This textbook for elementary and middle school science teaching methods provides up to date approaches to making science real and understandable for young children. The need for different methods of assessment is discussed and illustrated clearly. The nature of young children's thinking and needs for hands-on learning is convincingly presented. I have not found a better book for explaining to pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and anyone providing home schooling, why children need to be taught science in a hands-on, minds-on approach.