Connect Books to Learning with This Makerspace and Hands-On Learning Book List!

While instruction in core curriculums like science and math remains essential to a child’s education, teachers and educators increasingly incorporate play or hands-on learning into their daily lessons. 

Makerspace Expert Marge Cox has crafted quite the list of books in all subjects and grade ranges that can help you:

• deepen students’ understanding of literature
• encourage different learning styles to flourish
• provide examples of the depth and breadth of library media centers
• establish a connection between home and school
• inspire imagination and creativity
• make connections from literature to life
• present opportunities to explore using tools

See Marge’s recommendations below and then learn how to turn them hands-on!

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA)

Grades K-2

Last Stop on Market Street 

By Matt de la Peña

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Build a building you would like to see.
• Choose from a variety of building materials, such as LEGOs, Plus-Plus, or Bristle Blocks.
• Include windows, doors, and a roof.
• Be creative.

Grades 3-5

Marooned in the Arctic: The True Story of Ada Blackjack, The “Female Robinson Crusoe” 

By Peggy Caravantes

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Imagine and research a trip you want to take and write a journal or diary entry
• about it.
• Look at a world map and imagine where you would like to visit.
• Create a map showing how you will get there.
• Plan how you will travel: car, plane, or boat.
• Write a journal of three pages showing the beginning, middle, and end of the trip.

Grades 6-8

I, Too, Sing America: Three Centuries of African American Poetry 

By Catherine Clinton

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make an illustration to go with a poem of your choice.
• Read at least five poems.
• Think about what you liked about them. Was it that topic? Was it the
• rhythm of the words?
• Choose one to illustrate.
• Consider what type of illustration will give additional understanding to
• the poem.
• Copy the poem next to the illustration.

Grades 9-12

Chaos Theory

By Nic Stone

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make a friendship bracelet.
• View this YouTube video.
• Start by choosing colors of embroidery floss.
• Choose the pattern you want to make.
• Follow the video directions.
• Surprise someone with the finished product.

MATHEMATICS

Grades K-2

Ben’s Birthday Shapes

By Ruthie Van Oosbree

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Choose a shape and make it from one of the building materials. Label it.
• Use a cookie cutter and draw around it or use it on modeling clay.
• Use markers or crayons to draw a shape.
• Choose a craft stick to make a shape.

Grades 3-5

Freedom Soup

By Tami Charles

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Write and make a recipe that’s important to your family. Bring a picture of the
• finished product to school.
• The United States celebrates freedom on July 4, so think about foods you enjoy on
• that day. It might be a favorite sandwich, salad, or dessert.
• Talk with adults about preparing one of the foods.
• Make it with them and take a picture of it.
• Bring the photo to school.

Grades 6-8

Swim Team: Small Waves, Big Changes

By Johnnie Christmas

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make an award for an outstanding action.
• If you have a button maker, use it to make the base.
• If you don’t have one, draw around the base of a cylinder.
• Once you have the base shape, add text and pictures.
• Award it to someone.

Grades 9-12

The Complete Cookbook for Teen Chefs: 70+ Teen-Tested and Teen-Approved Recipes to Cook, Eat, and Share

By America’s Test Kitchen Kids

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make one of the recipes and show it with a video.
• Read through the book with a few friends.
• Choose a recipe that sounds good to all of you.
• Decide who will be the chefs and who will be the cameraperson.
• Make the recipe and video the event.
• Bring it to school to share.

SCIENCE

Grades K-2

Birdsong

By Julie Flett

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make a collage with locally found nature items. Don’t harm anything living.
• Consider nature items in your community: leaves, shells, sand, rocks, sticks, flowers, etc.
• With an older friend, choose at least three items to use in the collage.
• Place them together on a piece of cardboard and glue or tape them there.
• Talk about why you chose each item.

Grades 3-5

Iqbal and His Ingenious Idea: How a Science Project Helps One Family and the Planet

By Elizabeth Suneby

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make a model of an invention that would help your family.
• Talk with your family or friends about something they think would be helpful.
• Draw a diagram for a solution to one of their ideas.
• Make a model of it.

Grades 6-8

I Can Be a Science Detective

By Claudia Martin

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Using the directions in the book, create and label the fingerprints on your right hand.
• Read the directions on page 7 of the book.
• Get a pencil and paper.
• Draw lines overlapping on the paper.
• Rub one finger over the pencil lines.
• Place a piece of tape over the finger.
• Stick the tape on a clean piece of paper.
• Wash hands.

Grades 9-12

Must Know High School Physics

By Chris Bruhn

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Choose any of the “Must Know” facts and make puzzle cards that include the topic
• and a sample.
• Use blank index cards.
• On one card, write the fact. On a different card, write the sample.
• Repeat this until there are 10 cards.
• Place the cards face down on a table.
• Draw them until you make a match.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Grades K-2

My Magical Choices

By Becky Cummings

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Choose one of the positive statements and draw a picture with you exhibiting the statement.
• Positive statements are posted around the room.
• Choose one that you think is important.
• Draw a picture of yourself exhibiting that behavior.
• Write the statement on the picture.

Grades 3-5

American History for Kids: Exploration, Battles, Tragedies, and Triumphs – from Native Nations to the U.S.A.

