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There is nothing more humbling than knowing your book made a difference in the life of a child.
A few days ago I had the privilege of zooming into the STEM lab of Amy Parks, a dedicated and wonderful STEM teacher at Forts Ferry Elementary School in New York. The second grade classes in her school were getting ready to start their habitats unit and wanted to kick it off with a reading of my informational fiction picture book, EMERSYN BLAKE AND THE SPOTTED SALAMANDER.
A few days ago I had the privilege of zooming into the STEM lab of Amy Parks, a dedicated and wonderful STEM teacher at Forts Ferry Elementary School in New York. The second grade classes in her school were getting ready to start their habitats unit and wanted to kick it off with a reading of my informational fiction picture book, EMERSYN BLAKE AND THE SPOTTED SALAMANDER.
After sharing a few slides about my love of teaching and writing, we played an animal guessing game, and then I read the book to them. During my author visits I always point out how Emersyn Blake carries her Wonderings Notebook wherever she goes so she can sketch and jot thoughts about the things she notices in nature.
Today I received the kindest email from Amy letting me know what happened AFTER the visit!
Today I received the kindest email from Amy letting me know what happened AFTER the visit!
"One child went home on Tuesday and started her own wondering journal all about the cardinals she was watching in her backyard."
Amy has a copy of my other two books as well: EMERSYN BLAKE AND THE STALKED JELLYFISH and BEASTIES OF THE TREE HOLLOWS. One teacher, Sheri O'Connor, asked to borrow them and read them to her class. Look at the amazing books they created based on those readings!
When I first started writing the Emersyn Blake series, yes, I wanted to entertain and inform children, but I really wanted to provide picture books that elementary teachers could integrate seamlessly into their science lessons. One of the last sentences of Amy's email will stay with me forever: "The teacher said it has been her most enjoyable week of the year."
If you or anyone you know would be interested in an author visit to learn about EMERSYN BLAKE or the BEASTIES OF THE TREE HOLLOWS, please leave me a comment or click on my Connect button! Wow, what a week!
If you or anyone you know would be interested in an author visit to learn about EMERSYN BLAKE or the BEASTIES OF THE TREE HOLLOWS, please leave me a comment or click on my Connect button! Wow, what a week!
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Let me start by saying I have NEVER, in our almost 30 years of living on our pond, seen a loon here. We've had resident mallards, Canada geese, wood ducks, grey herons, and this year an osprey--but never a loon.
Yesterday morning, I was finishing up some research I've been doing on loons for a new picture book manuscript. I needed to return some reference books about this interesting species to the library, so I was squeezing out every last detail I could.
Fast forward to the afternoon. My daily walk with Mocha, our Shih-Poo, always includes a visit to our pond, her favorite place. I immediately noticed a bird in the distance diving under the surface of the calm water. My heart started pounding as I raced to get my binoculars. Sure enough, it was a loon.
Yesterday morning, I was finishing up some research I've been doing on loons for a new picture book manuscript. I needed to return some reference books about this interesting species to the library, so I was squeezing out every last detail I could.
Fast forward to the afternoon. My daily walk with Mocha, our Shih-Poo, always includes a visit to our pond, her favorite place. I immediately noticed a bird in the distance diving under the surface of the calm water. My heart started pounding as I raced to get my binoculars. Sure enough, it was a loon.
As soon as it noticed me, it ran across the water, taking off into the cloudless blue sky. It circled the pond twice and splashed down again, resuming its underwater hunt for fish. I was lucky enough to watch it surface and swallow one whole.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Until that morning, I hadn't known that loons migrated south during the winter months. Having grown up in Vermont, I'd seen loons on many of our cold-water lakes and ponds, but not here in North Carolina! I wish I could've taken a picture through my binoculars, it was spectacular.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Until that morning, I hadn't known that loons migrated south during the winter months. Having grown up in Vermont, I'd seen loons on many of our cold-water lakes and ponds, but not here in North Carolina! I wish I could've taken a picture through my binoculars, it was spectacular.
After watching for quite a while--I lost track of time--it awkwardly scuttled across the surface, soared around the pond once, continuing directly over my head and above the towering pine trees at the edge of our property. How lucky was I to catch a glimpse of one of its pit stops along its journey home?
