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Using picture books to connect science, vocabulary, and curiosity Picture books are more than storytime—they’re powerful tools for building both science understanding and literacy skills. In early childhood education, the best science lessons often begin with a read-aloud that invites students to observe, wonder, and connect. Today I’m sharing three of my favorite life science picture books  that seamlessly integrate science content with reading comprehension, vocabulary, and even writing extensions. Whether you’re teaching life cycles, habitats, or microbiology, these books will plant the seeds of curiosity in your classroom. 🌿 1. Over in the Meadow  by Ezra Jack Keats (based on the original by Olive A. Wadsworth) Science Focus : Animal habitats, reproduction, ecosystems Literacy Focus : Rhyme, repetition, sequencing This classic counting rhyme is a joyful introduction to animal behavior and habitat patterns . With vivid illustrations and a predictable structure, it’s perfect for building oral language and print awareness , especially in PreK and Kindergarten. Try This: Create movement activities for each animal (e.g., “wiggle like the worms!”) Build a simple habitat sorting station using animal figurines or images Sequence the verses with picture cards and retell the text as a class Introduce science vocabulary: den, burrow, pond, meadow Why it works : The structure reinforces early fluency while laying a foundation for understanding interdependence and classification  in science. 🧬 2. Don’t Lick This Book  by Idan Ben-Barak Science Focus : Microbiology, hygiene, inquiry Literacy Focus : Nonfiction text features, second-person narration, new vocabulary This fun and surprising nonfiction book introduces microbes  in a way young kids can grasp. Through conversational language and interactive “missions,” students travel with a character named Min inside everyday objects—and even a human body! Try This: Create a “microbe mystery hunt” in your classroom using a magnifying glass and “microbe cards” Introduce nonfiction text features: captions, bold words, diagrams Practice using new words like bacteria , germs , and magnify Ask: “What would YOU investigate if you were as small as Min?” Why it works : This book makes an abstract topic concrete—and invites real questioning. It’s a perfect launching pad for hygiene lessons, science notebooks, or even early research skills. 🌱 3. The Tiny Seed  by Eric Carle Science Focus : Plant life cycle, seasonal change, growth Literacy Focus : Cause and effect, descriptive language, prediction This beautifully illustrated book follows a seed’s journey from wind to soil to flower. It supports understanding of plant development and environmental challenges  in a way that feels both poetic and accessible. Try This: Sequence the life cycle of a seed using interactive notebook pages Practice using cause/effect stems: “Because the seed…,” “Then it…” Start a classroom seed-growing project with daily observations Introduce vocabulary like drift, sprout, bloom, scatter Why it works : It invites students to observe change over time , which supports scientific habits of mind—and provides rich language for writing and journaling. ✏️ Tips for Using Picture Books to Teach Science & Literacy When integrating a book into your science block, I recommend this simple structure: 🔹 Before Reading: Preview science vocabulary Make predictions or connect to background knowledge 🔹 During Reading: Pause to model inquiry (“Why do you think the seed didn’t grow?”) Revisit vocabulary in context Ask open-ended questions 🔹 After Reading: Launch an inquiry task (observation, journal entry, sort) Create an anchor chart or class reflection Extend learning with drawing or dramatizing science concepts 📥 Want to Plan Your Own Read-Aloud Lesson? I’ve created a free Science Read-Aloud Planning Template  to help you structure your own lessons just like this. 👉 Click here to download the template (PDF) 💬 Let’s Connect! What’s your favorite life science picture book?Have you used one of these titles in your classroom?Drop a comment or tag me on Instagram [@RootedTeaching]—I’d love to hear how you bring science and stories to life. Until next time—teach with purpose, stay rooted, and keep reading. 🌿

A place where literacy, science, and strong teaching practices take root. Hi there, and welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. I’m the educator behind Rooted Teaching , and I created this space for early childhood teachers, preservice educators, and anyone who believes that teaching can be both purposeful and joyful. After years of teaching in elementary classrooms and now mentoring future educators at the university level, I saw a need for something more grounded than Pinterest, more practical than a textbook, and more inspiring than a checklist. So I built Rooted Teaching . Why “Rooted”? Because great teaching doesn’t happen by chance. It’s rooted in research —especially in what we now know about how children learn to read and how they develop scientific thinking. It’s rooted in relationships —with our students, with families, and with one another as professionals. It’s rooted in meaningful content —the kind that sparks questions, supports vocabulary growth, and builds strong thinkers through books, experiments, and conversations. What You’ll Find Here Each week, you’ll find posts that blend: 📚 Picture books  with real instructional power 🔬 Science and literacy integration  you can actually use 🧠 Science of Reading strategies  for early childhood ✏️ Preservice teacher support  grounded in real classrooms 💬 Classroom management  that centers relationships and reflection Everything here is meant to be actionable, authentic, and aligned with what matters most: your students and your craft. What’s Coming Up This month, we’ll explore: How to build a powerful science read-aloud lesson Vocabulary strategies that stick A peek into my favorite books for starting the year with inquiry Tips for preservice teachers who are about to enter the classroom for the first time Let’s Grow Together 🌱 If this sounds like your kind of teaching space, I’d love for you to stick around. Subscribe to the newsletter  so you never miss a resource Comment below  with your favorite science-themed picture book Follow along on Instagram @RootedTeaching  for weekly visuals, tips, and free tools Or just say hello—I’d love to hear what you’re working on! Thanks for being here. Let’s grow something meaningful—together. With gratitude, Kelley Spahr Founder, Rooted Teaching