The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary

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About The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary

Product Description Covering a wide variety of scientific fields, more than four thousand entries with definitions of basic scientific terms are accompanied by illustrations, "Did You Know" sidebars, and explanatory notes. From School Library Journal Grade 6-10-More than 4500 terms are accompanied by a plethora of visual and textual sidebars in this compact volume. Entry words are highlighted in color and defined in straightforward language; pronunciation guidelines are included. The definitions; the high-quality, full-color photographs; and the clean, labeled drawings will give students a clear interpretation of the scientific concepts addressed. In addition, there are 12 terms and concepts (including "Atom," "Fission," "Photosynthesis," and "Greenhouse Effect") discussed and illustrated in full- or half-page framed sidebars; 21 half-page biographies of scientists; and 105 terms in "Did You Know?" windows that expand on more succinct definitions. There are also eight useful tables and charts, from a "Brief Timeline of Computing" to "Taxonomy." "Word Histories" explain the origins of commonly used terms, and plentiful cross-references lead students to related definitions and sidebars. An up-to-date and appealing approach to scientific terminology. Tina Hudak, St. Bernard's School, Riverdale, MD Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Booklist This attractive volume was designed to help users in grades seven and up understand the important concepts of science. In an accessible manner that does not talk down to users, the 4,500 entries provide pronunciation, part of speech, and definition, with enough detail to explain the scientific meaning and relevance of each term. Entries may also include irregular plurals, run-ons, and other forms, and cross-references that direct the user to other entries for more information or for purposes of comparison. Although easy enough for a fifth-grader to use, the work provides more than just a simple definition of an elusive term. It also offers sidebars entitled "Did You Know?" which clarify 100 important terms, such as plate tectonics. In a conversational tone, these "Did You Know?" features challenge readers to use their observation skills or own experiences to understand the scientific concepts. "A Closer Look" examines a dozen topics in even more detail. For example, Leaf has a useful illustration that helps users understand (and see) the difference between monocotyledon and dicotyledon leaves. Additional boxed features called "Usage " and "Word History" also add to the user's understanding. (For example, the "Usage" box on infectious/communicable/contagious helps to clarify what the three terms mean in relation to each other.) Another welcome feature are the 300 biographical entries, which identify men and women from around the world who have made a contribution to science. These short entries include birth and death dates, nationality, and importance and often have a photograph or illustration. Some 20 individuals are treated in longer biography sidebars. The biographies would be especially helpful for small libraries that have a limited range of reference materials for children in science. More than 400 full-color illustrations and photographs as well as graphics, charts, and tables enhance the text. The typeface, the amount of white space, and the overall design of this work will appeal to students who might be intimidated by larger scientific dictionaries. Overall, this is an excellent addition to school and public libraries. RBBCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved About the Author The Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries and of other reference titles published by Houghton Mifflin Company are trained lexicographers with a varied array of interests and expertise. Most of the editors hold graduate degrees and have studied at least one foreign language. Several have degrees in linguistics or in the history of the English lang