Fictional Stories in Science
Using Fictional Stories as a Pathway to Science Content
2024: What’s Your Story?
Hello Everyone! Happy 2024!
It has been awhile since my last post, but I know no one is counting (I hope), and this is a grace filled space… because it is my space. ❤️
Recently I read this book, “This is NOT My Story”, by Ryan Uytdewilligen:
And I thought…hmm…is this my 2023 summary??? 😯
Yes and also no.
2023 was a year of a major accomplishment (First Time Homebuyer 🏡), new city explorations, and lots of movies. It was also a year of trying again and again, some loneliness, and feeling a bit lost. 😕
Hence the book connection. I “tried on” so many things in 2023 that “Nope” almost became my 2024 word. (Ha!)
But “trying on” is one of the ways to find yourself and your story. Just like this engaging picture book by Ryan Uytdewilligen and illustrated by David Huyck.
And what a great message and discussion for kids and the classroom! 📚👏🏽
As a HUGE teacher bonus, you also get to explore the genres, making this book also a reference book! 🎉
Another WIN are all the story starters for writing time! 📝
And the ending leaves you wondering and wonder is magic! 🥰
So I will add all my 2023 “try ons” in the win category and celebrate the learning in the journey.
Happy Reading!
–Kalynda
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Joy at the Library in Blackfoot, Idaho
It is my birthday this week and I have many day trips planned. Yesterday’s day trip took me to Blackfoot, Idaho–home to the Potato Museum, beautiful murals, and one of the happiest librarians I have ever met!
Located in downtown Blackfoot, the library has been providing books to the area since 1915. Their new home was dedicated in August 1988 near its historic start.
Immediately, I was drawn in by the library’s:
- Drive through window with a twinkle light border
- Active community board and services
- Placement of the bookshelves–open, inviting, and not too tall, so you are able to see the whole space
- Colorful spaces and decor
- Full cover displays of magazines–an opportunity I wished all genres had the space to do
Upon entering the children’s section I was greeted with warmth by the library director. I complimented the arrangement and display of the library as a whole, especially the children’s section, and she beamed! This made my heart so happy! She clearly loved what she does and had that bubbly/excited disposition of someone who was brimming with ideas driven by passion.
When I commented on her love of her job, she shared that she started in high school and hasn’t left–she has always loved it! Wow! That’s amazing, and it is no wonder–what a fun job! Definitely one on my list!
Walking through the library, I spotted additional–“Oh, that’s clever” areas:
- Book Bundles in the children’s section for quick checkout–They hope to expand this to early chapter and young adult books soon
- Secluded computer area for focus and quiet
- Book Club bags ready to go for your next book club
My most favorite “Oh that’s clever” finds was the “Night at the Library” Surveillance Footage.
The library director shared that this was when the children were able to bring in their favorite stuffed animal for a night at the library. Then…the surveillance footage was able to catch the stuffed animals as they read, played, and got into a bit of trouble.
How Fun!
What a gem this public library is to the town of Blackfoot, Idaho, thanks to their librarians and their supportive community.
I walked away so inspired and lifted by not only the ideas shared, but also by the empowering energy of a person loving what they do and sharing that joy with the community.
May all of us find that path for ourselves!
Happy Inspiration!
-Kalynda
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March Calendar of Days and International Women’s Day
*Note: Links are Amazon affiliate links. Clinking on these links supports my work. Thank You!
Happy March 2022!
Jump to PDF: March Calendar of Days
As I write this, I am in beautiful Logan, Utah. ❤️
Even though we just had a few days in the 50s, it snowed ❄️last night, reminding us it is still winter. The cycle of wintery weather reminds of me of April Pulley Sayre’s book, “Best in Snow”.
March can be such an unpredictable month, especially in terms of weather ⛈️(speaking as a person who was raised in the Northwest). It is around this time I anxiously await spring. February in Southwest Idaho can be so cold, dark, and snowy (although this year it has been brighter and calmer).
As I await spring, I take enjoyment in all the celebrations that are in March. 👏🏽
I find these celebration of days a fun resource for the classroom, the home, and really any work environment.
Sometimes they act as a reminder. Sometimes they act as a way to honor. Sometimes they act as an invitation to create. Sometimes they act as an invitation to get together. Sometimes they act as a reminder to pause and reflect. Sometimes they are all the above.
