Children's Science Book Database

No Fair Science Fair

Yes the book fosters development of processes of concept generation, observation, prediction, and recording data. There are several pages where the teacher can pose questions about the happenings in the background of the main idea. For example, in what stage of development is the volcano? Do you predict any birds will feed from the feeder? These questions provide the ideal environment for meaningful discussion.
  • Author: Nancy Poydar
  • Year Published: 2011
  • ISBN: 9780823422692

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

Summary

This book is about a student who decides to observe birds eating from a do-it-yourself bird feeder for his science project. The book is illustrated with colorful and detailed pictures of many different science projects in the classroom.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Yes the book fosters development of processes of concept generation, observation, prediction, and recording data. There are several pages where the teacher can pose questions about the happenings in the background of the main idea. For example, in what stage of development is the volcano? Do you predict any birds will feed from the feeder? These questions provide the ideal environment for meaningful discussion.

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

Yes, the children could ask questions about the process of making the bird feeder, as well as, could other wild life also eat from the bird feeder? As the students continue to read their questions will be answered from observing the illustrations and from reading the story.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

Yes, before the turn of each page, the student wonders what will happen next. For example, when the main character is trying to decide on a science fair idea, the student could think about possible ideas for a project, before turning the page to discover the actual project choice.

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

Yes, the content is appropriate for the lesson.

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

The book is mostly about observing, predicting, and perseverance. The main character's science fair choice involves data recording over several days. This is a great example of the scientific method. Even as the science fair concludes, the main character's project is still on-going. The main character continues to observe and take notes. This shows the students how true science principles continue even after experiments or projects conclude. The content is accurate because the author also includes the assumption of other wild life eating from the bird feeder which is a real life scenario.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The book is factual, there is no need to distinguish.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are clear and accurate. The illustrations are colorful and realistic drawings of school children developing science projects.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, the book is written at the appropriate level for the students of K-3. The book introduces science observations methods, real life experiences involved in the development process of a project, and new organism names accompanied with illustrations.

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

The book is multicultural and this is evidenced by the drawings of other diverse students in the science classroom. The book presents a few stereotypes within the story line. This is shown as light ridicule from the other students towards the main character as the science fair project is under development. Other students express deficit, and competitive statements about their project ideas and that of the main character's.

Is the book free from gender bias?

There are females and males equally represented in the book. The book is free from gender bias as there is no discrimination or prejudice attitudes found in the story line.

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

The book shows the connection of everyday life items used for experiment making. However, the book does not make clear connections to other school disciplines explicitly.

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

Yes, the book begins with a story about a student with challenges in developing a worthwhile idea to present at the science fair, and ends with the same student earning an award for the perseverance demonstrated in the process. The whole class ended interested in the types of birds feeding from the feeder. This is the perfect example for students to observe that projects must be started and completed, and can influence others for the better.