I received complimentary product from The Innovation Press to facilitate this post. As always, opinions remain 100% my own.

My little kindergarten scientist discovered a kindred spirit in Zoey, the main character in the latest series from The Innovation Press, Zoey and Sassafras.  Seizing on her enthusiasm and to encourage her developing writing skills, I created this playful STEM activity for kids. Be sure to grab your printable Animal Classification Science Journal and watch it in action at the end of this post.

Zoey and Sassafras – STEM Based Stories for Young Readers

Zoey and Sassafras is the perfect series to share with your young reader. An illustrated chapter book, it is a great transition for young readers reading chapter books for the first time or even to read aloud to early readers. And I love that it is STEM inspired.

Zoey and her cat, Sassafras, are tasked with caring for magical animals, and she applies the scientific method to do it! In the first book of the series, Dragons and Marshmallows, She references her mother’s science journals to identify and classify animals, and the scientific method to determine their dietary preferences – herbivore, carnivore or omnivore. Zoey documents her experiments in her own science journal. Your child will be fascinated by the fantasy aspects of the narrative, while gaining awesome science education at the same time.

Playful Printable Animal Classification Science Journal

We finished the first Zoey book in less than a week, reading multiple chapters per night at bedtime, as my 5 year old sat in rapt attention with her ‘Thinking Goggles’, ala Zoey, atop her head. Even my 3 year old was captivated by the story! My kindergartner could not wait for the next two books to arrive.

I channeled her enthusiasm for the story and her developing writing skills to create this printable Animal Classification Science Journal. I totally underestimated how much she would love it.

The printable journal features a cover page to bind all your journal entries together, as well as directions for using at home with your child or in a classroom setting. It also includes two journal pages – a primary page to document and describe your magical animal and a secondary page for additional observation notes. Finally, it includes 10 pages of 30 watercolor animals to cut out, cut in two and use to build your own magical animals.

My 5 year old has voluntarily spent hours this week working on her Science Journal, cracking herself up at the animals she dreams up, and stretching her creativity, writing skills and animal classification knowledge. Of all the STEM activities for kids we have done to date, this has hands down been the biggest hit by far!

So far she has created an Elox, Galliurtle, Ticoon, and Deerosaurus just to name a few …

Hands-On Language Arts and STEM Activities for Kids

Want to see just how excited your kindergartner can be about language arts, writing and STEM? Hear from mine firsthand as she reads from her science journal and talks about why she loves Zoey and Sassafras.

Download your Printable Magical Animal Science Journal for Kids

Click on the button below to add the Printable science journal to your cart. Please note – this is a virtual product for download only. Add to your cart, complete the checkout process, and click the link to download from your order confirmation page.

Learn more about Zoey and Sassafras and The Innovation Press

Zoey and Sassafras is one of the first series published by The Innovation Press.  It currently includes three books, chronicling Zoey’s scientific adventures, diagnoses and treatments of magical animals with her trusty sidekick and pet cat, Sassafras.

Follow The Innovation Press on Facebook and Instagram to learn about their latest and upcoming publications, and all the awesome activities and ideas to go alongside their interactive and innovative books for kids.

If you are looking for an engaging series for your young reader, I cannot recommend Zoey and Sassafras enough! If you love and use my printable to go with it, be sure to share your creations with me on my Facebook wall or tag me on Instagram @PGPBMeghan. I can’t wait to see what your little scientist creates!

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