Teaching Life Science with Children’s Literature: The ABCs of Oceans

Posted on March 25, 2010 by openwidearchive

ABCs of Oceans

Summary:

“B is for Butterfly Fish, C is for Camouflage, D is for Dolphins.” The ABCs of Oceans by Bobbie Kalman is a half dictionary, half storybook that provides children and adults about the different types of animals and plants that thrive in the spectacular world beneath the ocean. I absolutely adore the ocean and with this book, myself and anybody else who picks it up will learn that there is a lot more beneath the ocean than people think. The book talks about common sea creatures like whales, dolphins, sharks and sea turtles but it also provides definitions and ocean facts as well. Who knew that such creatures as “Nudibranchs” and “Leafy Sea Dragons” actually existed? (“Nudibranchs are mollusks” and “The leafy sea dragon is a relative of sea horses.”) This book is an amazing 32 pages of facts about sea life and is the perfect book for any ocean lover to pick up and read.

Curriculum Connections:

This book provides young children with a lot of information about ocean animals but it also helps students understand relationships among plants and animals in an aquatic environment. The book talks about how some animals in the ocean are predators/consumers and how others are prey. But the book also does a phenomenal job in classifying ocean animals and plants as well. It talks about how animals are classified as things like cartilage fish, mollusks, mammals, plants, etc. It also provides students with a brief glance into parents, babies and offspring and how usually the offspring aren’t identical to their parents. Overall, the book provides lots of information about ocean animals and plants but it does so in a fun way that is enjoyable to learn (Virginia SOLs LS 4, 5, K.6, 1.5, 3.5 and 3.6)

Additional Resources:

Ocean ABCs:  This website will provide children with the opportunity to create their own ABC book of the oceans. Each student will contribute something different for one letter of the alphabet and the finished product will be a masterpiece.

Ocean Activities for Kids:  With this website, teachers and students will get the chance to construct numerous ocean animals using simple art materials. A fun and wonderful way to learn about what lies beneath the ocean.

Ocean Alphabet Pages:  These fun color printout pages are a must for children who enjoy coloring and are also a great learning tool for teachers to hand out to their students in order to provide a more interesting look at the glorious animals that dwell in the ocean.

General Information:

Book: The ABCs of Oceans

Author: Bobbie Kalman

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing

Publication Date: 2007

Pages: 32

Grade Range: K-2

ISBN: 0778734323

 

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Teaching Civics with Children’s Literature: A Very Important Day

Posted on March 24, 2010 by openwidearchive

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A Very Important Day, written by Maggie Herold and illustrated by Catherine Stock serves as an exceptional introduction to the naturalization process.  Two-hundred nineteen people from thirty-two counties around the world travel to the same courthouse downtown New York to be sworn in as citizens of the United States of America.  It was a very important day.  Family and friends of the individuals waiting to be sworn in fill the building as the judge begins the oath of citizenship.  Upon repeating the oath, the judge declares his congratulations and says to all two-hundred nineteen new citizens, “You are carrying on a tradition that dates back to the earliest days of our country, for almost all Americans have come from somewhere else; may citizenship enrich your lives as your lives enrich this country, welcome, we are glad to have you.”  They all recited the Pledge of Allegiance and some recieved symbols of this great land, small American flags.  It was a very important day.  Now, all can vote, serve on juries, compete for government jobs, and travel freely outside of the United States.

 Curriculum Connections

As a tool in the classroom, this book would work well as students can easily relate to the vivid imagery of other children from other countries playing in the snow, eating pancakes with mom and dad, and racing friends outside.  In this, American children can see that other children, no matter where they come from, are similiar to themselves.  There is only one temporary difference–their home lands.  This can all change through the process of naturalization, which students will learn about throughout the course of this book.  The child from Mexico, the child from Ghana, and the child from Russia, carrying diverse customs from around the globe, are naturalized as they come together to become citizens of this great nation (VA SOL 3.12).   

Additional Resources

A Very Important Day is designed to work hand-in-hand with the actual book, presenting a game for children to play matching citizenship terms to the correct definitions. 

This site, comprised of a unit’s worth of lesson plans and activities, is great for teachers to utilize and refer to when teaching citizenship. 

C is for Citizenship, as part of CongressforKids.com, is an informative tool for children to refer to when learning about civics.  It is subdivided into several kid friendly categories such as becoming a US citizen, how to be a good citizen, etc…   

Book: A Very Important Day
Author: Maggie Herold
Illustrator: Catherine Stock
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: August 14, 1995
Pages: 40
Grade Range: First-Third
ISBN:0-688-130658

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Teaching Life Science with Children’s Literature: Who Lives in An Alligator Hole?

