A House for a Hermit Crab

Yes the book does foster development of processes. It allows the students to observe what kind of a habitat a hermit crab could live in. Students have to make inferences that the book is exaggerated. In the story, the animals living in the ocean can talk and so the students have to make an inference on whether that is accurate or not. Students can also communicate with one another about what the life cycle of a hermit crab and why/how it can get rid of it’s shell.

Author: Eric Carle
Illustrator: Eric Carle
Year Published: 1987

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

1st Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

3rd Grade

Summary

In this Eric Carle book, a Hermit Crab became too small for his shell and is in search of a new one. When he gets his new shell, he begins to move around his habit and look for things/creatures to help him make his new home a little more decorative, safe and appealing.

Evaluation

Appropriateness: Medium
Authority: High
Accuracy: Medium
Liteary Artistry: High
Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

The book does provide the opportunity for children to ask themselves questions. I can envision the students asking themselves about the different ways they could decorate a house with the animals around their habitat, them themselves about how the hermit crab moves around the ocean, and the could ask themselves also about the ecosystem of the hermit crab.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

I think the book allows for children to think for themselves in a very creative way. Eric Carle is a very creative author and the book is a little unrealistic. Because of this, it allows children to think about their own creativity and how they could enhance their ecosystem or habit and the creatures/animals in their communities that they need to survive and thrive. The hermit crab utilizes the animals in his community to better himself and this is a huge thing that students could think about. This also allows for students to think about what they need to survive and thrive in their lives, just like the hermit crab did.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

The science topic that could be addressed using this book for a lesson could be ecosystems and habitats. The book would require a little bit of explanation as to how this relates to ecosystems but it could tie into the subject. Due to the exaggeration of the hermit crab in the book, it would require an explanation of accuracy in animals and ocean life before using this story in a lesson plan.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

The content in the story is based on sound scientific principles. The environment of a hermit crab and the other animals that live in the ocean are based on scientific content. The fact that the main focus of the story is based on the hermit crab decorating his new shell, is not based on scientific content, meaning that the majority of the book isn’t based on such. Since the content of the book isn’t directly scientific content, describing it’s accuracy, in my opinion, get’s challenging. There are components of the story that are accurate (the hermit crab gets rid of a shell when it gets to small and grows a new one, the hermit crab moves around). So in a sense, part of the story is accurate even if the content isn’t strictly based off of scientific principles.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The book is more fictional than factually based. It doesn’t make an exact distinction of the story being fictional, but once you read the book, it is easy to understand that it is a fictional book. There are facts woven into the story, but not straight defined facts, facts that you have to make an inference about.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are very clear. Eric Carle is an incredible illustrator and the pictures are very vibrant and appealing. His images of the animals in the story are all accurate and descriptive.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, this book is written at the level of my students. I think it is a book that would make for a great read aloud, or a book that second graders could read. It might be challenging for a first grader, but in a range of 1^st-3^rd grade, I think that a second or third grader could read it. A House for Hermit Crab could also be used as a read aloud story for any of these grade levels.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

There is not a multicultural aspect to the book, it is strictly about the hermit crab. Due to this, it is free from stereotyping. I think that this is a very appropriate book to read to any type of child with no boundaries on socioeconomic status, race, gender, ethnicity, etc.

Is the book free from gender bias?

This book is free from gender bias. The hermit crab in the story is a male, but it is does not indicate any negativity or bias towards males over females, the story just has a male protagonist. I do not think that by having a male main character that means that there is gender bias in the story. I think that this story remains free from any bias or stereotyping.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

The book shows a close association between science and general classroom rules. This book could also be used in regards to supporting each other and encouraging each other to be the best we can be. The animals that the hermit crab passes, all assist him in a different way and I think this is a good reminder to a class that while everyone is different, we all have something positive to bring to a classroom and it is important to support and help each other to the best of our abilities.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

The book has no connection or relation to technology. It doesn’t promote or negate the use of technology in any way, it just isn’t present in this story. There is no negative reference to technology in any way, but there is not any positive reference either.