Sometimes the universe gives you a sign. At times it's just a small detail that you almost miss unless you're looking closely. And other times, it flies directly into your view, ensuring you notice it.
Sometimes the universe gives you a sign. At times it's just a small detail that you almost miss unless you're looking closely. And other times, it flies directly into your view, ensuring you notice it.
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This brand new book (2025) is fascinating because it highlights the range of interesting creatures that have called the geographical area of Alaska home for hundreds of millions of years. Written by a paleobotanist and illustrated by an artist with several species named after him, it is filled with interesting facts, written in kid-friendly, engaging language.
Picture Book: ALASKA DINOSAURS, MAMMOTHS, AND MORE
Author: Kirk Johnson
Illustrator: Ray Troll
Picture Book: ALASKA DINOSAURS, MAMMOTHS, AND MORE
Author: Kirk Johnson
Illustrator: Ray Troll
Things I loved about this book:
Some of my favorite lines:
Dinosaur lovers and young paleontology buffs are going to read this again and again! Make sure you check and it out and let me know what you think!
- I love that the focus is on one particular area (what is now Alaska) and all of the amazing creatures that have lived there over hundreds of millions of years.
- The format is very engaging. The illustrations are large and colorful. Most spreads focus on one creature, and include a timeline banner across the top of one of the pages (ie. Cretaceous Period - 73 Million Years Ago)
- The text is written in kid-friendly language with some awesome real-life comparisons, imagery, and scattered alliteration.
- The author has included wonderful details about the names of many of the creatures which honor various native languages and legends.
Some of my favorite lines:
- "These guys had very big eyes all the better to see you with in the darkness."
- "One little island in southeast Alaska has a shoreline that looks a lot like a stack of black pancakes."
- "Most ammonites had beautiful spiral-shaped shells, but some looked more like giant paperclips."
- "Numerous trackways are perfectly preserved in the fossilized forest floors of this long-vanished world."
Dinosaur lovers and young paleontology buffs are going to read this again and again! Make sure you check and it out and let me know what you think!
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This treat of a mentor text is a little older (published in 2003), but I just love the way it is crafted, using a cumulative format mirroring the style of "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly" or "The House That Jack Built."
Picture Book: AROUND ONE CACTUS - OWLS, BATS, AND LEAPING RATS
Author: Anthony D. Fredericks
Illustrator: Jennifer DiRubbio
Picture Book: AROUND ONE CACTUS - OWLS, BATS, AND LEAPING RATS
Author: Anthony D. Fredericks
Illustrator: Jennifer DiRubbio
Things I loved about this book:
Some of my favorite lines:
I just love the language and structure of this whole story, as it weaves in amazing facts about desert dwellers! Have you ever read it? You should!
- The first page is a letter written to the reader by a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake introducing the desert habitat and importance of the saguaro cactus. It is interesting and inviting!
- The spreads that provide facts about the seven creatures who rely on the cactus are written in a cumulative fashion with wonderful rhyming couplets.
- Each spread ends with the lines, "Beside the cactus tall and grand, A haven for creatures in a waterless land," continually emphasizing the importance of the main character of the story.
- The Backmatter includes an illustration of each of the eight species (including the cactus) with a short fact-filled paragraph and a "Fantastic Fact".
Some of my favorite lines:
- (On a gorgeous 2-page spread of the desert in early evening)
- (On the final spread)
I just love the language and structure of this whole story, as it weaves in amazing facts about desert dwellers! Have you ever read it? You should!
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Today I read two non-fiction picture books created by the late Steve Jenkins. One written with his wife Robin Page and the other written by Sneed B. Collard III, illustrated by Steve.
Picture Book: WHY DO ELEPHANTS HAVE BIG EARS?
Author/Illus.: Steve Jenkins/Robin Page
Author/Illus.: Steve Jenkins/Robin Page
I loved them both so much for several similar reasons!
Things I loved about these books:
Some of my favorite lines:
Here are some of the examples of the rich vocabulary I noticed.
Just after reading these books, I was made aware of this awesome post Robin Page has on her website which shows her creative process. Make sure you check it out! Do you have any favorite Steve Jenkins and/or Robin Page picture books? I'd love to hear about them!