Posted on March 24, 2010 by openwidearchive

Who Lives in an Alligator Hole

"What do you know about alligators?"  After reading the nonfiction picture book, Who Lives in an Alligator Hole? written by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell, readers will have learned facts about alligators, their history, wetland habitat, and their impact on the unique ecosystem they inhabit.  During the dry season in Florida’s wetlands, alligators create gator holes by digging in damp muck and thrashing about to shove the thick muck away.  “Soon a wide hole fills with water a few feet deep.  Then a lot starts to happen in the gator hole,”  as numerous species of animals are drawn to the watering hole. The author explains that scientists consider alligators to be a “keystone species” because of their importance to the other plants and animals in their habitat.  Next the author traces the dramatic impact that humans have had on the American Alligator who came close to extinction thirty years ago and what has been done to save them.  Today, “[t]he American alligator is one of the world’s most successful stories of a species saved from extinction just in time”.  Readers are asked to think of ways to save the Chinese alligator who continues to be endangered.  The illustrations are simple and work well to support the text.  The book ends with an activity designed to help students understand why other animals are dependent on the alligator hole for water and a page of “Gator Facts” that don’t fit elsewhere in the story.  This book is yet another successful introduction to basic science concepts from the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out About Science Series.

Curriculum Connections

Like most of the books in the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out About Science series, this book addresses several themes from the standard elementary science curriculum.  The book is best used to teach living systems and the interdependence of living organisms with their living and nonliving surroundings and the ways that habitats change over time (2.5, 3.5, and 4.5), particularly in water-related environments (3.6, 3.9, and 6.7d).  But the book can also be used to teach about the impact that natural events and human influences can have on a species or habitat (K.9a, 3.10a-b, and 6.9d).

Additional Resources

  • American Alligator – National Geographic Kids– This site includes a number of facts and supporting information about the American Alligator and its habitat, video footage of the reptile in his natural setting, and a map of the areas where he lives.
  • Endangered Species Program – Kids Can Help – This site for kids from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service includes a number of ideas for kids to help conserve rare, threatened and endangered species and their habitats.
  • Lesson Plan on Endangered Species – This lesson plan is a good extension activity to use when talking about the impact of human intervention on ecosystems and endangered species. It could even be adapted to the Chinese Alligator mentioned in the book.
  • Mini-Ecosystems Lesson Plan – This lesson plan is written with a third grade classroom in mind.  Students make small-scale environments and describe the interactions between living and nonliving things in their environments.

Book: Who Lives in an Alligator Hole?
Author: Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Lizzy Rockwell
Publisher: Collins
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 40
Grade Range: PreK-3
ISBN: 006445200X

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Teaching Civics with Children’s Literature: The Story of Ruby Bridges

Posted on March 24, 2010 by openwidearchive

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Introduction and Summary

The Story of Ruby Bridges, written by Robert Coles, is the true story of a little girl in New Orleans that became the first African-American student to attend Franz Elementary School in 1960.  When the parents of the other students in the school found out that Ruby was attending school too, they pulled all of their children out of class.  Every day an angry mob of people would stand outside of the school in protest and yell hateful things at Ruby.  Ruby was the only child in her class and her teacher realized that she wasn’t scared and she wanted to learn.  The Story of Ruby Bridges is bittersweet as she tries to bridge the gap of equality in the south by becoming the first African American child in an all-white school.

Curriculum Connections

This book is a wonderful story to introduce equality and respect for individual rights and freedoms (Virginia SOL Civics 3.12).  It would be great for students to read to learn about the principles of the civil rights movement and why it was such an important time in the history of our country.  Students could read The Story of Ruby Bridges and then write a reaction journal to how they would feel if an angry mob tried to scare them from coming to school everyday because their skin was a different color.  A great way to add in writing skills for language arts while learning about civics.

Additional Resources

  • Word Wall – An activity to make a word wall using the words from The Story of Ruby Bridges.
  • Video Clip – Video of The Story of Ruby Bridges as retold by a child.

