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What's the Matter in Mr. Whiskers' Room?
"Oh, to be a kid in Mr. Whiskers’ primary science classes! The next best thing is doing hands-on explorations at school or at home with this guide." — Kirkus Reviews
Mr. Whiskers, the teacher, has that wild look in his eyes again. That’s the look that means, Get ready for hands-on science! This time the subject matter is . . . matter. Using seven science stations, Mr. Whiskers encourages his kids to use all their senses to make observations and draw conclusions. Everyone’s a scientist in Mr. Whiskers’ class, where hands-on mini-experiments lead to Big Ideas — and promote an ongoing passion for independent, open-ended discovery. Back matter includes supplemental activities.
Mr. Whiskers, the teacher, has that wild look in his eyes again. That’s the look that means, Get ready for hands-on science! This time the subject matter is . . . matter. Using seven science stations, Mr. Whiskers encourages his kids to use all their senses to make observations and draw conclusions. Everyone’s a scientist in Mr. Whiskers’ class, where hands-on mini-experiments lead to Big Ideas — and promote an ongoing passion for independent, open-ended discovery. Back matter includes supplemental activities.
48 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2004
4 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Michael Elsohn Ross
54 books4 followers"I am fascinated by children's natural curiosity and innate science exploration skills," says author and Yosemite Association naturalist Michael Elsohn Ross. "For ten years I have worked with my good friend Allison Brown, a teacher, seeking new ways for children to experience open-ended science play."
It was findings from this project that ultimately gave rise to WHAT'S THE MATTER IN MR. WHISKERS' ROOM, a book of hands-on mini-experiments that lead to Big Ideas--and promote an ongoing passion for independent discovery. "I decided I wanted to create a fictional classroom where kids were having the kind of grand adventures and discoveries that I'd observed," the author says. "To an adult, dirt is dirt, water is water, and gloop is just some yucky squishy stuff. But to Corrie, Miguel, Pearl, and other intrepid youngsters, great discoveries are just around the corner." The seven science stations in WHAT'S THE MATTER IN MR. WHISKERS' ROOM are designed to encourage students to use all their senses to make observations and draw conclusions, ultimately making science discoveries as simple as child's play. Says KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Hopefully, Ross, a naturalist and author of 40 books for children, has many more Mr. Whiskers adventures planned. Great fun with appealing science."
Michael Elsohn Ross, who is also the author of SANDBOX SCIENTIST, a book for parents and teachers that was named a SMITHSONIAN Notable Book, as well as the children's book SNUG AS A BUG, enjoys visiting schools to present assemblies and workshops students, teachers, and families. He lives on the edge of Yosemite National Park with his wife and son.
It was findings from this project that ultimately gave rise to WHAT'S THE MATTER IN MR. WHISKERS' ROOM, a book of hands-on mini-experiments that lead to Big Ideas--and promote an ongoing passion for independent discovery. "I decided I wanted to create a fictional classroom where kids were having the kind of grand adventures and discoveries that I'd observed," the author says. "To an adult, dirt is dirt, water is water, and gloop is just some yucky squishy stuff. But to Corrie, Miguel, Pearl, and other intrepid youngsters, great discoveries are just around the corner." The seven science stations in WHAT'S THE MATTER IN MR. WHISKERS' ROOM are designed to encourage students to use all their senses to make observations and draw conclusions, ultimately making science discoveries as simple as child's play. Says KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Hopefully, Ross, a naturalist and author of 40 books for children, has many more Mr. Whiskers adventures planned. Great fun with appealing science."
Michael Elsohn Ross, who is also the author of SANDBOX SCIENTIST, a book for parents and teachers that was named a SMITHSONIAN Notable Book, as well as the children's book SNUG AS A BUG, enjoys visiting schools to present assemblies and workshops students, teachers, and families. He lives on the edge of Yosemite National Park with his wife and son.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 4, 2023
Mr. Whisker sets up all sorts of stations inside the classroom and outside. His students are briefed on the rules of how to be kind and respectful to others as they move about the stations to play. At each station, the kids play and make observations as Mr. Whiskers stops by each to gather those observations into a big idea. Each station has a learning point about matter:
- Everything around us is matter.
- Matter takes up space.
- We can find out about matter by using our senses.
- Matter can come in different forms.
- Matter can change from one form to another.
- All matter has weight.
- Objects float in water if they are less dense than the water.
- Some matter dissolves other matter.
Reading this book felt like I was really walking through Mr. Whisker's class. The illustrations are fun and learning points are clear.
- Everything around us is matter.
- Matter takes up space.
- We can find out about matter by using our senses.
- Matter can come in different forms.
- Matter can change from one form to another.
- All matter has weight.
- Objects float in water if they are less dense than the water.
- Some matter dissolves other matter.
Reading this book felt like I was really walking through Mr. Whisker's class. The illustrations are fun and learning points are clear.
Currently reading
January 20, 2022science kids story
July 27, 2023
This book is perfect for our 4th grade matter unit! The students will love it. I especially liked the recaps called “The Big Idea” at the end of each major concept.
April 2, 2012
This is such a great book for both teachers and students. It has a lot of information and it allows for students to see what kind of thinking is scientific thinking. It also provides great ideas and explanations for teachers to get a good sense for the topic of matter. I would also try to use the stations from the book as real centers in my class during science time!
Grades 3-5.
Grades 3-5.
November 21, 2008
By the cover, I thought this was going to be a book about, finding what was wrong with the room, kinda like a seek n find for maybe something out of place.
But on the inside, it is different. It is a science book, teaching about matter. What is matter? Matter is anything that takes up space.
But on the inside, it is different. It is a science book, teaching about matter. What is matter? Matter is anything that takes up space.
June 4, 2010
I love the recipes for making different types of matter--will be great summer fun with the kids!
April 6, 2015
Fantastic book that teaches kids all about matter by following a school room class conducting fun experiments it then give you all the information to conduct the same experiments at home.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews