What Can Animals Do Review

What Can an Animal Do? is part of the NSTA Press series of “I Wonder Why” books. I found its colorful illustrations and vibrant descriptions to be a great source in introducing young stude... See More

What Can an Animal Do? is part of the NSTA Press series of “I Wonder Why” books. I found its colorful illustrations and vibrant descriptions to be a great source in introducing young students to different animal characteristics and behaviors. Although the book states it is appropriate for grades K-6, I believe the presentation of the material is best suited for kindergarten through second grade. The concepts of observing, comparing, and organizing are concepts that carry over to any grade, however the language and exhibition in the book is more appropriate for young readers who are just beginning to develop a love of science and reading. The book includes a parent/teacher handbook that suggests different activities and questions that can be introduced paralleling the information in the book and helping students think critically. These activities include observation, data collection, and inquiry-based thinking. The content of the book gives examples of both characteristics and actions of 19 different animals through pictures and short, succinct, repetitive text. Each animal is illustrated in a realistic and informative way that depicts clear characteristics of their appearance, while the text is filled with bright, descriptive words. The book uses several different types of animals, giving the child the opportunity to make connections between them. These animals can easily be compared to each other to encourage inquiry-based thinking. The students can compare animals such as a kitten and a tiger, a jackrabbit and a kangaroo, or a bird and a bullfrog. Finding similarities and differences between the animals helps young children to use their critical thinking skills to make observations, ask questions, and communicate about their conclusions. The book ends with open-ended questions that ask the students to compare animal behaviors with their own personal behaviors. This lets the students start examining how they may be similar to or different from various animals in the world around them. The content in the Parent/Teacher Handbook gives the instructor additional information to bring to the students. This information includes inquiry processes and scientific grouping. Teachers can encourage their students to group different animals together based on their characteristics, and then introduce scientific groups such as felidae, ursidae, and canidae. Students can then begin using these words to describe the animals discussed. The handbook also includes different science activities that can be used in the classroom (or at home) to observe animals. This is a great resource to be included in the book. Overall, I think this book does an effective job of covering content on animal behavior, while engaging the child in a fun, exciting, and colorful text. The book also provides good opportunities for inquiry-based thinking by providing children with opportunities to observe, compare, and discuss. Finally, the book makes cross-curriculum connections by extending science knowledge through art and literacy.