General Information

Book:  The Story of Ruby Bridges
Author:  Robert Coles
Illustrator:  George Ford
Publisher:  Scholastic
Publication Date:  1995
Pages:  25
Grade Range:  1-3
ISBN:  978-0-439-59844-6

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Teaching Civics With Children’s Literature:

Posted on March 24, 2010 by openwidearchive

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“You must choose a president.  I hope that each of you will run.  Everyone can vote just once.  This job can be a lot of fun!”  In this entertaining book, the Beasties must elect a class president and each candidate presents their platform to their classmates. What a great way to introduce young students to civics.  The book also contains activities and a word list.

Curriculum Connections
This book is a great introductory level (K-1)  book to the topic of civics. By reading it , students will learn that “being a good citizen involves participating in decision making in the classroom”  (SOL K.8.f).  The class could hold a mock election after reading the book so the students would get to see the process of voting in action.  Math could be tied into the lesson my counting the votes.

Additional Resources

Citizenship City  is a PBS kids website containing 8 days of lesson plans and activities for teachers to use when teaching civics!

This website provides printable coloring book pages of US Presidents.

Video of School House Rock song “I’m Just a Bill”.   Lyrics are on this site

Book:  Vote for Me- All About Civics

Author:  Kirsten Hall

Illustrator:  Bev Luedecke

Publisher: Children’s Press

Publication Date: 2003

Pages: 31

Grade Range: K-1

ISBN: 016228978

 

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Teaching Civics with Children’s Literature: A Lesson for Martin Luther King, Jr.

Posted on March 24, 2010 by openwidearchive

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A Lesson for Martin Luther King, Jr, written by Denise Lewis Patrick and illustrated by Rodney S. Pate tells the story of young Martin as a second grader.  Martin returns home from his first day of school very excited.  He and his best friend Bobby were going to different schools and he wanted to share his excitement with him.  Throughout this short book, Martin is disappointed that Bobby doesn’t have time to play with him anymore.  Bobby finally explains to Martin that they can’t play anymore because Martin is colored and Bobby is white.  “Papa says colored and white can’t mix.”  Martin doesn’t understand and after his father tries to explain to him, Martin asks “Can’t I change the rules?  Can’t I change people’s minds?”  Martin’s father smiles and he answers “yes, you can.” The book ends with “I will try, Daddy,” Martin said.  “I will try.”

The last page includes a timeline of his life.

Curriculum Connections:

This book could be used to  introduce Martin Luther King, Jr to young students.  It could be used to explain to young students why we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr day (Va SOL K.1) as well as to help explain to students the contributions that he made that helped to improve the lives of other Americans (Va SOL 2.11 and 3.11 b)

Additional Resources:

Freedom, Freedom, Let It Ring is an easy song for your students to learn and is sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Writing Prompts for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day lists several ideas to get your students writing.

Martin Luther King, Jr: A Clothesline Timeline  is a fun lesson plan and activity used to depict the events in the life of MLK, Jr.

General Information:

Book: A Lesson for Martin Luther King, Jr.
Author: Denise Lewis Patrick
Illustrator: Rodney S. Pate
Publisher: Alladdin Paperbacks
Publication Date: 2003
Pages: 31
Grade Rabge: K-3
ISBN: 9780689853982

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Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: Secrets of Sound!

Posted on March 23, 2010 by openwidearchive

April Sayre's Book Secrets of Sound: Studying the Calls and Songs of Whales, Elephants, and Birds

“The satisfaction comes from knowing that I am constantly
in the world of discovery, where I am encouraged to use my
imagination, creativity, and intelligence for the purpose of
learning about life in all its incredible forms.” (pg. 23)

April Pulley Sayre, author and photographer of Secrets of sound: studying the calls and songs of whales, elephants, and birds,  has added  yet another exciting, informative book to the Scientists in the Field Series. Secrets of sound explores the work of acoustic biologists in three distinct habitats of whales, elephants, and birds.

Sayre introduces the reader to three scientists€”Christopher W. Clark, Katy Payne, and Bill Evans€”who have dedicated themselves to researching animal communication. This book reveals the scientists’ use of new technologies and secret military information to make exciting discoveries. In addition, Secrets of Sound demonstrates the role of scientific research in studying the calls and sound of animals and in preserving endangered animals. While celebrating the methods and challenges of lab and fieldwork, this book also highlights the satisfaction of results.

