A few weeks ago, Towering Technology shared our 5 AWESOME STEM picture books & projects ideas for grades 2 to 6. This post will explore 5 AWESOME STEM picture books & projects ideas for preschool to Grade 1.
Picture books are widely used by younger students in schools and at home. Many parents introduce picture books to their kids from as early as one year of age. As a result, a number of our students are coming to Kindergarten with prereading skills and phonemic awareness Early years teachers use picture books as essential foundations to their pedagogy and them these especially pivotal resources for developing foundation literacy skills as well as for introducing and exploring Science and Maths. Many picture books today as lend themselves to exploring and using technology in the classroom.
There are two types of picture books explored in this post, that can be integrated with STEM projects. Ones which are STEM specific books where the protagonists activity create and explore STEM concepts and other books which are fictional and explorer broader themes and ideas that lend themselves to STEM concepts. Here are 5 awesome STEM text for use with students in Preschool to Grade 1.
Dolle 1.0 by Shanda McCloskey
Dolle 1.0 is a cute picture where Charlotte modifies her new toy to become a digital toy.
Grades: K-2
Recommended Ages: 4+
Can be modified across grades 2 to 6 depending on the complexity of the project and curriculum links.
STEM Ideas:
Design and Produce new toys and gadgets
Modifying existing toys and gadgets with technology
Make online games and toys
Exploring how things work (pull things apart and look at the system inside)
Curriculum Links:
Science (Circuits, Lights & Sound)
History (historical changes)
Technology:
Microbits, Makey Makey, Ozobots, Dash and Dot
Buy
Book depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Doll-E-1-0-Shanda-McCloskey/9780316510318?ref=grid-view&qid=1568599421693&sr=1-1
How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk
How to Code a Sandcastle is a fun story with Pearl and her Robot Friend Pascal. The two work to build a sandcastle. Pearl breaks down the problem of building a sandcastle into smaller steps and then she codes Pascal to build a super awesome sandcastle kingdom.
Grades: Preschool to 1
Recommended Ages: 4+
Can be modified across depending on the complexity of the project and curriculum links.
STEM Ideas:
Design and Produce a Sandcastle or other built product
Curriculum Links:
Literacy (Procedures)
Science (Built Environment)
Technology:
Beebot, Ozobots, Makey Makey, Scratch Jnr, Minecraft Education
Buy
How to Code a Rollercoaster by Josh Funk
Josh Funk has recently released his follow-up to How to Code a Sandcastle with How to Code a Rollercoaster. This text can be used as a follow on to How to Code a Sandcastle, and also can be modified for older grades.
Buy
Booktopia: https://www.booktopia.com.au/how-to-code-a-rollercoaster-josh-funk/book/9780425292037.html
Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen
Violet Van Winkle is an engineer who tinkers and toys with household appliances she builds amazing flying machines including the Tubbubbler, the Bicycopter, and the Wing-a-ma-jig. Although she initially has trouble fitting in, her classmates are won over by her awesomeness when she uses her machines to win an Air Show at school and save the day after a dramatic event.
Grades: Preschool to 1 Recommended Ages: 4 to 8 years old
Can be modified across depending on the complexity of the project and curriculum links.
STEM Ideas:
Design and Produce a Sandcastle
Design and Produce gadgets using everyday items
Modifying existing toys and gadgets with technology
Exploring how things work (pull things apart and look at the system inside)
Curriculum Links:
Literacy (Procedures)
Science (Transport)
Science (Built Environment)
Science (Space)
Technology:
Beebot, Ozobots, Makey Makey, Scratch Jnr, Minecraft Education, Microbit
Buy
The following two books are both great for introducing space and the Moon. Having a Kindergartener and Preschooler at home I can tell you first hand that this is a very popoluar subject for this age group.
The Cow Tripped Over the Moon by Tony Wilson
Framed with the nursery rhyme ‘Hey Diddle Diddle the cat and the Fiddle’ this charming tale involves The Cow attempting to jump over the moon. With each attempt the cow invents a new method for trying to read the moon. This story is a great segway into talking about transport, space as well as resilience and friendship.
Grades: Preschool to 1
Recommended Ages: 4 to 8 years old
Can be modified across depending on the complexity of the project and curriculum links.
STEM Ideas:
Design and Produce a Rocket
Design and Produce different ways of getting to the moon
Exploring how things work (pull things apart and look at the system inside)
Curriculum Links:
Literacy (Procedures)
Science (Transport)
Science (Push and Pull)
Science (Space)
Technology:
Beebot, Ozobots, Makey Makey, Scratch Jnr, Minecraft Education, Microbit
Buy
Book depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Cow-Tripped-Over-Moon-Tony-Wilson/9781743623541?ref=grid-view&qid=1569973228185&sr=1-48
Moon: Night-time around the world by Patricia Hagerty and Britta Teckentrup
This lovely text explores moon phases in the lunar cycle as well as the effects of the moon on night animals.
Grades: Preschool to 1
Recommended Ages: 4 to 8 years old
Can be modified across depending on the complexity of the project and curriculum links.
STEM Ideas:
Design and Produce a moon graph
Design and Produce a model of a night animal
Curriculum Links:
Literacy (Procedures)
Science (Transport)
Science (Space)
Science (Living World)
Technology:
Beebot, Ozobots, Makey Makey, Scratch Jnr, Minecraft Education, Microbit
Buy
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires is a cute story about a young girl who plans on inventing the Most Magnificent Thing. She tinkers and toys and creates multiple iterations of her design, eventually striking gold and ends up making The Most Magnificent Thing!
Grades: K to 1
Recommended Ages: 4 to 8 years old
Can be modified across depending on the complexity of the project and curriculum links.
STEM Ideas:
Design and Produce new inventions and gadgets
Modifying existing toys and gadgets with technology
Make online games and toys
Exploring how things work (pull things apart and look at the system inside)
Curriculum Links:
Science (Circuits, Lights & Sound)
History (historical changes)
Buy
Booktopia: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-most-magnificent-thing-ashley-spires/book/9781554537044.html
Stay tuned for more great STEM book recommendations from Towering Technology
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