Peering through a magnifying glass, Cai compares the seashell in his hand to the others on the table. Across the room, the clatter of collapsing plastic cups rings out; yet Sylvia and Bella remain undeterred as they rebuild their structure. In Mr. Park’s classroom, STEAM-related inquiry seamlessly integrates into both students’ learning and play. He frequently sparks their curiosity with an interactive read-aloud experiences. As we look at some of the books his students have enjoyed, I’ll share tips for text selection for read alouds in your own classroom and offer ideas to extend the learning experience.
SCIENCE
To enrich science investigations, look for texts that introduce relevant vocabulary and concepts while leaving readers with thought-provoking questions for further research. Take, for example, The Ocean Gardener (Anganuzzi, 2024). Set in Seychelles Islands, readers meet Ayla and her marine biologist mother as they work to restore their once-vibrant reef. One of the many benefits of sharing picture books like this one, is that you can enhance the read-aloud experience in a variety of ways depending on your students’ interests and curricular goals. After enjoying this story, you might:
- Set up a simple seashell exploration station like the one Cai was visiting. Stock it with a variety of shells, magnifying glasses, books about the beach, some paper and crayons to do seashell rubbings, and a seashell identification chart.
- Explore the Seychelles Islands via Google Earth (I wanted to book a trip there after seeing its stunning beauty!)
- Learn more about coral reefs and reef restoration projects.
- Invite a marine biologist to visit the classroom in person or virtually.
- Investigate creatures that use reefs for food and shelter.
TECHNOLOGY
When searching for books that highlight technology, look for stories where characters use tech tools to help themselves or others. A Day With No Words (Hammond, 2023) told from the point of view of an autistic boy who uses a tablet to communicate, is one such title. Pairing this book with More Than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean (MacLean, 2023) enhances learners’ understanding of neurodiversity and the various ways people communicate. After reading, invite students to invent their own useful tech tools.
ENGINEERING
Engineers solve problems through design, requiring ingenuity and persistence. Choose books featuring characters who embody these traits, like Maya who’s determined to create a unique tree fort in The Perfect Plan (Gilbert, 2021). If building simple machines is part of your STEAM curriculum, read aloud Mazie’s Amazing Machines (Haft, 2023) where Mazie McGear engineers gadgets to solve household problems. The backmatter features six simple machines that students can use as inspiration for their own designs. Speaking of backmatter, when selecting books for content-area instruction, don’t forget to flip to the back to see if there are additional visuals, notes, or information that might benefit your learners.
ART
If your students haven’t met Olive, you have to introduce them. In the book Oh, Olive! (2023), Lian Cho’s illustrations vividly contrast Olive’s view of art with those of her parents, teachers, and classmates. This book is an art lesson in itself. After reading, compare and discuss the difference between the front and back endpapers. Picture books spotlighting artists celebrate:
- Individuality
- Creativity
- Risk-taking
- Imperfection
MATH
Almost any picture book you read aloud can lead to a math conversation. Simply asking learners to notice and discuss numbers, shapes, patterns, and the like can transform a book experience into a math lesson. Texts that use numbers as an organizational structure like One Tiny Treefrog: A Countdown to Survival (Piedra, 2023) or 13 Ways to Eat a Fly (Heavenrich, 2021) offer the added bonus of providing a potential text structure for your students’ informational writing.
Back in Mr. Park’s classroom, kids gather around, eager to see what he will read aloud next. Where will the book take them and where might it lead?
With well-chosen books, simple materials, and time for learners to explore you too can create engaging STEAM-related learning experiences that fuel wonder and broaden content knowledge.
For more book recommendations and ideas, check out Chapter 4 in More Ramped-Up Read Alouds.
