Peculiar Zoo

The inquiry process is made relevant based on the information given to the student in the book. The information very about the animals is engaging . This process will lead to the students wanting to know more.

Author: Barry Louis Polisar
Illustrator: David Clark
Year Published: 1993
ISBN: 0-938663-14-3

Summary

This book is about different animals portrayed through poetry. The poems are factual in context, and are about animals not widely known. There are drawings of the animals that are fictional at best due to the nature of the drawings.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

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

by introducing multiple animals throughout, along with short descriptions students would be inclined to ask questions that would lead to better understanding.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

I believe it opens the conversation for the students to discuss prior knowledge they may have about the animals. It would allow them to share this knowledge and ask each other questions about the animals they don't know a lot about.

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

its addressed in a way that is creative and artsy as for appropriateness that would depend on the lesson and how its being taught.

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

Students need to be able to differentiate the fact from the aesthetics of the book.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

Students need to be able to differentiate the facts from the aesthetics of the book. the facts are in the writing, the fiction is in the art.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

they are not clear or accurate, there are portions that are accurate but not in totality.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

This book could be read to or read by all age groups in elementary. It isn't a ver hard read either way. It is understandable by all levels.

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

There is not a multicultural component.

Is the book free from gender bias?

I think it is due to the fact that people tend to think woman when therapist is said and in our book the therapist is a male.

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

this book could be tied into reading and writing lessons based on the poetry alone and the structure that it is written in.

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

yes, the entire book is positive and make students want to learn more about the animals in it.

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Maximum Suggested Grade Level