Beginners Guide to Children’s Literature in Science
It is no mystery that children’s literature is essential for learning. Using those same books to introduce or teach science concepts is magical. Research suggests reading to a child of any age influences fluency and language development.
What are Picture Books?
These are the books you think of when your children ask you to read them a story. Fun to read with fun illustrations. The illustrations define the books. Remember wanting to stare at the illustrations or sit close to the teacher so you could see. You were engaged. It held your attention compared to a boring nonfiction textbook.
Why Picture Books are important?
Research suggests reading to a child of any age influences fluency and language development. One of the best teachers I’ve ever known taught me to start with science and work backward. She based her Math and ELA on a science concept. Guess what? Her students were successful and thrived with few disruptions. It is widely accepted that once a child is in the upper grades, they are fully capable of reading a textbook and learning a concept. Not always. Picture books keep students engaged and thinking.
How to get started with Children’s Literature and Science.
Decide the topic of your unit and take a little trip to the library. Look for 3-5 books on the topic that will be a good fit. Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan have written a great series that use the 5E model lesson plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
The last thing you need to know about using Picture Books in Science
Facing the demands of teaching literacy in elementary school, using picture books will embed the skills of science.
“If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.” – Roald Dahl
