Pacific Estuaries - Where Rivers Join the Sea (Videotape/16 mm Film). Waterhen Film Productions/Ducks Unlimited, Regina (MGR), 1989. 28 min. Available for duplication, Order No. V02678 (Videotape). Available for loan, Order No. 8732 (16 mm)

A program on wetland environments which depicts the living richness of pacific coast estuaries where saline and fresh water intermingle. Illustrates the impact of human interaction on the fragile balance of nature in the estuary. Very good photography.

Suggested Use:
Grade 5 - Resources; Oceans
Grade 6 - Ecosystems

The Paleontologist (Videotape). (Harriet's Magic Hats IV Series). ACCESS Network, Calgary (MGR), 1986. 14:30 min. Available for duplication, Order No. V03178. Teacher's guide available (BB) Order No. 5992 ($4.95 pbk.)

Ralph, the parrot, digs up what looks like a dinosaur tooth. To find out for sure, Ralph suggests that Carrie, his co-star, visit a paleontologist. Carrie meets the paleontologist, Darrell, at the museum where he explains to her the steps involved in recovering, rebuilding and displaying dinosaur fossils.

Suggested Use:
Kindergarten
Grade 2 - Dinosaurs

Park Interpreter (Videotape). (Harriet's Magic Hats I Series). ACCESS Network, Calgary (MGR), 1980. 14:26 min. Available for duplication, Order No. V02355. Teacher's guide available, (BB) Order No. 5892 ($4.95 pbk.)

Ralph, the parrot, sends Susan, the young student, out to photograph some birds in a national park. While there, Susan and her friend Mandy meet some park interpreters and learn that these people teach enjoyment and preservation of nature in its wildlife state. Series I is a few years older than Series II - IV, but could still be useful.

Suggested Use:
Kindergarten
Grade 1 - Animals
Grade 2 - Habitats
Grade 3 - Animals

Peace Works: Young Peacemaker's Project Book II (Print-Non-Fiction). Kathleen Fry-Miller, et al. Brethern Press, Elgin, Illinois (WEL), 1989. 102 p. ISBN 0-87178-977-9 ($12.95 pbk.)

This book offers a series of activities under various themes that are related to understanding nature and the importance of conservation. Hands-on philosophy fits in well with DSLs. Topics include: solar, wind, and water power, seasonal fun, occupations, creating toys, fun with people, and celebrations. Table of contents and index included.

Suggested Use: Teacher's resource for:
Grade 1 - Animals, Earth, Plants
Grade 2 - Habitats, Plant Growth, Weather
Grade 3 - Animals, The Solar System; Simple Machines
Grade 4 - Forms of Energy
Grade 5 - Resources; Machines and Work
Grade 6 - Ecosystems; Energy Uses

Peeping in the Shell: A Whooping Crane is Hatched (Print-Non-Fiction). Faith McNulty. Harper & Row, New York (HCP), 1986. 58 p. ISBN 0-06-024134-9 ($12.71 hdc.)

Addresses the hatching of a whooping crane in story form. Discusses whooping crane management in the United States. Provides interesting information. Includes pleasing black and white illustrations.

Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Animals
Grade 4 - Vertebrates and Invertebrates
Grade 6 - Plant and Animal Adaptations

People and Plants / Good Plants-Bad Plants (Filmstrip Kit). Kathryn Graham. (Series 1200-Primary). Robert Mansour Ltd., Scarborough, Ontario (ETH), 1988. 2 filmstrips, two 9 min. audiocassettes, 2 concept sheets, script and activity cards Order No. 1216/1217 ($99.50 kit.)

People and Plants describes how people use plants for shade, erosion protection, and fresh air. Good Plants/Bad Plants points out harmful plants: weeds, mould, mildew and poisonous plants. Notes ways to avoid harmful plants, and positive benefits of these plants in nature. Describes how plants are used for food and non-food products made from plants.

Suggested Use:
Grade 1 - Plants
Grade 2 - Plant Growth; Foods
Grade 3 - Plant Structures and Adaptations

Pet Day (Print-Fiction). Harriet Ziefert. (Mr. Rose's Class Series). Little, Brown & Co., Boston (LIT), 1987. 64 p. ISBN 0-316-98766-2 ($11.95 hdc.)

In a fiction format this book teaches students to care for pets in the class or at home. Features: gerbils, kangaroo rat, iguanas, pocket mouse, and a chuckwalla lizard. Offers cartoon-style black and white illustrations. Could be a read-aloud book. Lots of dialogue--could be read like a play.

