Linking Picture Book Biographies to National Content Standards: 200+ Lives to Explore

by Liz Deskins, Christina H. Dorr

Overview

Presenting beautifully illustrated picture book biographies, this book pairs narrative nonfiction biographies rich in language and illustrations with national content standards in the social studies, science, and the arts.

The current focus on promoting nonfiction reading at all ages has brought to attention the value of narrative nonfiction in the form of new picture book biographies. But which of the thousands of these types of titles will have maximum teaching impact and be interesting to students? This book identifies the "best of the best" in new picture book biographies that are rich in language and illustrations and best support national content standards in science, social studies, and the arts.

Written by authors with a combined experience of more than 50 years in teaching as well as extensive knowledge of children's literature and the review of such books, the book provides—in a single resource—the best in recently published picture book biographies that rely on primary and secondary sources, the best in storytelling styles, and the most engaging illustrations. The unit and lesson ideas within can be used as is or modified as needed. The selected biographies enable connections between the stories of individuals' lives in history and required areas of study.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440835230
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/23/2015
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	164
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Liz Deskins has been a school librarian for more than 25 years, teaching at the elementary and high school levels, most currently in the Hilliard City School district, as well as at the college level.

Christina H. Dorr, PhD, teaches at Weaver Middle School, part of the Hilliard City School District, Hilliard, OH. She has been a media specialist for 25 years and has also taught literature, literacy, technology, and library science courses for the past 12 years as an adjunct instructor for 5 universities in Ohio.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

Professional Resources 8

Chapter 2 Linking to Science 11

Life Science: Oceanography 12

Life Science: Land Survivors 14

Life Science: Naturalists/Conservationists 17

Physical Science: Adventurers/Pilots 20

Physical Science: Inventors/Innovators 23

Physical Science: Physicists/Mathematicians 28

Earth and Space Science: Arborists 29

Earth and Space Science: Earths Place in the Universe 32

Earth and Space Science: Weather, Climate, and Earth's Regions 34

Conclusion 38

Professional Resources 38

Chapter 3 Linking to Social Studies 39

History: Colonialism 40

History: Slavery, Civil War, and Aftermath 42

History: American Civil Rights, 1940s-1960s 45

Civics: Women's Rights 49

Civics: Global Civil Rights 54

Civics: Processes, Laws, and Rules 56

Economics: Banking/Productivity 59

Geography: United States 60

Geography: Global Connections 62

Conclusion 66

Citations from the Chapter 66

Professional Resources 66

Chapter 4 Linking to the Arts 67

Visual Artists: Sculptors 68

Visual Artists: Painters 69

Visual Artists: Alternative Styles 73

Musicians: Various Styles 77

Musicians: Songs for Social Movements 81

Writers: Reference Works 83

Writers: Literary Poets 84

Writers: Influences 86

Actors/Performers: Influences 89

Athletes: Value of Physical Expression 91

Athletes: Sports/Baseball 93

Conclusion 96

Professional Resources 97

Chapter 5 Conclusion 99

Professional Resources 104

Appendix I Book Award Lists that Include Biographies 105

Appendix II Technology Suggestions 127

Appendix III Standards Referenced 133

Author and Illustrator Index 141

Subject Index 145

Title Index 149