books, including the Cool Crazy Crickets books by David Elliott, ALMOST LATE TO SCHOOL and other picture books by Carol Diggory Shields, and books in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out science series.

Editorial Reviews

Mr. Whiskers believes that kids best learn about science by exploring, so he promotes open-ended discovery. When he decides that his eight students are ready to discover facts about matter, he sets up learning stations around the classroom and on the playground. After reminding students about the rules (e.g., share, be gentle, have fun), he blows the horn to get started. Some students start with the Water Droppers where they discover that water (like all matter) takes up space. Others use all their senses except taste at the Gloop table to roll, stretch, and squish the malleable concoction. The slimy green stuff at the Oobleck station changes from hard to soft and back again. The students are noticing that matter can come in different forms. It can be a solid, a liquid, or a gas. Out on the playground, they experiment at the Ice and Water center. Behold, matter can change from one form into another. Other discoveries about matter are made in the Rock center, with the Water Tubs, and in the Sand and Mud play area. Notes at the end provide directions for setting up each of the learning centers. The joy of discovery is depicted in the large water-color illustrations. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.

Children's Literature