Professional Resources

The L-SILL Library maintains a collection of professional resources for science educators. Teachers from the L-SILL schools may sign out books for up to three weeks.
Lending Library Request (L-SILL only)
L-SILL Lending Library

Science Tradebooks

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) reviews and maintains a list of outstanding science tradebooks. These science tradebooks were selected by a book review panel appointed by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and assembled in cooperation with the Children's Book Council (CBC). NSTA and CBC have cooperated on this bibliographic project since 1973.

Annual Listing of Outstanding Tradebooks

Cornerstones of Science

Cornerstones of Science (COS) is a national science literacy initiative originating from Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Maine, USA. The mission of Cornerstones of Science is to connect children and adults to science and technology through superb books, programs, and opportunities for community involvement in current scientific issues. For a listing science books and book reviews for children and adults, information about upcoming and past public programs by scientists and science authors, teacher resources, recommended web sites, and resources related to current events in science visit: Cornerstones of Science.

Children's Literature in Science

Our Elementary Science and Literacy Specialist, Nancy Chesley, has collected examples of children's literature throughout her 25 year teaching career. The text and pictures engage students' curiosity in learning about the natural world. Children's literature with a science focus can be used to promote reading. Fictional literature should be used with caution and caveats in the science class, particularly if pictures and other representations may lead to misconceptions; or the natural world is portrayed with teleological, anthropomorphic, or animistic characteristics.
Nancy Chesley on "The Use of Children's Literature"