The following is a list of recommended books, and videos that provide a wide range of reading and research resources for this unit. Collect as many as you can for your classroom science library, or provide the list to your school librarian.
The list below includes recommendations for books that introduce energy and issues related to energy.
By Peter Hepplewhite. (2003, Hodder & Stoughton)
This age-appropriate book covers many aspects of the Industrial Revolution including the factory system, education in factories and schools, the growth of industrial towns, and the effects of the industrial revolution on the world.
By Phyllis Pellman Good and Jerry Irwin. (2002, Good Books)
This book shows students how different their lives are from that of Amish children, who grow up without television, telephones, or computers.
By Raymond Bail. (1995, Houghton Mifflin Co.)
Through colorful photographs, students gain insights into Amish life, a way of life reminiscent of the way people lived in the 19 th century.
By Angela Royston. (2003, Heinemann Library)
This book for early elementary readers provides an introduction to conductors and insulators.
By Walter Kraul. (1995, Sagebrush Education Resources)
This gem of a book includes instructions for making a waterwheel, paddle-steamer, propeller plane, windmill, hot-air balloon and lots more. It may be tough to find, but the search is well worth it!
By Allan Fowler. (1998, Children’s Press)
This book for early elementary readers examines how energy from the sun provides us with light, heat, food, and other things necessary for life on Earth.
By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and Paul Meisel. (2002, Harper Trophy)
This book for early elementary readers uses familiar examples and a clear focus to introduce forms of energy.
By Larry White; illustrated by Laurie Hamilton. (1996, Milbrook Press Trade)
This grade-appropriate book provides students with experiments they can perform using everyday materials.
By Beverly A.P. Taylor and Terrific Science Press. (1998, McGraw-Hill Trade)
This out-of-print book, funded by the National Science Foundation, uses toys to make learning about energy fun.
By Sally Hewitt. (1998, Scholastic Library Publishing)
This book for early elementary readers introduces the concept of energy as found in food, the sun, wind, water, and other sources.
By Terry Jennings and Ronnie C. Tyler. (2000, Raintree Steck-Vaughn)
This age-appropriate book explores energy and provides students with insights into ways they can tell that energy exists in the world around them. Although this book is out of print, you may be able to find it in your local library.
By S. George Philander. (2000, Princeton University Press)
This reference book for teachers provides nice background information on the debate over global warming.
By Marc Tyler Nobleman and Hal Wallace. (2003, Capstone Press)
This book explains the history of the light bulb, how it works, and the various types of light bulbs used today.
By Barbara Shaw McKinney; illustrated by Chad Wallace. (2000, Dawn Publications)
Presented in poetic text, this book shows how organisms “pass energy” through an ecosystem.
By Robert Gardner. (2003, Enslow Publishers, Inc.)
This book provides students with a variety of ways to measure the transfer of heat energy in the world around them.
By Karen Donnelly. (2003, Rosen Publishing Group)
This book describes the causes of global warming, as well as information about El Nino, volcanoes, how global warming may affect wildlife and plants, and why temperature change matters.
By Joy Frisch. (2003, Smart Apple Media)
This book introduces temperature and how it is measured. It also addresses future environmental concerns such as global warming.
By Darlene Stille and Sheree Boyd. (2004, Picture Window Books)
This book provides students with an understanding of how a blanket keeps them warm.
By Bill Coleman. (2001, Chronicle Books)
This book takes students on a visual journey through the Pennsylvania Amish valley, a region largely untouched by tourists and the amenities of modern existence.
By Jane Burton and Kim Taylor. (1998, Gareth Stevens)
This book for upper elementary and middle school readers describes different kinds of energy, explores some properties of energy and gives information about some of the different forms of energy.
By Gretchen Woelfle. (1997, Chicago Review Press)
Focusing on the use of wind as a source of power, this age-appropriate book provides wonderful historical accounts of ancient windmills as well as information about the modern wind turbine.
