Actual Size

This book allows students to process the photos and the actual sizes of the animals in the books. I also allows students to construct their own understanding of the sizes of animals because the book shows the animals in the size they are. It allows students to compare animals.

Author: Steve Jenkins
Year Published: 2004
ISBN: 978-0547512914

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Kindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

5th Grade

Summary

How big is a crocodile? What about a tiger, or the world’s largest spider? Can you imagine a tongue that is two feet long or an eye that’s bigger than your head? Sometimes facts and figures don’t tell the whole story. Sometimes you need to see things for yourself—at their actual size.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

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

Yes. This book allows students to think about what they believe to be true and compare it to the facts. The book allows students to access their prior knowledge and make predictions about what they think the sizes of certain animals are and check them with the book to see if they were correct. This is a great book to get students thinking about animals and asking questions about animals.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

Yes. This book gives students the facts and students are welcome to consider the facts compared to what they have seen to be true. It exposes children to animals they may not have discovered before. It also describes the animals so that students can learn more about animals they may not have seen before.

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

Yes. This book would be a good one to introduce students to making predictions. It would also be a good book to introduce students to different species of animals and the differences within certain species.

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

Yes. The content is very accurate. The book has the sizes of various animals as well as facts about where they live. It also shows the animals in their actual size so students are able to compare different animals.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

Yes. This is a nonfiction book, so all of the information in the book is facts. This book would be a good one to introduce students to animals or life cycles.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

Yes. The illustrations are very clear. They are also very appealing because some of them take up the entire page and some of them are quite small. Very visually appealing.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes. The book is written to be very understandable for students at quite various age levels. This book could be appropriate for a kindergarten class or even a fifth grade class.

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

Yes. There are various different species of animals shown in the book and the book describes where each of the animals lives. The book has no bias or stereotyping because it shows animals from all over the world.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Yes. The book doesn't distinguish between male and female animals.

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

Yes. This book would be a great book to introduce a math unit on making predictions about sizes or making comparisons. This book would also be good for a STEM lesson or another lesson where students are asked to build something in its actual size.

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

Yes. This book is very interesting and engaging and I think it would be a great book to introduce to students to get them thinking about the actual sizes of animals and other objects. The book is also a great book to introduce students to nonfiction books and show students how interesting they can be.