The Story Starts to Science program was started at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1999.  The program was developed for use in the Lower School science courses for grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade.  The main purpose of the Story Starts to Science program is to integrate children's literature into the science curriculum thereby making concepts more concrete, realistic, and relative to students' lives.  Additionally, this interdisciplinary, cooperative learning approach to science has been found by researchers to increase students' critical thinking skills, research abilities, and scientific knowledge.

The literature that was selected for this program is not intended for the purpose of teaching scientific concepts but to introduce, reinforce, and enhance children's understanding of the scientific concepts. These books enliven instruction and make learning relevant to younger students.  All literature and linking activities selected for the Story Starts to Science are matched to the National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996) and have been used as curriculum enhancement tools by teachers at Isidore Newman School as well as teachers in the Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, and Caddo Parish School systems.

Several handouts and experiments from the Story Starts to Science program are available here.  If you would like to know more about the Story Starts to Science program, are interested in, or have attended our workshop, we would love to hear from you. You may contact us at the following addresses:

Sandra Cvitanovic - scvitanovic@newmanschool.org

Jennifer Williams - jwilliams@newmanschool.org