Middle Grades General Science 5 to 9

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Annotated Bibliography

The annotated bibliography that follows includes basic references that you may find useful in preparing for the exam. Each resource is linked to the competencies and skills found in Section 3 of this guide.

This bibliography is representative of the most important and most comprehensive texts as reflected in the competencies and skills. The Florida Department of Education does not endorse these references as the only appropriate sources for review; many comparable texts currently used in teacher preparation programs also cover the competencies and skills that are tested on the exam.

  1. Albin, E. F., & Chamberlain, F. (2004). Earth science made simple. New York: Broadway Books.

    Breaks the discipline of Earth science into four major areas: geology, oceanography, meteorology, and planetary science. Includes interactive experiments and a glossary. Useful for review of competency 4.

  2. American Association for the Advancement of Science. (1993). Benchmarks for science literacy. Washington, DC: AAAS. [Online].

    Focusing on the understanding and interconnection of key concepts rather than rote memorization of terms and isolated facts, Benchmarks advocates building a lasting understanding of science and related fields. Applicable chapters include The Nature of Science, The Nature of Mathematics, The Nature of Technology, The Designed World, Historical Perspectives, and Habits of Mind. Useful for review of competency 9.

  3. Audesirk, T., Audesirk, G., & Byers, B. E. (2009). Life on Earth (5th ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.

    Introduces biology through real-world applications and expanded human-interest case studies. Includes extensive coverage of environmental biology and ecology. Useful for review of competencies 6 and 7.

  4. Bailer, J., Ramig, J. E., & Ramsey, J. M. (2006). Teaching science process skills. Grand Rapids, MI: Frank Schaffer/School Specialty Publishing.

    Provides high-interest inquiry-based experiments to develop important science process skills such as observing, hypothesizing, predicting, inferring, and investigating. Includes teacher notes for every activity as well as forms and guidelines for independent student lab work. Useful for review of competency 9.

  5. Baker, J. (2007). 50 physics ideas you really need to know. London: Quercus.

    Includes concise overviews of important ideas that form the basis of classical and modern physics. Useful for review of competencies 2 and 3.

  6. Bell, R. L., Gess-Newsome, J., Luft, J. (2007). Technology in the secondary science classroom. National Science Teachers Association.

    Presents intriguing new concepts for technology-based teaching strategies that help students learn science concepts. Each chapter includes a summary of current research on the technology’s effectiveness in the classroom. Useful for review of competency 8.

  7. Brown, T. E., LeMay, H. E., Jr., Bursten, B. E., Murphy, C., & Woodward, P. (2009). Chemistry: The central science (11th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Uses innovative pedagogy, functional problem solving, and visuals to teach concepts and skills. Provides comprehensive, accurate, and current examples and exercises. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 3.

  8. Bybee, R. W., Powell, J. C., & Trowbridge, L. W. (2008). Teaching secondary school science: Strategies for developing scientific literacy (9th ed.). Boston: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.

    Offers guidance and strategies for teaching physical, biological, and Earth science courses for middle school, junior high, and high school. Useful for review of competencies 8 and 9.

  9. Campbell, N. A., & Reece, J. B. (2005). Biology (7th ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.

    A comprehensive resource and review text. Each chapter is structured around five or six big ideas. Figures focus on the experimental process and illustrate important techniques in biology. Useful for review of competencies 6 and 7.

  10. Chang, R. (2009). Chemistry (10th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

    Balances theory and application by incorporating examples and helping students visualize three-dimensional atomic and molecular structures. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 3.

  11. Davis, R. E. (2006). Modern chemistry. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.

    Lessons designed to help students recognize the relationship between chemical principles and their real-world importance. Illustrates and expands on chemical concepts that may be difficult to understand or that are not easily visualized. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 3.

  12. Dobson, K., Holman, J., & Roberts, M. (2006). Holt science spectrum: Physical science. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.

    Provides an integrated high school introductory physical science program. Brings together chemistry, physics, Earth science, space science, and mathematics through the use of a complete lab strand, cross-disciplinary connections, and thorough review. Useful for review of competencies 1 to 5.

  13. Florida Department of Education, Division of K to 12 Public Schools, Bureau of Instruction and Innovation, Curriculum Support Section. Science laboratory safety support information. [Online].

    Intended to help educators and students identify and examine science classrooms and chemical storage areas and make them as safe as possible. Based on State Board of Education Rules, Florida law, and criteria established by members of the Florida Association of Science Supervisors. Useful for review of competency 8.

  14. Florida Department of Education, Sunshine State Standards. [Online].

    This site is the home of the approved new Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. Useful for review of competencies 1 to 7 and 9.

  15. Ford, B. A., & Smith, P. S. (2000). Project Earth science: Physical oceanography. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press.

    Aims to provide an understanding of the properties that make water unique, so students will get a global view of the marine environment, including the impact of human activities on the oceans. Useful for review of competencies 4 and 7.

