The late Seefeldt (Institute for Child Study, U. of Maryland, College Park), Galper, an educational consultant, and Jones (Florida State U.) help pre-service and in-service early childhood teachers plan and implement thematic science investigations to help children learn science by actively doing it. They describe how to create a curriculum that will engage children to ask questions, investigate, pose challenges, solve problems, make discoveries, and enhance and extend their understanding of concepts. They address the theoretical background, indoor and outdoor learning environments, the teacher's role, building connections to home and community, and content, methodology, and teaching strategies, followed by thematic examples. This edition has been expanded to include references to recent reports from the National Academies, new photos and sample letters, updated and expanded book lists for children and adults, new activities, and a new chapter on engaging children with the natural world. Pages are perforated and three-hole punched. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)