Great Rivers

This book fosters development of processes because it is very relatable, engaging and relevant material regarding rivers and water. A lesson pertaining the great rivers in the world, this book would be very relevant.

Author: Susan Brocker
Year Published: 2003
ISBN: 978-0-75785-710-2

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

4th Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

5th Grade

Summary

This book covers the great big rivers that span across our country. Rivers provide a habitat for many living things to live in or live off of. There are many different activities that take place on rivers such as trade, and fishing. This book also includes some explorers who have researched the rivers in our history.

Evaluation

Appropriateness: High
Authority: High
Accuracy: High
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?

I believe this book fosters a bundle of questions. Students could ask "why" and "how" for all the facts listed in the book. Many of the pictures aid to the text so questions could arise from the implications from the pictures.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book encourages children to think for themselves because it is providing children with an immense amount of knowledge about rivers that can be extended into more research. A student could be interested in a particular river and create a project around it.

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

Yes, I believe the scientific topic and is addressed in a appropriate and interesting manner. Providing a bit of history to each river addressed, the book is very appropriate for a lesson.

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

The content is more history-based yet includes a scientific aspect. Discovering the rivers and what their purpose is to wild life and nature is important. The scientific principles are evident and accurate.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book is very much factual providing evidence, pictures and historical reasoning behind the great rivers.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are pictures of rivers, founders, researchers, maps, and more that provide evidence of the great rivers historical piece. The illustrations are also scientific with evidence to prove the text.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

My 5th grade students enjoy this book because it is engaging and purposeful. They relate it to a river they have seen and correlate differences.

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

The book encompasses a lot of multicultural aspects in the text and pictures. I believe it is free from stereotyping.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Yes, there are no gender bias' because there are no characters, it is all factual evidence.

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

This book shows the close relationship between science and history. It explores how you can use history and scientific evidence to find out how nature and the world works. Using this relationship in a classroom can incorporate many other aspects that are relevant to the students.

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

This book is very positive towards forward thinking and could incorporate technology! I believe it is important to find the relationship between science and other disciplines including technology.