Picture books and professional journals can lead children through inquiry and
investigation. The natural process of how living things grow, change, have needs, and
follow predictable patterns can be used to develop childrens background knowledge.
For this assignment, you will select, describe, and evaluate two appropriate picture
books, one fiction and one non-fiction, based on your selected topic from Unit 1. You
will also discuss the benefits of using picture books in early childhood science
instruction.
Instructions:
1. Select Two Picture Books
Use the Unit 2 optional resources for early childhood book lists, reviews and
recommendations, as well as online book stores to look for picture books.
Select two picture books appropriate to preschool-aged children that you can
use to teach your selected topic. One of your selected books should be fiction
and the other book should be non-fiction.
To prepare for writing descriptions of your selected books:
o Research and read one review for each book. Write the complete
bibliographical information for both reviews. You will need to cite them in
your assignment.
o Review the six criteria for evaluating books used by the NSTA and
Childrens Book Council (found in Chapter 2 of Royce, C. A., Morgan, E.
R., & Ansberry, K. R. (2012). Teaching science through trade books.
NSTA Press.). You will apply a selection of these criteria in your written
description of each book.
The book has substantial science content.
Information is clear, accurate, and up-to-date.
Theories and facts are clearly distinguished.
CHS250 STEM in the Early
Childhood Education Classroom
Unit 2 Assignment: Picture Books Facts are not oversimplified so that the information is
misleading.
Generalizations are supported by facts and significant facts are
not omitted.
Books are free of gender, ethnic, and socioeconomic bias.
2. Describe and Evaluate Picture Book Selections
Write a description of each book that includes all of the following elements:
o Topic: List your selected topic (from Unit 1).
o Citations: Provide a citation for each of your picture book selections and
book reviews in APA 7 format.
o Book Features: Describe the features of each book. Examples: Are there
illustrations, or graphic aids, and what kind? Is there text? Are there charts
or diagrams? Is there a table of contents or index? Explain specific
features of each book that appeal to you for teaching children.
o Book Evaluation: Select three (3) of the six criteria used by the NSTA and
Childrens Book Council to evaluate your book selections. You may use
the same three criteria for each book or select different criteria from the six
listed. Make sure to note the criteria and provide brief remarks on your
findings for each. You may find that your book selection does not meet or
only partially meets the evaluation criteria you selected.
o Selected Topic Connection: Explain why you chose each book for your
topic? Provide two specific examples that illustrate the links between the
books and your topic (one example for each book)
o Effectiveness of Picture Books: Summarize, in your own words, why
picture books are so effective for teaching young children science.
Requirements:
Submit a Word document in APA 7 format (with Title Page and Reference Page).
Minimum two (2) pages in length, excluding Title and Reference pages.