Things I loved about these books:
- They both use a similar format. Each page/spread starts with a simple statement or question. In ANIMAL DADS, each statement tells the reader one thing dads do like, "They build us homes to live in." In WHY DO ELEPHANTS HAVE BIG EARS?, each question is one many readers have probably had like, "Why do flamingos stand on one leg?"
- The rest of the information explains how, or answers the question using 4-6 simple fact-filled sentences.
- In both books there is an abundance of alliteration and other devices that make the facts interesting.
- I have always believed that children should be exposed to advanced vocabulary with proper scaffolding/context clues. WHY DO ELEPHANTS HAVE BIG EARS? does a fantastic job using rich language.
- The illustrations in both books are just glorious! Sparse backgrounds with huge, colorful collage-style animals make up each spread.
Some of my favorite lines:
Here are some of the examples of the rich vocabulary I noticed.
- "...no energy is expended."
- "...accumulate fat."
- "The hippopotamus is territorial."
- "...inhabit underground burrows."
- "...where no light penetrates."
- "The sudden appearance of two bright red orbs can startle the predator..."
Just after reading these books, I was made aware of this awesome post Robin Page has on her website which shows her creative process. Make sure you check it out! Do you have any favorite Steve Jenkins and/or Robin Page picture books? I'd love to hear about them!
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An amazing new picture book has just been released based on the true story of Chilean high school girls who convinced NASA to send ladybugs to space. It is co-written by Melissa Trempe, an educator with a passion for equality and a love of the outdoors, and Natalia Ojeda, a Chilean doctor whose experience in the ladybug project helped change the trajectory of her life.
I fell in love with the story which follows the wishes of a sweet little ladybug who dreams of being an astronaut mirrored with the dreams of a young Chilean girl who adores science. It is a meaningful and relevant story that ALL students will enjoy, but especially our girls who yearn for their place in the future of STEM.
The English and Spanish languages are expertly woven throughout the text, and the illustrations by Manuela Montoya are beautiful!
I fell in love with the story which follows the wishes of a sweet little ladybug who dreams of being an astronaut mirrored with the dreams of a young Chilean girl who adores science. It is a meaningful and relevant story that ALL students will enjoy, but especially our girls who yearn for their place in the future of STEM.
The English and Spanish languages are expertly woven throughout the text, and the illustrations by Manuela Montoya are beautiful!
Featured Picture Book:
Ladybug LAUNCH - Inspired by a True Story of Chinitas in Space (2024)
By Melissa Trempe and Natalia Ojeda
Illustrated by Manuela Montoya
Summary (via Amazon):
Natalia is a chica, an ambitious girl with dreams of becoming a scientist. Luna is a chinita, an adventurous ladybug that dreams of visiting the stars. But neither dream is easy to reach. Ladybugs are meant to munch on garden pests. And no one from Natalia’s family has ever been to college. Still, both Natalia and Luna want más.
Then Natalia’s all-girl class designs an experiment. If astronauts want to live in outer space, they’ll need to grow food. Could chinitas go along to keep the pests away? The girls are eager to find out, and Luna is hungry to help. If their theory is correct, it’s a project worthy of NASA itself—and the stuff all dreams are made of.
This inspiring picture book is based on the real story of Chilean high school girls who convinced NASA to send ladybugs to space!
Related Themes and Standards:
Science:
1. Students can research other insects and their needs, then create a book using Book Creator, Canva, or Seesaw.
2. Have students work through the Engineering Design Process and develop a presentation supporting something they believe NASA should include on a future mission.
3. Create classroom terrariums like the ones in the story and make observations over a period of time. HERE is an easy plan to follow.
4. Research and create green screen videos sharing important information about other important female astronauts like Eileen Collins.
5. Choose 10 important events in the story and summarize them on cards. Tape them to each team’s Beebot (or other robot) mat and have them program the bot to follow the correct sequence of events from the story.