By Stacia Deutsch

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Choose a fact that interests you. On a map, find the location that connects with the fact, write the fact, and connect it to the map.
• Choose a historical event that interests you.
• Find the location where it took place on a map.
• Write the event on an index card and staple or tape it to the map.
• Put a star on the map location.

Grades 6-8

Cooking Class Global Feast! 44 Recipes That Celebrate the World’s Cultures.

By Deanna Cook

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Choose a country to study. Prepare a recipe representing it.
• After choosing the country, find it on the world map.
• Put a sticker with your initials on the location.
• Prepare the recipe at home. Bring a picture of the food to school.
• Post the picture with your name and the country name.

Grades 9-12

All Things History: Learning the Past with Fun Facts

By Jane C. Flinn

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make a game from the fun facts.
• Consider different kinds of games: cards, board, electronic, etc.
• Choose one and use the facts from the book to make a game.
• Play it with a friend and see where improvements are needed.
• Make revisions.
• Play it again!

ARTS

Grades K-2

A Life Made by Hand: The Story of Ruth Asawa

By Andrea D’Aquino

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make a paper dragonfly. Directions are in the back of the book.
• Glue two different colors of paper together.
• Fold it accordion-style seven times.
• Unfold and cut off one strip. Fold that strip in half.
• Take that strip and fold it over the other strips in the middle.

Grades 3-5

Simonie and the Dance Contest

By Gail Matthews

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Create a dance and make a video of it.
• Practice various kinds of dances with at least one friend.
• Choose a dance that you both like.
• Ask another friend to video the dance.
• Share it in school.

Grades 6-8

Art Club

By Rashad Doucet

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Choose one media you like and make a piece of art with it.
• Decide whether you want to work with watercolor paint, chalk, craft wire, clay, etc.
• Create a piece of art.
• Share it with others.

Grades 9-12

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Road Trip

By Melissa de la Cruz

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make a video performing your favorite song.
• Decide how you want to perform the song: singing, guitar, piano, etc.
• Practice at least three songs.
• Choose the one you think you do best.
• Video your performance.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Grades K-2

Good for Me: Play and Exercise

By Sharon Coan

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make a video of your favorite way to move.
• Practice a variety of movements, games, etc.
• Choose your favorite activity.
• Video your final decision.

Grades 3-5

The Girl Who Figured It Out

By Minda Dentler

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make what you think would be a good award for Minda.
• Choose from the materials available: paper, markers, clay, craft wire, etc.
• Make a draft of an award. Consider how it could be improved.
• Make an award for Minda or for someone who has struggled to succeed.

Grades 6-8

Fitness Information for Teens: Health Tips About Exercise and Active Lifestyles; Including Facts About Healthy Muscles and Bones, Starting and Maintaining Fitness Plans, Aerobic Fitness, Stretching and Strength Training, Sports Safety, and Suggestions for Team Athletes and Individuals

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Choose one of the topics in the book and make a poster about it.
• Choose a health topic that is important to you.
• Consider how you can show the importance to others.
• Draw a draft of the poster.
• Use markers or paint to create the poster.

Grades 9-12

Sports Nutrition for Young Adults: A Game-Winning Guide to Maximize Performance

By Jackie Slomin

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make a podcast about three of your favorite foods from the book.
• It should include at least these three categories: food name, impact, and sport.
• You could add favorite preparation techniques, additional sports, or any other idea that you think would help people know more about the food.
• Share it with whatever tool your school allows.

TECHNOLOGY

Grades K-2

The Technology Tail: A Digital Footprint Story

By Julia Cook

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Make a tail and put kind words on it.
• Choose either a fabric or paper strip.
• On the paper provided, write kind words you use when communicating with someone.
• Attach the words to the tail.
• Tape the tail to your desk or chair.

Grades-3-5

The History of the Computer: People, Inventions, and Technology That Changed Our World

By Rachel Ignotofsky

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Create a model of an item that you think could be an important technology invention.
• Think about what you wish was invented but isn’t currently available.
• Draw a picture of it.
• Create it with some of the available materials.
• Display the model.

Grades 6-8

Coding for Kids Ages 9-15: Simple HTML, CSS and JavaScript Lessons to Get You Started with Programming from Scratch (Coding for Absolute Beginners)

By Bob Mather

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Use one coding language and create a basic program of your choice.
• Choose which language you want to use.
• Using the directions in the book, create a program.
• Share your program with a friend.

Grades 9-12

Become an App Inventor: The Official Guide from MIT App Inventor: Your Guide to Designing, Building, and Sharing Apps

By Karen Lang and Selim Tezel

Get the Book

Then, make it hands-on:

• Create an app.
• Read the directions in the book.
• Think about what you want your app to do.
• Create the app.
• Show it to a friend.

Shop the List  Learn More About Hands-On Learning

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Marge Cox, Independent Education Consultant

Marge enjoyed 40 years in public education serving in a variety of positions, including school library media specialist, district media director, and classroom teacher. She also worked as a university adjunct instructor, book reviewer, conference presenter, and author. She loves people, books, and learning new information. 

Watch the recording of Marge’s “Makerspace Fun with Books” webinar to learn even more strategic tips for incorporating hands-on activities for all subjects into your curriculum.

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Do you need help inspiring your students with hands-on learning? 

The Follett Content team can help you educate, engage, and motivate students with Makerspaces, innovation labs, and other hands-on learning opportunities that best meet your needs and budget. Complete the form to contact a rep!