A Grand Old Tree

Students will be able to identify what a tree looks like during the summer, winter, spring, and fall. This may bring up questions as in "why do the tress change? what causes them to make their leafs fall?" By asking these questions students are able to make predications based off the pictures in the book.

• Author: Mary Newell DePalma
• Illustrator: Mary Newell DePalma
• Year Published: 2005
• ISBN: 0-439-62334-0

Science Topics

• Earth Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Prekindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 1st Grade

Summary

It's a story about a grand old tree that lives through the four seasons of the year. We learn how the tree appearance changes over time.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Students will be able to identify what a tree looks like during the summer, winter, spring, and fall. This may bring up questions as in "why do the tress change? what causes them to make their leafs fall?" By asking these questions students are able to make predications based off the pictures in the book.

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

This book gives children some opportunities to ask about questions about the life cycle of plants and how they live through out the different seasons. This book can also spark ideas and thinking about the four seasons we have through out the year. This can lead a class into a group experiment by observing a tree outside that school over a long period of time.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This can encourage students to find out more information about the four seasons we have a year. It can also encourage students to think about the different types of leafs, flowers, and food that grow on trees. Animals are also represented in this book, so it can lead to students to have discussions about the different animals they saw in the book.

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

It presents a variety of topics that are appropriate for a lesson. You can come up with ways to teach about the life cycle of a tree, the seasons, and the different animals that appear in the book. This book can be read after the students learn about the life cycle of plants since this book does not describe the full process.  

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

Even though the book does have some factual information the way it is presented can be hard for some students. The book tells a story about a “grand old tree,” and in the book the pictures are not proportional. Meaning, that some animals are the same sign a tree. Some of the information may be accurate in the book, but not all of it is.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

No, the book does not distinguished between fact and fiction. I can easily tell what is fact and what is not, but students who will be introduced to the life cycle of trees and season may not understand the information that is presented in the book. The animals are different colors, trees, and pictures are not proportional with the animals

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

No, the illustrations are not accurate. The trees and animals are not proportional. The colors are very vibrant and it will give students the wrong idea when it comes to the colors of plants and animals.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

No, this book is not written for my 3^rd grade students. If teaching pre-k through 1^st grade, then yes, this book is written at their grade level.

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

no, there is no multicultural component, but I can see type of stereotyping. The animals in the book are stereotyped. The ladybugs, birds, and owls have vibrant colors. Where squirrels and the raccoons have neutral colors.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Yes, the book is free form gender bias. The colors may seem vibrant, but I think there is no gender bias happening inside the book.

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

You can incorporate this book with science along language arts. I do not see how you can associate this book with something else. You can maybe talk about how seasons change.

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

This book does present a positive attitude toward science as it talks about a tree and how it changes over time in between seasons. On the other hand though, this books does not present any information about technology.