Do you have other ideas for this story? Please share! #BetterTogether
Ladybug LAUNCH - Inspired by a True Story of Chinitas in Space (2024)
By Melissa Trempe and Natalia Ojeda
Illustrated by Manuela Montoya
Summary (via Amazon):
Natalia is a chica, an ambitious girl with dreams of becoming a scientist. Luna is a chinita, an adventurous ladybug that dreams of visiting the stars. But neither dream is easy to reach. Ladybugs are meant to munch on garden pests. And no one from Natalia’s family has ever been to college. Still, both Natalia and Luna want más.
Then Natalia’s all-girl class designs an experiment. If astronauts want to live in outer space, they’ll need to grow food. Could chinitas go along to keep the pests away? The girls are eager to find out, and Luna is hungry to help. If their theory is correct, it’s a project worthy of NASA itself—and the stuff all dreams are made of.
This inspiring picture book is based on the real story of Chilean high school girls who convinced NASA to send ladybugs to space!
Related Themes and Standards:
Science:
- Space and Space Travel
- Insects
- Needs of living things
- Engineering Design Process
- Perseverance
- Setting goals
- Being brave
- Overcoming challenges
1. Students can research other insects and their needs, then create a book using Book Creator, Canva, or Seesaw.
2. Have students work through the Engineering Design Process and develop a presentation supporting something they believe NASA should include on a future mission.
3. Create classroom terrariums like the ones in the story and make observations over a period of time. HERE is an easy plan to follow.
4. Research and create green screen videos sharing important information about other important female astronauts like Eileen Collins.
5. Choose 10 important events in the story and summarize them on cards. Tape them to each team’s Beebot (or other robot) mat and have them program the bot to follow the correct sequence of events from the story.
Do you have other ideas for this story? Please share! #BetterTogether
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If you follow me on Twitter (X), you probably know that Melissa Stewart is one of my favorite picture book authors because her ability to convey non-fiction in simple, yet beautiful language is phenomenal!
This post features her book THANK YOU, MOON: Celebrating Nature’s Nightlight which is illustrated by Jessica Lanan. As a beautiful “thank you note” is conveyed on the left-hand pages, the right side shares interesting, related facts about our moon written in kid-friendly language. The facts are fascinating because they all focus on creatures (land and sea) that depend on the moon for their survival.
This post features her book THANK YOU, MOON: Celebrating Nature’s Nightlight which is illustrated by Jessica Lanan. As a beautiful “thank you note” is conveyed on the left-hand pages, the right side shares interesting, related facts about our moon written in kid-friendly language. The facts are fascinating because they all focus on creatures (land and sea) that depend on the moon for their survival.
Featured Picture Book:
Thank You, Moon: Celebrating Nature’s Nightlight (2023)
By Melissa Stewart
Illustrated by Jessica Lanan
Summary (via Amazon):
With the soothing rhythm of a bedtime story and the scientific wonder of a nature doc, comes a celebration of the moon and all the creatures who rely on its light to find their way home.
Under the glow of a shimmering moon, creatures great and small creep out of their dens, using its light to hunt, fend off predators, build their nests or build families. As the moon changes phases these animals adapt their behavior to match its waxing and waning—while human animals look on in wonder.
As Earth's closest companion in space, the moon has fascinated humankind for generations, and this nonfiction picture book sheds light on the mysterious ways it affects life on Earth. With luminous illustrations by Jessica Lanan and a lyrical text that is part lullaby and part scientific resource, Thank You, Moon is a treasure for all ages to enjoy.
Related Themes and Standards:
Science:
SEL:
STEM Ideas:
1. Have students choose one of the creatures mentioned in the story (there are even more facts about each one in the book’s back matter) and create a virtual habitat or build one with recyclable materials.
2. Have students create a video featuring further research about one of the creatures mentioned in the story.
3. Have students write their own thank-you notes to the moon, then engineer a rover that could deliver it from its landing module. If you have access to drones, create a mission where the drones have to deliver the message to a particular place on a mock lunar surface.
4. Use Beebots or other robots to create a more engaging Moon Phases card sort activity. I used this free download and made two laminated sets for each “team”. They had to program their robot to move to the moon phase on the mat that matched the one they selected from their deck.
So many grade levels study our beautiful moon! Feel free to add your favorite lunar activity in the comments! #BetterTogether
Thank You, Moon: Celebrating Nature’s Nightlight (2023)
By Melissa Stewart
Illustrated by Jessica Lanan
Summary (via Amazon):
With the soothing rhythm of a bedtime story and the scientific wonder of a nature doc, comes a celebration of the moon and all the creatures who rely on its light to find their way home.
