Picture
Perfect
Science
Engage students in
scientific inquiry through the
use of carefully selected
picture books!
Karen Ansberry co-authored Picture-Perfect Science Lessons to give science teachers
the tools they need to help students learn to read and read to learn. As a former
classroom teacher, she understands that teachers are crunched for time and need
high-interest, ready-to-use lessons that integrate literature, reading strategies, and
science. After graduating from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio with a bachelor’s
degree in biology, she completed an internship in the Cincinnati Zoo’s education
department. This experience inspired her to change her career focus from wildlife
biology to elementary education, and after earning a Master of Arts in teaching from
Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, she began teaching fifth and sixth grade science at
Mason City Schools, in Mason, Ohio. Karen enjoys working with Emily to develop
teacher-friendly, standards-based science lessons and facilitate high-energy,
interactive teacher workshops. She is currently the elementary science curriculum
leader for Mason City Schools.
Emily Morgan feels that tapping into students’ fascination with science will give
them the motivation to read about it. She believes that every teacher is a
reading teacher and enjoys writing lessons that use engaging picture books
and integrate reading strategies. Emily has a bachelor’s degree in education
from Wright State University and a master’s in education from the University of
Dayton. She taught seventh grade science at Northridge Local Schools in
Dayton, Ohio, and second through fourth grade science lab at Mason City
Schools in Mason, Ohio. She has served as a science consultant for the
Hamilton County Educational Service Center in Cincinnati, Ohio and as the
science leader for the High AIMS Consortium. She is currently a full-time
consultant for Picture-Perfect Science, LLC where she facilitates elementary
science workshops for teachers nationwide. She is the co-author of PicturePerfect Science Lessons and More Picture-Perfect Science Lessons, published
by NSTA Press.
“To ensure that all students have some appreciation of the beauty
and wonder of science; possess sufficient knowledge of science and
engineering to engage in public discussion on related issues; are
careful consumers of scientific and technological information related
to their everyday lives; are able to continue to learn about science
outside school; and have the skills to enter careers of their choice,
including science, engineering, and technology.”
Three major dimensions:
•
•
•
Scientific and engineering practice
Crosscutting concepts that unify the
study of science and engineering
through their common application
across fields
Core ideas in four disciplinary areas:
physical science; life science; earth
science and space science; and
engineering, technology, and
application of science
Scientific and Engineering Practices
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Asking questions and defining problems
Developing and using models
Planning and carrying out investigations
Analyzing and interpreting data
Using mathematics and computational thinking
Constructing explanations and designing
solutions
Engaging in argument from evidence
Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating
information
Do you know this person?
Picture Perfect Science Lessons are organized
using the 5Es Instructional Model and reading
strategies are embedded throughout.
Student Assessment Methods—
What are methods
of assessing student performance that
go beyond multiple-choice tests?
1. Observing Students
• Informal observations
• Structured observations
• Narratives
2. Asking Students
• Interviews
• Self-assessments
3. Looking at Students’ Work
• Open-ended questions
• Performance tests/tasks
• Journals
• Exhibitions/projects/culminating
demonstrations
• Portfolios
Batteries
Included
Suggested Grade
Levels: 4-6
Toy Take-Apart Day
Sheep in a
Jeep
Suggested Grade
Levels: 3-4
Assessment posters for
Force and Motion
What kind of
classroom
environment
are you
building for
your
students?