Amazing Discoveries: Social Science Experiments In the Classroom

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Amazing Discoveries - Manual & Videotape (VHS)
$139.00
#AMZ002

Authors: James Bryan & Tanis Bryan

Students (grades 5-12) learn how to conduct scientific research, hone their math and reading skills, and discover basic truths about themselves and others with this innovative curriculum package. An exhaustive 400-page manual (in convenient 3-ring binder) includes everything you need for conducting 28 fun and challenging lesson plans. Each lesson is ready to use and contains:

Teacher section with background information, discussion topics, procedures, and extensions.
Student section with key vocabulary, introduction, procedures, vocabulary word games, and learning log.
Blackline masters for handouts, overheads, activities, assessments, and forms.

The complete package also contains a 45 minute videotape that shows how teachers across thecountry are successfully using the program with diverse groups of students. Teachers represent urban, suburban, and rural school districts; teach in both general education, inclusive, and special education settings; and work with children who represent a diversity of cultural backgrounds. A final section in the complete package describes how teachers can use Amazing Discoveries to enhance social skills instruction, in the context of interdisciplinary units, in after school programs, and in teacher education inservices.

The program has been successfully field tested. Kids claim they "love it!"

Table of Contents

Preface v

Definitions of Key Vocabulary ix

1) Introduction 1-18

2) Lessons

Section 1: Basic Principles in Scientific Research 19-110

What is the scientific method?
Can you trust your eyes?
The taste test.
Does everyone see the same things?
Let’s get the story straight!
Leading questions.
Do people say what they eat?

Section 2: The Influence of Thoughts and Feelings on Behavior 111-222

What you expect is what you get.
Self-fulfilling prophecy.
When disaster strikes.
Learned optimism.
Observations, assumptions, and inferences.
Knowing what other people know and do not know.
The effect of positive moods.

Section 3: Social Influences 223-300

Fitting the punishment to the criminal.
How do you say “No”?
My favorite pet.
You get what you deserve.
The listener’s influence.
What happens when we pitch in.

Section 4: Social Communication 301-386

Reading the pupils.
How well do you use body language?
What really happens when you say, “Uh huh”?
Delivering bad news in a nice way.
Convincing others you are correct.
A good mood helps influence prosocial behavior.
What do listeners need to know?

3) Implementation Guide

Introduction 1-46
Implementation Calendar 47
Planning Form 48
Running Record 49
Curriculum Outcomes Addressed in Amazing Discoveries 53
Amazing Discoveries Themes 54
Amazing Discoveries Web 55
Student Definitions of Social Science 56
Social Science Concepts 57
Which Music Type Do You Prefer? 58
Tally Your Responses 59
Scientific Method 60
Tools for Understanding Human Behavior 61
Template for Writing Leading Questions 62
Thematic Unit on Responsibility and the Law 63
Unit Plans 66
Guide for Scheduling Lessons 67
What Is the Scientific Method? 68
Lesson Plan for "Can You Trust Your Eyes?" 69
Prototype Funding Proposal 71

Read an excerpt of this publication in PDF.

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