Welcome to our first Bookstore ENews Update. We invite you to visit our bookstore! You can do that (1) by driving to our location in Gray, Maine (Despite the town's name, the sun does shine here!) OR (2) just click your mouse and visit our Online Catalog. But first, you might be interested in what follows. We have included a helpful Resource Reviews section and a Resource Highlights section which spotlights a few of the books we carry. So please take a moment to scroll down this page.

Our bookstore and offices are located at 51 West Gray Road, Gray, ME.
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We would love to have you stop by. Our hours are 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Children are welcome, too! Our knowledgeable staff is here during business hours to answer your questions.

Stratton House: Home Science Adventures

These are two of the mini-courses available from Stratton House: Microscopic Explorations and The Wonders of Light. The first course can be used with students in grades 1 through 8 and the second with students in grades three through 8 (due to safety issues) with appropriate custom designing done by the parent using the Parent Guide. I was impressed with their answer to the common question'Should your child keep a science journal?' They say 'No, if you have a writing-intensive curriculum already, and need more emphasis on hands-on activities' and 'Yes, if you're looking for writing opportunities or if you need documentation to get lab credits, especially for older children.' I agree with the 'no' answer, especially when your child is worn out from all the writing and just wishes he could 'do science'.

Each unit comes with the necessary equipment. Microscopic Explorations: pocket microscope in a nifty protective cover, batteries, seeds, fabric samples, salt, sugar, pipettes, microscope slides, rubber bands, cork, protozoa mix, petri dishes, and forceps.

The Wonders of Light: wooden blocks, acrylic box, paper cups, magnifier, ruler, rainbow glasses, bubble solution, tape, mirrors, sticky tack, cards, penny, straws, beads, polarizing filters, glow-in-the-dark star shapes, and lightstick. Each also includes student worksheets and a thorough parent guide to help you teach the unit. Just reading the lists makes me want to stop everything and dive into the experiments! I appreciated the simple diagrams that accompanied some lessons and the direct instructions. Questions to discuss, lesson notes, and objectives to guide you in the reason for the lessons are presented well. The children will appreciate the opportunity to conduct further
explorations after they complete the initial lessons. This encourages budding scientists to apply their observational and investigative skills.

Stratton House believes in presenting affordable, interesting science units to parents and children. Parents and children have told me that they have fun exploring science with these materials. Parents are also pleased with the ease of presentation of scientific terminology and processes. Other kits available are Discovering Birds, Discovering Insects, Astronomy Adventures, Magnetism Adventures and two combination sets. If you are hunting for a program that comes with EVERYTHING you need, try Stratton House.

Reviewed by Shirley M.R. Minster, M.S.Ed.

Marine Biology is an Introduction to Ocean Ecosystems. The student book is a colorful softcover text loaded with colorful photographs. The text is very readable and provides excellent introductory material. Fourteen chapters cover: the living sea, coral reefs, islands, estuaries, shallow waterways, subtidal areas, sandy beaches, rocky shores, tide pools, kelp, the open ocean, the abyss, polar seas, and environmental ethics. Critical thinking questions embedded in the reading cause students to carefully consider the material presented, rather than memorize facts. Teachers guide and lab manual available separately. Student Text $37.50

Understanding Basic Ecological Concepts introduces high school students to current issues in ecology. This softcover text has thirteen chapters covering populations and homeostasis, communities and ecosystems, forests and wetlands, relationships in communities, nutrient cycles, succession, human ecology, global warming, automobiles, ozone loss, water, and solid waste. Investigations, laboratory exercises, and and activities encourage critical thinking. Answer key is included. 195 pages $25.00

Understanding Psychology by Paul R. Robbins is an excellent high school level introductory psychology text. Its 11 chapters cover a broad range of topics: history of psychology, methods of psychology, biology and behavior, mental processes, motivation, personality, human development, abnormal psychology, and psychotherapy. Also included are questions and activities, chapter tests, test answer key, and comprehensive reference list. $25.00

Top Shelf Forensics
This high school level softcover text will appeal to students interested in forensic science, law, and law enforcement. Topics covered include forensic science, the legal system, evidence in general, and hair, fiber, blood, glass, and soil evidence in detail. 22 labs, exploration activities, hypothetical cases, and extensive on-line resource list make this a fascinating hands-on study. Teaching notes and answer key are included. 145 pages $25.00

Top Shelf Anatomy and Physiology
Explore the mysteries and miracles of the human body! Covers all systems of the human body, including digestive, respiratory, circulatory, skeletal, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Examines the stages of physical, cognitive, and social development. Meets or exceeds National Science Standards. Helps students prepare for standardized testing. Teaching notes and answer key are included.178 pp. $25.00

Top Shelf Physics
Spark student interest in the laws of the physical world!Covers mechanics, properties of matter, heat, light, electricity and magnetism, and more. The text presents intriguing experiments and lab activities that ignite students’ interest. It helps prepare students for the challenges of standardized test-taking and meets the National Science Education Standards. Teaching notes and answer key included. 114 pp. $25.00