Unfortunately there are not many stories for teachers to read relating to motion, but there are a few out there. In the Spin of Things would be one of those few books. Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Karen Dugan once again have gotten together to create a book of poems to get kids interested in the concept of motion.
The book consists of twenty-three poems about different objects and the movements they make. From a rubber band to waterfalls, In the Spin of Things covers a wide variety of objects that have some type of motion, providing the perfect opportunity for teachers to connect their science lesson to the world. Good imagery fills every poem, such as in part of the following poem, Jump Rope.
"Swings up,
whirls around,
brushes ground
beneath quick feet."
Since some of Dotlich’s poems pertain to simple everyday items, teachers can actually demonstrate what these poems are talking about to their students after they finish reading it. But by also writing poems about larger, not so everyday items, Dotlich opens students’ eyes to the much larger scale of motion as well. While Dotlich provides great work in her poems, Dugan contributes to an even better enjoyment of the poems with her wonderful illustrations. The bright colors on every page that correlate with each poem provide even more enjoyment for the students, and what can be better than getting students to start off liking a subject?
Curriculum Connections
It is difficult to find a book that focuses on presenting the lessons of motion to children in more ways than just an explanation or activity. Dotlich and Dugan did an excellent job of presenting this difficult lesson with a fun new approach, while also opening students up to more poetry, covering both science and some English at once! For Virginia first grade teachers, this book provides a great introduction to fulfilling the Science SOL 1.2, dealing with different kinds of motion created by different objects. Teachers can also take this opportunity to discuss poems with their students, perhaps even having them write their own poems incorporating moving objects in the classroom.
Additional Resources
- The Magic School Bus-Plays Ball is a good movie that presents the concept of motion to kids in an easy and interesting way.
- Several ideas for activities are included in this ten day lesson plan on motion.
Book: In the Spin of Things
Author: Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Illustrator: Karen Dugan
Publisher: Wordsong
Publication Date: 2003
Pages: 32 pages
Grades: K-3
ISBN: 1-56397-145-3