Planting a Rainbow

No. This book is not one that introduces the process of answering a question through the use of science. This book provides a starting point for the life cycle of plants and what kinds of conditions are necessary, weather-wise, plants need to flourish. It is more informative than it is an example of scientific processes.

Author: Lois Ehlert
Illustrator: Lois Ehlert
Year Published: 1988
ISBN: 9780547543550

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Prekindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

2nd Grade

Summary

A mother and child plant bulbs and wait for the spring for them to sprout. They buy seeds and seedlings to plant in the spring. They grow a variety of flowers to enjoy and each year they look forward to planting more flowers.

Evaluation

Appropriateness: High
Authority: High
Accuracy: Medium
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?

Yes. This book is simply put and full of beautiful illustrations and names of flowers that will invite curiosity from children.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book might encourage children to think of what they might put in their own gardens and when they might need to plant them as a social studies integration. It might bring to mind different flowers they have seen around their community and spark interest on the ways the flowers start (bulbs or seeds) and the seasons they are present during.

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

Yes. The author introduces the planting times of the different bulbs and seedlings and addresses the time it takes for the plants to grow and then when the growing season has ended. However there should be more about the conditions necessary, water and sunlight, for flowers to grow, not just the season.

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

This book doesn't go into the whole process of how plants grow from a seed or bulb and bloom. However, the inclusion of bulbs being planted at different times, but not sprouting until the spring and when seedlings should be planted is not far from a real life application and can be a starting point for teachers.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

Mostly. The way the different flowers are planted and the unspecified region and time during the season the plants are planted are not realistic. However, the cyclical nature of planting and the different ways flowers can grow is good information that I would not have expected from this book.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

They are clear and accurate except for one picture where all of the bulbs are buried in the soil, one bulb seems to be above all the others and beginning to sprout whereas the others are not. This could be something children would notice and ask about.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

I would not share this with my current students. This is not written at a fourth grade level, so I would use this as an extension or as an engagement component of a lesson rather than a reading integration component. There isn't enough information about flowers and their development for this to be a part of a life science lesson.

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

There is not a multicultural component to this book. There is a lack of plants found in different parts of the world and there is no mention of a specific place or culture of the narrator of the book.

Is the book free from gender bias?

This book isn't free from gender bias because it is an activity shared between a mother and her child, and it is about flowers not other plants. Boys may be hesitant to read this or relate to it because of flowers being seen as a "girl" thing. If the role of the parent hadn't been established or was more inclusive of other genders, there would be less bias.

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

The only other discipline I can see being associated with this book is geography, but that would be something that would need to be introduced by the teacher. Not all plants can be planted at the same time in each part of the country (and the world) and although this book doesn't specify months, just seasons, I think the distinction would need to be brought up and addressed if this were a book being used as a part of a unit study.

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

Yes. This book puts gardening and the effort that must be put into it in a positive way that grabs children's interest. It doesn't look down upon flowers as a plant that is unimportant than others and has an overall positive perspective that is conveyed by the narrator's relationship with their mother.