Midnight Dance of the Snowshoe Hare: Poems of Alaska

It inspires the students to look at the world around them with a new lens. It shows the beauty and life of nature and the living things that occupy Alaska. In this way students are encouraged to look at the word through a scientists' eyes by realizing the life around them.

• Author: Nancy White Carlstrom
• Illustrator: Ken Kuroi
• Year Published: 1998
• ISBN: 0399227466

Science Topics

• Earth Science
• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• 2nd Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 6th Grade

Summary

This book is a selection of poems that illustrate the lives of the people and animals that live and thrive in Alaska.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

It inspires the students to look at the world around them with a new lens. It shows the beauty and life of nature and the living things that occupy Alaska. In this way students are encouraged to look at the word through a scientists' eyes by realizing the life around them.

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

Yes, the book is written in poems, and since poems are not entirely clear in their intent all of the time it gives students the opportunity to learn to form their own conclusions about these poems that describe life in Alaska. They are able to see life in a different place and ask questions about the environment and living things that occupy Alaska.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

The poems allow the students to be creative in their interpretations of the art and poetry given in the book. They are able to form their own conclusions about what life is like in Alaska from these poems and find out for themselves whether they want to discover more. It also gives students a different picture of Alaska they may not have known, there is life that thrives there.

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

The science is addressed in a more informal way. It is hinted at in the food chain that is discussed in the poem about the hare and the owl. It also discusses the plant and animal life that is present and in that way introduces what is needed for the plants and animals to grow, like sunlight and bark.

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

The content in this book, seeing as it is mostly nature and animal life in Alaska, the principals behind them are presented accurately through the poems. The ideas and lines in the poem do represent the science principals that are presented in this book.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book dies not really distinguish between fact and fiction. Since the poems are fictional, there are elements of personification that can not be altogether truthful about the facts in science. It blurs the lines between fact and fiction a little with some of its metaphors and descriptions.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are very clear and paint a true picture of the animals and life that is present in Alaska. They are also accurate in their representation of the animals and the life there. The colors and art are also very accurate to the life that thrives in Alaska.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

The book, is written at a level that is achievable to students who can read by themselves and also can be read out loud. Since it is a poem book it can be introduced in upper grades as an example for a poetry lesson. It can be used at many different levels.

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

The book speaks about life in Alaska which is a different culture than the students may be used to. This aspect of the book can introduce a different kind of lifestyle to the students in my classroom. It is not overly stereotypical as in it mostly talks about animal life in Alaska.

Is the book free from gender bias?

There are not really any references to genders in that it is mainly about animals. The book does not have any overtly bias in it and there is no gender discrimination noticeable in it's lines. Since it is a poem book mostly about the nature found in Alaska it does not really have any gender bias.

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

The book does not discuss much about other disciplines. It focuses mostly on life science and animals in Alaska. There is no real clear association with other subjects for students to find in this book.

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

This book presents a lovely picture of the life and animals in Alaska. In this way it creates a positive outlook on life science that can be found in nature. It can get students interested in science and the life that is out there and the different environments that can be discovered.