Little Otter's Science Curriculum:
The Human Body
Books & Resources
Click here to return to our main human body science curriculum page.
I really like a literature approach to science. It just "sticks" better, at least for my kids. I've made use of a lot of different types of books for Little Otter's Science, including stories to keep things interesting and appealing. I've also mixed in some simple experiments and activities, (usually 1 a week) as well as laid back cut, paste and color things to do.
The books that are scheduled for this year are listed below or you can also shop for them at our Amazon A store.
First, here are a couple of books that will be used over the bulk of the year:
Janice VanCleave's Play and Find Out About the Human Body: Easy Experiments for Young Children
This book has an emphasis on activities and easy experiments. Sorry, I don't have a supply list at this time - but most of the materials are things you'll have lying around at home.
Learning About My Body (K-1)
You can get an entire preview of this book at Google Books.
This book has an emphasis on printables, little books you can make, stuff you can color, etc.There is also another book called How Your Body Works : Grades 1-3 that might be appropriate to use instead, but I haven't scheduled it in. You can preview the entire book here.
Usborne Internet Linked First Encyclopedia of the Human Body
We have this book and it's very colorful with clear illustrations and photographs. The amount of text each a page is not overwhelming. There are also some very easy, optional activities mentioned in the text.
Topic |
Books | |
Cells |
|
|
All About Me |
Why I Sneeze, Shiver, Hiccup, & Yawn (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
|
I couldn't find any books that were really appropriate for this age about DNA, so I changed this topic to be "all about me". I have scheduled a lot of "Let's-Read-and-Find-Out" books for the year because my kids have always really enjoyed them. They are colorful, fun and very easy to understand. We started reading them out loud to our kids when they were preschool age and then the kids themselves pulled them off of the shelf to read independently when they got older. For us they were a good investment because they lasted a long time. |
Skeleton |
The Skeleton Inside You (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
|
|
Muscles |
How We Move Around (What Do You Know About? Books)
|
|
Brain |
You Can't Use Your Brain if You're a Jellyfish
|
You may want to summarize parts of this book for a very young student.
|
Eyes |
Buddy: The First Seeing Eye Dog (Hello Reader!, Level 4)
|
This book isn't meant to inform, but it's fun nevertheless. It can be read out loud to a preschooler or can be read independently but your K-1 student.
|
Ears |
|
We love books illustrated by Aliki. :-)
|
Heart |
Hear Your Heart (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
|
|
Blood |
A Drop of Blood (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
|
|
Lungs and Sense of Smell |
No Thanks, But I'd Love To Dance, Choosing to live smoke free
|
This is a sweet story with simple, easy to understand science concepts about lungs, breathing and oxygen. |
Digestion, Sense of Taste |
I Know Where My Food Goes (Sam's Science) OR
What Happens to a Hamburger? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
|
This is a very simple book with a minimum of text. If you have an older child, it would be a good book to dictate sentences for.
|
| Teeth |
I Know Why I Brush My Teeth (Sam's Science) or
How Many Teeth? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)
|
|
Nutrition |
Good Enough to Eat: A Kid's Guide to Food and Nutrition
|
|
Urinary System |
|
No, this book is not about the urinary system but kind of a play on words. ;-)
I couldn't find anything for this age group other than potty training books so I chose this book just for the fun of it. It compliments what was learned about nutrition the week before with a bit of fun and humor thrown in.
|
| Endocrine System, Growth, Development and Reproduction |
Amazing You: Getting Smart About Your Private Parts
|
*Warning there is some nudity in this book (cartoon style) as well as a...sensitive issue that is discussed. You may not approve or agree with of all the content. Check out the reviews first and please PREVIEW this book. We think this is a very important subject to go over and encourage you to foster a discussion about safety after reading the book. Keep your kids safe. Educate them as to what is O.K. and not O.K. concerning their private parts.
This is a gentle book that we have had on our shelves for years. All 3 of our kids had it read to them when they were little. |
Skin, Nails, Hair, the Sense of Touch |
Your Skin and Mine: Revised Edition (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
|
|
Germs |
Germs (Picture book)
Germs Are Not for Sharing (Best Behavior Series)
|
|
Getting Sick |
Germs Make Me Sick! (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) (Reading Rainbow book)
|
|
Fighting Germs |
I Know How We Fight Germs (Sam's Science)
|
|
| Feelings |
Feelings (Reading Rainbow book)
|
I didn't think learning about drugs (as we are in Otter's Science during this topic space) was an ideal subject for little ones, so I've scheduled in these books instead. They about regulating your own behavior (and feelings), which I thought it was more appropriate.
There are very few words in this book about feelings, but it is a great conversation starter. All 3 of my kids have loved this book and looked at it over and over for years. The big kids are way too grown up for it now, but Otter still pulls it off the shelf. We love the illustrations. |
| Safety |
No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons)
Watch Out! Near Water (Watch Out! Books)
Watch Out! Around Town (Watch Out! Books)\
Watch Out! At Home (Watch Out! Books)
|
There aren't any books for little kids (that I could find) about survival and first aid (as we are studying in Otter's science for this topic space), so I'm focusing on safety during the last 4 weeks of Little Otter's Science instead. |