Under the glow of a shimmering moon, creatures great and small creep out of their dens, using its light to hunt, fend off predators, build their nests or build families. As the moon changes phases these animals adapt their behavior to match its waxing and waning—while human animals look on in wonder.
As Earth's closest companion in space, the moon has fascinated humankind for generations, and this nonfiction picture book sheds light on the mysterious ways it affects life on Earth. With luminous illustrations by Jessica Lanan and a lyrical text that is part lullaby and part scientific resource, Thank You, Moon is a treasure for all ages to enjoy.
Related Themes and Standards:
Science:
- Moon
- Ecosystems/Habitats
- Animal Adaptation
- Predator/Prey Relationships
SEL:
- Appreciating nature and scientific phenomena
- Giving thanks
STEM Ideas:
1. Have students choose one of the creatures mentioned in the story (there are even more facts about each one in the book’s back matter) and create a virtual habitat or build one with recyclable materials.
2. Have students create a video featuring further research about one of the creatures mentioned in the story.
3. Have students write their own thank-you notes to the moon, then engineer a rover that could deliver it from its landing module. If you have access to drones, create a mission where the drones have to deliver the message to a particular place on a mock lunar surface.
4. Use Beebots or other robots to create a more engaging Moon Phases card sort activity. I used this free download and made two laminated sets for each “team”. They had to program their robot to move to the moon phase on the mat that matched the one they selected from their deck.
So many grade levels study our beautiful moon! Feel free to add your favorite lunar activity in the comments! #BetterTogether
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For any of you whose curriculum includes teaching kids about the sun, moon, and/or what an eclipse is, make sure you add this gem by Kate Allen Fox and illustrated by Khoa Le to your STEM library! Really, everyone should add this beautiful picture book to their collection!
A FEW BEAUTIFUL MINUTES Experiencing a Solar Eclipse combines sweet language and amazing illustrations to explain something that can be confusing for young children to understand—a solar eclipse.
A FEW BEAUTIFUL MINUTES Experiencing a Solar Eclipse combines sweet language and amazing illustrations to explain something that can be confusing for young children to understand—a solar eclipse.
Featured Picture Book:
A Few Beautiful Minutes (2023)
By Kate Allen Fox
Illustrated by Khoe Le
Summary (via Amazon):
A poetic and exquisitely illustrated tribute to the solar eclipse and the magic of togetherness, seen through the eyes of a child.
What happens during a solar eclipse? The sun vanishes. Light becomes dark. Day animals sleep, and night animals wake. The moon takes over the sky. People stop what they’re doing and together, they look up. The whole world changes for a few beautiful minutes.
Celebrating a favorite wonder of the universe, A Few Beautiful Minutes encourages young readers to (safely) discover each stage of a solar eclipse, and to experience how this incredible phenomenon can connect us to one another.
Related Themes and Standards:
Science:
Language Arts:
SEL:
STEM Ideas:
1. Have students build their own sun viewer using the author’s directions in the back matter.
2. Have students code a simulated eclipse using Scratch or Scratch Jr.
3. Have students recreate an eclipse as a stop-motion project.
4. Build a model of a solar eclipse using various-size styrofoam balls connected to an engineered orbit system with LEGO WeDo, Spike, or other programmable robotics kit.
5. Use green screen apps like DoInk, Flip, or Canva and have students act out what happens during an eclipse.
6. HERE is a really neat lesson on measuring solar energy during an eclipse by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory!
I'd love to hear about your favorite sun/moon/eclipse STEM activities! Feel free to share in the comments! #BetterTogether
A Few Beautiful Minutes (2023)
By Kate Allen Fox
Illustrated by Khoe Le
Summary (via Amazon):
A poetic and exquisitely illustrated tribute to the solar eclipse and the magic of togetherness, seen through the eyes of a child.
What happens during a solar eclipse? The sun vanishes. Light becomes dark. Day animals sleep, and night animals wake. The moon takes over the sky. People stop what they’re doing and together, they look up. The whole world changes for a few beautiful minutes.