Suggested Use:
Grade 1 - Animals
Grade 3 - Animals

Pets in a Jar: Collecting and Caring for Small Wild Animals (Print-Non-Fiction). Seymour Simon. (Puffin Science Books Series). Viking Press, New York (PBC), 1975. 95 p. ISBN 0-14-049186-4 ($6.36 pbk.)

Fifteen small animals, from pond snails to butterflies to earthworms, are described, explaining the environment and equipment required to keep an animal out of its habitat. Read this before collecting insects and other small animals. Projects are most suitable for grade three and up. Includes fine black and white illustrations of animals. Provides table of contents and index.

Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Animals
Grade 4 - Vertebrates and Invertebrates
Grade 5 - Communities and Ecosystems
Grade 6 - Growth and Development, Plant and Animal
Adaptations

Physical Science Activities for Grades 2 - 8 (Print-Non-Fiction). Marvin N. Tolman and James O. Morton. (Science Curriculum Activities Library). Parker Publishing, West Nyack, New York (PRN), 1986. 263 p. ISBN 0-13-669797-6 ($29.71 pbk.)

Provides 173 discovery activities covering: the nature of matter, energy, light, sound, simple machines, magnetism, static electricity and current electricity. Each activity is numbered and titled and contains special instructions, materials, procedure, teaching tips and background information. Includes concept skills index, table of contents and index. Metric measures.

Suggested Use: Teacher's resource for:
Grade 2 - Magnets; Measuring Matter
Grade 3 - Properties of Matter; Simple Machines, Sound
Grade 4 - Forms of Energy; Electricity and Magnetism, Light
Grade 5 - Heat, Matter and Its Changes; Machines and Work
Grade 6 - Energy Uses

Pictorial Charts Series (Wall Chart). Please refer to the titles: Animals and Their Young, Exploring the Planets, and The Seasons.

Piloted Space Flights (Print-Non-Fiction). Isaac Asimov. (Isaac Asimov's Library of the Universe). Gareth Stevens, Milwaukee (SBC), 1990. 32 p. ISBN 1-55532-371-5 ($14.95 hdc.)

A brief history of peoples' experiences in space as they circled the Earth, landed on the moon and sent spaceships farther away than humans can safely go. Notes first rockets, walking in space, Apollo 11, space shuttles, crew selection, humans' reactions to space travel, and future travel. Shows American and Soviet space programs. Excellent photos and diagrams. Thought provoking questions throughout. Table of contents, glossary and index included. Provides metric and imperial measures.

Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - The Solar System
Grade 6 - Exploring Space; Human Body Control Systems

A Place for Owls (Print-Non-Fiction). Katherine McKeever. (An OWL Magazine Book). Greey de Pencier, Canada (KEY), 1988. 95 p. ISBN 0-920775-24-1 ($7.95 pbk.)

True stories about her owls by the Ontario woman who maintains the Owl Research and Rehabilitation Foundation owl sanctuary. Eloquently and simply written, the stories are heart-warming. Illustrated with pencil drawings. A read-aloud book for younger grades.

Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Animals
Grade 6 - Plant and Animal Adaptations

Planet Earth Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the title Dinosaurs.

Planet Earth Series (Print-Non-Fiction-Kit). Please refer to the title Volcanoes.

Planets and Galaxies: Exploring Exciting Space Frontiers! (Print-Non-Fiction). Dan Mackie. (Hayes Technology Series). Hayes Publishing, Burlington, Ontario (DHP), 1986. 32 p. ISBN 0-88625-102-8 ($5.95 pbk.)

A colourful book with interesting, factual, concise descriptions of the sun, moon, planets, comets, galaxies and stars. Features "Did You Know" trivia questions. Stimulates the children's interest. Lists Russian and American space probes. Provides table of contents. Metric measures.

Suggested Use:
Grade 6 - Exploring Space

Plant Ecology (Print-Non-Fiction). Jennifer Cochrane. (Project Ecology Series). Wayland, East Sussex, England (NEL), 1987. 47 p. ISBN 0-85078-911-7 ($20.50 hdc.)

Plants and their environment are the subject of this book. Points out their role in feeding the world. Illustrates plant structures and their functions. Notes plant pollination, seeds, habitat and niche, plant communities, uses of plants for food and fuel, plants and pollution. Sections on agriculture are somewhat unbalanced regarding fertilizers and pesticides. Possibly use in combination with Issues for Today. Most sections have an activity or experiment. Well illustrated. Table of contents, glossary and index included. Metric measures.

Suggested Use:
Grade 5 - Plant Structure and Function
Grade 6 - Plant and Animal Adaptations

Plants (Print-Non-Fiction). David Black and Anthony Huxley. (The World of Science Series). Facts on File, New York (CMG), 1985. 64 p. ISBN 0-8160-1065-X ($15.95 hdc.)

