Pill bugs, also called roly-polies, are small terrestrial isopods that are abundant in temperate areas throughout the world. Because they are engaging, harmless, and easily collected, they provide an excellent opportunity for children to learn about invertebrate body parts, behaviors, and information processing. This column includes activities…

Describes an activity using a large balloon to help children understand that, even though the horizon appears to be flat, the Earth is, indeed, round. Uses a toy ship to reinforce evidence from the first part of the activity. Stresses the importance of confronting naive theories at an early age. (CW)

Uses a demonstration done by John Tyndall in 1856 to show that geological processes can produce striking changes, such as slate formation, by slow and incremental means. Explains how Tyndall's demonstration can be replicated in the classroom using paraffin or beeswax to produce the layering change similar to slate. (CW)

Provides instructions for the construction of a paper mache classroom planetarium and suggests several student activities using this planetarium model. Lists reasons why students have difficulties in transferring classroom instruction in astronomy to the night sky. (DS)

The activities for preschool through primary aged children identify ways in which teachers can encourage children to learn the functions of many everyday materials. (SA)

Announced is the availability of a set of lessons for middle school and secondary school teachers who want to teach about energy. Concrete experiences are emphasized in this instructional program. (SA)

Lists examples of paintings, sculpture, music, and literature which lend themselves to science units such as the changing universe, energy, matter, and living things. (CS)

Lists science/art activities which involve students in general observation and imaginative visualization. (CS)

Discusses methodology for several activities which use Alka Seltzer tablets as a source of carbon dioxide gas. (CS)

Supports the importance of selecting science activities for middle school students that are appropriate to their age level. Lists a variety of resources for science activities, including 11 unit guides, three source books, four journals, and professional meetings. (CS)

Directions are given for caring for desert tortoises, both adults and young. Observations of their behavior are recommended. (SA)

Presents activities for the elementary teacher to use in helping children to enjoy a small path of undeveloped land in an urban area. Teaching about plant roots is explained. Also included is the equipment needed and how to prepare for the root activities. (SA)

Described is a resource idea developed for the teaching of oceanography to junior high students. Sand is studied to help make the study of beaches more relevant to students who may have never seen an ocean. Sand samples are brought into the classroom from various coastal cities, then analyzed and compared. (Author/DS)

Described is a method of photographically recording the seasonal movements of the beach, and the equipment and details used in this method. Included is a method for determining current speed and instruction for construction of a tin can viewing box to be used in underwater sea form observations. (Author/DS)

Described are several activities to be used to help students grasp the concept of floating. The activities include the use of a spring scale to measure the weight of the objects in air, in water, and in salt water, and a discussion of why there are differences in these weights. (DS)