Particular Concepts PK to Elementary Activities by Elsie Spry is a spiral-bound workbook with six physics experiments using particulates. It is the first half of a series of 12 experiments that are intended to be used from PK to college. For the purpose of this review, I will focus on the PK-Elementary activities only. While these experiments can be done with one or two children, the instructions refer to having enough materials for each individual in the class or small group. And although the title says it is a PK-elementary book, the first two activities are geared to grades PK-2, the third experiment is for grades 2-3, and the last three activities are for grades 3-6. While each activity is intended for those ages, Ms. Spry intends for the early activities to be done before the later activities, even with older children. The book is spiral bound with a 3-hole punch to allow placing it in a binder. Each individual activity is tabbed to assist you in turning to the desired activity quickly. There is also an appendix that includes the national science standards, recommended grade levels, a page to write notes, and a page to draw notes (both of these pages can be copied). Each activity has a clear objective, a list of materials, and procedures. There are also discussion/exploration questions and suggestions. None of the lessons are scripted, but there are notes to the teacher with additional information about the experiments and discussion questions. Also included is a Models and Construction manual with instructions on how to build the various Lego or Duplo models required throughout the activities.

These activities are not "open and go," as it is necessary to build some apparatuses for some of the activities using Duplo(TM) or similar blocks. The instructions are listed in the Models and Construction manual. The instructions are a list of steps followed by some diagrams. I found the instructions a little difficult to follow; however, Ms. Spry informed me that there will soon be videos on the website that show how to put the models together. At the time of this review, those videos have not been posted to her website, but I look forward to the coming videos, as I think they will make the instructions more clear and enable more people to access the activities. Ms. Spry also includes clip art to copy in the lesson manual, which is to be added to the apparatuses or as part of the activity to make it more fun. For example, there is an activity called "Particular Engine." There are clip-art images of wheels, a smokestack, cab, cowcatcher, and a train light to color and use to decorate the paper cup train that will be used in the activity.

The website, which is free to access, is also part of this program. On the Particular Concepts website, there are links to YouTube videos of the various activities to watch, ideas for science fair activities, and an activity to do at a party. Ms. Spry recommends watching the experiment videos with the children so they can see the experiment in action.

What child doesn't like to play with sand, grain, or beans? These activities are interesting, but be prepared with a broom or shop vac! While this is not an "open and go" type of lesson book, I believe it would be a fun accessory to a more complete physics curriculum.

Product review by Marisa Corless, MH, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, July 2011