Are the Dinosaurs Dead, Dad?

The book could foster the development of processes if you ask students to verify the information through thier own investigations. Students would also be able to look at the features of the dinsaurs and try to make connections with the environment or with thier place in the food web and etc. The book is in a narrative format, so student's are developing thier reading skills as well as becoming familiar with the genre of fiction and science.

• Author: Julie Middleton
• Illustrator: Russel Ayto
• Year Published: 2013
• ISBN: 9781561456901

Science Topics

• Earth Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• 1st Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 4th Grade

Summary

A boy and his father go to the museum. The father stops to name each dinosaur and gives a small description. When the father isn't looking, the dinosaurs grin or wink to the boy. The dad doesn't believe him untill the end.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

The book could foster the development of processes if you ask students to verify the information through thier own investigations. Students would also be able to look at the features of the dinsaurs and try to make connections with the environment or with thier place in the food web and etc. The book is in a narrative format, so student's are developing thier reading skills as well as becoming familiar with the genre of fiction and science.

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

The book is set up in a narrative style. No questions are asked explicitly by the author to the audience except in the title. The title of the book is a question that could be asked to students before and after reading the book. However the student's could "ask" the dinsaurs questions based on the facts that the dad has stated.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

Not necessarily, it gives the names and facts of each dinosaur while the boy looks in awe. There is not much to read between the lines, besides the fact that the father doesn't believe the child about the dinosaurs moving. The children can make predictions about what may happen in the story, but it may not necessarily be about science.

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

Yes, the book gives names with appropriate facts about the dinsoaurs. If the lesson is giving a general overview about dinosaurs, this would be fun way to introduce them for younger students.

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

Yes the facts that father states about the dinosaurs are accurate. The illustrations are cartoonish but still reflect the features that were unique to that dinosaur.  However at the end it says that the t-rex isn't dead, it begins to chase the dad and son.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

No it does not. The child will have to conclude this on thier own. The dinsouars are making facial expressions to the boy when he is not looking. In the end the dinosaur actually chases the boy and his father, and that's how the book ends.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

No, the are cartoonish and dispraportionate. While they do exagerate those features that make that dinosaur unique however. For instance it portrays the Deienchorous with very long arms, which is supposedly had some of the longest arms ever.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, this book would work well for my second grade students. While the dinosuar names are long and wordy, they would be words with to practice fluency and pronunciation. Besides the dinosaur names, all other words are at second grade level.

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

There is not a multi-cultural component to this book. I can't say it's explicit in any stereotyping. However it is a european american looking father and son at the museum.

Is the book free from gender bias?

There's not enough to really say if it is or not. The book is just about a boy and his dad. The father never mentions gender nuetral pronouns about the dinsoars. The father and his son are also the only two characters in the story.

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

No it does not. The book takes place at the dinosaur the musuem and doesn't mention any other type of science or technology.

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

Yes, it takes a fun approach to learning about dinsoarus, while it may not be wholly accurate students will find it entertaining. They may want to further investigate some of the dinsosaurs they heard about.