Science Through Childrens Literature: An Integrated Approach [Paperback]

Carol M Butzow (Author), John W Butzow (Author), Hannah L. Ben-Zvi (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1563086514 | ISBN-13: 978-1563086519 | Publication Date: March 15, 2000 | Edition: 2nd

The Butzows' groundbreaking, critically acclaimed, and best-selling resource has been thoroughly revised and updated for today's classroom with new titles and new activities. More than 30 exciting instructional units integrate all areas of the curriculum and serve as models to educators at all levels. With each chapter there is also a list of related sources-including Internet sites. Adopted as a supplementary text in schools of education nationwide, this resource features outstanding children's fiction books that are rich in scientific concepts yet equally well known for their strong story lines and universal appeal. Activities can be used with appropriate titles for higher grades.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This groundbreaking, critically acclaimed, and best-selling resource features more than 30 exciting instructional units that integrate all areas of the curriculum and serve as models to educators at all levels. Adopted as a supplementary text in schools of education nationwide, this resource features outstanding children's fiction books that are rich in scientific concepts yet equally well known for their strong story lines and universal appeal.

About the Author

CAROL M. BUTZOW, Ed.D., is an educational consultant, teacher of English as a second language and writer based in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

JOHN W. BUTZOW, Ed.D., is Dean of the College of Education and Educational Technology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited; 2nd edition (March 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563086514
• ISBN-13: 978-1563086519
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #796,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice, but a Big Piece is Missing, September 11, 2006

By 

Mom Who Reads A Lot (Washington DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Science Through Childrens Literature: An Integrated Approach (Paperback)

I thought this book looked really interesting, teaching science through literature was an innovative way to introduce science topics. So I bought this book thinking that I could use it to teach my kindergartner various science topics. There are 33 chapters divided into 4 parts (Part 1- Using Children's Literature as a Springboard to Science; Part 2- Life Science; Part 3- Earth and Space Science; and Part 4- Physical Science). Each chapter is laid out by first recommending a book to read (i.e. "The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle for the chapter on spiders). Next there is a 1-2 page summary of the book, then 1-2 lines of science and content related topics & words. Finally, there is a list of activities suggested for a variety of ages.

What I would have liked is for the author to include a summary of the actual topic (i.e. 4-5 bullet points on spiders). In my opinion, this is a big piece missing, and hence the reason why I gave this book only 3 stars. If you don't know a fair amount about the topics, you will need to do further research if you want to use this book to teach. If you're looking for a supplement to match books with science topics and activities, this is it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bad science, September 11, 2007

By 

brian0918 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Science Through Childrens Literature: An Integrated Approach (Paperback)

The idea is interesting, but if you can't get basic facts straight, what are you actually teaching them? Need I point further than the misspelled "mantel" [sic] on the cover? Ok, how about listing Mars as the 2nd planet from the Sun (p. 135)? I found these two errors in my first 3 minutes looking at this book. They wash over the more difficult concepts to the point where you aren't really learning anything at all, and what you learn is up to widely varying interpretations. Fortunately, Amazon users can use the "Search Inside" feature to see for themselves.

Again, the idea is interesting, but they need to work on the delivery, and make sure the fundamentals are correct. Right now, avoid until at least the 3rd or 4th edition.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Science Activities, November 14, 2008

By 

Randa Rose - See all my reviews

This review is from: Science Through Childrens Literature: An Integrated Approach (Paperback)

I love this book. Examples of chapters are Airplanes, Measurement, Energy and Motion, Force and Movement, Volcanoes, Trees, Reptiles... and more. Each subject has a storybook suggested to read and then there are tons of hands on activities offered to go along with the storybook. This book is along the same lines as Five in a Row. Terrific for lower elementary children.