Books for K-5 Science Educators - TCH 257 - Science Methods - Guides at Milner Library, Illinois State University

TMC TEXT / TMC PRO

There are two areas in the Teaching Materials Center that have materials meant for educators when they are planning their lessons and units. These are TMC Pro and TMC Text. To see more detailed information on either section, select a link below to be auto-scrolled to that section of this page.

TMC Text - Textbooks
The textbook section includes predominantly teacher edition textbooks so that you can see curriculum and how classes could be taught. Learn how to browse elementary science textbooks and see recommendations.
TMC Pro - Professional Books
The TMC Pro section contains resources meant to give educators ideas on what to teach. This includes activities, lesson ideas, and teaching strategies. Learn how to browse all elementary science professional books as well as see some examples.

It's good to remember that the TMC is not the only place where you can find materials for elementary science.

The Q area on Floor 5 will have books for science and math teachers of all grades.
The L area on Floor 6 will have books on K-12 education in general.

TMC Text - Science Textbooks

When you are looking for TMC textbooks and curriculum, you may want to use the Milner Library catalog to search online for an elementary science textbook. It is easiest to search by call number.

Click here to be taken to a list of all elementary science TMC textbooks.

Because the science section begins at TMCText 500, it is also easy to browse these books in-person in the Teaching Materials Center. Elementary science textbooks have their own section.

There are two main textbook series for K-5 Science in the Teaching Materials Center. These are shown in the gallery below.

Textbooks in the Inspire Science Series are the most current. They are also aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Inspire Science (K-5 Textbook Series)

TMCText 500 MCG 2020

Teacher Edition

Science: A Closer Look (K-6 Textbook Series)

TMCText 500 M168h 2011

Teacher Edition

TMC PRO - Professional Books

You may be looking for TMC Pro materials with activity and lesson ideas. While there are some examples below, many more are available to you. You may want to use the Milner Library catalog to search online for an activity book. It is easiest to search by call number.

Click here to be taken to a list of all elementary science TMC Pro books.

Because the science section begins at TMC Pro 372.3, it is also easy to browse these books in-person in the Teaching Materials Center. However, elementary will be inter-shelved with middle level and high school.

Remember that there are also likely helpful science activity books in the Q and L sections within the general stacks!

One professional series that ties science to picture books is Picture-Perfect Science by NSTA.