Using Children’s Books to Guide Inquiry

NSTA SymposiumCincinnati, OH

December 5, 2008 Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan

Toyota Tapestry Grant

Three Main Components of PPS:

•Reading Strategies •The 5E Instructional Model

•Scientific Inquiry

Goals for the Day:• Receive an Overview of PPS

Program • Explore the Benefits and Cautions

of Using Picture Books in Science• Review the Six Essential Reading

Strategies • Practice the 5 Es Instructional

Model• Introduce the Inquiry Continuum• Participate in Model Lessons

What was your favorite book as a

child?

We believe in books. Somehow we want to make childhood better, and we believe that a book given at the right moment can work magic in a child's life.

-Ann Schlee

Why Use Children’s Literature?

•Lack of Time - Integration is Key

Why Use Children’s Literature?

•Context for Concepts•More Depth of Coverage•Improved Reading and Science Skills

Why Use Children’s Literature?

•Engaging to Students of All Ages

Why Use Children’s Literature?

•Children’s books show a more positive view of women and minorities than traditional textbooks. They “view and celebrate diversity of achievement” (Daisey, 1994, p. 133).

Cautions

•Story line may distract –stay focused on the science content

•Be aware of “watered-down” science content

•Be aware of misconceptions

Suggestions

•Choose science objectives first

•Collaborate with a knowledgeable colleague

•Choose a variety of books, including fiction/nonfiction pairs

Suggestions

•Integrate within hands-on inquiries

Suggestions

•Use the BSCS 5E Instructional Model to organize lessons

(p.32)

BSCS 5Es as a Cycle of Learning

Suggestions

•Integrate Reading Strategies

•Modeling these before, during, and after reading supports comprehension

Why Read Aloud in Science?

•Opportunity to model the strategies of proficient readers

•Students’ minds are free to explore the meaning of difficult science concepts when the teacher does the decoding

•Fine-tunes students’ observational/listening skills

Why Read Aloud in Science?

• Being read to is the most influential activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading (Anderson, Heibert, Scott, and Wilkinson 1985).

Six Key Reading Strategies

(Harvey and Goudvis)•Making Connections•Questioning•Visualizing•Inferring•Determining Importance•Synthesizing

Create a Poster

•With your team, create a poster that represents your reading strategy

•You may want to use: pictures, lists, graphic organizers, and/or specific examples