March 2022 Calendar of Days
I created the above downloadable Calendar of Days for March 2022, as the first of many, I hope, and I plan to highlight books to read and share along the way. 📚
For the approaching week, we have:
- March 7th: Be Heard Day and Cereal Day
- March 8th: International Women’s Day
- March 9th: Get Over It Day
- March 10th: Pack Your Lunch Day
- March 11th: Johnny Appleseed Day
- March 12th: Working Moms Day and Plant a Seed Day
- March 13th: Earmuffs Day and Daylight Savings (for those areas that observe that seasonal time change)
As you prepare, be sure to checkout my post from a few years ago about International Women’s Day, where I give a shoutout to additional women featured in picture books, as well as my amazing mom! ❤️
Happy Reading! 📖
–Kalynda
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“Arithmechicks Add Up”
*Note: Links are Amazon affiliate links. Clinking on these links supports my work. Thank You!
One of my FAVORITE ways to discover new books is by strolling through the library shelves…especially when I am in a new-to-me library, which was the case for today’s amazing MATH STORY find! 😍
“Arithmechicks Add Up: A Math Story”
Written by Ann Marie Stephens (an elementary teacher!) and Illustrated by Jia Liu
Due to Jia Liu’s amazing illustrations, this book jumped off the shelf for me. I wondered…
- Would the fun engaging illustrations continue? YES, absolutely! ❤️
- Would it be a counting book instead? NOPE–it really demonstrates different approaches to addition…keep reading! ➕
- Would it go past adding to 10? Minus the one lonely mouse, all mathematical prompts do not exceed a sum of 10 🧮
- Would it incorporate everyday connections to the target age group? YES! The Arithmechicks engage in all sorts of recess/park fun (slides, swings, basketball, etc.) 🏀
- Would it incorporate other life lessons, extending the story past the mathematical connections? YES! Playing together, getting along, problem solving, and making new friends are additional heart happy features in the story. (additional…get it! lol) 😀
I seriously can’t wait to tell my friends all about this book! 🙋🏽♀️My elementary teacher friends and my friends with young children would all love it! 👩🏫 It does such a great job of introducing the many ways to put numbers into groups to get answers or sums!
AND the math play, the MATH FUN doesn’t end there! Finding this story (thank you public libraries!) introduced me to Ann Marie Stephens and her additional math stories:
- “Arithmechicks Take Away”
- “Arithmechicks Take a Calculation Vacation”
- “CATastrophe!: A Story of Patterns”
Such Happy Reading! 📚
Enjoy!
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“Best in Snow” –April Pulley Sayre
*Note: Links are Amazon affiliate links. Clinking on these links supports my work. Thank You!
Without looking at a calendar, how do you know winter is approaching?
- The clouds?
- The chill?
- The movement of the animals?
- The stillness?
Without the sights, sounds, and smells of the season, what would tell you winter is coming?
How do you know and feel winter is approaching?
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What are your experiences?
What are your student’s experiences?
To add to the collective knowledge within your home or classroom, author April Pulley Sayre, bring us “Best in Snow”.
Using real photographs, April Pulley Sayre poetically guides us into winter.
The author’s intentional use and placement of text gives space for the reader(s) to connect and to wonder.
I love this most of all!
Growing up in Idaho, I had memory connections page after page. My heart was absolutely delighted. I wanted to both pause and turn the page, eager to see what aspect of nature was beautifully photographed next, and yet stay forever in the current scene.
Oh and the “Sun Shines” two-page spread…LOVE!
What a treasure!
Big thank you to the author!
–Happy Reading & Happy Connecting YOUR story to the snow story in “Best in Snow”
Possible Home or Classroom Connections
- “I know it’s winter when…” board or writing prompt
- Wintery Words: compiled first from the students and then adding to their list the words from “Best in Snow”, and then adding more as you continue reading and exploring
- “I know it’s winter when…” Venn Diagram if you experience a different type of winter than what is shared in “Best in Snow”
- Digital (or physical) photos either connected to different phases of winter, specific vocabulary words, or specific scientific processes
- Dive deeper into the scientific story of snow.
- Note: I have found most meteorologists are quick to reply to scientific inquiries. Reach out to them. Learn more about snow’s story.
Fictional Stories in Science 