Jenny VanDaele-Coury
LISD
MI

Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons, K–2: Using Children’s Books to Inspire STEM Learning

Thu, Apr 13, 2017 10:35 AM
It's OK

We were so excited to receive this book. We've been working with a group of kindergarten teachers in using the outdoor space as their classroom and making connections with 3 dimensional science learning. This book arrived, and while some of the lessons seemed highly engaging and provided opportunity for deeper learning, others did not. One lesson we had hoped to use with this called for making an observation and measurement, things that we are already doing but without the fancy paper copies. There were other ideas in the book that went further than this or made meaningful connections, but across the book they were not of equal quality.

Science Learning in the Early Years: Activities for PreK-2

Thu, Apr 13, 2017 10:29 AM
loaded with activities

This book truly is loaded with activities that you can use with your early elementary students. It is packed full of them. However, if you've been doing this awhile, you'll see a lot of things that you may already be doing. It would be a perfect resource for somebody just getting started or somebody looking to build on their foundation.

Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers: Using Nonfiction to Promote Science Literacy, Grades 3–5

Thu, Apr 13, 2017 10:27 AM
excellence resource

Everyone should have access to the information in this book. I was impressed with the different research that was brought together to show the value in bringing science and literacy together, as well as the importance of doing it in a specific manner. There was also in depth conversation about the use of inquiry and what it means within the classroom. If this isn't enough for you, the authors bring together lessons that teachers can use within their classrooms. They bring together text sets and science learning, which are then brought together through meaningful applications. This book is loaded with helpful information for the upper elementary teacher.