An edition of a book specifically intended for the use of students who are enrolled in a course of study.
Two interesting things about the science textbook used at Lertlah School is, 1) that it is divided in two -- a "student book" (which is the actual textbook) and a workbook; and 2) that the content is aimed for Thai students.
It is mandatory that we use the textbooks, because the students' parents paid a hefty amount for them. The student book does a good job in covering the main science topics -- heredity, extinction, endangered animals, and habitats and ecosystems, for this semester -- by examining the basics and expanding on details when necessary.
As an example, the unit on heredity discusses traits and genes as the basic concepts. It points out family resemblances and inheritances of traits from parents. It then gives examples of traits that are passed on in human beings. It then discusses genes as part of cells that contain information about the traits, and that half come from the mother and half from the father. It goes on to detail why identical twins look alike, and why siblings look different.
Though the content is aimed for Thais content-wise (exemplified by the discussion on the endangerement of elephants and the Gurney's Pitta, a type of bird, in Thailand), the written words are definitely challenging. Both for the students to comprehend, and for me, as teacher, to relay.
I suppose it will always be challenging explaining to young, non-English speaking kids concepts like genes or heredity, but that challenge is further magnified by the communication issues as well.
The workbook is an effective tool, because the questions link closely to the student book. Like a good worksheet, it allows students to grasp what was just previously learned.
I use the textbook extensively in my classroom, however, to give students a more complete idea of the science concepts, I have done more than just teach out of it by introducing activities from other sources.
"Teachers are expected to reach unattainable goals with inadequate tools. The miracle is that at times they accomplish this impossible task."
- Haim G. Ginott
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