Science Verse is a fantastic book from Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith (who also did Math Curse
). It begins....
On Wednesday in science class, Mr. Newton says, "You know, if you listen closely enough, you can hear the poetry of science in everything." I listen closely. On Thursday, I start hearing the poetry. In fact, I start hearing everything as a science poem. Mr. Newton has zapped me with a curse of SCIENCE VERSE.
And then come the poems. Wonderful!
All of the poems are originial, but many are based on famous works, such as Casey at the Bat, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening, Paul Revere's Ride, and so on. Others are based on well-known childhood rhymes: I'm a Little Teapot, Jack Be Nimble, etc.
Lane's illustrations are as entertaining as the poems. They're so much fun to look at.
The book comes with a CD of Jon and Lane reading the poems. It's equally fantastic, and helps you pick up the rhythm of the poems - there were a few verses whose "tune" I didn't pick up on until hearing it read aloud. The end of the CD also includes some additional poems that didn't make the "cut" - a little added fun!
Consider adding this book to your classroom or home library. You'll want to share individual poems with your students and also leave the book out for students to explore on their own.
