Picture-Perfect Science

Award-winning series for grades K-5

By: Karen Ansberry & Emily Morgan

The award-winning series that combines science and reading in a natural way and provides easy-to-grasp background in science, language arts, and STEM

The classroom-tested lessons clearly identify the appropriate science content per grade and embed carefully selected reading strategies.

Latest Releases

Children's Book Packs

A lesson book with corresponding picture books

ClassPacks

A kit supplied with supporting classroom materials

The Main Components of the Lessons

Picture Books

Engaging, high quality STEM-related picture books create a context for concepts and deliver clear scientific explanations.

5E Instructional Model

Lessons are sequenced using the 5Es constructivist learning cycle where students experience the concepts before the explanations are provided.

STEM

The four STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are integrated in a meaningful way emphasizing real-world applications.

Books

New Releases

Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons, Second Grade, Expanded Edition

Using Children’s Books for Three-Dimensional Learning

Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons, Kindergarten, Expanded Edition

Using Children’s Books for Three-Dimensional Learning

Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons, First Grade, Expanded Edition

Using Children’s Books for Three-Dimensional Learning

About

Authors Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan are elementary classroom veterans who've honed their approach to teaching science to teachers nationwide. They know that elementary teachers are usually crunched for science instructional time and could often use refresher explanations of scientific concepts.

Elementary school teachers can use the picture books in combination with ready-to-use student pages and assessments to aid in guided inquiry. Also available: Collections of the picture books used in the series at reduced prices—including previously out-of-print titles—and prepackaged classroom supply kits for each of the lessons!

For more information on how to implement Picture-Perfect Science in your classroom—including key reading strategies and connections to the science standards—download the free e-book Why Read Picture Books in Science Class?

Download an overview of how the Picture-Perfect Science Lessons connect with the Next Generation Science Standards content areas in grades K through 5.

Chapters

Book Chapter

Batteries Included

Learners make drawing of what they think might be inside “energy balls,” small plastic spheres that light up and buzz. After investigating simple circuits using batteries, bulbs, and wires, they learn that electricity needs a complete loop to flo...

Book Chapter

Brainstorms: From Idea to Invention

Learners explore the design process by improving an existing invention; designing and building a drink holder for an airplane seat and communicating their design process; and designing an investigation to evaluate Scotchgard. For more information on...

Book Chapter

Chemical Change Café

Learners explore the differences between chemical and physical changes by observing a variety of changes in mater. Learners observe the chemical change of cooking pancakes and identify new menu items for the Chemical Change Café. For more informati...

Book Chapter

Close Encounters of the Symbiotic Kind

Learners explore how some organisms interact with other organisms through symbiotic relationships by observing “mystery objects” (plant galls) collected from the local ecosystem. For more information on how to implement Picture-Perfect Science in...

Book Chapter

Day and Night

Using a model, learners explore time zones and what causes day and night and how time zones change. Learners observed the position of the Sun in the sky at different times of day and relate those positions to the rotation of the Earth. For more info...

Book Chapter

Down the Drain

Learners keep track of their households’ water use for one day, explore ways to conserve water and then create a Water Watch campaign for school or home. They also discover that clean water is limited in many places on Earth and learn about how wat...

Book Chapter

Earth Hounds: Dr. Xargle's Book of Earth Hounds and Seven Blind Mice

Learners develop understandings of the differences between observations and inferences by analyzing Dr. Xargle's comical, yet misguided, attempts to teach his students about human babies. Learners then make observations and inferences of "mystery sam...

Book Chapter

Imaginative Inventions

Learners explore the invention process by learning about inventions throughout history and how inventions fill needs or wants, by improving existing inventions, and by keeping a toy invention journal. They further their understandings of the risks an...

Picture-Perfect Science

By: Karen Ansberry & Emily Morgan

The award-winning series that combines science and reading in a natural way and provides easy-to-grasp background in science, language arts, and STEM

Latest Releases

The Main Components of the Lessons

Picture Books

5E Instructional Model

STEM

Books

New Releases

Picture-Perfect

Picture-Perfect STEM

Picture-Perfect by Grade Level

About

Chapters

Chapters