My Science Book of Magnets

by Neil Ardley

Part of a series of photographic activity books, this book includes projects on magnets that aim to teach children the basic scientific concepts, encouraging them to take on new ideas and find out information for themselves. Each book introduces a basic topic, in this case magnets and magnetism, through projects that can be carried out at home using everyday items. Tricks and puzzles, and toys and models to make are also included. Neil Ardley is the co-winner of The Science Book Prize and "The Times" Educational Supplement Information Book Award for "The Way Things Work".

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 2000

About the author

Neil Ardley was an English jazz composer, pianist, arranger, and acclaimed science writer whose career bridged music, education, and publishing. After studying chemistry at Bristol University, he moved to London and immersed himself in the city's thriving jazz scene, studying composition and arranging before becoming a central figure in modern British jazz. As director of the New Jazz Orchestra, he helped nurture a generation of influential musicians while developing a distinctive musical voice that blended jazz improvisation with classical forms. His albums, including Le Déjeuner sur l'Herbe, Greek Variations and Other Aegean Exercises, Symphony of Amaranths, and Kaleidoscope of Rainbows, earned critical praise for their ambitious orchestration and innovative use of electronic sounds. Alongside his musical work, Ardley built an equally successful career in publishing. Beginning as an editor, he went on to write more than one hundred books, many aimed at introducing young readers to science, technology, nature, and music. His best-known work, The Way Things Work, illustrated by David Macaulay, became an international bestseller and helped establish him as one of Britain's most successful popular science authors. By the time of his retirement, his books had sold millions of copies worldwide, securing his reputation as both an influential musician and an exceptional communicator of knowledge.

Reviews

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Science Book of Magnets
Author: Neil Ardley
Illustrator:Photographer Dave King/Designer Mark Regarsoe
Date of Publication:1991

Genre: Non-fiction, informational, science.
Summary: This book gives a clear definition of magnetism and provides numerous hands on activities which are supplemented by colorful pictures.
Evaluative Commentary: I thin this is a very informative book, it is not too text heavy and aids comprehension with great photographs. The book also lends itself to differentiation as the experiments/projects vary in difficulty and can be the basis for different stations that are grouped according to level.
Discussion Questions:
What do you know about magnets? (assessing prior knowledge)
What did you learn about magnets from the book?
Which experiment/project would you like to perform in our science lab next week? (asses interest)
Where the pictures helpful? Why? (review that there are multiple way to show information)
What do we need to remember when we perform our science experiments ( a discussion about safety).
What are some of the different types of magnets you encountered in the book?
What are some practical (day-to day) uses for magnets?
What did you learn about magnetic poles?
Is it possible to make a magnet?
Describe in your own words what is a chain reaction?
What does it mean to Rob a magnet?

Comprehension Strategy: This can be a great guided reading or independent reading/research book. Or the teacher can photocopy or project a page of the book for a specific experiment. This is best suited for olde grades, as the layout is sporadic inconsistent an the specialized scientific vocabulary requires prior knowledge. Excellent text for a Science unit on magnets. Also provides warnings/safety cautions for each experiment, which is always a great review when performing science experiments.
The clear Bold headings are useful for locating specific information and can be used for researching specific topics.

Extension activity: This book lends itself to extension activities as it provided numerous hands on
experiments. The students can read other books from this author “The Eye witness Guide to Music, “The Way Things Work”.

Electronic resource:http://video.nationalgeographic.com/v... A great video about magnets!