Strange Creatures: The Story of Walter Rothschild and His Museum

This book is structured more as a biography of Walter Rothschild, it allows students to think about his journey and what he experienced throughout his life in developing his ideas - but it does not provide much areas of the processes of science or inquiry.

• Author: Lita Judge
• Year Published: 2011
• ISBN: 978-1-4231-1389-8

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• 2nd Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 5th Grade

Summary

This book is about Walter Rothschild and his journey in his contributions to the study of zoology.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

This book is structured more as a biography of Walter Rothschild, it allows students to think about his journey and what he experienced throughout his life in developing his ideas - but it does not provide much areas of the processes of science or inquiry.

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

The book allows children to make predictions and inferences throughout the text, characters that are present in how readers process texts. There are not very many specific opportunities of inquiry of science, but students are given the opportunity to make predictions and see how their hypothesis played out within the text.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

The book encourages students to relate to their own experience/emotions and predict what they think would happen as the story progressed.

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

The book addressed in depth and length the information of Walter Rothschild, this book would fit very well in a lesson about scientists and a study of their contributions.

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

The book is biographical and does not specifically address scientific principals, aside from Walter Rothschild's contribution to zoology (although that information is accurate).

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

Yes, the book allows readers to know the information is factual and based on a real person.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are clear and are very detailed. They match the text and content of the page.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

The book would fit well for a read aloud of the text features more complex vocabulary that might be more difficult for younger students to decode.

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

The book is featured around Walter Rothschild, and does not have a lot of multicultural diversity or address stereotyping.

Is the book free from gender bias?

The book only focuses on Walter Rothschild and does not discuss any other scientists that were present around the same time (male or female).

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

Yes the book addressed an association between science and literature/autobiographies.

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

Yes the book discusses how Walter Rothschild was able to use technology to study various animals and develop his practice.