Science Lit Circles

School:: Oakridge Middle
Subject:: Science
Teacher:: Amy Diemert
Students Impacted:: 130
Grade:: 6
Date:: July 22, 2019

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Ray Harman, in honor of Karen Harman - $435.68

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 132

Students benefitted from incorporating novels into the science content. During quarter 3, we did a read aloud with "The Boy who Harnessed the Wind" during the longer lunch period. We used discussion questions (attached) to broaden our understanding of the topic and our study of renewable and non-renewable resources. During quarter 4, we will do a read aloud of "Life as we Knew it" to connect to our study of the interactions between the Earth and the moon. Students enjoyed this time to immerse themselves into a book. We look forward to using some of the other books we purchased next fall which we will connect to our weather unit. Thank you again for your generous donation to our classroom library.

Study Guide Questions used for discussion

grant photo

Sabrina reading after lunch

grant photo

Sean reading after lunch

Original Grant Overview

Goal

To incorporate science novels with an earth/space focus in order to draw connections to non-fiction text and experiences in science class.

What will be done with my students

During semester 2, students will choose a science novel to participate in a literature circle. Students will be required to make connections between the novel and topics covered in Earth/Space science. Students will work with their small literature circle group (3-4 students) to present connections between the characters and plot to the standards, vocabulary and curriculum in 6th grade Earth/Space science. Reading will be weekly homework. Literature circles will meet weekly on Friday to discuss their novel.

Benefits to my students

The science related novels that I am requesting all have an Earth/Space science theme. Students will be able to make connections between non-fiction reading and lab experiences to the fictional experiences and characters in the books. Crossing curriculum standards in science and language arts will help students in both subjects.

The books purchased will be checked out to students and reused each year.

Budget Narrative

60 total paperback books

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	The Tale of the Swamp Rat by Carter Crocker (5 copies)	$34.95
2	Stranded by Ben Mikaelsen (10 copies)	$34.70
3	Life as We Knew it by Susan Pfeffer (10 copies)	$90.80
4	Hoot by Carl Hiassen (5 copies)	$39.55
5	Flush by Carl Hiassen (5 copies)	$33.45
6	Scat by Carl Hiassen (5 copies)	$37.95
7	The Boy who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba (10 copies )	$78.88
8	Eye of the Storm by Kate Messner (10 copies)	$85.40
	Total:	$435.68

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