How the Weather Works

Yes. It covers the processes of various occurrences in our weather. It explains where our rain comes from, how the wind blows, how hurricanes are developed, etc.

Author: Christiane Dorion
Illustrator: Beverley Young
Year Published: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5262-3

Summary

This pop up children's book explains various terms and aspects of our weather. It explains climate, how it is changing, and human's role in that change.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Yes. It covers the processes of various occurrences in our weather. It explains where our rain comes from, how the wind blows, how hurricanes are developed, etc.

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

Yes. The books poses questions then explains. The child could read the question and then pause and try to generate an answer. After the child has thought about the questions, he/she can continue reading the seek the answer.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

No, It directly answers the questions it poses. Specifically, the book presents the claim that people are changing the climate and are responsible for occurrences in our climate.

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

Yes. The topic is accompanied by visuals, graphs, charts, explanations, historical contexts, predictions, and connections. These aspects help to reinforce the science topic to foster student understanding.

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

Yes to my knowledge. It accurate describes various weather processes. It gives explanations and details that are accurate to the processes we observe and experience in our real world.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book is all fact. There is no fictional accept to it. It is not so much a story, but rather an informational resource similar to a textbook.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

For drawn illustrations, I feel that they are as accurate as can be. There are no real life pictures, but the illustrations do not depict any false conceptions.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes. This book would work great for the literacy level of a 4th grader. I am not sure if fourth grade covers the weather processes though.

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

No, there is not much culture reflected in this book. The diversity extends to describing the different wether types across the world. No apparent stereotypes are present.

Is the book free from gender bias?

There is not much gender represented or included in the book. At one point a male scientist is referenced. Is there a female scientist that could have been pointed out as well?

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

Since it is very informational, direct, and textbook like, it does not show a close association with other disciplines. It asks for the reading to make connections, which could be tied to language arts.

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

For the most part. The only negative point included is that humans are responsible for climate change, but is that true? The truth can be negative.

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Maximum Suggested Grade Level