Recycling Day

This book fosters development of processes in that this book organizes and presents the information in a very clever yet clear way about recycling. It allows for making inferences and predictions through the fictional flow of the story through the relationships and interactions of the humans, bugs, and rats. Through the way the text is presented, there are facts embedded within the story which allows for classification and communication because the book integrates a plot and valuable "textbook" information all in one. The illustrations allow the reader to make observations, opening up a discussion about why these students are recycling, or why the bugs and rats are not getting along--an appeal to the pathos. The story begins with an empty lot filling up with trash. Then it goes through the process of what happens when there is an area with concentrated trash. Following this problem is the solution of people in a community coming together to clean out the trash, and how to recycle. This story explains what recycling is, why recycling is important, how recycling works, and what items can be recycle.

Author: Edward Miller
Illustrator: Edward Miller
Year Published: 2015
ISBN: 978-0-545-85134-3

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Kindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

3rd Grade

Summary

This picture book provides a fictional story about what happens when trash piles up, as well as what recycling is, what can be recycled, and what happens when items are recycled. It is told in the perspective of the bugs that live nearby the trash.

Evaluation

Appropriateness: High
Authority: High
Accuracy: High
Liteary Artistry: Medium
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?

This book provides an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions through the story's two-fold text. The story line between the humans, bugs, and rats, who are all affected by the trash in the vacant lot. The story explains why it's important to recycle. There are also visual charts and organized factual information that have nothing to do with the story line, but aid the overall goal of why recycling is important. I noticed that there are a lot of moments where students can question why certain events in the story unfolds, with opportunities to figure out the answer on their own with the embedded facts.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book encourages children to think for themselves because just like the characters in this story, it is important that everybody recycles, although nobody can force you to make the decision to actually recycle items. This book does not preach about how unethical it is if people don't recycle, yet it begs children to ask themselves the question of "why is this important?"

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

The environmental scientific topic of recycling that's portrayed in the story is addressed in an appropriate way. The illustrations are clear and vibrant, and the text is succinct yet intriguing. Whether the student is in kindergarten or in third grade, this book is appropriate for a quick read-aloud, an in-depth lesson, or even an integrated lesson in science and social studies. Because the story encompasses civil duty, respect, environmental cleanliness, and community embodiment, there are countless ways to incorporate this story into a lesson or project.

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

This story shows that the author did a lot of research before writing this text. He acknowledges the truth about bugs and rats living in dirty areas--besides the fact that the animals can communicate in English, as well as what actually happens to recycled goods. He also explains what items can be recycled, so that students can take this text into their own lives and recycle items that the book mentioned--such as glass, paper, metal, even plastic.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book does not make a clear distinguishing between fact and fiction. There is a large fictional element in which the story characters are living in a neighborhood where they come together and clean up a lot filled with trash. There are also animals that speak to one another and to the humans. There are also many true facts inside this book, but it is separated from the story line. Other than reading these snippets of facts in the green outlined box, there is no explicit distinguishing of the facts fro the fictional story.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are very clear and accurate. There are signs and labels in the illustrations, with the characters drawn with emotions to further the story line. The illustrations are colorful and show a lot of perspective, depth, and texture. The humans in the story give a lot of unwritten information as well. For example, when the neighbors come together to clean out the trashed lot, they wear gloves. This is something that the text does not reveal, but the illustrations are accurate in portraying what a healthy and clean community clean-up should look like.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

The book is written at a level where students should be able to read it to themselves. Rather than presenting the text in an expository language, the flow of the text is similar to how a casual conversation between two second graders would look like.

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

The story line where neighbors come together to clean up of lot includes many children of different ages, gender, and skin color. There is no distinguishment in the behavior of the different ethnic characters, as they all play an equal part in cleaning up the lot.

Is the book free from gender bias?

There also is no distinguishment of gender roles; everybody wears different colors and plays an active role in the story line. Both boys and girls are capable of recycling, and the illustrations do not depict that girls do different recycling work from the boys. Both boys and girls also wear the same colors in their attire, so there is no gender bias in which colors girls / boys can or cannot wear.

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

This bok integrates science with social studies. Other than depicting environmental sciences, this text encourages active participation in neighborhoods and communities, as well as coming together to save the planet and animals.

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

This book presents a positive attitude toward science and technology. Although this book mainly portrays the recycling as a task that is done with hands, it presents the use of recycling machines as positive, helpful technological devices to help our planet stay healthy.