Fictional Stories in Science
Using Fictional Stories as a Pathway to Science Content
Tuesday Morning Reads for January 23, 2018
The Water Hole by Graeme Base: At first glance this book appears to be a counting book, and it very much is, but it is also the effects of long periods between rain and the effects to the animal habitat. Granted the animals represented in this habitat, are in fact from many different habitats, the idea behind a shrinking resource is still there, ready for further discussion. An additional feature that I love is the texture the author gave the water hole, you can see and feel it getting smaller and smaller. I also absolutely love the artwork depicting a drop of water.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett. Illustrations by Ron Barrett: There are many different science connections and extensions you could make to this class favorite. Human/Environment interaction and how this may cause migration and the effects of those decisions. Studying weather, weather patterns, storms and storm response. Determining the fall of healthy or unhealthy foods, and the potential effects. Not to mention the fun of the tale, and the prompt of their own hopeful weather forecast.
Pickles to Pittsburgh by Judi Barrett. Illustrations by Ron Barrett: I like how this sequel focused on sharing abundance. Where is there abundance, where isn’t there abundance, and how do we all work together toward supporting needs…that can lead to a great PBL project. 🙂 It also can lead toward a discussion on the needs of living things. I also appreciate how inventive this series is. I think it is important to connection the creativity found within writing with the concept of invention found in science. It would have help my younger writing self, see myself as also having a science self.
Planet of the Pies: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3 by Judi Barrett. Illustrations by Isidre Monés: I enjoyed how this book of the “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” series featured a problem that the group had to collaborate and solve. I also loved how, to do this, they need to survey the area, take in observations, brainstorm, and then present solutions. These potential solutions lead them to the design, feedback and test phase, and in the end an attainable solution.
Fictional Stories in Science 