Activities to reinforce children's literature

The article reviews two children's nonfiction books about seasons on Earth, then provides detailed, comprehensive, and excellent instructions for activities to guide children through the boo... See More

The article reviews two children's nonfiction books about seasons on Earth, then provides detailed, comprehensive, and excellent instructions for activities to guide children through the books. The activities reinforce the science concepts found in the books, using a hands-on, inquiry focus. The age-appropriate, interesting activities would be enjoyed by the children, and create artifacts they can keep and refer to as they get older. One book is aimed at younger children (grades 1 - 3), but both could be used effectively in any elementary grade.

Learning About Seasons

Teaching students about the seasons continues to be a challenge. Newer research suggests that we wait until students are older before we attempt to teach this concept. Having said that, I fo... See More

Teaching students about the seasons continues to be a challenge. Newer research suggests that we wait until students are older before we attempt to teach this concept. Having said that, I found the suggested activities are an appropriate intrduction to this very complicated concept. I like the idea of students measuring shadows at different times of the year. They will begin to notice some differences and hopefully start them thinking and questioning. After discussion, I would read the book! Artic Lights, Artic Night is a great book...an Outstanding Science Trade Book!!

Using Trade Books to Teach Earth/Space Science

This short article focuses on two trade books, "Sunshine Makes the Seasons" and "Arctic Lights, Arctic Nights" and discusses how these trade books can be effectively used with elementary sch... See More

This short article focuses on two trade books, "Sunshine Makes the Seasons" and "Arctic Lights, Arctic Nights" and discusses how these trade books can be effectively used with elementary school aged students to increase their knowledge of the Sun and the reasons for the seasons. I found that this article fully described how these trade books can be obtained as well as offering concrete examples of instructional activities that a teacher would use, with the trade book, to instruct young children at a developmentally appropriate level.