The STEAM Lab: When Mud is the Hero — Now FREE A FREE STEAM curriculum package inspired by “Mud to the Rescue! How Animals Use Mud to Thrive and Survive” by Tanya Konerman and Melanie Cataldo

Two days left to enter the #bookgiveaway!

Win a copy of MUD TO THE RESCUE! by @tanyakonerman.bsky.social + grab FREE, book-based #STEAM unit.
Includes:
🌿 #PBL unit (nature-smart structures)
🌿 #sensory STEAM centers
🌿 #mentortext lesson (personification)

#edusky
open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

The Magic of Letter U: Umbrellas and All Things Up, Up, and Away A play-based approach to early literacy with sensory play, STEAM, and storytelling.

“The Umbrella” by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld mirrors so much of what we see in children’s play with the way they transform ordinary objects into something magical, and the way they find beauty in pieces. 📚👍🏻
#kidlit #booksky #edusky #edulib

kidlitgrove.substack.com/p/the-magic-...

The Walking Rainbow — yes, it really works!

I’ve seen this experiment everywhere, but watching the colors “walk” from glass to glass fascinated my kids (and me). Full instructions and kid-friendly science explanation on the blog.

open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...
#edusky #steam #edulib #skybrarian

One Connected Ocean: A STEAM Workshop Inspired By The Ocean Protectors + GIVEAWAY! A FREE K–2 STEAM workshop exploring ocean science, coral reefs, and hopeful environmental stewardship.

Link to enter: open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

Last day to enter our book giveaway!
Win a copy of The Ocean Protectors by Blair Northen Williamson + explore our FREE K–2 STEAM workshop celebrating Earth Month through movement, science, and environmental stewardship.

Subscribe + comment at the link below to enter.
#bookgiveaway #edusky #edulib

One Connected Ocean: A STEAM Workshop Inspired By The Ocean Protectors + GIVEAWAY! A FREE K–2 STEAM workshop exploring ocean science, coral reefs, and hopeful environmental stewardship.

#BOOKGIVEAWAY

THE OCEAN PROTECTORS is an award-winning story that shows children small efforts can make a big difference.

Author, Blair Williamson, is giving away one copy of her book! To enter, subscribe for free and comment on this post by April 8! #kidlit

open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

One Connected Ocean: A STEAM Workshop Inspired By The Ocean Protectors + GIVEAWAY! A FREE K–2 STEAM workshop exploring ocean science, coral reefs, and hopeful environmental stewardship.

🔥Talk about a dynamic duo! Wow! @lindsayamoretti.bsky.social and Blair Williamson (The Ocean Writer) bringing the wonders of the ocean to everyone!🌊

open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

Thank you Kim!

One Connected Ocean: A STEAM Workshop Inspired By The Ocean Protectors + GIVEAWAY! A FREE K–2 STEAM workshop exploring ocean science, coral reefs, and hopeful environmental stewardship.

Grab the free lesson and enter the book giveaway here: kidlitgrove.substack.com/p/one-connec...

#kidlit #edulib #edusky

Earth Month is here!

I’m excited to share a FREE K–2 #STEAM lesson inspired by THE OCEAN PROTECTORS to help kids explore ocean science, diffusion, and environmental stewardship through movement & hands-on learning + #bookgiveaway!

This lesson culminates in showing small choices ripple outward.

The Letter R: Rain, Rainbows, and Remarkable Discoveries Building early literacy through rainy-day play, picture books, and science discoveries.

See how this title supports our rain and rainbows explorations for the month of April: kidlitgrove.substack.com/p/the-letter...

WHEN RAIN FALLS invites readers to wonder: where do animals go when it rains? 📚👍🏻

#Nonfiction champion, @mstewartscience.bsky.social introduces readers to how creatures respond to rain in both practical + interesting ways. It’s a perfect title to support spring units!

