Scientist Sam

No, it does not explicitly state anything about developing processes, but I think it encourages students to question and explore what is going on around them. I think that it also encourages students to have an imagination which kind of removes the science processes from it.

• Author: Donna Lugg Pape
• Illustrator: Lola Edick Frank
• Year Published: 1968

Science Topics

• Space Science
• Earth Science
• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• 2nd Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 5th Grade

Summary

Join scientist Sam as he goes on an adventure through Space to find bugs. As the books rhymes, it goes through the many adventures as he finds bugs such as the snozzle-snip bee. This book would be engaging for students and would feel like they are on the adventure with scientist Sam.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

No, it does not explicitly state anything about developing processes, but I think it encourages students to question and explore what is going on around them. I think that it also encourages students to have an imagination which kind of removes the science processes from it.

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

I think that this book doesn't really allow for students to factually ask questions or answer them. This book is very imaginative and lacks facts which would make it difficult for students to explore the questioning process.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

I think this book does encourage children to think and be imaginative but it doesn't really foster that in science. The book is very fictional and I think more of a fun children's book than a science children's book.

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

Not really. The book is focused on bugs but it talks about imaginary space bugs that aren't really real. This makes the book a little inappropriate for a science lesson.

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

No. Other than scientist Sam going to space there is not really any sound or accurate scientific principles.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book does not distinguish between fact and fiction. It is majority fiction and not factual at all.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are clear and accurate for the fictional topics that he is finding, but I don't think they are clear and accurate for scientific topics.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

I think that this book would work great for the upper grades into fifth grade. I feel like pre-k to 1st grade would be too young for this book.

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

No, this book was written a long time ago and follows the typical white person doing science. I feel like this book would not work well.

Is the book free from gender bias?

No, the main character is a white male who does science. The book does not avoid gender bias in any way.

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

No, the book does not have any association between science and other disciplines.

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

I mean the book is very imaginative and I feel like lacks the science aspect. I do not think this would be a great book to present a positive attitude toward science and technology.