Caldecott Connections To Science

Take advantage of the appeal and power of Caldecott award literature to extend and promote learning across the curriculum. In these three volumes the author demonstrates how to use award-winning books as springboards to science, social studies learning, and language arts in the library and classroom-and to expand student awareness and appreciation of illustration techniques. For each Caldecott title there is background information on the illustrations, curriculum connections, lesson plans, and support materials for teaching. Glandon also integrates Gardner's multiple intelligences with curriculum content. With a flexible, discovery approach, these activity units focus on student-centered, experiential, holistic, and authentic learning and they are ready for instant implementation. Targeted to primary grade objectives and abilities, the books include an array of individual projects and collaborative ones. They also foster collaborations between library media specialists and classroom teachers.

Take advantage of the appeal and power of Caldecott award literature to extend and promote learning across the curriculum. In these three volumes the author demonstrates how to use award-winning books as springboards to science, social studies learning, and language arts in the library and classroom-and to expand student awareness and appreciation of illustration techniques. For each Caldecott title there is background information on the illustrations, curriculum connections, lesson plans, and support materials for teaching. Glandon also integrates Gardner's multiple intelligences with curriculum content. With a flexible, discovery approach, these activity units focus on student-centered, experiential, holistic, and authentic learning and they are ready for instant implementation. Targeted to primary grade objectives and abilities, the books include an array of individual projects and collaborative ones. They also foster collaborations between library media specialists and classroom teachers.

School Library Journal

Ten Caldecott books, including Karen Ackerman's Song and Dance Man, John Langstaff's Frog Went A-Courtin', William Steig's Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, and Ezra Jack Keats's The Snowy Day, are presented here to be used as springboards for science units. The ideas for sharing the story are thoughtful and extend it nicely. Next come the curriculum connections. Here again, the activities are well thought through and well presented, often with reproducible graphic organizers. The author is aware of Howard Gardner's study of multiple intelligences, Frames of Mind (Basic, 1993), and attempts to reach all eight in each lesson. Unfortunately, the connections are artificial. Frog Went A-Courtin' is not at all about frogs and is therefore a tenuous springboard for discussion. Likewise, that it happens to rain in Sylvester and the Magic Pebble does not make it a springboard for a unit on weather. Other books make much better unit tie-ins, and trying to get Caldecott-medal winners to fit these themes is forced. Teachers and librarians may get some ideas from this book, but it isn't totally successful.-Joan Hamilton, Pierce School, Brookline, MA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

SHAN GLANDON, a former School Library Media Specialist, is Peer Mentor, Jenks Public Schools, Tulsa, Oklahoma. She also teaches course for educators at Tulsa Community College.