Celebrating a favorite wonder of the universe, A Few Beautiful Minutes encourages young readers to (safely) discover each stage of a solar eclipse, and to experience how this incredible phenomenon can connect us to one another.
Related Themes and Standards:
Science:
- Facts about an eclipse (includes a timeline of an eclipse in the back matter)
- Solar system/Sun/Moon
Language Arts:
- Similes and Metaphors
- Imagery
- Alliteration
- Personification
SEL:
- Appreciating nature and scientific phenomena
- Developing sense of community
STEM Ideas:
1. Have students build their own sun viewer using the author’s directions in the back matter.
2. Have students code a simulated eclipse using Scratch or Scratch Jr.
3. Have students recreate an eclipse as a stop-motion project.
4. Build a model of a solar eclipse using various-size styrofoam balls connected to an engineered orbit system with LEGO WeDo, Spike, or other programmable robotics kit.
5. Use green screen apps like DoInk, Flip, or Canva and have students act out what happens during an eclipse.
6. HERE is a really neat lesson on measuring solar energy during an eclipse by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory!
I'd love to hear about your favorite sun/moon/eclipse STEM activities! Feel free to share in the comments! #BetterTogether
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Whether we teach in a STEM lab, media center, or regular classroom, we all need to find effective ways to support students when failure occurs. How To Solve a Problem by Ashima Shiraishi is a wonderful picture book to use for this purpose!
Featured Picture Book:
How To Solve a Problem (2020)
By Ashima Shiraishi
Illustrated by Yao Xiao
Summary:
How To Solve a Problem is the true story of Ashima Shiraishi, a world class climber who started at the age of six. Told in the first person point of view, Ashima refers to the mountain she has to climb as “a problem”. Throughout the story, illustrated with large bright colors, she shares her struggles, failures, challenges, and finally successes! She specifically shares how she learns from her mistakes to persevere and triumph.
Related Themes and Standards:
SEL:
Perseverance
Positivity
Problem-Solving
ELA:
Metaphors and Similes
Personification
Science:
Gravity
Geology
STEM Ideas:
A great book to use when teaching the Engineering Design Process!
1. If you are tying this book into a Geology unit, have students build a model of Ashima’s mountain using clay, Play-Doh, or other materials. See if they can incorporate all the features she mentions in the story. You could then move on to a rock and mineral study.
2. In the story, Ashima maps out her path up the mountain. This would be a great book to incorporate into a lesson on maps, elevation, and contour lines. Have students create their own map with these elements.
3. Ashima is a free climber, but you could use this story to have students engineer a simple machine to help a beginning climber scale a mountain. Use little action figures and recyclable/dollar store items to test out their designs.
4. The last few pages of the book include many of the mountains Ashima has climbed (and at what age). To integrate math, have students research the heights of the different climbs and create a chart or graph.
How else could you use this amazing picture book? Share in the comments!
How To Solve a Problem (2020)
By Ashima Shiraishi
Illustrated by Yao Xiao
Summary:
How To Solve a Problem is the true story of Ashima Shiraishi, a world class climber who started at the age of six. Told in the first person point of view, Ashima refers to the mountain she has to climb as “a problem”. Throughout the story, illustrated with large bright colors, she shares her struggles, failures, challenges, and finally successes! She specifically shares how she learns from her mistakes to persevere and triumph.
Related Themes and Standards:
SEL:
Perseverance
Positivity
Problem-Solving
ELA:
Metaphors and Similes
Personification
Science:
Gravity
Geology
STEM Ideas:
A great book to use when teaching the Engineering Design Process!
1. If you are tying this book into a Geology unit, have students build a model of Ashima’s mountain using clay, Play-Doh, or other materials. See if they can incorporate all the features she mentions in the story. You could then move on to a rock and mineral study.
2. In the story, Ashima maps out her path up the mountain. This would be a great book to incorporate into a lesson on maps, elevation, and contour lines. Have students create their own map with these elements.
3. Ashima is a free climber, but you could use this story to have students engineer a simple machine to help a beginning climber scale a mountain. Use little action figures and recyclable/dollar store items to test out their designs.
4. The last few pages of the book include many of the mountains Ashima has climbed (and at what age). To integrate math, have students research the heights of the different climbs and create a chart or graph.
