You will develop a Google site focused on children’s literature for use in science across a single grade from K-6. The site will provide readers with an annotated bibliography of children’s books, digital resources, and teacher materials for teaching the topics associated with the grade level. Books selected must come from various genres and nonfiction types and span a range of reading levels. While most of the selected titles will be picture books, at least one will be a chapter book (fiction) for read-aloud or small group reading that includes science content.
Your science and stories website will contain the following components. Note that these components will appear as separate pages on your site.
Home Page – This is the landing page for your site. You should explain what can be found on the site and how to navigate it. Be sure to indicate the grade level on this page or in the header or title for your site. You should also provide basic author information.
Overview – Using the Standards of Learning as a guide, provide an overview of the main topics taught in this grade level. (You will find the introductory paragraph in the standards helpful here.) Include a copy of the standards and the curriculum framework information. You can include these as linked files.
Books by Category (Will include 4 pages) – Create one page for each of the following areas. The strands these are drawn from are in parenthesis:
- Scientific and Engineering Practices (Scientific and Engineering Practices)
- Earth and Space Science (Earth and Space Systems; Earth Resources)
- Life Science (Living Systems and Processes)
- Physical Science (Force, Motion, and Energy; Matter)
You will find a list of topics that should be addressed in each grade in the file Science Topics by Grade.
See the page Annotated Bibliography Entries for information on the content and format of your entries.
Science Read-Aloud – You will read one chapter book (fiction) with science content. This page will include an audio or video book talk and narrative outlining the connections to science and suggestions for using the book in the classroom. Find a list of suggested titles.
See the Science Read-Aloud Entry for information on the content and format of this page.
Digital Resources – Provide at least 5 digital resources (videos, websites, or apps) you feel are “MUST USE” resources for this grade level. (Do NOT select subscription resources that require paid accounts, such as BrainPop.) Each entry must include:
- a screenshot
- a link to the resource
- a reference in APA format
- a brief summary (annotation) written in your own words
- a suggestion regarding how the resource might be used
- an SOL connection.
Teacher Resources – Provide an annotated list of at least 5 resources (books and/or digital resources) that will not be used with students but rather will provide teachers with background information, scientific explanations, and/or instructional ideas. Follow the appropriate annotation format for each entry.