This year for science John and I are studying Chemistry. You can only imagine how someone whose favorite birthday present was this feels about that. Let’s just say I’m a little excited. For the most part we’ve been working our way through the experiments in Adventures With Atoms and Molecules, a nifty book that is full of fairly simple experiments appropriate for elementary aged kids but that demonstrate big concepts. I was inspired by the fantastic posts on chemistry recently over at I Capture the Rowhouse to liven up our study with some living books and some videos.
One of my favorite books that we’ve looked at so far on atoms and subatomic particles is this one by Robert Wells. In it, Wells starts with a pygmy shrew which seems very small compared to say an elephant, but then seems not so small when compared to say a ladybug. He then goes on to show that the ladybug isn’t really that small either when you start exploring the microscopic world. This continues to the level of atoms and then to protons and neutrons and even quarks. I’m sure there are better books about atoms but this book provides a really nice introduction to the basic concepts. My boys enjoyed the fun cartoon style illustrations and I liked that in addition to the science it explored the math concept of comparative sizes. Perhaps the ultimate compliment was that both boys immediately asked me to read it again. I’d say that’s no small success.
For more science books for kids check out STEM Friday hosted this week at Celebrate Science.
This book looks fun! I’m definitely putting it on my “gotta read” list… even though my kids are way past homeschooling.
I’ve seen this book around–in fact, we mag have it–but I don’t think I’ve ever read it. Thanks for the link to the STEM meme, too!