Come together for thought provoking discussions & swapping of resources, experiences and ideas to engage students in STEM through literature and storytelling.
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Share your resources and experiences!
During the recent STEMTLnet Meetup, The Crosscutting Concepts: science, children’s literature, and beyond, and the Theme of the Month Panel, Connecting Mathematics and Science Through Literature and Storytelling, lots of resources were mentioned. Have you used any of these resources? What were your experiences? Do you have other resources you like to use? Please share!
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Curated Resources from the Theme of the Month on Storytelling
Christine Royce, Trena Wilkerson, Amy Alznauer, Latrenda Knighten, and David Barnes curated a great list of resources during their Theme of the Month, Connecting Mathematics and Science Through Literature and Storytelling. Be sure to check it out: https://stemtlnet.org/resources/connecting-mathematics-and-science-through-literature-and-storytelling-related-resource
In reply to Curated Resources from the Theme of the Month on Storytelling by Kimberly Descoteaux
Any other ideas?
Thanks, Kim for sharing the resources again. I think it's safe to say that we ALL would love to hear about your ideas and other books that you utilize to teach STEM topics with children's literature. I find that there are so many books out there that we never see until someone says "hey have you seen or heard about...." -- and then I need to go purchase a new book.
For example - I'll share a new one that I received called What's in Your Pocket? Collecting Nature's Treasures by Heather L. Montgomery.
This book introduces the reader to different scientists and describes what they collected as children. For example - did you know that Jane Goodall who was called Valerie Jane as a child collected worms and not only did they go in her pockets but also under her pillow? Great illustrations by Maribel Lechuga will help teachers engage the students through observations as well.
What's your favorite book? How do you use it?
Some picture books "shout" one of the crosscutting concepts
While the crosscutting concepts can be seen in every picture book, one of the easiest to “see” in picture books is structure and function. Any built structure (think bridges, buildings, playgrounds) offers lots of launching points to ask “What does it do? What is it made of? How do the physical properties enable it to “do its thing”? In the biological world, the same questions apply. We like to start with Steve Jenkins’ classic, What Do You Do With A Tail Like This? Or Bridges Are to Cross (Sturges) to get students internalizing these “quick start” questions. Which books would you recommend?
Valerie and Mark
As I see nature vs literature
Dear educators,
I'd like to share with you my thought toward the previous topic and also a link of some stem stories.
I think that all the game is played in the first five years of childhood.
Children needs the key of the universe door ( space, wildlife, marine life.....).
if he can't find it, he will see the universe just by the window.
Firstlly, learners discover and are able to manifeste their fascination. They will valide their discoveries with peers by comparing their similar opinions.
come after the process of manipulating and hands-on activity.
A need to deep his understanding using book stem stories come foster the process. his imaginative and creative skills nurtured up by literary expressions which rise excitement, curiosity and enthousiasme.
Child at the end find that life is a mosaic of natural phenomena. he will be motivated to unveil their secrets.
https://www.stem.org.uk/teaching-science-through-stories
Cordially,
Abdelfattah
In reply to As I see nature vs literature by Abdelfattah Jabrane
Thank you
Thank you for sharing the resource -- there are many great books and ideas on here. I do agree that students need to be exposed to outdoor topics as well and there are many books that help to bring the outdoors in or take the kids outdoors.
How do you use literature in your science classroom?
#Representation matters, so don't forget to include books that represent a diverse group of characters so that ALL students see themselves as doers of science and mathematics such as Ada Twist, Scientist and Violet the Pilot. Violet the Pilot is one of my favorite books for introducing students to the engineering design process. Students can explore the cross cutting concepts of structure and function and cause and effect by designing and testing their own flying machines to see which one flies the farthest. I LOVE children's literature AND STEM, so I can't wait to hear how others are using children's literature in their classrooms!
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In reply to How do you use literature in your science classroom? by Latrenda Knighten
Some practices that seem usefull
Hi latrenda
For learners from k-11 to k-12 who I teach, I try to use narrative expressions when I explain the lessons even if I teach science subject, it help them understanding with emotion and romantically.
So they are used to follow explaination with standard language instead slang one. It also improve their creativity, imaginative and hand-writting skills in STEM topics.
I think that it can be done with young learners as k-1 and more.
Abdelfattah
In reply to How do you use literature in your science classroom? by Latrenda Knighten
Research
Latrenda,
This is an important aspect to remember - that kids need to see themselves in the books they are reading. Scott Bartholomew published some research about gender representation and what he found. I know a colleague has been discussing replicating the study using books that show diverse characters as well.