#kidlit #pb #edusky #edulib

KidLit Grove showed up in #Substack Top #50 Rising Education publications! While rankings can change at any moment, this felt worth pausing to celebrate.

Seeing more #educators, #librarians, #authors and #families finding these resources means the world.

I’m so excited for what’s coming next!

#PictureBooks have a way of guiding children toward understanding minds beyond their own.
These stories are some of my favorites for inviting children to notice, wonder, and empathize without forcing a lesson. 📚👍🏻

open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

#kidlit #playbased #edusky #edulib #socialskills

Can’t wait! 😍

Well deserved! Such a fun collection of poems.

Observation Beyond Sight: How “Shell Seeker” Invites Scientific Discovery Through Senses A book review of ”Shell Seeker: The Life, Work, and Adventures of a Blind Biologist” by Suzanne Sherman, and the ways sensory discovery help young learners become scientists of the natural world.

🐚 Are you a beach-walking shell collector? Do you know kids who collect shells? Make sure you read @lindsayamoretti.bsky.social ‘s recent newsletter featuring a beautiful #PB about a blind biologist written by Suzanne Sherman!

open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

Sharing a gem of a #nonfiction #pb! Beautifully written and illustrated, this book would be perfect for #stem lessons, nature studies, summer programs, and inquiry-based units. 📚 👍🏻

FREE resources and full review:
open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

#edusky #edulib #teachersky #kidlit #nsta

Before They Find The Words Part 1: How communication begins through play, expression, and the many ways children share their thinking before words.

Take a peek at the full post (the first in my 2-part series on communication): open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

Stories that nurture early communication center imagination and interpretation rather than dialogue-heavy storytelling. Wordless and visually rich books are especially powerful because they invite children to become the storyteller.

What would you add to this list?
#kidlit 📚👍🏻 #edusky

Celebrate Spring & Early Literacy with the Letter E Hands-on learning, spring discoveries, and playful ways to explore the letter E with children.

Link to post: open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

#kidlit #edusky #spring #natureplay

The beautiful BUTTERFLY SEA by @booksbycindy.bsky.social and Marie-Laure Couet inspired me to hand my kids a camera and give them a mission: photograph signs of spring. 🌱
They noticed the smallest details I would have walked right past.
See my new post and grab the free printable record sheet!

Here we go…!
#pbparty

Coming Soon...STUCK BUMBLEBEE Poetry Challenge.
7 days of poetry prompts, poetry tips,& prizes offered by the poets themselves! Register April 13th
Write 7 poems in 7 days! Hosted by me and @jpuglow.bsky.social Subscribe to Joyce's Substack for daily posts.

Details: www.booksbycindy.com/poetry

Loved following Emersyn on her adventures!

@kcollazo.bsky.social stories perfectly captures how picture books become invitations to explore the natural world.

If you love stories that lead to meaningful learning, check out my latest post + free activities at the link!

open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

#edusky #kidlit #stem #edulib

What’s New in the Children’s Book Resource Hub: February Edition Just in time for March is Reading Month…61 authors. 350+ resources. And growing.

Link to new additions: open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

Or explore the full Hub (it’s free!): open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

#kidlit #stem #bookbased #edusky #teachersky #edulib

This directory has grown to over 350 resources filled with cross-curricular, in-depth, book-based learning experiences. The time and care authors pour into creating these materials deserves the brightest spotlight.

Take a peek at the Children’s Book Resource Hub, and explore the newest additions.

Where STEAM Takes Root: Lessons from Little Dandelion Seeds the World Dive deeper into plant science with a project-based learning unit focused on geotropism, a STEAM challenge about seed dispersal methods, and a mentor-text analysis that explores poetic devices.

One of my most popular analyses features with KidLit Grove’s “Little Dandelion Seeds the World,” where we explore poetic devices.

Find a free lesson plan for grades 2–5 so you can bring these insights straight into your teaching or writing practice.

open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

#edusky #ELA