When the Wind Blows

This book encourages the science/literacy processes of questioning, inferring, visualizing, and connecting. The way wind is turned into electricity is complicated, but this book provides just enough of a taste of the complexities and allows students' curiosity to take them further in their learning.

Author: Stacy Clark
Illustrator: Brad Sneed
Year Published: 2015
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3069-7

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

3rd Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

6th Grade

Summary

This book begins and ends with a family playing on the beach on a windy day. The author uses repetition and rhyme to take us on a tour of many different results of wind, focusing on wind's ability to make electricity through wind turbines, and several different subsequent uses of electricity.

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?

This book may answer some questions that students have. It might answer the question of how wind turbines generate electricity (with magnets) and how electricity travels (electrons). But I would more likely use this book as a way to elicit interest in a topic and inspire questions.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book encourages students to wonder for themselves because the book doesn't provide all the answers. If they wanted to know more about how sail boats work, how magnets create electricity, how power stations work, where our electricity comes from, etc. they would have to find other sources.

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

I'd say that the topic is addressed in ways appropriate to the lesson. One of the 5th grade TEKS, for example, reads (5.7C) The student knows Earth's surface is constantly changing and consists of useful resources. The student is expected to: identify alternative energy resources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels. This book shows that wind can provide alternative energy to power smart cars, railroad tracks, and for heating and cooling homes. 5.6A also mentions that students should explore the uses of energy.

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

Yes, the science is accurate as far as I can tell. Electricity is generated with magnets and coils, travels as a flow of electrons through a circuit, etc. Some of the wording is a little bit strange. Such as the page that states "When the wind blows, magnetic forces use electrons as energy sources." I wouldn't necessarily teach that an electron is an energy source.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

No, the only fiction in this book is in the specific examples of the people and their activities. This story is a factual story in that it could/does happen.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are lovely. The only one I'm confused about is, again, on the page that states that electrons are used as energy sources. It has several faintly drawn lowercase "e"s floating around the coil of wire. It's a beautiful representation, but that's obviously not what it really looks like.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

This is written above the level of some of my students, especially the ELLs because of some of the technical language. But most of the technical language is science vocabulary. But most of my students would find this book to be at an appropriate level. I think it would be a good read aloud.

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

The main "characters" in the book are white. Most of the other background people in the book are white, as well, as far as I can tell. I do not see diversity in the characters.

Is the book free from gender bias?

The people working on the wind turbine are exclusively men. The females are either children, caring for children, or shopping.

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

The book does really not show close association between science and other disciplines, such as math. Although the book could be used in the context of a language arts class because of the elements of poetry.

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

The book presents a positive attitude toward science and technology. Science powers the city, and makes things come alive. It's presents a positive sentiment that wind is so powerful in creating electricity yet is also enjoyable all around us. Wind flies kites, causes beach balls to roll away, causes clouds to change shape, etc.