{"id":1680,"date":"2009-09-08T01:51:57","date_gmt":"2009-09-08T06:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/archives\/1680"},"modified":"2009-09-08T01:51:57","modified_gmt":"2009-09-08T06:51:57","slug":"teaching-physical-science-with-childrens-literature-i-fall-down-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/2009\/09\/08\/teaching-physical-science-with-childrens-literature-i-fall-down-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: I Fall Down"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ifalldown2.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I Fall Down<\/a>, written by\u00a0 Vicki Cobb and illustrated by Julia Gorton, is an interactive picture book that\u00a0allows students to make important discoveries about the force of gravity. Throughout the book, students are asked to perform various tasks as they read, helping them to retain information\u00a0both through\u00a0literature and experimentation.<\/p>\n

I Fall Down<\/em> introduces the concept of gravity by encouraging students to observe what occurs when different objects fall. Where do they go? They always fall down! Whether it is a “spoonfool of molasses” dripping into a jar or a little boy who trips on the playground, all objects fall down. After explaining this phenomenon as being merely the ever-present force of gravity, the book then expands upon the concept of gravity by showing that gravity pulls objects at the same speed. If an apple and a paper clip\u00a0are dropped at the same time, they both reach the ground at the same time. Scientific concepts that are often unrecognized though strongly affect our everyday lives are explored in this book. Students will more easily retain this information through the experimentation and real life connections that\u00a0it provides.<\/p>\n

Curriculum Connections<\/strong>
\nThis would be a great book for first grade students learning about force and motion. Gravity can be introduced as an example of a naturally occuring force that is everpresent within our daily lives.<\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n