I See Myself

Absolutely. This book not only touches the idea on what kinds of objects we can use to see ourselves, but how do we see ourselves? What kinds of things need to happen in order for us to see? It talks about how we need light and how light travels. This is taught not only through illustrations, but hands-on activities as well.

• Author: Vicki Cobb
• Illustrator: Julia Gorton
• Year Published: 2002
• ISBN: 978-0688178369

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• 4th Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 7th Grade

Summary

Readers learn about how they can see themselves with the help of light and shiny, smooth objects such as a mirror. They learn this through some of the very helpful illustrations as well as fun hands-on experiments mentioned throughout the book.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Absolutely. This book not only touches the idea on what kinds of objects we can use to see ourselves, but how do we see ourselves? What kinds of things need to happen in order for us to see? It talks about how we need light and how light travels. This is taught not only through illustrations, but hands-on activities as well.

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

Yes. There is a section in the book where the author asks if we took a mirror in a closet and closed the door, would we be able to see ourselves? They did not give the answer right away. This would provide an opportunity for our students to think about that, understand that mirrors are not all we need, and have them discover for themselves how important light is.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

Yes, as stated above, the book gives the children the opportunity to think. By not providing the answers to some questions right away, it requires the students to make inferences. Also, the students may use the illustrations as ways to scaffold their thinking on these new concepts. This, as well as the hands-on activities that ask the students if they can "control where their reflected light would shine" allows the students to discover this for themselves.

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

Absolutely. There is a sort of mini lesson through the book. The book constantly asks questions that require the students to use the hands-on activity to find the answer. These activities also reinforce the ideas mentioned throughout the book. This book could almost be a lesson in itself.

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

Yes. This book talks about how we can only see ourselves on smooth, shiny surfaces and that mirrors are the smoothest and shiniest. It also mentions how we also need light. It then talks about how light travels in a straight line but can bounce and shine in the opposite direction, like a bouncy ball if we bounce it on an angle. It also talks about how light bounces off every object we see and as it travels back into our eyes, that is how we are able to see all objects.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book tends to only talk about the facts. However, it does open up the conversation to fiction. For example, how it asks if we can see ourselves if we stood in a dark closet with a mirror. This would open up the floor to some possible misconceptions. Overall, however, this book mostly talks about the facts of how we can see.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are very helpful throughout the book. They were very creative and make the way the text was printed correspond to the subject they were talking about. For example, as the were talking about how light bounces, they has the text sort of run into the side of the page and bounce off as we were reading it, which I thought was really creative.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Absolutely. I was also to watch my CT read this book aloud to her 5th grade class and the students seemed to respond very well. I was worried it would be a bit below their level, based on the illustrations, but I believe that with the hands-on activities, age does not matter.

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

The book seems to just follow one young white, red headed girl. There are no other characters or cultures mentioned. So I do not believe there is a multicultural component in this book.

Is the book free from gender bias?

As stated above, this book just follows one young girl, so there may be a gender bias to some of the boys. However, this nor the multicultural component are focused on in this book, it is mostly talking about the experiments and the girl is there as a physical example.

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

As far as making connections to other subjects, I believe this just typically focuses on science. While it is a book, you could touch on literacy, but because of the actual experiments the children would preform while reading, I believe this book just focuses on science.

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

Absolutely. I believe experiments and activities that this will always promote a positive attitude toward science. Especially being able to watch my students preform these experiments, I saw how engaged and interested they were in this subject. I am not sure how much this book focuses on technology, but overall it is a great book for a science lesson!