Showing posts with label non fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label non fiction. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

* 53 1/2 things that changed the world  by David West

This is an amazingly fantastic read!  It describes all of the amazing inventions that have changed our lives.  It starts with before history began about learning to be bipedal, tools, fire, the wheel, and other significant things from early years.  Then it talks about the invention of the toilet, the blast furnace, roads, the clock and a so many other great inventions.  It gives history, background, significance and a whole bunch of laughs.  Then it also discusses the inventions that have had no significance to our culture but have still extremely successful.   This would be an excellent read for any age, but older elementary students would really appreciate this book.  It would be a great way to introduce new topics for research projects. The quirky illustrations help enhance the read because they are commercial but accurate and will engage the students to learn about these significant inventions. 

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Inside the Titanic  Ken Marschall  1997

This was a book that I chose on a personal level.  The Titanic is such an amazing story of the greatest ship wreck of all time.  The illustrations are breathtaking and takes you right into the ocean liner.  This is great for any aged student, but 3rd-5th grades are best for this because there were deaths resulting from this ship sinking but also so that they students can do reports and research on this topic.  I love the story of the Titanic and this choice was solely based upon that. 
* A second is a hiccup  Hazel Hutchins  Illus: Kady MacDonal Denton 2004

This is an excellent book teaching children about time and relatedness's of time to certain life events.  A second in time is the same amount that a hiccup takes, and then it goes on to a minute, an hour, a day, a month, a year, and the seasons.  It has great illustrations to enhance what the author is trying to tell the children about time.  It uses soft colors and soft light to make it seem dreamy.  This is a great story for any aged elementary school but is especially good for first and second grade when introducing time and concepts associated with this theme.  It is considered a nonfiction book because it uses real life situations and concepts that are relative to every one's lives.