I have been exploring the new B.C. curriculum drafts for Social Studies and thinking about what directions we might take in my Grade 2/3 class next year.
A few of the big ideas:
- Local actions have global consequences, and global actions have local consequences.
- Communities are interconnected with their natural environment
Some content items:
- diverse features of the environment in other parts of Canada and the world
- responsibilities of global citizenship
- relationships between people and environment in different communities
All of these things (above) started me thinking about . . . water.
Access to water. Shortages of water. Water scarcity. Water as a human right.
I think there is so much to learn here. So many questions. Such a relevant and necessary topic. And of course, I immediately started making a book list. Here are titles I may share in my room this year. Other suggestions? Please share them in the comment section.
Through these books, I hope we can both learn about and celebrate all that is water.
Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin
All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon and illustrated by Katherine Tillotson
Every Last Drop: Bringing Clean Water Home by Michelle Mulder
A Cool Drink of Water by Barbara Kerley
One Well: The Story of Water on Earth written by Rochelle Strauss and illustrated by Rosemary Woods
Poetry (with a water theme):
Water Can Be by Laura Purdie Salas with illustrations by Violeta Dabija
Songs of the Water Boatman written by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Beckie Prange (pond life)
Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems by Kate Coombs illustrated by Meilo So
Relevant biographies:
Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire A Nivola
Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau written by Jennifer Berne and illustrated by Éric Puybaret
The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jaques Cousteau by Dan Yaccarino
Thanks to Alyson from Kid Lit Frenzy for the inspiration to read and share more nonfiction picture books in 2015. Follow the link to Alyson’s blog to read about more nonfiction books you need to read!