Describes the many branches of plants: algae, mosses, fungi, trees, flowers, forests, and unusual plants. Shows how plants grow. Lays out the many human uses for plants. A whole chapter notes plant conservation efforts. A well thought out book. Clear and concise with beautiful photos. An excellent reference book. Relevant to agriculture. Students may find the reading level too difficult, but will enjoy the pictures. Includes table of contents, glossary and index. Metric measures.

Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Plant Structures and Adaptations
Grade 4 - Plant Diversity
Grade 5 - Plant Structure and Function
Grade 6 - Plant and Animal Adaptations

Plants (Videotape). (Take a Look Series). TVOntario (MGR), 1986. 9:35 min. Available for duplication, Order No. V03232. Teacher's guide for series available, (BB) Order No. 5987 ($3.30 pbk.)

Uses the story of a city boy visiting a woman science writer in the country. While exploring the garden, Kate shows Jeffrey the four parts of a plant: the root, stem, leaf, and flower, and explains their functions. We see what a plant needs to live by visiting a greenhouse, and by trying some experiments at home. Relevant to agriculture.

Suggested Use:
Grade 2 - Plant Growth
Grade 3 - Plant Structures and Adaptations
Grade 5 - Plant Structure and Function

Plants I (Print-Non-Fiction). Patricia Colton, et al. (North York Science Program Series). Board of Education, City of North York (NYBE), 1984. 32 p. ISBN 1-55000-065-9 ($8.00 pbk.)

A great way to introduce children to plants. Experience based knowledge is gained through looking at plants all around in the student's environment. Children grow plants, and cook with plants. The resource is well laid out and easy to follow. Includes student worksheets and table of contents. Metric measures.

Suggested Use: Teacher's resource for:
Kindergarten
Grade 1 - Plants
Grade 2 - Foods

Plants II (Print-Non-Fiction). Barbara Montieth, et al. (North York Science Series). Board of Education, City of North York (NYBE), 1985. 44 p. ISBN 1-55000-047-0 ($8.00 pbk.)

An excellent resource--students become totally involved in the simple but exciting experiments. Well laid out and easy to read. Section headings: "What is a Plant?" "Germination of Seeds", "Plant Growth", "Plants Grow in Different Environments", and "Use of Plants". Activities include constructing simple terrariums and gardens. Includes student worksheets and table of contents. Metric measures.

Suggested Use: Teacher's resource for:
Grade 2 - Plant Growth; Foods
Grade 4 - Plant Diversity
Grade 5 - Plant Structure and Function.

Plants and Flowers (Print-Non-Fiction). Brian Holley. (Hayes Book Series). Hayes Publishing, Burlington, Ontario (DHP), 1986. 32 p. ISBN 0-88625-114-1 ($4.95 pbk.)

Covers the use of plants, how plants grow, different kinds of plants in different habitats, and a few easy experiments on things to do. Text is well spaced on pages in short paragraphs. Clear illustrations and diagrams. Relevant to agriculture. Includes houseplants as well. Includes glossary. Provides metric and and imperial measures.

Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Plant Structures and Adaptations
Grade 4 - Plant Diversity
Grade 5 - Plant Structure and Function
Grade 6 - Plant and Animal Adaptations

Plants for Food (Videotape). (Scientific Eye Series II). Yorkshire Television Enterprises/Marlin Motion Pictures (MGR), 1987. 20 min. Available for duplication, Order No. V02735

Plants For Food examines how plants grow and what they need from the environment to flourish. Students are shown making tests to find the best conditions to grow plants. The program also explores hydroponics, and some of the basics of agricultural economics.

Suggested Use:
Grade 4 - Plant Diversity
Grade 5 - Plant Structure and Function
Grade 6 - Plant and Animal Adaptations

Plants Need Things Too / Plants Have Three Main Parts (Filmstrip Kit). Kathryn Graham. (Series 1200-Primary). Robert Mansour, Scarborough, Ontario (ETH), 1988. 2 filmstrips, two 9 min. audiocassettes, 2 concept sheets, script and activity cards. Includes Order No. 1212/1213 ($99.50 kit.)

Plants Need Things Too conveys the information that plants need water, air, soil and light. Explains how the plant uses them. Discusses how different plants have different needs and that they grow where they can obtain the things they need. Plants Have Three Main Parts describes the ways in which the roots, stem and leaves help the plant survive. Recognizes that these structures are different on different types of plants. Activities are useful, clear and uncluttered. Simple vocabulary means that grades two and three can use activity cards independently.