How else could you use this amazing picture book? Share in the comments!
- Published on
Non-fiction picture books can create a wonderful foundation for building hands-on STEM activities. Glaciers Are Alive by Debbie S. Miller is a perfect choice if you teach anything related to glaciers, cold-weather habitats, geological history, global warming, adaptations, or other glacier-related topics!
Featured Picture Book:
Glaciers Are Alive (2023)
By Debbie S. Miller (@DebbieMillerAK)
Illustrated by Jon Van Zyle
(Interesting info - they both live in Alaska and Jon is the official artist of the Iditarod!)
Summary:
Glaciers are complex features on our planet that have a life cycle of their own. They support numerous living creatures, from those that are gigantic to microscopic species. This book traces the interactions these creatures have with various parts of glaciers, introducing vocabulary in a kid-friendly way full of onomatopoeia and imagery!
Related Themes and Standards:
SEL:
Respect for nature and animals
ELA:
Personification
Metaphors
Onomatopoeia
Imagery
Vocabulary
Science:
Glaciers
Animal Adaptations
Seasons
Habitats
Water cycle elements
Geology
STEM Ideas:
1. Have students recreate the effects of glacial movement on the surface geology by freezing ice cubes with sand and/or stones in the bottom. Here’s a great resource from Better Lesson with directions!
2. Have students recreate the extensive pressure involved in glaciers by carrying out this Teacher Vision lesson using marshmallows.
3. This blog post at Little Lives has neat ideas from sensory tubs for our little scientists, to creating Glacial Gak to simulate the slow movement of glaciers, to a neat activity using ice cubes and marbles to show how melting glaciers affect coastlines!
4. Have students choose one of the living creatures mentioned in the story to research and create a model of the glacial habitat.
5. Have students use information from the story to create a 3D model of a glacier using Tinkercad (print if you have time and access to a 3D printer)
6. Have students recreate parts of the story in Canva and create a 2-minute video to teach others about glaciers.
7. Drones are being used to place sensors on remote glacial surfaces to monitor climate change. Supplement the story with this article about drones and glaciers. Have students engineer model glaciers and sensors to attach to their drones. See if they can fly their drone and place the sensor at the top of their glacier.
Feel free to leave your ideas in the comments! #BetterTogether!
Glaciers Are Alive (2023)
By Debbie S. Miller (@DebbieMillerAK)
Illustrated by Jon Van Zyle
(Interesting info - they both live in Alaska and Jon is the official artist of the Iditarod!)
Summary:
Glaciers are complex features on our planet that have a life cycle of their own. They support numerous living creatures, from those that are gigantic to microscopic species. This book traces the interactions these creatures have with various parts of glaciers, introducing vocabulary in a kid-friendly way full of onomatopoeia and imagery!
Related Themes and Standards:
SEL:
Respect for nature and animals
ELA:
Personification
Metaphors
Onomatopoeia
Imagery
Vocabulary
Science:
Glaciers
Animal Adaptations
Seasons
Habitats
Water cycle elements
Geology
STEM Ideas:
1. Have students recreate the effects of glacial movement on the surface geology by freezing ice cubes with sand and/or stones in the bottom. Here’s a great resource from Better Lesson with directions!
2. Have students recreate the extensive pressure involved in glaciers by carrying out this Teacher Vision lesson using marshmallows.
3. This blog post at Little Lives has neat ideas from sensory tubs for our little scientists, to creating Glacial Gak to simulate the slow movement of glaciers, to a neat activity using ice cubes and marbles to show how melting glaciers affect coastlines!
4. Have students choose one of the living creatures mentioned in the story to research and create a model of the glacial habitat.
5. Have students use information from the story to create a 3D model of a glacier using Tinkercad (print if you have time and access to a 3D printer)
6. Have students recreate parts of the story in Canva and create a 2-minute video to teach others about glaciers.
7. Drones are being used to place sensors on remote glacial surfaces to monitor climate change. Supplement the story with this article about drones and glaciers. Have students engineer model glaciers and sensors to attach to their drones. See if they can fly their drone and place the sensor at the top of their glacier.
Feel free to leave your ideas in the comments! #BetterTogether!