Our Big Home

Since this book is about a natural phenomenon, the book might not be the best fit to foster development of process, but students can still generate their own questions and find answers while reading the book.

Author: Linda Glaser
Illustrator: Elisa Kleven
Year Published: 2000
ISBN: 0761316507

Summary

Our Big Home is a poem book about the coexistence of human beings with other living things in this big home we call Earth. The book also conveys a message about aspects of Earth and how we should share and appreciate air, water, sunlight, rain, soil and sky in our shared home "Earth'.

Evaluation

Appropriateness: High
Authority: High
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, Students will develop a deeper understanding of our responsibility to care for our planet. Students can ask own question with the help of the teacher, the teacher can help students generate interesting questions prior to reading the book, (What do we get from the sun? Who benefits from the sun, moon? What do we need to live on earth? etc.) and students should be able to ask these questions throughout the book.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

Yes, students can think about the natural resources around us and how we benefit from all the sources in our planet. Students can think of ways to help protect the Earth. Through this book, students will be aware that Earth is the home to all living things (animals, plants, human) and that our home has to be protected.

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

Yes, this is a great book to teach/introduce Ecology to young children. The book is educational and informative. This is a perfect book to teach science through language arts/reading.

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

I don't see any scientific principles in this book, but the book has accurate information about the Ecosystem and Earth.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This is not a fiction, but more of a non fiction with great illustrations, so all the information in this book are facts. I don't think there are any fictional parts.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

Yes, interesting illustrations that would catch students' attention. Goes along with the story very well.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, for young children, this is a good book to be used as a 'read aloud', and older students should be able to read it on their own. For older elementary students, this book could be used at the engagement/intro stage of the lesson to hook students into the lesson, and then the main lesson could dig in to more deeper concepts of the Ecosystem.

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

Free from stereotyping, and I don't see much multicultural component.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Free from gender bias.

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

Yes, the book shows how everything around us is associated with science. Through this book, students will learn that mostly everything exists for a reason. If working with older students, students can talk about photosynthesis, water cycle, weather, climate, seasons after doing a brief about the Earth with this book.

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

I don't see how this book presents an attitude towards technology, but teacher can adopt technology when using this book. Students can generate more questions and use the internet to search for the answers and I am sure that there are also videos that portray the Ecosystem that will go along with the book.

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Maximum Suggested Grade Level