Investigating Natural Disasters Through Children's Literature: An Integrated Approach [Paperback]

Anthony D. Fredericks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2001 | Series: Through Children's Literature

Natural disasters enthrall with their potency, might, and devastation. Tap into students' inherent awe of storms, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, avalanches, landslides, and tsunamis to open their minds to the wonders and power of the natural world. Using quality children's literature as a springboard to learning, this guide extends the understanding of science concepts through short activities, longer projects, and adventures. This participatory approach keeps the focus on the processes of science and promotes a personal response to learning. Students can use the literature and activities not just to better understand the forces of nature, but to grasp the implications of that potency on the lives of people near and far. Grades 3-6.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Fredericks offers teachers a place to turn for practical suggestions on using specific trade books in units on natural disasters. Aimed at middle-grade teachers, the book begins with a few chapters explaining Fredericks' approach to including children's literature in the science curriculum, and then proceeds with a topic-by-topic exploration of the subjects to be taught. Chapters cover disasters such as volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, avalanches, and landslides. Within each chapter, several good children's books are recommended. For each of these titles, Fredericks offers several "critical thinking questions" and a number of activities, as well as Web sites for further inquiry. Although some of the questions and activities seem much more usable than others, the sheer volume of suggestions ensures that teachers will have plenty of ideas that can be incorporated into classroom units. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description

Tap into students' inherent awe of storms, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, avalanches, landslides, and tsunamis to open their minds to the wonders and power of the natural world. Using quality children's literature as a springboard to learning, this guide extends the understanding of science concepts through short activities, longer projects, and adventures. Students can use the literature and activities not just to better understand the forces of nature, but to grasp the implications of that potency on the lives of people near and far.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 193 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited (April 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563088614
• ISBN-13: 978-1563088612
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,494,244 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Fredericks ([e-mail]) is a best-selling author who has published 129 books including three college textbooks, seventy-five education books, and several adult trade books (e.g. How Long Things Live: And How They Live as Long as They Do [Stackpole Books, 2010]; Ace Your Teacher Interview [Jist Publications, 2012], Walking with Dinosaurs: Rediscovering Colorado's Prehistoric Beasts [Johnson Books, 2012]; Horseshoe Crab: Biography of a Survivor* [Ruka Press, 2012]; and Desert Dinosaurs: Discovering Prehistoric Sites Across the American Southwest [Countryman Press, 2012]). Moreover, he is the award-winning author of more than 40 children's books in a variety of genres, primarily environmental science and natural history. In addition, he co-authored (with Isaac Asimov) the best-selling "Science Fair Handbook," 3rd Ed. (Good Year, 2005).

* "An entertaining guide to a creature that is 445 million years old and still having sex on the beach." - Richard Conniff, author of "Spineless Wonders" and "The Species Seekers."