By Sierra Satterstrom, Patricia Newman and Elizabeth Shreeve

At the 2024 CASE conference in Sacramento, our “idea factory” workshop exposed participants to eye-catching, newly published STEM nonfiction children’s literature with related classroom activities.

The books, which explored the topic of ocean science, covered three age levels (grades 1-3, 3-6, and 5-8). Each grade-level text set included a range of formats, as defined in 5 Kinds of Nonfiction by Melissa Stewart and Marlene Correia (Stenhouse, 2021).

After a brief presentation, teachers joined grade-level groups to browse the books before participating in specific hands-on activities. Next came a lively “stand up and pair up” exchange of ideas. The session ended with brand-new nonfiction giveaway books to bring home. By the workshop’s end, participants were able to:

1. ---

   Identify nonfiction STEM titles from diverse creators that target science and ELA standards.
2. Identify the five types of nonfiction books.
3. Build developmentally appropriate text sets that introduce and develop literacy in science topics.
4. Access cross-curricula activities using STEM literature that demonstrate the connection between various disciplinary core ideas, and receive access to a bibliography of nonfiction books.
5. Create a flexible curriculum that addresses NGSS standards while allowing students to pursue their interests.

Reviewing books in the grades 1-3 text set

Stand up, pair up sharing of ideas

If you missed the workshop, we hope you’ll explore the resources. They’re ready to empower teachers with info-licious STEM nonfiction titles and activities that jump-start cross-curricula synergies.
[insert QR code]

About the Authors
Sierra Satterstrom is a K-6 STEM educator with 15 years of teaching experience in the elementary classroom.
Patricia Newman, Sibert Honor nonfiction author, is a former teacher who frequently shows educators how today’s info-licious nonfiction can be used in the classroom.
Elizabeth Shreeve, award-winning author,  writes children’s books that celebrate the history and diversity of life on Earth.

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