Fictional Stories in Science
Using Fictional Stories as a Pathway to Science Content
Rain, Rain, Rain: Three Multicultural Books About Rain
I know, instead of rain, rain, rain, it should be snow, snow, snow (at least it is in my part of the country), but in an earlier post I mentioned how I had learned about a few multicultural fictional stories that feature rain…here are three of them. Used together or separate, these stories are a great way to engage students in a discussion about rain! What do they already know? What new learning can be explored?
Also, please point out that these books are written by multicultural authors…this is just as important to make known, discuss, and honor, with students, along with the multicultural characters.
“Rain Feet” by Angela Johnson
“Rain Feet” is a great multicultural board book about a young boy enjoying the rain, explored through simple text and happy images. Many of the illustrations have movement to go along with the use of verbs and onomatopoeia, like Splash! My favorite picture is one the last page, where his is looking up, perhaps at a parent, perhaps at the reader–there is something warm and connecting about that image.
One wondering on my mind as I read was about the yellow rain jackets. It would be a good question to ask the students…why are so many featured as yellow?
“Who Likes the Rain?” by Wong Herbert Yee
This book was such a happy surprise. I love it! And there is so much to love: the rhyme, the onomatopoeia, the way it is written–engaging with anticipation, and great word choice…it is just so clever! This would make a great read aloud or an independent read (like for a center–with some follow-up writing). The predicted text supports young readers (and the rhyme helps to build fluency).
“Umbrella” by Taro Yashima
This is a story about a young Japanese girl’s excitement about the two gifts she received on her third birthday. A pair of red rubber boots and an umbrella! She couldn’t wait to use the umbrella…unfortunately it was summer. Momo comes up with clever ways to convince her parents that she needs the umbrella, but alas she has to wait until it rains…and it soon does.
Fictional Stories in Science 