Intermediate Science through Children’s Literature

by Carol M. Butzow and John W. Butzow

Teacher Ideas Press.

Intermediate Science through Children’s Literature is written to be either a supplement or a stand-alone approach to science for grades 4 through 7. The authors’ intent is to encourage students to go beyond mere comprehension of isolated science facts that are quickly forgotten. Traditional texts, they say, break up science into little bits of knowledge. They contend that by using children’s literature, the student must use higher thinking skills, such as inference and comparison, rather than simple memorization. A story involving, for example, a tornado, requires that the characters see the scientific phenomenon as part of their real life, forcing the reader to treat it in the same way.

The activities in the book are addressed to the student, rather than to the teacher. Some of them are for the student to do alone; some should be done in small groups. A few require adult help or supervision, such as those using simple chemicals. They are designed to be done after reading the book. The activities center on science, but also make use of math, social studies, writing and field trips, a more integrated approach to the study of science. The book leans heavily towards the life sciences in its topics. Some examples of the books/topics included are: Sarah, Plain and Tall/the prairie ecosystem; Night of the Twisters/tornadoes and weather; and The Island of the Blue Dolphins/California coastal islands.

Because of the interesting approach that this book employs, I recommend it especially for children who have trouble learning with a textbook approach. However, I need to include some cautions. Some of the activities reflect a concern with political correctness, and some of the topics (fossils, killer whales, wetlands encroachment) are especially prone to that. I have not read all of the books, but I know that some of the authors, Gary Paulsen, for example, would be objectionable to many parents. However, with 14 books to choose among, there is easily a full year of activities, even leaving out some of the sections. [reviewed by Kath Courtney]