Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Yes, there are multiple opportunities for students to further their development of their basic process skills and even introduce them to the integrated process skills. This book provides many opportunities for students to observe, predict, infer, identifying variables, and formulating and testing hypotheses.

• Author: Judi Barrett
• Illustrator: Ron Barrett
• Year Published: 1978
• ISBN: 0689306474

Science Topics

• Earth Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• 1st Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 4th Grade

Summary

Life in the wonderful town of Chewandswallow is great: Some of its citizens even say it's downright delicious! Instead of snow, wind, or rain, they get a different kind of weather that falls from the sky three times a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The only bad part about living in Chewandswallow is that the people don't get their choice of what they'd like to fall from the sky: it may snow mashed potatoes, or rain juice or soup, or there might even be a storm of hamburgers that takes them by surprise. But no one is too worried about the weather, until it takes a turn for the worse — the portions of food get larger and larger and fall faster and faster, until everyone in the town fears for their lives. They all need to think of a plan, and they need one fast! With teamwork, smarts, and some extra-large bagels, Chewandswallow residents are able to save themselves from the torrential weather.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Yes, there are multiple opportunities for students to further their development of their basic process skills and even introduce them to the integrated process skills. This book provides many opportunities for students to observe, predict, infer, identifying variables, and formulating and testing hypotheses.

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

Yes, it encourages children to ask a lot of questions and enhances their curiosity but the questions they may ask would not necessarily be scientifically sound. However, they could question whether or not raining pancakes and syrup could actually happen. This could help them think critically and determine fact from fiction.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

Yes, children are encouraged to let their imagination run free. This book is full of novel and exciting ideas that most students had never thought of before. They have the opportunity to wonder and create an imaginative world for themselves.

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

The science topic in the book focuses on weather. It mentions lunch that “blew in from the north about five miles an hour” and it also mentions hurricanes, tornadoes, and even introduces children to composting waste. According to the theme of this book, the science topics are addresses in a way that appropriately relates to the story.

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

No, it is impossible for food to fly down from the sky three times a day. Although this book addresses scientific topics appropriately according to the theme of the book, this is not scientifically sound or accurate book.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The author distinguishes between which parts of her book are fact and which is fiction. At the beginning of the book, the author writes about the grandfather telling his grandchildren a bedtime story. At the end of the story it mentions the children going to bed after he tells the story.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

Yes, the illustrations provide a very clear and animated depiction of what the life in the tiny town of Chewandswallow looked like. They are over exaggerated illustrations that exactly match the child’s imagination of what the town would look like.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, this book is meant for elementary aged students. It could be read to anyone but it is developmentally appropriate for 1^st-4^th grade students. It is clever, very entertaining, and a great book to hook children on reading.

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

There is no multicultural component and it is free from stereotyping. Although there is mention of people living in a town, it focuses more on the weather aspect and not on incorporating different cultures or stereotyping. At the end of the book, the people from Chewandswallow are forced to leave due to extreme weather conditions and they have to sail off to a new town and create a new life for themselves. As a teacher, you could use this book to relate it to students who have had to move to a new place or have them understand what it is like to be forced to leave your home because of unsafe or extreme conditions.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Yes, there is very little mention of gender at all in the book. The only time gender is mentioned is at the very beginning and at the very end. It mentions a mom, grandmother, grandfather, and a young boy and girl.

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

Other science topics or disciplines could be mentioned in the reading of this book such as weather forecast, wind speed, climate changes, or creative writing. Overall, it is more of a fun, light-hearted book that promotes reading but is not very educational.

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

There is no association between science and technology in this book. Technology does not seem to play a role at all in the creation of this book or seem very applicable.