I love to read alouds books, and I love reading to my students in every subject! I know how overwhelming it is to find good read alouds, so I’ve made a list of a few of my favorite science read aloud books that you can start using this year!
I have so many science read aloud books that I actually had to break it down into three parts- yes, I know I have an obsession… You can check out 7 Captivating Science Read Aloud Books for 2nd Grade and 7 Awesome Science Read Aloud Books for 2nd Grade to add those books to your library, too.
I also know that even though you have a good book, you still need to extend the topic which can be even more overwhelming to come up with. I’ve included a quick and easy follow-up activity for each book that you can feel free to use!
What is Science?
By Rebecca Kai Dotlich & Sachiko Yoshikawa
This is the perfect read aloud book to start off your year in science. The narrator uses rhyme and illustration to demonstrate asking questions and exploring possible answers. Your students will learn that science is all around them.
Activity: Have students Draw a Scientist (boy and girl option) and write to explain what is a scientist and what they do.
11 Experiments that Failed
by Jenny Offill
This book is about a girl who does silly experiments to try to understand the world around her using the scientific method. Despite her curiosity, her experiments don’t quite work. But she continues to chase her curiosity and experiments by asking questions.
Activity: Have students brainstorm different experiments. From that list, you can choose one to do as a class (that’s reasonable, of course!).
Coral Reefs
by Jason Chin
Who doesn’t wish to be immersed in a good book? The main character gets transported to the coral reef where she witnesses ocean life such as a sea turtle, she sees the food chain in action, and observes how adaptation helps the reef animal’s survival.
Activity: Have students draw a Realistic Sea Turtle and include a diary entry of its day.
Cutest Jungle Animals Ever!
By Anna Claybourne
My students love animals of any type and any size! Capture their curiosity with this read aloud book that shows what types of animals live in the jungle. Your students will love the photographs in this book!
Activity: Students will pick one animal and write a persuasive writing to get people to help the jungle animal.
Do Not Lick this Book
by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost
Zoom into the microscopic world with this read aloud book. You’ll show your students what the microscopic world looks like on everyday objects in the world around us, even our own bodies.
Activity: Have students write to explain why they should not lick a book.
Give Bees a Chance
by Bethany Barton
What’s the buzz about in this book? Students will see that bees aren’t the scary insect they might have thought. In fact, bees are a critical part of our environment. They make honey, help plants grow fruits and vegetables, and help pollinate.
Activity: Make a bee craft and write about the ways bees help the environment.
I hope these read aloud books will get you going on building up your science books in your classroom library and read aloud collection!
I’ve also put together a list of STEM read aloud books for 2nd Grade I’d love for you to check out.
Happy Teaching!
