Uncovering Children's Ideas about Fruits!

This is an excellent book for "uncovering" and addressing children's (and adults') ideas about fruits and flowers. The book clearly addresses a very common misconception about what a fruit i... See More

This is an excellent book for "uncovering" and addressing children's (and adults') ideas about fruits and flowers. The book clearly addresses a very common misconception about what a fruit is by contrasting the every day, colloquial definition of a fruit, with the scientific definition of a fruit. It is also a terrific resource to use with the the NGSS to develop understanding of disciplinary core ideas related to structure and function (LS1.A) and the growth and development of organisms (LS1.B).Written in Konicek-Moran's characteristic style, it is engaging, highly thought provoking, and scientifically accurate. I was so enthralled with this book that I followed up by writing two formative assessment probes about flowers and fruits to use in the Uncovering Student Ideas about Life Science collection!So glad to be able to share this book as an example of a trade book to support the scientific practice of obtaining information!

all of our vegetables have seeds

I only read the excerpt provided, to determine if I would buy the book. Unfortunately, there is an excerpt that is incorrect: "Some of our vegetables do not have seeds, such as celery, sweet... See More

I only read the excerpt provided, to determine if I would buy the book. Unfortunately, there is an excerpt that is incorrect: "Some of our vegetables do not have seeds, such as celery, sweet potatoes, and carrots." I understand what the author was trying to explain, but of course they have fruit (the botanist definition) and seeds...it is just not via the part we eat. This is a poor way of explaining how the "scientist" definition of fruit differs from our everyday use of the word, and it may give children an incorrect understanding of seeds/fruit/things we eat.