SOIC and Friends Picture Books

Name: SOIC and Friends Picture Books
Brand: Pragma Mediahttps://pragma.media/

by Pragma Mediahttps://pragma.media/

ScienceGrades Pre-K–5

SOIC and Friends Picture Books: Story-Based Electronics Introduction

SOIC and Friends is a three-book picture book series that introduces preschool through elementary students to electronics and engineering concepts through anthropomorphized microchip characters. The curriculum uses narrative storytelling to embed scientific concepts about circuit boards, manufacturing, and electronic components rather than direct instruction.

Best for

Families using unschooling approaches who want to introduce electronics concepts through engaging picture books for preschool through early elementary students

Evaluation Criteria

2 concerns · 2 neutral · 3 insufficient evidence

Direct InstructionConcern

The curriculum primarily uses narrative storytelling with minimal direct instruction, though supplemental materials add some explicit teaching.

Scientific concepts are 'embedded in the stories rather than taught directly' with 'several pages at the end that provide more direct instruction on key concepts' in later books

Hands On IntegrationConcern

Limited hands-on activities are included, with only basic static electricity experiments mentioned.

The second book includes 'a few experiments with static electricity' but the review indicates minimal practical activities beyond reading

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum introduces specialized electronics concepts but lacks systematic knowledge building across broader science domains.

Books cover specific topics like circuit boards, manufacturing, soldering, and chip interactions, with supplemental materials including manufacturer videos, but focus narrowly on electronics rather than building comprehensive science knowledge

Scientific VocabularyNeutral

Scientific vocabulary is embedded within stories rather than taught explicitly, which may limit systematic vocabulary development.

Concepts like circuit boards, manufacturing, soldering are 'embedded in the stories rather than taught directly' with some direct instruction pages added at the end of later books

Ngss AlignmentInsufficient Evidence

The electronics focus may align with some engineering standards but lacks evidence of comprehensive NGSS alignment.

Content addresses engineering concepts like manufacturing and component interactions, but no specific mention of NGSS alignment or three-dimensional learning integration

Teacher TrainingInsufficient Evidence

No evidence of teacher training or professional development materials accompanying the curriculum.

Review mentions supplemental materials and online videos but makes no reference to teacher guides or professional development components

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

No evidence of retrieval practice or systematic review mechanisms in the curriculum design.

The review mentions storytelling and supplemental materials but provides no indication of quizzes, recall exercises, or spaced review components

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com