Engaging Students with High Quality Science Trade Books

Eric Brunsell1& Tim Gerber2

UW-O Dept of Curriculum and Instruction1

UW-L Dept of Biology2

Connecting science and literacy

AAAS’ Science Books & Films (SB&F)

SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books

Implementation of a Mock SB&F Prize election at your school.

Mock SB&F website

References available at:www.educationideation.com

SB&F “Best List”

SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science finalist lists

NSTA “Outstanding Science Trade Books for K-12 Students”

NCSS Notable Trade Books for Young People

STEMSS website (UWL Curriculum Resource Center)

“provides critical reviews of the scientifical accuracy and presentation of print, audiovisual, and electronic resources intended for use in science, technology, and mathematics education.”

4 categoriesChildren's Science Picture Book Middle Grades Science Book Young Adult Science Book Hands-on Science Book

2008 finalists books were used for Mock SB&F pilot

Fall 2009

• 30 High Performance Learners Middle School students in School District of La Crosse participated

• Read all five 2009 SB&F Prize books in the Middle Grades Science Book category

• Completed rubric for each title• Completed election ballot

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1. Which book had the most exemplary use of language, language that engaged you as a reader and made it difficult to put the book down?

1. Which book had the best visual presentation? The best use of excellent, engaging, and distinctive visuals that enhanced the text?

1. Which book had the best organization/text structure?

1. Which book presented the facts most clearly and in an easy to follow format?

1. Which book contained the best supportive features like index, table of contents, maps, timelines, and bibliography?

1. Which book provided the best models for both gender and racial representation?

1. Which book do you feel is of most interest to middle school students and is respectful of your reading and interest level?

Based on all of these criteria, which book is most deserving of the Mock Science Books and Film award for best non-fiction in 2008 for middle school students? In a short paragraph, explain in detail why you chose the book you chose.

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“I chose Life on Earth because it is easy to read & understand and because it is interesting. I also chose this book because it helps us know what’s outside of this planet, because we can’t see for ourselves.”

- 6th grade student

What's Eating You? Parasites-the Inside Story

13

Cold Light: Creatures, Discoveries, and Inventions that Glow

8

Life on Earth--and Beyond: an Astrobiologist's Quest

8

How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate*

0

George Washington Carver 0

Total votes: 30* official 2009 SB&F Prize winner

Mock Prize Results

Read the 2008 SB&F Prize winning book in the Children’s Science Picture Book category

Complete a rubric for the title

Your Turn!

Implementing @ your school

Support• UWL School of Education• College of Science and Health• UWL Office of Continuing Education• UWL Murphy Library Endowment Fund Grant• National Science Foundation – MSP Start Partnership

Grant - submitted

Eric Brunsellbrunsele@uwosh.edu

Tim Gerbergerber.dani@uwlax.edu

References Available at: www.educationideation.com

Image Credit: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2082/1664387589_46eeede673.jpg?v=0