Boy, Were We Wrong About Dinosaurs!

Yes. It goes through the scientific processes of developing a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and support the hypothesis with evidence collected. The Scientific Method is somewhat represented.

Author: Kathleen V. Kudlinski
Illustrator: S.D. Schindler
Year Published: 2005
ISBN: 0-525-46978-8

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

1st Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

6th Grade

Summary

This book provides an overview of human's first discovery of dinosaurs and how our claims of dinosaurs have been proven wrong and developed over time.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Yes. It goes through the scientific processes of developing a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and support the hypothesis with evidence collected. The Scientific Method is somewhat represented.

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

Yes. The book poses possible situations for the reader to consider and allows for stopping points in between pages for the reading to ask or think about the "what ifs."

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book doesn't really let the reader generate their own thoughts about the subject matter. It is informative and gives the reading the answers with not much left lingering or to think about. At the end, however it says the reader may be the new scientist that finds more informations about dinosaurs one day. This statement allows students think further and apply these ideas to their own life.

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

Yes. It provides a visual aids such as labels that can help the reader learn specific science terms. It also gives explanations over subject matter than can foster students thinking and understanding.

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

Yes. It is based around the history of human exploration with dinosaurs. To my extent of knowledge the information provided is accurate in describing the actuality of what happened throughout history.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

Yes. It explains how humans were once wrong in their claims about dinosaurs and how they came to a more factual understanding of them. The book doesn't provide aspects of fiction in a literary sense.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

Yes. The illustrations are drawn, but do not show aspects of exaggeration or imaginative ideas. The pictures fit the scientific subject matter accurately.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, mid-upper elementary level students are the target audience for this book. The text is clear and the length is fitting for ages 6-12. The content is not to complex or too simple for this age.

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

Yes. It shows various cultures role in the discovery of dinosaurs. The depiction of China's impact through the illustration could be taken as stereotypical, but overall this book does not explicitly stereotype cultures.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Yes. It depicts both female and males. There are female and male students. There are female and male scientists shown. There is a picture of a teacher with her class and the teacher is female, this could be considered a gender bias.

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

Yes. The books shows the history of the science of dinosaurs. This is explicit and would work great for an integrated lesson of science and social studies.

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

Yes. It shows that we are not always right in our science findings, science is never 100% true, and science can be proven wrong and developed through further investigations.