Who Sank The Boat Essay

Pamela Allen has created a literature legacy, having published over 50 picture books, all of which could be incorporated usefully and creatively into a primary classroom. Many of her books contain complex underlying concepts regarding primary-level science, and therefore would be extremely useful and effective when used as relatable and easily understood introductions to the topics. These concepts are buoyancy and displacement, and plants, animals and habitats. By being able to relate the principle to the storyline in the books, the students are able to make the necessary connections and understand the concepts. In addition, Pamela Allen’s picture books assist children’s learning of necessary literacy skills and exaggerate the value of books

directly conveys the idea of how things only float if they are not too dense relative to their size. In the story the boat sinks because it is too heavy for its size. A creative activity to complete after reading this book could be to get the students to make their own boats out of materials and see which one can hold the most marbles before sinking. Another activity to do with this book is a guessing game on whether random items will sink or float when placed in a tub of water. This will start a discussion on how it does not matter how heavy something is it is reliant on its density. The YouTube video Buoyancy: What Makes Something Sink or Float? could be played to the class before or after the sink or float activity to reinforce and explain the idea

It could be used as a part of a plants and animals module as it shows how different animals have different diets and how animals make different products. In the book, it shows how milk is used to make many different things including butter and cream, and the students may have questions regarding how they are made. The YouTube video Let’s Make Butter! complements this book as it can help to answer these questions. An extension activity for the class to complete could be to follow the instructions in the video and make butter as a class. All they need is a jar and cream and the class can shake it until it is butter. The children could try the butter, showing how rewarding making your own food can