Curriculum Connections
Sound is one of the many topics within the field of Physical Science.  Secrets of Sound  takes the reader from Texas to Hawaii to Africa, revealing the scientific methods used in the work of three bioacousticians. The text can be a bit dense, but it is a great way to introduce the main ideas such as frequency, waves, wavelengths, and vibrations of animal sounds (5.2 a,c). The reader clearly views the process behind the observation and measurement of the data collected in all three studies (6.1 a,c,h). There are also various graphical representations included in the book (6.1 i). Additionally, the last page of the book includes a glossary of words such as “frequency,” “pitch,”and “hertz,” to name a few.

Additional Resources

  • Interactive Science Movie on Sound! In the movie, you'll find out how sound and ocean waves are similar, yet different, as you learn about different kinds of waves. See how air molecules, air pressure, pitch, and vibration all play a part in everything you hear. Plus, you'll be introduced to a cool mechanism designed to measure sound waves! Discover how fast sound can travel through mediums like air, water, and steel. And see how aquatic animals like whales use sound to communicate underwater!
  • Night-Migrating Bird Calls! Get instructions for building your own microphone! You can set up a night-flight call monitoring station at your home or at your school and then connect with others doing the same via the Oldbird Web site.

General Information

Book: Secrets of sound: studying the calls and songs of whales, elephants, and birds
Author & Photographer: April Pulley Sayre
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: 2002
Pages: 63
Grade Range: 5-6
ISBN: 0-618-01514-0

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Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids

Posted on March 23, 2010 by openwidearchive

isaac newtown

Summary
Kerrie Logan Hollihan has written a great book called Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids that introduces students to the brilliant life and works of the famous mind of Isaac Newton.  Many people know of Newton through the anecdote about the apple, or from his laws of motion, but as this book shows there was so much more to the man.  Starting with his parents, Hollihan lets us meet the real Isaac Newton, with all his flaws, and goes in depth about his discoveries in physics, astronomy, optics, and mathematics.  Best of all, this book matches the information with 21 activities that students can perform, all of which Newton did himself.

Curriculum Connections
While the book’s notes recommend it for ages 9-12, after reading it I would say that 11-14 is more appropriate. It would be a perfect tie in for investigating and understanding scientific principles and technological applications of work, force, and motion (PS.10).  It is also a great biographical text for students to understand one of the greatest thinkers in history.

Additional Resources

General Information

Book: Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities
Author: Kerrie Logan Hollihan
Illustrator: Laura D’Argo
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 131
Grade Range: 5-9
ISBN: 978-1556527784

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Teaching Civics with Children’s Literature: President’s Day

Posted on March 23, 2010 by openwidearchive

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President’s Day written by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell is a good book for teaching students about why we have a day dedicated to our former presidents and the contributions they made to our country.  It highlights the lives of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.  This book follows the activities of a class as they prepare for a school assembly about President’s Day and provides ideas for class projects about the subject.

Curriculum Connections
President’s Day provides insight into why George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were important to the development of America (2.11). This book also illustrates a classroom model of the voting process and how it works (2.10b).  President’s Day is very easy to read and does not have a large amount of text.  It can be used to reinforce the values on which our country was founded and provides insight into past struggles.

Additional Resources

Book: President’s Day
Author: Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Lizzy Rockwell
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 17
Grade Range: 1-3
ISBN: 0-06-050194-4

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Teaching Geography with Children’s Literature: We’re Riding on a Caravan

Posted on March 23, 2010 by openwidearchive

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We’re Riding on a Caravan is written by Laurie Krebs and illustrated by Helen Cann.  This book chronicles the journey a family makes along the silk road in China.  As the family travels from Xi’an to Kashgar over the course of a year they make many stops to trade in places such Lanzhou and Turpan.  Throughout their travels the family trades silk for the many items they are going to need to survive their passage on the silk road.  The final pages of the book provide the reader with a map of the silk road, a story about the origins of silk and brief history of the silk road.

Curriculum Connections
We’re Riding on a Caravan is a great book to teach students about how far people used to have to travel to get the goods they needed and desired.  This book can be used to reinforce a lesson about maps (K.4) and understanding the relationship between the environment and the culture of ancient China (2.4).  It can also be used has an opener to lessons about about American journeys similar to the silk road such as the Oregon trail.

Additional Resources 

  • The Silk Road Project this site offers some interactive curriculum and music from the silk road
  • Map of the Silk Road clear and easy to read map of the silk road.
  • Making silk this site offers a detailed description about the making and history of silk and how it has not changed for hundreds of years.

Book: We’re Riding on a Caravan
Author: Laurie Krebs
Illustrator: Helen Cann
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 28 pages
Grade Range: 1-3
ISBN: 1-84148-343-5

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