It Sinks-Now Make it Float

This two-part unit features books by award-winning author Pamela Allen. The first half uses the book Who Sank the Boat? to (re-) introduce students to the phenomena of sinking and floating, while challenging an incomplete idea that many students hold — big, heavy things sink and little, light things float. Students develop evidence to develop a better understanding of sinking and floating.

Look Over There!

Asking "WHY?" is second nature to children. But what happens when you turn that question back to kids? A foundation for learning science!

This unit works to to foster the curiosity bubbling up in all children about the universe, provides experiences for children to begin building their own foundation for scientific thinking; and is a resource to teachers as they work to develop students' writing skills.

How's that Working ....

This unit includes six different books - Ears, Eyes, Noses, Tails, Mouth & Teeth, and Locomotion - to introduce students to important concepts related to the relationship between structure and function - a foundational concept for an understanding why living things appear and operate as they do. Powerful activities provide students with the evidence to build a strong understanding.

Let the Dark Out

Light, because it is ubiquitous in our lives, leads to a variety of incorrect or incomplete ideas by young children - light is in a bulb - light fills a space. Such ideas in turn lead to difficulties explaining the direction and formation of shadows and the reflection of light by objects. This important unit engages students in a series of activities designed to provide evidence for "how light works."

Follow the Sun

This unit helps children begin to recognize patterns within the movement of celestial objects like the Sun and the Moon.  The story is followed by a series of simple activities that help build an understanding that  the Sun does move in predictable and repeatable patterns.  Students make their own observations in order to build their understanding of Earth's place within the solar system.

The Pushme-Pullyou

Children are introduced to important ideas about force and motion by the timeless of characters Dr. Dolittle. The story is followed by a series of simple activities then help students build an understanding that a force is a push or a pull and that forces can change an object's speed, it's direction or both. These precursor ideas are important in developing an understanding of how the world works.

What's It Doing Outside?

Ozzie and Alina are are off on another adventure as they try to figure out their mother's cryptic reference to bluebird weather. What do bluebirds have to do with weather anyway? This unit features both new and classics to engage students in a series of activities about weather, including data collection activities, pattern recognition, and how both are used to make predictions about the future.

The Water Thief

This unit helps children begin the development of their understanding that water can exist in different forms, depending on certain conditions. The unit, introduced by a mystery involving a possible water thief, includes a variety of simple activities in which students are introduced to the concept of evaporation.

When I Grow Up

To develop an understanding of genetics and the inheritance of traits later on, students must first recognize similarities between young plants and young animals and their parents. Purposeful engagement of this idea naturally leads students to wonder why.  Spectacular photographs and text prompt students to consider examples. Simple activities follow to reinforce these important ideas.

Did You Use Soap?

How often are children asked upon a return from the bathroom - "Did you wash your hands?" and "Did you use soap?" Probably more than most adults can remember. But why is soap so important? This beautifully illustrated story leads students into a series of activities centered on the unique properties of soap and why soap does what it does.

Grow a Green Giant

Ozzie and Alina team up to open this unit with the book Even Taller Than Me. The unit guides children to uncover evidence to support their understanding of what plants need to grow and thrive. In the process, they learn even more about the scientific process and how observations, experiments and evidence form the basis of what we know about the world.

A Kudzu Monster

Marcus loves to solve mysteries and after overhearing his grandfather, Marcus is determined to figure out more about the kudzu monster eating the tractor!

This fun book opens the unit, which from the guides children to uncover evidence to support their understanding of how plants can impact their environment.