Lake, Jo-Anne (2000)
Literature & Science Breakthroughs: Connecting Language and Science Skills in the Elementary Classroom.
Markham, ON: Pembroke Publishers. Published in the United States by Stenhouse.
There have been quite a few 'science and children's literature' books published in the last five years. Literature & Science Breakthroughs is sufficiently different to warrant purchase. Jo-Anne Lake has written a thoughtful, well-organized book, which is both theoretical and practical. Her approach to the topic is unique, she uses the National Science Education Standards (National Research Council, 1996) strands as her structure. Lake thoroughly explains how books can be integrated into each strand discussing how to get started, hands-on activities and assessment. The chapter on assessment is excellent, clearly demonstrating that the use of children's literature in the science classroom can be effectively assessed. The list of suggested titles is extensive and includes a wide variety of literature - picture books, fiction, information books, poetry, folklore, etc. The last chapter illustrates how to integrate materials across all the strands and into other areas of the curriculum.
This is not a quick fix book with canned activities, it is a thoughtful explanation of how and why children's literature can be used in the elementary science curriculum. Literature & Science Breakthroughs would be helpful to both preservice and in-service teachers.
Pages: 128
Price: $18.95
ISBN: 1-55138-126-5
Reviewed by Judy Walker, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
