Fictional Stories in Science
Using Fictional Stories as a Pathway to Science Content
Tuesday Morning Reads for December 12, 2017
During my latest trip to the “new books” section of the library, I came across these books. 🙂
Sun and Moon, Folk Tales by Various Artists: As a paper crafter, I loved the texture of the pages and the beautiful artwork displayed in this book. I also enjoyed the theme of folk tales. I think folk tales are a great way to incorporate culture and cultural backgrounds into our class, and depending on the student, it can help explain some misconceptions that they might have. What I wished for in this book, however, was more story. Only a one sentence synopsis from various cultures was given.
Thank You Bees, by Toni Yuly: This is a great way to introduce PreK-1 to cause and effect, environmental interactions, and how we receive so much from plants and animals. With its simple text, it thanks key aspects of life, for example sheep for their wool, clouds for their rain, etc. Read through or read as a display of a page spread, this opens to door to classroom conversations and questions.
Wet by Carey Sookocheff: This book reminded me of an NSTA conference session I attended a few years ago. A couple of college professors, who taught the 100-level science courses, had students complete a survey that asked them to recall everyday science experiences, tapping into their five senses. They then used those stories in their lessons. Granted, the session and research behind it was more layered than that, but I was moved by the personal connection efforts they were taking, especially since they were bringing out the everyday and taking it deeper. This book is similar to that for elementary students, for getting wet or things that get wet, and what that looks like and feels like.
A Different Pond, by Bao Phi. Illustrated by Thi Bui: The story of a young boy, who gets up with his dad, to go fishing for the family, is a layered story. It is the story of a young refugee family trying to make it in a new country, in a new language. It is the story of juggling multiple jobs and the sacrifices that it demands. It is the story of family. It is also the story of experiences, that we as teachers, might not think are happening, or that we might not think students have as expertise. Similar to what I said about the “Wet” book, this book gets at experiences in a five senses way. The picture of the young boy holding the fish, takes me back to my own fishing experiences. 🙂
Fictional Stories in Science 