Literature sources for primary environmental science teachers

With school days seemingly getting shorter and packed with more and more obligations, teachers integrate core subjects like science and reading in the hopes of delivering a curriculum that is meaningful and content rich. Using trade books, primary teachers can develop and deliver science content designed to introduce students to proenvironmental behaviors built around the Next Generation Science Earth and Human Activity Standard, Human Impacts on Earth Systems, ESS3-C. The Next Generation Science standards call for integrating literacy skills and science to develop knowledge of scientific topics. This article shares ideas on how primary teachers can use a variety of children’s literature as a foundation to inspire young students to take small steps toward developing proenvironmental behaviors. Under an umbrella of three environmental themes, proenvironmental behavior, trash, and water pollution, the article describes key concepts, vocabulary, and activities designed to develop a mindfulness of proenvironmental behaviors for each selected text. While texts and learning experiences are intentionally focused on young learners (Kindergarten/first grade), they can be adapted and used in all primary grades.