Customer Reviews

Archaeologists Dig for Clues (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is part of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, which has more than 80 titles. The Stage 1 books explain simple and easily observable science concepts for preschool- and kindergarten-age children. Stage 2 books, which includes this title, explore more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades and include hands-on activities that children can do themselves. "Archaeologists Dig For Clues" is well-conceived and informative, with bright cartoon drawings. It is formatted a little like the "Magic School Bus" books, more for upper elementary kids.

As a soon to be teacher, and part time archaeologist, this is by far the best book about archaeology for young kids I have found. It gives accurate information in fun, easy to understand language. My students were always interested in my summer and weekend work outside of the school. It was wonderful to find a book I could share with them that was not over their heads. My archaeology professor from college even borrowed it to share with his entry level classes.

Rather brief story, but an excellent introduction for the reader in grades 1-3 who is interested in archaeology. Good coverage of major points for this age range--what archaeology is, types of objects likely to be found, that the work continues into the lab, etc. I just wish there was something this good to introduce the same ideas for upper elementary students--I thought about using this story with an older group because the concepts were introduced so well, but decided they would find the story too juvenile.

This is the best book I've seen for children about archaeology! I am a professional archaeologist and this book covers ALL the misconceptions about what archaeologists really do while still making it sound like we have fun. I bought numerous copies of this book to give to nieces and nephews, neighbors, etc. I wish most of the adults I talk to about archaeology had read this book...I'd get a lot fewer question about my favorite dinosaur or about the most expensive artifact I have ever found!

We used this book to aid in learning about archaeology in 1st grade science. My daughter really loved this book, and even called it her favorite for awhile! It really sparked her interest in archaeology and made her decide that she wants to be an archaeologist (among several other things!) when she grows up.

From what I have seen, the "Lets Read and Find Out" series is very solid, but even within the series, this book stands out. Archeology is explained from the perspective of a story - kids are invited to help out real archeologists on a dig. And because it's real archeology, they have to learn about things like how and why to dig in plots, how and when to make plaster casts, etc. The detail was great enough that I - as a non-archeologist adult - learned a few things, but told compellingly and simply enough that my young daughter thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Archeology, like paleontology and geology (hmm, all have to do with digging in the dirt...) has its own coolness factor. But it is also useful in showing us how we learn about what happened in the past. This book definitely has the wow factor AND the "oh, so that's how/why it works" component. I really appreciate the author for respecting kids' intelligence and curiosity while also being able to weave a compelling story. Kudos! (Oh, and, if you're thinking about it, get this book!)

I am a Gifted & Talented Resource Teacher and bought this book to supplement my 2nd grade unit on archaeology. HANDS DOWN the best addition I purchased! The pictures are phenomenal in helping students put very new and advanced vocabulary into context. Second graders had a real grasp on what archaeologists do after listening to just this one story. It is so full of information, and yet, reads enough like a story that it's easy for students to follow. You could've heard a pin drop in my classroom while we read that book. They were hooked! I read it aloud as one of the lessons early on in the unit that exposes students to what archaeologists do. For the rest of the unit, I would just remind them of the book, or show one of the diagrams up on my document camera, and they were able to understand and synthesize new information really well! Love, love, LOVE this book! Wish it came with our curriculum in the first place!

This book is great for kids and grown-ups. It shows kids the gridded system of a dig, and the tools archaeologists use, and how very little of their work is actually "discoveries". Their work is mostly tedious record keeping, sifting for tiny bits of material, and analysis.

This book does a jaw-droppingly good job of taking such gritty details and weaving them into a real book, with a storyline and characters, and keeping the information fresh and interesting. In the end, my elementary-aged scientist got all excited about the site map.

If your plans include a trip to a natural history museum, this book is a winner.