UC students embrace ‘big book’ project

Graham Robinson

05 June 2008: A Science and Technology Education project, developed for Graduate entry students in Bachelor of Education, (early childhood, primary and middle school) has been embraced as an outstanding success and excellent teaching resource.

The ‘big book’ project required students to design, make and appraise an interactive ‘big book’ to teach a science concept for students in a primary, early childhood or middle school classroom.

The ‘big book’ had to be a narrative, have a movable part and teach a concept utilising a range of recycled materials.

Iain Hay, Lecturer in Science and Technology Education said, “The project is truly a ‘rich task’, in the sense that it allowed our students to engage in the design and appraisal process in a very concrete way by making the interactive ‘big book’."

Natalie Smart was able to see first hand the impact the ‘big book’ project has on children attending kindergarten when she took her big book, Dan-Dan-Potato Man, along to her practical teaching exercise.

“The students started by singing along to the title. They responded really well to the ‘big book’, and because it was interactive I found that both I, and the children really enjoyed the experience,” she said.

Natalie Smart with her 'big book', Dan-Dan-Potato Man.

Michael Arnauden and Tom Spira also both enjoyed the experience of the ‘big book’ project.

Michael Arnauden and Tom Spira with their 'big book' projects.

Michael Arnauden titled his book, ‘Where is my Daddy’, tracing the life of a lion cub that loses his dad and has to discover 5 senses before he can find his father again.

“It was a really interesting experience. I was concerned about doing a book with lots of painting as I have never painted before. I am now looking forward to taking the book into a class room and seeing the reaction of the kids,” he said.

Tom Spira followed the journey of self-discovery with his book,‘Sandy the Sunflower’. The book traces the life-cycle of a sunflower seed.

“I enjoyed the project because it was a really practical way of showing the process of growing up to young children. My background is in music, so the science aspect of this project really interested me.”

Director of the Curriculum Resource Centre, Joanne James along with her staff assisted the students in constructing the ‘big book’.

“One of the issues the students faced was how to bind the books so they remained durable while also being used in a school environment. We were happy to assist in the project, and it is great to see such wonderful results,” she said.