It’s Raining!

Yes, It's Raining!, fosters the development of processes of observation, inferring, measuring, classification, and prediction. The teacher could ask students to describe what is happening at multiple points of the story, for example, what is happening when enough water droplets come together? (the water droplets form clouds). The students can also infer things from the text, such as people wearing jackets, rain boots, ponchos, etc. to keep dry when it's raining. The book also shows how measuring rain can be done with a rain gauge, and there is also an informational chart that shows yearly average rainfall in North America and the rest of the world. Students can also predict what will happen, for example, what can happen when there is heavy rain? (a flood can occur).

Author: Gail Gibbons
Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
Year Published: 2014
ISBN: 13: 9780823429240

Summary

This book is about the water cycle and focuses mainly on rain. It details the different kinds of rain, clouds, and storms, and what to do during storms.

Evaluation

Appropriateness: High
Authority: Medium
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! Children can ask questions of the illustrations before reading the text, because the text clearly states what is happening in the illustration. One example of this could be about the different types of clouds, "Why do those clouds look different from the other clouds?" (cumulonimbus clouds are depicted as much darker and distinct from the other clouds, and bring lots of rain).

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

It is not explicitly stated, but predictions and inferences can be made from the text and illustrations. Children can also connect information and pictures they see in the book to what they have seen in real life. Students can add commentary about times that they have experienced rain and what they did. However, there are no specific questions asked for students to answer.

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

The content is appropriate to the lesson.

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

Yes, the content is based on sound scientific principles. It shows the steps of the water cycle including, evaporation, condensation, and rain. However, rain is not specifically labeled as precipitation and while the word collection is not explicitly used, groundwater and runoff is labeled. Different cloud types are also mentioned, though the illustrations of these clouds is not as clear as it could be. While true, the danger of rain/thunderstorms seems to be a little extreme, with the text stating that "people cover their windows to protect themselves form flying glass and other objects" which many people do not do every time there is a thunderstorm.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book is factual, so there is not need to distinguish between fact and fiction.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

Yes the illustrations are mostly clear and accurate. The only part of the illustration that is not as clear is distinguishing between the different kinds of rain clouds. While the watercolor illustration is beautiful, this makes it difficult to differentiate between the different cloud types, which would make it hard for children trying to identify these clouds in real life. Of the depicted cloud types, status, nimbostratus, cumulus, and altocumulus all look very similar, with only cumulonimbus clouds having stark differences from the rest.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, this books is appropriate for students grades K-4. The vocabulary words presented are presented with illustrations. Some of the vocabulary presented with illustrations includes evaporation, condensation, stratus rain clouds, nimbostratus rain clouds, cumulus rain clouds, and cumulonimbus rain clouds. Though, as previously stated, the cloud illustrations are not as clear as they could be.

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

There is no multicultural component. While I did see a few characters with slightly different shades of skin tone, the vast majority of people illustrated in this text seem to be caucasian. This could be seen as stereotyping because the characters are not racially diverse.

Is the book free from gender bias?

There are both male and female characters in this book, but it does not seem to be inclusive of those who do not identify with a particular gender.

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

There is little connection in the book of science to other disciplines, though it mentions meteorology when discussing severe weather. It makes useful connections to everyday life including that water is necessary for all plant and animal life to survive on Earth, what it looks like when it's raining and what people do to keep dry during rain, and what to do when it is storming. These are useful connections that children can make with real life.

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

Yes! Technology is pictured when meteorology is briefly discussed, though not explicitly mentioned. It's tone is very factual, but also seemingly excited with occasional exclamations throughout the book.

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Maximum Suggested Grade Level