By Laura Brooks. (2003, Metro Books)
A beautiful compilation of dramatic and intriguing views of windmills. Students can explore a windmill’s form, function, and style through diagrams and photographs.
The list below includes recommendations for books and videos for children to use as they study scientists and inventors.
By John Hudson Tiner. (2000, Bluewood Books)
This book for young adult readers showcases great men and women of science who significantly contributed to our understanding of the physical world around us.
By Lorraine Hopping Egan. (1999, Scholastic Professional Books)
This book provides students with activities to help them explore the history of inventors and inventions and develop scientific problem-solving skills.
By Margaret J. Anderson. (2001, Enslow Publishers, Inc.)
Offering details about Newton’s childhood and life, this age-appropriate book highlights his dedication to science and mathematics.
By Janice VanCleave . (2003, John Wiley & Sons)
This book profiles the lives and work of more than 25 important thinkers in astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics. Includes short biographies of the scientists, descriptions of their contributions to science, and simple experiments that reveal some of their most important discoveries.
By Stewart Ross. (2003, Raintree/SteckVaughn)
This age-appropriate book provides students with a glimpse into the life of Michael Faraday, the 19 th century scientist whose discoveries led to the invention of the electric generator.
By The New York Public Library and Jim Callan. (2001, John Wiley & Sons)
Fact-filled and fun, this book’s question-and-answer format lets children explore the discoveries of some of the world’s greatest scientists.
Produced by First Run Features; directed by Peter Fischli. (Released 2002)
Available in both DVD and VHS format, this 30-minute feature shows a variety of energy transfers in a chain reaction-like format including lightning and things dropping and rolling. A great enrichment film to support Lesson 9.
By Claire Price-Groff. (2003, Franklin Watts, Inc.)
This age-appropriate book provides a biography of Thomas Edison.
By David C. King. (1997, Discovery Enterprises Ltd.)
In this book, students can read parts of Thomas Edison’s own journal and lab notes, as well as perusing photos and critiques from his day.
By Bob Fowke. (2000, Hodder & Stoughton Children’s Division)
This guide describes 300 of the most famous and fascinating scientists and inventors from Ancient Greece to the 20 th century.
The books listed below offer information on inventions.
By Ian Berry. (2001, Distributed Art Publishers)
This book depicts how contemporary artists have used the ideas of Rube Goldberg in their depictions of mechanical devices and functions.
By Charlotte Foltz Jones & John O’Brien. (1994, Doubleday Books for Young Readers)
This book highlights inventions made by mistake including Silly Putty, trouser cuffs, popsicles, and insulin. An excellent book to have in the Science Center.
By Robert Carrow. (1997, Learning Triangle Press)
This out-of-print book encourages and fosters the spirit of invention by describing how to build a homemade motor, a hat with a fan in it, and a motorized shoe buffer.
By Maynard Frank Wolfe. (2000, Simon & Schuster)
A collection of Goldberg's inventions, comic strips, editorial cartoons, and sketches, as well as a biography of Goldberg, are presented in this book.
By E.L. Konigsburg. (1991, Atheneum)
This book for early elementary readers shows inventions that makes Samuel Todd’s day easier, such as Velcro®, a thermos bottle, training wheels, and mittens.
By Arlene Erlbach. (1999, Lerner Publications Company)
Profiles eleven inventors between the ages of eight and fourteen, describes the steps involved in inventing a new product, and discusses contests, patents, lawyers, and clubs.
By Ted VanCleave. (2001, Andrews McMeel Publishing)
Offers over 100 of the funniest patents ever made. Students will be amused as they read about the Diaper Alarm and the dog lover’s Ear Tubes.
By Robert Carrow. (1997, Learning Triangle Press)
This out-of-print book encourages the spirit of invention by describing how to build a wireless intercom, remote controlled room lighting, and a “dinner’s ready” light.
By A.E. Brown & H.A. Jeffcott. (1970, Dover Publications)
Features 60 of the wackiest inventions ever undertaken. Students will get a laugh out of the lip shaper, automatic saluting hat, and water splashing wakeup clocks.