Suggested Use:
Grade 1 - Plants
Grade 2 - Plant Growth
Grade 3 - Plant Structures and Adaptations

Playground Science (Videotape). (Take a Look Series). TVOntario (MGR), 1986. 9:35 min. Available for duplication, Order No. V03240. Teacher's guide for series available. (BB) Order No. 5987 ($3.30 pbk.)

Kate, a science writer, and Jeffrey, a city boy, mix fun and science while learning about gravity and balance points at the playground. We see how to make a mobile from string and straws.

Suggested Use:
Grade 2 - Measuring Matter
Grade 3 - Simple Machines
Grade 5 - Machines and Work

Playing With Science Series (Software). Please refer to the title Temperature.

Pluto: A Double Planet? (Print-Non-Fiction). Isaac Asimov. (Isaac Asimov's Library of the Universe). Gareth Stevens, Milwaukee (SBC), 1990. 32 p. ISBN 1-55532-373-1 ($14.95 hdc.)

Introduces this small, distant and mysterious planet, surveying its discovery 60 years ago, its peculiar orbit, and its recently discovered satellite. Discusses Pluto's relationship to Charon, and their possible origins. Shows actual photos used in discovering Pluto. Ponders if there is another planet beyond Pluto. Excellent diagrams and photos. Thought provoking. Includes table of contents, glossary and index. Provides metric and imperial measures.

Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - The Solar System
Grade 6 - Exploring Space

Pocket Worlds Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the titles: Big Bears and Little Bears and The Moon and the Stars Around Us.

Poisonous Snakes (Print-Non-Fiction). Colin McCarthy. (First Sight Series). Gloucester Press, New York (FRK), 1987. 32 p. ISBN 0-531-17053-5 ($15.50 hdc.)

Introduces various poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, their habits, their commonalities, and their enemies. Myths and legends of the snake are also explored. Discusses safety precautions around snakes and positive benefits of snakes. Large print. Close-up photos and clear colour illustrations. Includes identification chart, table of contents and index. Provides metric and imperial measures.

Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Animals
Grade 4 - Vertebrates and Invertebrates

Pollution (Print-Non-Fiction). Herta S. Breiter. (Read About Series). Raintree Children's Books Milwaukee (NEL), 1988. 46 p. ISBN 0-8172-3259-1 ($16.95 hdc.) ISBN 0-8172-3284-2 ($11.95 pbk.)

Discusses the causes of pollution and the ways to solve it. Points out examples from around the world. Attempts to give a fair picture, e.g. of farmers needing to grow more food and needing to care for the environment. Simply describes ecosystems and food chains. Pleasing illustrations. Includes glossary, pronunciation guide and index. Provides a metric conversion table.

Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Animals, Earth
Grade 4 - Nutrition and Digestion
Grade 5 - Resources; Communities and Ecosystems
Grade 6 - Ecosystems

Pollution and Conservation (Print-Non-Fiction). Malcolm Penny. (Conserving Our World Series). Wayland, East Sussex, England (NEL), 1988. 48 p. ISBN 0-85210-362-0 ($16.46 hdc.)

A well organized, clearly written overview of pollution and conservation throughout the world. Includes historical and international perspectives and possible solutions. Fairly discusses current issues including Chernobyl, Ethiopian drought, nuclear power, recycling. Excellent colour photos, illustrations. Extremely useful for science and technology studies, social studies, relevant to agriculture. Provides table of contents and index. Metric measures.

Suggested Use:
Grade 5 - Resources; Communities and Ecosystems
Grade 6 - Ecosystems; Energy Uses

Pollution and Wildlife (Print-Non-Fiction). Michael Bright. (Survival Series). Gloucester Press, New York (GEA), 1987. 32 p. ISBN 0-531-17046-2 ($15.50 hdc.)

The author has taken a hard look at harm to wildlife by pollution. Many of the pictures are unforgettable. Discusses pollution as a world-wide phenomenon. Points out dangers from pesticides, insecticides, food chains, fresh water run-off, waste water, acid rain, oil spills, dumping in the ocean, and nuclear accidents. Discusses what the individual can do. The fight for survival by several different species is described. Examples of positive action are given, such as the Thames River cleanup. Something all students are concerned about. Index included. Metric measures.

Suggested Use:
Grade 5 - Resources; Communities and Ecosystems, Oceans
Grade 6 - Ecosystems

Potholes and Ponds: A Pond Study Guide for Elementary School Children (Print-Non-Fiction). Vlademir H. Murawsky. Murawsky, Humboldt (BB), 1987. 68 p. Order No. 5689 ($15.75 pbk.)

