Scien-Trickery by J. Patrick Lewis
Readers’ Guide by Luisa Isidro
Bibliography: Lewis, J. Patrick. 2004. Scien-Trickery: Riddles in Science. Harcourt, Inc.
Recommended ages: 4-12 year olds
Summary:
The book is a collection of poems that describe people, objects, and ideas related to science concepts. Such concepts include the moon, sound, magnets, and the planets. The verses create scientific riddles that students can solve.
Review Excerpts:
· Tree (BookHive (www.bookhive.org)): “An exploration of science that would make Albert Einstein proud.”
· Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, Feb. 15, 2004 (Vol. 100, No. 12)): “This attractive book has a place in classrooms where the study of science involves imagination and deduction as well as rote learning.”
· Rihoko Ueno (Children's Literature): “The riddles are a challenging alternative to the usual textbook approach to science.”
· Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 15, 2004 (Vol. 72, No. 6)): “There is plenty here to engage both the minds and the funny bones of young readers.”
Awards and Recognitions:
· Society of School Librarians International Book Awards, 2004
· Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004
· Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004
· Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006
Before Reading:
· “There’s Something in the Water” – What are some things that can be found underwater? Have a class discussion. Make a list of the items that they name.
· “Shhhhhhhh” – What do you think the story will be about? Read the title aloud and demonstrate the illustration. Students will predict what the poem might be about.
· “Push Me, Pull Me” – What do magnets do? Give a group of students several magnets and have the students play with the magnets and record their observations.
Read Aloud:
· “AE= VIP” - Teacher will dress up like Albert Einstein as he/she reads the poem.
· “Go, Moon, Glow!” – Teacher will ask for volunteers to read the lines of the moon, sun, and narrator. Students may also act out the actions of the characters.
· “Push Me, Pull Me” – Divide the class into five groups. Each group will read a stanza aloud. Use the magnets and follow along what the poem says.
· “It’s the Pits!” – Students will choral read the poem. Students will clap when they hear words that rhyme.
Follow up Activities:
· The students will create their own poem about a science concept.
· “I’m Lost Without You” – students will create a map of their neighborhood, lost treasure map, or their state.
· “You’ll N-E-ver Guess What’s N-E-xt” / “AE-VIP” – Students will conduct research on Neptune / Albert Einstein, and write a paper about their finding.
· “Buggety Buggety Boo!” – Students demonstrate the proper ways to wash away germs and why it is so important to do so.
Related Websites / Blogs:
o This website has science videos clips available to teach science concepts
o This website contains free science lesson plans and teaching ideas for all grade levels.
o This website contains free science lesson plans for most grade levels.
Related Books:
· Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 1999. Spectacular Science: A Book of Poems. Ill. by Virginia Halstead. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
· Goldish, Meish. 1996. 101 Science Poems and Songs for Young Learners: With Hands-On Activities. New York: Scholastic Professional Books.
· Morrison, Lillian. 1981. Overheard in a Bubble Chamber and Other Sciencepoems. Ill. by Eyre de Lanux. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard
· Trumbauer, Lisa. 2001. Everyone is a Scientist. Minnesota: Yellow Umbrella Books.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI'd like to suggest you this science website:
http://www.physics-chemistry-class.com
There are free chemistry and physics lessons