Sagan, C (1997). The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. London, England: Headline Book Publishing.
Summary: This book explains in simple(r) terms the scientific method, and how to think skeptically and critically. Carl Sagan compares and contrasts scientifically sound findings with pseudoscience, along with how to distinguish between the two. Examples include him discussing his childhood and parents; to slavery where Bible passages were used to support the practice morally and legally in the Southern US; and people's beliefs in UFO's and alien abductions. His explanations are thorough, rich in description and eloquent, keeping reading interest high.
Reading Level:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.1, 3, 7
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.5
Next Generation Science Standards
HS-ESS1-5
HS-ESS2-2
Curriculum Suggestions:
Related Links:Tags: secondary, contemporary, STEM, nonfiction
Summary: This book explains in simple(r) terms the scientific method, and how to think skeptically and critically. Carl Sagan compares and contrasts scientifically sound findings with pseudoscience, along with how to distinguish between the two. Examples include him discussing his childhood and parents; to slavery where Bible passages were used to support the practice morally and legally in the Southern US; and people's beliefs in UFO's and alien abductions. His explanations are thorough, rich in description and eloquent, keeping reading interest high.
Reading Level:
- Quantitative: Lexile 1100
- Qualitative: Grade 11 / High. The complexity is moderately to very complex because of vocabulary, meaning, life experiences, and sentence structure. He covers themes of science vs pseudoscience / superstition, the promotion of skepticism, life and death, religion, man vs nature, and man vs. man. Sagan weaves through these themes within a personal narrative, so it feels like he's speaking to you, telling a story, and connecting science content between ideas. Vocabulary includes words such as solicitous and integers to explain a childhood story, to ontological in reference to life after death. His explanations are thorough and substantive in that sections may stand alone, allowing for the reader to read chapters out of order without compromising it's purpose or meaning.
- Content Area: English, Science
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.1, 3, 7
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.5
Next Generation Science Standards
HS-ESS1-5
HS-ESS2-2
Curriculum Suggestions:
- Students use the scientific process to explain something in their life they don't understand
- Students analyze newspaper, online or paper clippings containing ideas, concepts and arguments (i.e. Republican debates). Then they can check the accuracy of their statements and publish in an online forum.
Related Links:Tags: secondary, contemporary, STEM, nonfiction