Reading the Environment: Children's Literature in the Science Classroom

How would you rather learn about the rock cycle: from a textbook or from Joanna Cole's The Magic School Bus ? Most students would vote for Joanna Cole's book or any number of other trade books whose authors know how to make science come to life. This practical and inviting handbook shows how you can take advantage of children's natural love of good literature like this in the science classroom.

Reading the Environment demonstrates how you can bring together the best of the language arts and the science curriculums to instill in students a curiosity about the world around them. The book focuses on four broad subjects that are traditionally covered in elementary science: reading the landscape, the weather and season cycles, water from the mountains to the sea, and the ocean. The author offers valuable guidance on teaching these topics, including:

• background information such as explanations of current scientific knowledge, definitions of terms, and related social issues
• brief synopses of relevant trade books, both fiction and nonfiction
• hands-on science activities
• suggestions for class discussion
• student writing activities such as creating a field guide, writing a "rock history," keeping a naturalist's notebook, and much more
• bibliography of books mentioned in that chapter.

In addition to recommending specific titles, Reading the Environment also suggests guidelines for evaluating trade books and topic areas to look for within each subject when adding new releases.

This book will support pre-K-6 teachers who feel the need to upgrade their science teaching and learning. Those who already excel in science teaching will benefit from a new approach that engages students.

Mary Cerullo describes herself as a "science interpreter." The author of four children's books on the ocean, she was named Outstanding Marine Educator of the Year in 1992. Cerullo is currently the communications coordinator for the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance and works with parents, educators, and community groups on science and math education reform.