Abstract Detail

Teaching Section

Wandersee, James H. [1], Clary, Renee M. [2].

Research-based characterization of a new genre of children's plant science picture books.

Children's picture books typically have a high visual to verbal ratio, are 32 pages in length, and serve an audience of ages 4 to 8. Our archival research study identified, characterized, and qualitized an emergent genre of children's literature: the children's plant science picture book with a plot and characters. This new category has been recognized annually by the Giverny Award since 1999. Based on the data that we collected and the research by Goins (2004), plus the latest principles of learning theory, we argue that this genre can offer children a superior opportunity to learn about plants and plant science than the alternative, and much more prevalent, didactic children's plant science picture book.

1 - Louisiana State University, Dept. of Curric. & Instr., 15-Degree Laboratory, Room 223-F Peabody Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70803, USA
2 - University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Dept. of Geology, Box 44530, Lafayette, Louisiana, 70504-4530, USA

Keywords:
opportunity to learn
botany education
children's plant science picture book
Giverny Award.

Presentation Type: Paper
Session: 9-9
Location: Superior A (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2004
Time: 11:15 AM
Abstract ID:405