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Linking Science and Literacy with Picture Books – #readilearn

Last month, I was invited by the Science Teachers Association of Queensland (STAQ) to present a talk about using picture books in science lessons as part of their Growing Science webinars in the lead up to Science Week. What a great opportunity — picture books and science. What’s to not like? Picture books are one of the best ways I know of turning young children onto two of my favourite things — reading and learning.

You can find out more about the webinar series and access recordings and free resources on the STAQ website here.

Below is a brief version of the article I wrote as the basis of my presentation.

You can access the entire article in the zip folder Using Picture Books in Science Lessons, which also includes other handouts I provided to support my talk.

You can listen to the talk via this link or watch it below.

Linking science and literacy

Language is as important to the science curriculum as it is to the English curriculum. Science is another context in which language is used and must be learned.

In this article I’m going to show you some ways of including picture books in your science lessons.

Many of the skills required by science are also literacy skills; skills such as:

 

Continue reading: Linking Science and Literacy with Picture Books – readilearn

Comments

28 responses to “Linking Science and Literacy with Picture Books – #readilearn”

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Jennie. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        You’re welcome, Norah!

        Liked by 2 people

  1. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    Excellent talk, Norah! For early learners, it is a logical marriage between picture books and science.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Pete. That means a lot coming from a fellow teacher.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. D. Wallace Peach Avatar

    What a cool talk that must have been. Heading over to be more literate. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks so much, Diana. I hope the teachers thought it was cool. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. D. Wallace Peach Avatar

        I’ll be they did. New ideas and approaches are invigorating, especially when the ideas and tools are all laid out. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Norah Avatar

          I try to make it easy for them to implement – save them some hours in preparation.

          Liked by 2 people

          1. D. Wallace Peach Avatar

            That’s key, I think. Teachers have a lot on their plates, so something that’s pretty much ready to go is a godsend. 🙂

            Liked by 2 people

            1. Norah Avatar

              I agree, Diana. I’m pleased you understand the extent of teachers’ work too.

              Liked by 1 person

  3. rajkkhoja Avatar
    rajkkhoja

    Beautiful share your experience.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Steven Avatar
    Steven

    Wow – congratulations Norah.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Steven. It was lovely to be invited.

      Like

  5. Anne Goodwin is bringing Matilda Windsor home Avatar

    Yay. Such a great opportunity to share your passion and expertise. I imagine the audience were wowed by your talk.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Anne. It was lovely to be invited and I enjoyed presenting the talk. I hope others enjoyed it too.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. calmkate Avatar

    congrats on your presentation Norah and great to pair pictures with science …

    I’m a science dunce as the public system couldn’t provide a science teacher for 2 years! When we finally got one it was full on cramming for the exams …

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Kate. Cramming for exams doesn’t really do anything to create an interest in science, does it? I’m sorry you missed out.

      Like

      1. calmkate Avatar

        yes it feels like a huge gap, I like to know how things work …

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          Most of us do. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  7. Book Club Mom Avatar

    It’s a great combination. Makes science more interesting to kids.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Barbara. I think science is naturally fascinating. It’s what is often done to it in schools that makes it less so.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. D. Avery @shiftnshake Avatar

    Brava, Norah. “Language is as important to the science curriculum as it is to the English curriculum. Science is another context in which language is used and must be learned.” You could also say this for math, social studies… you brought me back and yes, reminded me that while picture books were fun and useful, accuracy and precise vocabulary were important and not always there.(Are) And so could be another learning opportunity and can hone critical thinking skills. I like your balanced commonsense.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks so much for your support, D. I did include quite a bit about critical thinking in my talk, and linked to another article on the topic. It’s so important.

      Like

  9. Jacqui Murray Avatar

    I love this sort of learning–blending learning between two subjects. This is one of the skills pushed to the front by Common Core. It seems natural.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      I agree, Jacqui. It’s better to blend the subjects than separate them, I think.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jacqui Murray Avatar

        That’s what life does, right?

        Liked by 1 person

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