Science

Science is a very broad subject. Science texts are usually more appealing than texts from other subjects because they contain real life pictures about a topic that is being explained. They use a formal voice, which means that they contain advanced vocabulary, and use academic language. When selecting science books for your classroom always check the accuracy because science is always making new discoveries, and we want to teach our students about the most recent information. Science books are good for read-aloud and shared reading since they are very complex and loaded with information. Also, when selecting the books you will use in your classroom, make sure they are appealing to students since they are more likely to grab a book if the cover seems interesting. According to the Iowa Core Standards the subjects included in science are, earth and space science, physical science, life science, and science as inquiry. Science concepts may be confusing sometimes so when selecting the books for my classroom I will select the ones that contain text features which will help my students in understanding the concepts.  


Brian Williams. (1996). Insects and spiders. Chicago, IL: World Book Inc.

Complex text level:

• Fourth and fifth

Grade level for read-aloud:

• Third and Fourth

This book is very easy to follow and understand. It talks about insects and spiders; it provides good details about them for example, where they live, what they eat, why spiders are not considered insects. It also provides a lot of scientific terms, and it talks about prehistoric insects. This book can be used in a class if the students are learning about the different types of insects there are some that jump, others that fly, some that run, and some that swim. This book may be more appealing for boys since it contains a lot of interesting pictures about insects and spiders. Also, the text features in this book make it easier to find information and to understand what the information presented in the text.





Andres Llamas Ruiz, (1997). The Life of a Cell. New York : Sterling Pub.

 Complex text level:

• Fourth and fifth

Grade level for read-aloud:

• Third and Fourth

This book is more complex, it might be for higher elementary, for a fifth or sixth grade since it contains a lot of scientific terms that may be hard for a lower elementary student to understand or even read, but I liked this book because it explains with great detail how cells work, what they look like, the different types of cells we have, and why we need them. It contains illustrations that go along with the text making it easier for students to understand what the information that is presented in the book. Also, it uses bold and colorful illustrations to explain the microscopic building blocks of life. This book contains a bit of history since it explains how cells have evolved over millions of years, and explains how they work, reproduce and find food.  

Health

The health genre covers all content areas related to student wellness. These books are often written by health care professionals. These books provide students with information about how to maintain a healthy life style. Health texts can include topics like, nutrition, emotional well-being, physical wellness, puberty, injury and violence prevention, and diseases. Just like science, health practices are always changing and new practices for staying healthy are being introduced. When I select my books I’ll make sure the information is accurate and up to date. In my classroom I will use these books for read-aloud and shared readings. I plan on having a variety of health books for my classroom library so my students can multiple options and select the one that seems more interesting or appealing for them. Also, these books can be used as a secondary resource when introducing new health care practices to students. Before I select my books I will make sure it contains text features that will engage my students into reading the book. Also, health text can work with different science units, which means that I can use these books for science lessons related to health education.



American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. (2012). Journal of physical education, recreation & dance. Philadelphia, PA.

Grade level for which text is complex:

• Fourth & Fifth 

Level for read aloud:

• Third & Fourth

This is a journal about physical education, recreation, and dance. In this journal information about how to use technology for PE is given, as well as student centered strategies for teaching modern dance in secondary physical education. This journal contains information about movement in the classroom and its benefits. This article provides information about how much a child’s life can change if s/he involves in a physical activity. An active child is able to retain more information, stay focused for longer periods of time, and has a positive experience about learning. As educators we will be responsible for getting our kids active in the classroom and in some cases outside the classroom. Exposing students to this information will help them become more active, which will lead to them being healthier. I chose this article because it focuses on younger children, which makes it easier for students to relate to it.

Joanna Cole, (1989). The Magic School Bus : Inside the Human Body. New York : Scholastic Inc.

Grade level for which text is complex:

• ·         First & second

Grade level for read aloud:

• ·         Kindergarten & First

This is a good book to use when introducing the human body to students. It contains humor which will make the students want to read it, but it also contains real facts about the digestive system. This book provides facts about the digestive system, the blood vessels, the heart, and the brain. The illustrations used in this text guide the reader along with the information that is being provided. This book contains side bars which help which help explain difficult concepts that are found throughout the text. These sidebars break down the concepts into student friendly terms.