Books paired with themes
Theme reads,
chosen with care
Every book in our collection was chosen with intention. Our library specialist curates each title to match the theme being explored and trains teachers in how to use it effectively.
Feel the Wind
This title is part of the Thrive library. It uses an evidence-based approach to analyze how we feel wind. Wind is just air moving. When moving air touches our skin, it creates pressure and friction and that’s when our skin’s nerve ending can detect it. Wind is felt when moving air stimulates skin receptors and carries heat away from the body.
Over and Under the Pond
This is one of my all-time favourite books. It supports strong inquiry-based learning about how a pond ecosystem functions. It helps children understand the interdependence among animals, insects, fish, and plants. Children carefully examine the life cycles and development of different pond creatures, using this text as a reference for information.
On the Nature Trail
On the Nature Trail encourages children to build early scientific thinking through direct observation and sensory exploration. This book keeps children engaged and encourages them to observe nature by looking at birds, trees, flowers and clouds. This science-focused book invites young scientists to investigate nature closely, develop early inquiry skills and record their findings.
Dear Earth: From Your Friends in Room 5
From Your Friends in Room 5 - An environmental sciences book – it introduces children to sustainability and conservation. I curated its lesson plan by asking critical questions about how to do better for our environment. My strong intent is to teach them the importance of these concepts and how we must act NOW. Children are encouraged to make good choices on reducing waste, environmental pollution and conserving energy. It is an epistolary narrative, a story that is told through letters – in the process, encouraging kids to improve their writing skills.
Blackout
This fun narrative is about neighbours gathering on the roof after the power goes out. With a scientific lens - we encouraged children to investigate and explore the physical science of light, darkness and visibility. In Blackout, I made our little explorers think about how shadows change when artificial light disappears. Children made a connection with the science of shadow formation and discussed seeing stars and experiencing the city differently during the blackout.
The Human Body
In this Shine-a-Light series non-fiction picture books children examine human anatomy and physiology in a simple, visual and interactive way. It’s a shine-a-light format book that allows children to reveal hidden internal structures by holding the pages to a bright light, which supports curiosity, close observation and exploratory learning. My intent is to keep my students engaged with the subject specifics and these books are lifelong memories for them.
Mars’ First Friends
This Read Aloud is another very special one and talks about imagination and facts about Mars. Children learned about planetary features, atmosphere and climate, geology, water, exploration, habitability, comparison with earth and the future of human settlement. My lesson plan blends imagination and information to create a deeper understanding of planets, friendship and scientific discovery.
Most celebrated titles in our STEAM class