Groundhog Gets A Say

This books helps to foster processes of inquiry and observation.

• Author: Pamela Swallow
• Illustrator: Denise Brunkus
• Year Published: 2007
• ISBN: 0-399-23876

Science Topics

• Earth Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Kindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 3rd Grade

Summary

This book takes a lighthearted spin on "Groundhog's Get Say." It introduces the groundhog protagonist and throughout the course of the story you learn different facts about groundhog's, many of which I did not know before reading. Other than the personified animals teaching about themselves this book is a lighthearted, funny, informative book. This could be used as great introduction to ecosystems or a Groundhog's Day activity. Ideal for grades K-3

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

This books helps to foster processes of inquiry and observation.

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

This book teaches the audience about groundhogs, from the perspective of a groundhog. It provides opportunity for children to ask questions they want to learn about before reading. Then the book could create a discussion after about what learned or what they still want to know, (KWL) charts could work really well here. The text is also set up similar to a graphic novel in that other animal characters and interacting with him and asking questions that the students could also engage with.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book comes from the perspective of lots of personified animals so student's may that is funny and have a lot they want to interact with. It encourages children to think for themselves because the premise of the book is the groundhog speaking up about himself when he is frustrated that he feels ignored.

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

The book is set up through animals talking and getting to know more about groundhogs. The information is provided in a funny yet accurate way. This book could be used to introduce inquiry or a project about different animals and their habitats. After reading teachers could engage student's through KWL charts or a researched based activity.

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

This book is based on scientific principles in the information the animals are sharing, not in the fact that they are the ones speaking about it.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book does blur the lines of fact and fiction. It is accurate information presented through personified animals. It gives each animal a personality as they learn about the groundhog. However, it does provide a lot of accurate information about groundhog.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are whimsical and interesting while they are still somewhat accurate. There are artistic touches, such as the animals wearing clothing and standing up and talking. But there are also diagrams of the groundhog's burrow and other accurate illustrations.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, overall this book is written at the level of students K-3. This book does introduce new vocabulary while still providing lots of scaffolding for understanding new terms.

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

This book only has animals as characters so it does not really have a multicultural component but it does for this reason for the most part also stay away from stereotyping. However, even though there are no human characters they are featured in some of the illustrations, all of which are white.

Is the book free from gender bias?

This book is free from gender bias since not of the animals have a clear gender. The people in the illustrations are a mixture of both female and male.

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

Not really, could maybe be used in language arts to talk about dialogue and different types of writing.

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

This book doesn't really provide "attitudes towards science" per say except in that it serves ad an entertaining and captivating book that also teaches about animals. It also paves the way for further inquiry about other animals and their habitats.