Pass the Energy, Please! by Barbara Shaw McKinney introduces young readers to the flow of energy in nature through food chains and ecosystems. The book highlights values like curiosity, interconnectedness, and respect for the environment. It encourages kids to appreciate the balance of nature and the role every living thing plays in sustaining life. With its engaging rhymes and vibrant illustrations, it inspires readers to care for the natural world and understand their place in it.

Our curriculum integrates Pass the Energy, Please! into interactive lessons that connect literature and science. Here are a few examples:

• Understanding Ecosystems: This book serves as a starting point for discussions about ecosystems, biodiversity, and the importance of each organism in a food chain. It lays the groundwork for exploring different types of ecosystems around the world.
• Science and Poetry Writing Assignment: Inspired by McKinney's narrative, students write their own creative verses about food chains or energy flow in nature, blending scientific accuracy with poetic creativity. 
• Hands-on Science Experiments: We use the themes from the book to conduct experiments demonstrating photosynthesis, energy transfer, and the role of decomposers. 
• Creative Art Projects: Students create visual food chains or energy pyramids reflecting specific ecosystems, emphasizing the connections between the sun, plants, and animals.