  16. Freeman, S. (2005). Biological science (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.

    Uses evolutionary analysis and molecular biology as unifying themes. Covers topics organized under the following general headings: the origin and early evolution of life, cell functions, gene structure and expression, developmental biology, evolutionary patterns and processes, the diversification of life, how plants work, how animals work, and ecology. Useful for review of competencies 6 and 7.

  17. Gallagher, J. J., (2007). Teaching science for understanding: A practical guide for middle and high school teachers. Boston: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.

    Based on formal research and on experiences of teachers who have been successful in transforming their classrooms to environments where students learn to understand science and apply it in their own lives. Useful for review of competencies 8 and 9.

  18. Hartman, H. J., & Glasgow, N. A. (2002). Tips for the science teacher: Research-based strategies to help students learn. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

    Explores all facets of a scientific instructional program, including emotional and social aspects of science learning, use of technology and assessments in the classroom, development of students' critical thinking and learning skills, and informal science learning. Useful for review of competencies 8 and 9.

  19. Heiserman, D. L. (1992). Exploring chemical elements and their compounds. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Books.

    Explains the chemical elements and their properties. Provides historical Information on how each element was discovered. Includes material on the different isotopes of the elements and their chemical compounds. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 9.

  20. Hewitt, P. G. (2009). Conceptual physics (10th ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley.

    Uses analogies and imagery from real-world situations to build a strong conceptual understanding of physical principles ranging from classical mechanics to modern physics. Builds a conceptual framework for the equations and formulas of physics. Useful for review of competencies 2 and 3.

  21. Hewitt, P. G., Suchocki, J., & Hewitt, L. A. (2008). Conceptual physical science (4th ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley.

    Provides a conceptual overview of basic, essential topics in physics, chemistry, Earth science, and astronomy with optional quantitative analyses. Useful for review of competencies 1 to 5.

  22. Kwan, T., & Texley, J. (2003). Inquiring safely: A guide for middle school teachers. Washington, DC: National Science Teachers Association.

    Resource from experienced teachers who know both middle school science content and how middle school students behave. Discusses safety concepts in the context of real classrooms and how to teach students to be partners in safety within an inquiry-based science curriculum. Emphasizes a preventive approach to potential hazards. Useful for review of competency 8.

  23. Lutgens, F. K., Tarbuck, E. J., & Tasa, D. (2008). Foundations of Earth science (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Emphasizes broad, up-to-date coverage of basic topics and principles in geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. Useful for review of competencies 4 and 5.

  24. Marvel, K. (2004). Astronomy made simple. New York: Broadway Books.

    Provides a complete overview of space science, including current types of telescopes. Useful for review of competency 5.

  25. Miller, K. R., & Levine, J. S. (2006). Biology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Provides an introduction to all aspects of biology. Follows the National Science Education Standards. Useful for review of competencies 6 and 7.

  26. Rezba, R. J., Sprague, C. R., Fiel, R. L., Matkins, J. J., & McDonnough, J. T. (2007). Learning and assessing science process skills. (5th ed.). Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.

    Contains information about standards alignment and technology. Also contains self-assessment questions, classroom scenarios, and ideas for the classroom. Useful for review of competencies 8 and 9.

  27. Tarbuck, E., Lutgens, F., & Tasa, D. (2009). Earth science (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Offers an overview of the physical environment with balanced, current coverage of geology, oceanography, astronomy, and meteorology. Useful for review of competencies 4 and 5.

  28. Trujillo, A. P., & Thurman, H. V. (2008). Essentials of oceanography (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Presents in-depth discussions of oceanographic concepts. Employs a systems approach that highlights the interdisciplinary relationship that exists between oceanographic phenomena and other Earth systems. Scientific information from geology, chemistry, physics, and biology is incorporated to illustrate how each of these disciplines relates to the ocean. Useful for review of competencies 4 and 7.

  29. Victor, E., Kellough, R. D., & Tai, R. H. (2008). Science K–8: An integrated approach (11th ed.). Boston: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.

    Based on the premise that integrated learning by inquiry is the cornerstone of effective science teaching. Focuses on the four developmental components of both teaching and learning—why, what, how, and how well. Useful for review of competencies 1 to 9.

  30. Wright, R. T. (2008). Environmental science: Toward a sustainable future (10th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Presents a full spectrum of views and information to enable students to evaluate issues and make informed decisions. This book contains a comprehensive table of contents. Useful for review of competencies 4, 6, 7, and 9.

  31. Wysession, M., Frank, D., & Yancopoulos, S. (2009). Physical science: Concepts in action. Needham, MA: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Helps students make connections between classroom science and daily life. Includes overview of physics, chemistry, Earth and space science explorations and activities to expand students' understanding of science. Useful for review of competencies 1 to 5 and 9.

 

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