1.A Teacher Training WorkshopDesigned and Conducted byDr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski http://www.drdianateachertraining.com

• Teaching Science Through

Pre-Primary Childrens Literature

2. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature 35 early childhood teachers and administrators attended a six hour hands-on-minds on teacher training workshop to explore early childhood science concepts through childrens literature.The Nature of Science (Inquiry) Earth and Space Science Physical Science Life Science 3. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature Participants were introduced to childrens literature that help to reinforce the science concepts explored during the teacher training session. Approximately 70 childrens books were used during the workshop. 4. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature Teachers made bubble blowers to explore the behavior of liquids and gases by observing bubbles.Literature References~ Bubble Troubleby Margaret Mahy,Bubble Troubleby Joy Hulme, andPop! A Book About Bubblesby Kimberly Brubaker. 5. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature Teachers explored floating, sinking, buoyancy, and density. They made predictions on what objects would sink or float when placed in water, and then tested their predictions. Literature References~Duckyby Eve Bunting,10 Little Rubber Ducksby Eric Carle, andWho Sank The Boat ?by Pamela Allen. 6. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature Teachers observed and touched live pill bugs. They also drew pictures of the pill bugs they observed. Literature Reference ~A Pill Bugs Lifeby John Himmelman. 7. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature Teachers observed and touched live terrestrial garden snails, and studied their characteristics.Literature References~ What Lives in a Shell ? By Weidner Zoehfeld,Are You A Snail ?by Judy Allen,The Biggest House in the Worldby Leo Lionni,How Many Snailsby Paul Gigant, andA Slugs Lifeby John Himmelman 8. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature Teachers observed and explored the characteristics of earthworms. Teachers compared the characteristics of Gummy Worms and plastic fishing worms to live earthworms. They measured the worms they observed, and drew pictures of the earthworms they observed. Literature References~An Earthworms Lifeby John Himmelman,Diary Of A Wormby Doreen Cronin,Wiggling Worms at Workby Wendy Pfeffer, and Wonderful Worms by Linda Glaser. 9. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature Teachers explored how sea shells are formed by dissecting dried whelk egg cases, and observing the tiny baby whelks inside. They also observed and touched liveCoquinaShells, sorted shells, and weighed shells with a pan scale.Literature References~ What Lives in a Shell?by Weidner Zoehfeld,Seashells by the Seashoreby Marianne Berkes,Beach Dayby Karen Roosa,A House for Hermit Crabby Eric Carle and others. 10. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature Teachers explored the concepts of weathering and erosion by observing Coquina Rock. The Coquina Rock was placed inside a sealed container and shaken to break down the rock. Teachers discussed the differences between weathering and erosion. Additionally, teachers used beach sand toys as a culminating exploration.Literature References~Sandby Ellen Prager,Beach Dayby Karen Roosa,Seashells by the Seashoreby Marianne Berkes,What Lives in a shell ? By Weidner Zoefhfeld. 11. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature Teachers explored leaf types by observing leaves with microscopes,comparing leaves, sorting leaves, andthey made leaf rubbings.Literature References~ The Reason For A Flowerby Ruth Heller,I Can Name 50 Trees Todayby Bonnie Worth,Autumn Leavesby Ken Robbins, and other titles. 12. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature Teachers explored seeds. They observed and touched different kinds of seeds and sorted seeds. They also discussed how seeds are dispersed (wind, water, animals, fire, etc.). We placed a Coconut in water, and observed that the Coconut can float. It often travels great distances in the oceans currents. Teachers made a bird seed necklace using simple materials. The bird seeds will sprout within a few days.Literature References~ Oh Say Can You Seedby Bonnie Worth,The Tiny Seedby Eric Carle,Applesby Gail Gibbons,How A Seed Growsby Helene Jordan,Chicka Chicka Boom Boomby Bill Martin & John Archambault,A Dandelions Lifeby John Himmelman,From Seed to Pumpkinby Wendy Pfeffer and other titles. 13. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature Teachers explored the concept of seed dispersal by making a helicopter out of paper. When released it rotates through the air, similar to how a pine and maple seed travel. They also made connections to animal flight, airplane wings, and gravity. Teachers compared mammal bones to bird bones. They observed bird feathers with a microscope, and compared the shape of bird feathers to airplane wings.Literature References~ All previously listed seed books,Animal Flightby Robin Page,Fine Feathered Friendsby Tish Rabe and other titles. 14. Teaching Science Through Pre-Primary Childrens Literature Teachers further explored the concept of force, motion, and energy by using toy cars and trucks. Teachers made ramps from race car tracks and wood block, they observed how cars moved down the ramps. Literature References~Move itby Adrienne Mason 15. For a complete listing of all the childrens literature books used during this workshop see Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowskis website at:http://www.drdianateachertraining.com All books used during the teacher training workshop are listed under the book page. The books can be ordered from Amazon.com via http://www.drdianateachertraining.com