HeathEarthScienceReview

TextBook Review

EARTH SCIENCE, 1994, by Nancy Spaulding and Namowitz

ISBN 0-669-26184-X

rating rubric 1 2 3 4 5. 5 - strongly agree, strongest rating 1 - strongly disagree, or weakest rating 3 - neutral, not addressed

The book provides a clearly state purpose and goals - 4 comment - the introduction to earth science and related fields is excellent.

Each chapter provides purpose and goals - 3 comment - each chapter contains a good overview, but there is poor continuity between chapters.

The text is written with age appropriate vocabulary - 5 comment - the text is written in a casual prose that is easy to read

The book is up to date on relevant scientific issues - 5 comment - very up to date for 1994 (year of publication).

The book teaches scientific processes and exploration - 2. Comment - the end of each chapter contains questions to the reader. In general, however, the book presents reams of scientific content, with little emphasis on discovery.

The text stimulates the reader's own investigation of the world - 4 Comment - each chapter contains experiments for the reader. They tend to be a little cookbook. Not much room for learner creativity / innovation.

The text relates to reader's real world experience - 3 comment - It makes an effort, but in some areas it simply presents content.

The text assesses the learning with quizzes - 5 comment - yup. every chapter.

Content is presented systematically - 1 comment - the order of chapters is disjointed and disorganized. There is no clear theme or throughout the book, other than "here is earth science." Reading this book cover to cover would be potentially confusing to a reader.

The text is organized to topics build on eachother - 1 comment - nope they don't.