What is the World Made Of? by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld introduces young readers to the basics of solids, liquids, and gasses in an easy-to-understand way. With clear examples and engaging illustrations, the book helps children explore how different materials make up everything around us. It encourages curiosity about science and builds foundational knowledge about matter, making complex ideas accessible and fun for young learners.

As part of our literature-based homeschool curriculum, What is the World Made Of? is utilized in several ways: 

• Science Exploration: Students take an active role in discovering the basics of matter through hands-on experiments, like melting ice to observe water's transition from solid to liquid,  inspired by the book.
• Writing Assignments: The book serves as a springboard for diverse writing exercises. For example, learners may write a first-person narrative from the perspective of a water molecule traveling through the water cycle. 
• Critical Thinking: We encourage discussion and debate about the concepts introduced in the book, such as the importance of matter in the natural world. Students are tasked with forming questions, hypothesizing answers, and then seeking out evidence through further reading or experiments.
• Cross-Curricular Connections: The book is a tool for connecting science with other subjects. Students might explore the historical development of scientific understanding of matter or art projects that illustrate physical transformations.