Infusion of Literacy into the Science Curriculum
Book Information
Title
The Great Graph Contest
Author
Loreen Leedy
Publisher
Holiday House
Copyright Year
2005
IBN#
57893387
Summary
Ready, set-get going on those graphs! Gonk
the toad and Beezy the lizard are having a
contest to see who can make the best graphs.
They are going crazy with bar graphs, pie
charts, Venn diagrams, quantity graphs, and
more. Clear examples, step-by-step
instructions, and plenty of comic relief make
this guide to a vital part of math curriculum fun
as well as fundamental.
Availability
Arlington Central Library; APS Library system
(specify schools with these copies); Amazon (for
purchase).
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How can the book content be infused into the science curriculum?
Grade Level
K-5
Strands
Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and
Logic; Matter
Kindergarten
Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and
Logic
K.1; K.2- Five senses, descriptions and
sequencing
Matter
K.4 & K.5 – Physical properties; Water
Grade 1
Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and
Logic
1.1- Classifying, measuring, predicting
Grade 2
Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and
Logic
2.1- Measurement, classification, graphs,
unexpected data
Grade 3
Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and
Logic
3.1- Making predications and observations, data
charted, drawing conclusion
Matter
3.3 – Physical properties
Grade 4
Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and
Logic
4.1- Hypotheses, predictions, measurement
Grade 5
Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and
Logic
5.1- Classification key, measurement, graphing
data, variables
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Sample Activities
Kindergarten
After reading the book to the class, the students
were tasked with creating two categories of rocksone rough, one smooth. We discussed the
physical properties of a smooth and rough rock.
The students also learned that they use their
sense of touch to determine whether a rock is
smooth or rough. How can you tell if a rock is
smooth? You can rub your hand gently around it.
How can you tell if a rock is rough? You cannot
rub your hand gently around it. The students take
a nature walk to collect rocks. They bring the
rocks back to class and they begin sorting and
creating their graph.
Grade 3
After reading the book to the class, the students
will conduct an experiment to determine if an
object is made of metal. According to their data
from the experiment, the students will create a
graph showing which items are made of metal and
which are not. There are many different metals,
but they all have some things in common. All
metal looks shiny. They all allow electricity to pass
through them. They can be
pulled into wires. They can be flattened into thin
sheets, such as aluminum foil.
They feel cool when touched and get very hot
when heated. A block of metal
will make a ringing sound when hit. Some metals
are attracted to magnets. The students will be
given a sheet with the following questions—Is it
attracted to a magnet?; Does it feel cold?; Does it
look shiny? If the object meets the criteria, then
the student will classify it as a metal.
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