Customer Reviews

Thinking BIG, Learning BIG: Connecting Science, Math, Literacy, and Language in Early Childhood

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I just received my copy of "Thinking Big, Learning Big" and was impressed by the range of fun activities that envelope a child's imagination in learning math, science, and language skills. I'm a big proponent of kids learning from doing/seeing/feeling, and this book does that and more. When children build a giant spider and then a giant fly, they find out that these creatures are quite different and not just "bugs" -- something many adults haven't even learned yet! :o) I'm looking forward to working with kids on roads, ramps, bridges, and tunnels. After that, inventions. I think my favorite will be light, color, and rainbows. The author, Marie Evitt, really allows kids to jump in and think in big ways while learning from big activities. I like the back cover of the book where it says this book offers BIG FUN and BIG LEARNING! I agree! Well done!

Thinking BIG, Learning BIG: Connecting Science, Math, Literacy, and Language in Early Childhood was my summer reading and it became September`s lesson plans. This book of activities reinvigorated my thinking. Aligned with national standards in reading, literacy, math, and science, Thinking BIG helps me see where the science activities I know and love can incorporate more language and math goals. With intriguing, classroom-tested activities which are insightful about children's desire to explore and imagine, Evitt also meets teachers' needs for activities which are possible, teach concepts, and come with detailed directions for how to implement. Her approach expanded my thinking--although I usually think of sprouting seeds as an early spring activity, Evitt explains that children are curious about the seeds they discover in fall from flowers and inside apples and pumpkins. The playful spirit throughout the book is so enjoyable--predicting how far popcorn will fly, playing air hockey, and making a giant rainbow! The authors understand that children are attracted to all things BIG and they will remember the concepts they learn through those activities!
Here's what I found especially useful in Thinking BIG, Learning BIG: Movement ideas, insights into children's thinking, teacher-to-teacher tips, games, book lists with full descriptions, language and math goals, skills assessments, and Discussion Starter questions. So many good ideas!

O.K.,I have to be honest. I know the authors. In fact, my daughter was in their class four years ago. I've seen the curriculum in this book first hand, and it simply works. As a former educator and now a parent, I appreciate curriculum that is exciting, engaging, thought-provoking, and open-ended. While volunteering in their classroom I had the opportunity to both observe and participate in the activities included in the book. Parents, teachers, and educators of young children should not miss this book. Every "Big" concept and every "Big" activity has been tried, tested, reworked, and presented to you in an easy to read and follow format. This is not just a book full of fun activities for kids (although the children will definitely be having fun). The book is purposefully written to help guide both teachers and children through careful and meaningful thinking, exploring, experimenting, and growing. Hooray for Teacher Marie and Teacher Tim!

This book is inspiring as well as practical. That puts it on my list of top quality guides. From my own experience, teachers often find preparation for hands-on lessons daunting. Here's help. I especially liked: lists of all needed materials in the sidebar, the step-by-step movement through the lessons, and the skill development lists, and the delightful photographs. This book is a great companion for anyone who loves the art of teaching.

This is one of the clearest and most readable curriculum books that I have seen for teachers and parents. Topics such as rainbows, windpower, roads and the moon will appeal to children while helping them develop a scientific foundation. For example, they will love experimenting with dropping balls in pretend moon dust to see how craters are formed. Evitt gives clear directions and lists of materials for each activity, as well as thought provoking questions.
As a science educator I highly recommend this book.

The book has been an amazing addition to my classroom. The kids and adults are having fun Thinking Big and Learning Big together. The authors do a great job of integrating science, math, literacy in a very easy to read and follow format. Everything you need to know for a successful, hands-on integrated unit on science is in this book. My students have also loved the integration of sign language. This is a must have for any early childhood educator.

I bought this book early this year because I was fascinated with it while leafing through the pages. Out of time, as I had to pick up my kids from school, I bought the book and thought I will read through it at home and if it's not helpful I will just return it. I AM SO GLAD I BOUGHT IT . One of the best Resource books I have ever purchased. The book integrates Science, Math, Literacy concepts into the school activities that are truly interesting. The book also guides the educators towards the activities by discussing Focus Areas, Materials needed, Discussion starters and a lot of Teacher to Teacher tips, among others.
A month after I purchased the book I had the honor of doing Student Teaching work at Marie's class at Mountain View Parent Nursery School, with great appreciation to my teacher Claire Koukoutsakis who placed me there. I saw the impact of the curriculum on the children and how effective were the activities at imparting knowledge to them. The kids loved making the big projects. As a new Preschool Teacher I am adopting some of the activities in this book in my curriculum planning and I am very excited.
A must read not only for parents and Early Childhood Educators but also for teachers in the primary level. It provides ideas that Elementary teachers can utilize as well as build upon.
I do hope Marie will be able to find the time to write Book II of Thinking Big Learning Big.

This is such a fun book! I love doing these projects with my kids. Also, as a parent volunteer in Kindergarten I brought some of these projects for the class. Most of the projects we have done are simple to put together with stuff around the house or recycled materials. I like that the projects are engaging for my preschooler and first grader and their friends. They are worth the set up and clean up (often minimal) since the kids spend a long time engaged in the activities.

I've loaned it out a few times and been worried that I might not get it back. I always have, but I would have happily bought a new copy if needed.

Wow, everything you need to know in one book. Great ideas in all areas, activities are fun, hands on and appropriate for students.