Title of Book:
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Science Verse
Jon Scieszka
Viking/2004
780670910571
Grade Levels for recommended use: Middle School - 6th - 8th
TEKS: 6,7,&8 (2) Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses scientific inquiry
methods during laboratory and field investigations. The student is expected to:
(A) plan and implement comparative and descriptive investigations by making observations,
asking well-defined questions, and using appropriate equipment and technology;
(B) design and implement experimental investigations by making observations, asking welldefined questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and using appropriate equipment and
technology;
(C) collect and record data using the International System of Units (SI) and qualitative means
such as labeled drawings, writing, and graphic organizers;
(D) construct tables and graphs, using repeated trials and means, to organize data and identify
patterns; and
(E) analyze data to formulate reasonable explanations, communicate valid conclusions
supported by the data, and predict trends.
Brief Summary: This collection of poems about science begins with a boy sitting in science
class listening to his teacher talk about the “poetry of science.” The next day the boy starts
hearing everything as a science poem. Ten parodies of well-known poems follow. Each poem is
about a scientific topic: dinosaurs, atoms, planets and much more. The humor of the poetry is
enhanced by Lane Smith’s exuberant illustrations. The combination of Scieszka’s clever verse
and Smith’s fantastic images creates a book that is terrifically fun for kids. The last page lists the
famous poems that provided the basis for the parodies. This is an exciting book that can serve as
an excellent springboard for teaching both science and language arts.
The topics of the poems are: evolution, water cycle, anatomy, astronomy, black holes, dinosaurs,
food chain, food additives, light, worms, parasites, fire, bedbugs, scientific method, electricity,
virus, atoms, states of matter, senses, amoeba, metamorphosis, expanding universe and the solar
system.
Materials needed: "Science Verse", PowerPoint, computer lab, internet, or for alternate project
- poster paper, crayons, and color pencils
Suggested Activity: Create your own science poem with pictures.
1. Read "Scientific Method At The Bat" Jon Scieszka
2. Play - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kf51FpBuXQ - Put it to the Test " They Might
Be Giants
3. Students team up to write a poem or song - I suggest two students in a group
4. Go to computer and create PPT slide 5. Type poem or song in center of slide
6. find pictures to match story or poem and copy them into PPT
7. Create bibliography page - make sure credit is given for each picture copied.
or
1. Read "Scientific Method At The Bat" Jon Scieszka
2. Play - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kf51FpBuXQ - Put it to the Test " They Might
Be Giants
3. Students team up to write a poem or song - I suggest two students in a group
4. Pass out construction paper and magazines or pictures
5. Students will write poem or song in center of poster and surround it with pictures picked
out.
Adapted by Mrs. Micheal Anne Latimer 2010