A well laid out guide to pond field studies. Covers material needed, trip preparation (including administrative details such as permission slips), step by step field procedures, and follow-up learning. Includes diagrams of insects, plants and animals and pond ecology. Categorizes activities by grades. Written by a Saskatchewan biology teacher. An excellent resource for life science. Includes table of contents. Metric measures.

Suggested Use: Teacher's resource for:
Kindergarten
Grade 1 - Animals, Earth, Plants
Grade 2 - Habitats, Plant Growth; Air and Water
Grade 3 - Plant Structures and Adaptations
Grade 4 - Plant Diversity
Grade 5 - Communities and Ecosystems
Grade 6 - Ecosystems; Plant and Animal Adaptations

Power Station Sun: The Story of Energy (Print-Non-Fiction). John Mason. (Facts on File Discovering Science Series). Facts on File, New York (FOF), 1987. 47 p. ISBN 0-8160-1778-6 ($16.50 hdc.)

The different forms of energy and how we use them are the subject of this book. Discusses light, colour, matter, heating changes, and space. This resource is full of photographs, illustrations, and charts. Includes table of contents, glossary and index. Provides metric and imperial measures.

Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Properties of Matter, The Solar System; Heating and
Cooling
Grade 4 - Forms of Energy; Light
Grade 5 - Resources
Grade 6 - Energy Uses

The Praying Mantis (Print-Non-Fiction). Kathleen Pohl. (Nature Close-Ups Series). Raintree Publishers, Milwaukee (NEL), 1987. 32 p. ISBN 0-8172-2715-6 ($11.95 hdc.) ISBN 0-8172-2733-4 ($15.95 pbk.)

An excellent adaptation of a Japanese series. Fascinating close-up photos follow the life cycle of the praying mantis, from eggs to young nymphs, to adulthood. Points out eating patterns, natural enemies. A valuable introduction to this animal. Includes glossary.

Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Animals
Grade 4 - Vertebrates and Invertebrates
Grade 6 - Plant and Animal Adaptations

Prehistoric Life Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the title The Dinosaur Age.

Primary Science: Making Things Move (Filmstrip Kit/Videotape Kit). Encyclopaedia Britannica, Cambridge, Ontario (EBP), 11 min. Includes 2 filmstrips, 2 audiocassettes, teacher's guide. Order No. 17320K ($77.00 filmstrip) Order No. X-17320 ($83.00 1/2" VHS video)

Contains two programs. Pushes and Pulls discusses force, gravity and friction. Simple Machines covers simple machines, types of energy, levers, ramps and wheels. Characters in story are children. Interesting storyline.

Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Simple Machines

Project Ecology Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the titles: Animal Ecology, Land Ecology, Plant Ecology, Urban Ecology, and Water Ecology.

Project Wild - Elementary Activity Guide (Print-Non-Fiction). Canadian Wildlife Federation, Ottawa, Ontario (CWF), 1985. 255 p. (Free if you attend a workshop, otherwise unavailable).

An outstanding publication containing hands-on activities to encourage wildlife resource management. Has been identified as a key resource for supporting elementary science programs in Saskatchewan. Deals with: general awareness, wildlife diversity, ecological principles, management and conservation; people, culture and wildlife; trends, issues, consequences and responsible human actions. Activities indexed by grade, subject, skills learned, topic, indoor/outdoor activity. Includes black and white photos, charts. Available in French. Includes table of contents and index. Metric measures. For further information on this resource, please refer to: Science: An Information Bulletin for the Elementary Level: Key Resources.

Suggested Use: Teacher's resource for:
Kindergarten
Grade 1 - Animals, Earth, Senses
Grade 2 - Habitats, Plant Growth, Weather; Foods
Grade 3 - Animals; Plant Structures and Adaptations
Grade 4 - Vertebrates and Invertebrates
Grade 5 - Plant Structure and Function, Resources
Grade 6 - Ecosystems; Plant and Animal Adaptations

Protecting Wildlife (Print-Non-Fiction). Malcolm Penny. (Conserving Our World Series). Wayland, East Sussex, England (NEL), 1989. 48 p. ISBN 1-85210-698-0 ($22.50 hdc.)

Valuable information to be used as a starting point for looking at endangered species. Topics include: habitat destruction, hunting and killing, pollution, reserves and national parks, zoos, changing human behaviour. Many interesting photos and illustrations. Does not contain much information about Canada. Very much on the side of the wildlife. Lists organizations to contact for further information. Included are table of contents, glossary, and index. Metric measures.

Suggested Use:
Grade 6 - Ecosystems

Puffin Science Books Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the title Pets in a Jar: Collecting and Caring for Small Wild Animals.