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 Picture-Perfect 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.”

• 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

Three major dimensions:

Scientific and Engineering Practices

1. Asking questions and defining problems2. Developing and using models3. Planning and carrying out investigations4. Analyzing and interpreting data5. Using mathematics and computational thinking6. Constructing explanations and designing

solutions7. Engaging in argument from evidence8. 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• Narratives2. Asking Students• Interviews• Self-assessments3. Looking at Students’ Work• Open-ended questions• Performance tests/tasks• Journals• Exhibitions/projects/culminatingdemonstrations• 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?