Janice VanCleave's The Human Body for Every Kid: Easy Activities that Make Learning Science Fun

Science for Every Kid

by Janice VanCleave

What makes the heart beat faster or slower? How do tightrope walkers keep their balance? Why does spinning fast cause dizziness? Explore the mysteries and the workings of the human body through this fascinating collection of ideas, projects, and activities. Have fun while you learn about everything from the body's basic building blocks to how the brain receives messages from other parts of the body. Make a model of a human cell that you can eat for dessert. Make a working model of a human lung from a soda bottle, a balloon, and a garbage bag. Through these and other activities, you'll find out how your lungs supply air to your blood and your heart pumps blood throughout your body; how your body sees, hears, feels, smells, and tastes the world around it; how you lose and regain up to five pounds of skin every year; and much more. Most of the materials you need are already part of you; the rest you will easily find around the house or classroom. Every activity has been "child tested" and can be performed safely and cheaply in the classroom, at a science fair, or at home. Also available in the series from Janice VanCleave: Astronomy for Every Kid Biology for Every Kid Chemistry for Every Kid Dinosaurs for Every Kid Earth Science for Every Kid Geography for Every Kid Geometry for Every Kid Math for Every Kid Physics for Every Kid Kids.

Genres: Science, Reference, School, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 1995

About the author

Janice VanCleave is everybody’s favorite science teacher! With sales of more than 2 million copies, her books show just how fun and exciting science can be. They’re brimming with cool projects and experiments that use inexpensive household materials — and help turn ordinary young people into enthusiastic junior scientists.

A former school teacher, Janice VanCleave taught science in public schools, science method courses in college, and science curriculum development courses for numerous districts and organizations. In addition to writing, VanCleave also works directly with children and adults through her “Fun With Science” workshops held at libraries, schools, museums, and bookstores throughout the United States.

Janice VanCleave books appeal to kids, parents, and teachers alike because of her unique mix of science with fun activities, her simple explanations of science topics, and the way she uses everyday materials for all of her experiments.

Reviews

[Halee · Rating 2 out of 5]

My curriculum required that I read this as a part of my studying of the human body. This is what I thought of it:

Ugh. I really did not want to write a review for this book but seeing that I don't want others to read it gave me enough motivation. HA! Anyway, I am not at all trying to "put-down" the author (Janice VanCleave) but this IS my personal opinion. I did NOT like this book. I found that the way she wrote it to be VERY confusing and I had an extremely difficult time trying to comprehend what she was trying to teach. Example: while reading about cells and membranes and all that, I almost immediately forgot what I just read. AFTER JUST READING THE SENTENCE! I can NOT relay to you ANYTHING that I read in this book due to my inability to understand it. I'm sorry but I do NOT recommend this book. Tell me your thoughts and experiences with this book/author.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book for elementary level kids. Lots of good exercises to reinforce learning.