Monthly Archives: September 2009

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning

  Summary How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning by Rosalyn Schanzer is a creative and colorful biography of the life of Benjamin Franklin. As the story begins, Schanzer runs through all of the different inventions and innovations that Franklin created … Continue reading

Posted in biography, book review, physical science | Comments Off on Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning

Teaching Physical Science With Children’s Literature: My Light

Caldecott Honorary artist, Molly Bang, wrote and illustrated My Light to show the paths of energy on our earth. With her illustrations and use of the sun as the source of energy, she makes this subject quite accessible to elementary … Continue reading

Posted in book review, earth science, life science, physical science | Comments Off on Teaching Physical Science With Children’s Literature: My Light

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: Science Answers Forces and Motion From Push to Shove

Science Answers Froces and Motion From Push to Shove written by Christopher Cooper, illustrated by Jeff Edwards This book gives great explanations about force and motion, and students can relate to the modern day real life examples and photographs. Have your students ever … Continue reading

Posted in nonfiction, physical science, science | Comments Off on Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: Science Answers Forces and Motion From Push to Shove

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: Hot as an Ice Cube

Hot as an Ice Cube, by Philip Balestrino, is a children’s story that introduces physical science concepts through the use of  simple language and age- appropriate illustrations by Tomie de Paola. This short story explores real- life activities which involve heat … Continue reading

Posted in book review, physical science | Comments Off on Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: Hot as an Ice Cube

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: What Makes a Magnet?

  What makes a Magnet?, written by Franklyn M. Branley and illustrated by True Kelley, is an engaging and colorful book that clearly explains what a magnet is and how it works.  It also offers examples of simple, yet fun, classroom … Continue reading

Posted in book review, physical science | Comments Off on Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: What Makes a Magnet?

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: What Makes A Magnet

What Makes A Magnet written by Franklin M. Branley and illustrated by True Kelley explores the exciting world of magnets.  This whimsical book explains what a magnet is, what types of materials magnets are attracted to and how to make … Continue reading

Posted in book review, physical science | Comments Off on Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: What Makes A Magnet

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: What Happened?

What Happened? by Rozanne Lanczak Williams, is an excellent book that can be used to introduce students to the three states of matter using water. With bright, eye-catching illustrations by Gwen Connelly, and repetitive text, this book grabs the attention of children. What Happened? teaches children that water … Continue reading

Posted in book review, physical science | Comments Off on Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: What Happened?

Teaching Children’s Literature with Physical Science: Pull, Lift, and Lower: A Book About Pulleys

  If you are beginning to teach simple machines to your students, Michael Dahl’s book Pull, Lift, and Lower: A Book About Pulleys, is an easy to understand introduction to the way pulleys work. The illustrations by Denise Shea are … Continue reading

Posted in book review, physical science | Comments Off on Teaching Children’s Literature with Physical Science: Pull, Lift, and Lower: A Book About Pulleys

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature

Physics — Why Matter Matters by Dan Green is an engaging guide to deciphering the mysteries of physics.  Geared towards students in grades 2-6, this book introduces the elements of physics as wacky, cartoon-style characters, that are grouped in the following ways: … Continue reading

Posted in book review, physical science | Comments Off on Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature

Teaching Process Skills with Children’s Literature: How does it look? (Looking at Nature)

  How does it look? by Bobbie Kalman is a great resource to use when exploring the sense of sight.  The book offers an overview of several areas associated with sight including: the identification of shapes and colors (pages 4-5), … Continue reading

Posted in book review, nonfiction, process skills | Comments Off on Teaching Process Skills with Children’s Literature: How does it look? (Looking at Nature)