This document provides directions for creating an ABC book about physical science terms for children. Students are asked to design a book with a cover and 26 pages, with each page featuring a term beginning with that letter of the alphabet along with a simple definition and illustration. The book should address core concepts in physical science like the states of matter, energy transformations, motion, forces, electricity, magnetism, and waves. Examples are provided of terms that could be defined for "A" like atom, and "C" like conductor.

1. ABC BOOK OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE TERMS
MAY 2012

2. STANDARDS
S8P1
Students will examine the scientific view of the nature of matter.
S8P2
Students will be familiar with the forms and transformations of energy.
S8P4
Students will explore the wave nature of sound and electromagnetic
radiation.
S8P3
Students will investigate relationship between force, mass, and the
motion of objects.
S8P5
Students will recognize characteristics of gravity, electricity, and
magnetism as major kinds of forces acting in nature

3. Essential Question
How many Physical Science terms can I define,
describe, explain and then and illustrate?

4. Background information
You are an author who has been asked to write an ABC
children’s book about physics.
As you create this ABC book you must address:
 Properties and states of Matter
 Kinetic and Potential Energy
 Energy transformations (e.g. chemical to mechanical energy)
 Motion
 Forces
 Work
 Machines
 Electricity
 Magnetism
 Waves (Electromagnetic and Sound)

5. Directions:
1. Put together a booklet with a cover and 28 pages.
2. Design your cover and include the title, An ABC Book of
Physical Science Terms.
3. The first page will be your title page and should include
such information as the name of your booklet, your
name, the publisher, the illustrator, period and the date.
4. On the second page, write the letter A, and think of the
many, varied and unusual words beginning with the letter
“A” that are associated with Physical science. Choose one
of the words you thought of and write it, create a drawing
to show you understand the meaning of the word and,
finally, write a definition for the word.
5. Complete the other 25 pages (1letter/page) in the same
manner.

6. Directions cont.
6. Put a back cover on the book so that the last letter page is not
exposed, creativity is permissible and required.
• You MAY NOT USE THE GLOSSARY OF THE TEXTBOOK.
• It’s important to use creativity in your drawings. (Computer
assistance is permitted but not required for the drawings)
• You must add color to give your book a more professional look
• Writing must be done in PEN, not pencil.
• The book must be bound by any method you would like.
• The project must be neatly done.
• Notebook pages will NOT be accepted.
EXAMPLES

7. Ais for Atom
The atom is a basic
unit of matter that
consists of a dense,
central nucleus
surrounded by a
cloud of negatively
charged electrons.

8. Cis for conductor
Conductors allow heat and
electricity to flow through
them easily. Metals are good
conductors of heat and
electricity.
The electrical wires in your
home are made of metal
because they carry the
electricity from the electrical
panel to the electrical outlets
throughout your home.
Pots and pans used for cooking
are made of metal because
they transfer heat from the
stove to the food you are
cooking.