Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski, science education consultant provides an overview of a recent Family Science Workshop conducted for parents and their early childhood-age children. Families conducted a wide-array of hands-on explorations to investigate numerous early childhood science concepts. Additionally, parents and children were introduced to children's literature that can be used to reinforce science concepts. Approximately 70 children's books were introduced during the two hour workshop. All books used during the family science workshop can be viewed under the book page at Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski's teacher training website here: http://www.drdianateachertraining.com

2. Families Connecting Science and Literature Together Early childhood-age children and their parents attended a two hour family science workshop to explore science concepts through hands-on explorations.

3. Families Connecting Science and Literature Together Parents and children conducted a wide-array of hands-on-minds-on explorations to investigate early childhood science concepts. Additionally, participants were introduced to children’s literature that help to reinforce the science concepts explored. Approximately 70 children’s books were used during the workshop.

4. Families Connecting Science and Literature Together Parents were given a manual written by Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski. The manual provided details on all the explorations undertaken. Additionally, suggested children’s literature references were listed for each exploration.

5. Families Connecting Science and Literature Together Families mixed cornstarch, water, and food coloring together to make a unique substance called Oobleck. Families observed the behavior of Oobleck . Oobleck has characteristics of both a solid and a liquid. Families also observed what objects sink or float in Oobleck . Literature Reference~ Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss.

6. Families Connecting Science and Literature Together Families made bubble blowers to explore the behavior of liquids and gases by observing bubbles. Literature References~ Bubble Trouble by Margaret Mahy, Bubble Trouble by Joy Hulme, and Pop! A Book About Bubbles by Kimberly Brubaker.

7. Families Connecting Science and Literature Together Families explored floating, sinking, buoyancy, and density. They made predictions on what objects would sink or float when placed in water, and then tested their predictions. Literature References~ Ducky by Eve Bunting, 10 Little Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle, and Who Sank The Boat ? by Pamela Allen.

8. Families Connecting Science and Literature Together Families observed and touched live pill bugs, terrestrial snails, and earthworms. They used eye loupes and magnifying lenses to observe their creatures, and rulers to measure the creatures. Literature References~Approximately 25 children’s books were used during this exploration including books by John Himmelman A Pill Bug’s Life , and an Earthworm’s Life.

9. Families Connecting Science and Literature Together Families learned all about sea shells. They observed and touched live Coquina Shells, sorted shells, and weighed shells with a pan scale. They observed how rocks and shells break down to form beach sand. Beach toys were also used. Literature References~ What Lives in a Shell? by Weidner Zoehfeld, Seashells by the Seashore by Marianne Berkes, Sand by Ellen Prager, Beach Day by Karen Roosa, A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle and others.

10. Families Connecting Science and Literature Together Families learned about leaves by observing leaves with microscopes and sorting leaves. They also made leaf rubbings. Literature References~ The Reason For A Flower by Ruth Heller, I Can Name 50 Trees Today by Bonnie Worth, Autumn Leaves by Ken Robbins, and other titles.

11. Families Connecting Science and Literature Together Families learned about seeds. They observed and touched different kinds of seeds and sorted seeds. We also discussed how seeds are dispersed (wind, water, animals, fire, etc.). Families observed that a Coconut is very buoyant, and it can float in water. It often travels great distances in the oceans currents. Literature References~ Oh Say Can You Seed by Bonnie Worth, The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, Apples by Gail Gibbons, How A Seed Grows by Helene Jordan, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin & John Archambault, A Dandelion’s Life by John Himmelman, From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer and other titles.

12. For a complete listing of all the children’s literature books used during this workshop see Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski’s website at: http://www.drdianateachertraining.com All books used during the family science workshop are listed under the book page. The books can be ordered from Amazon.com via http://www.drdianateachertraining.com