The Woods Scientist

NTSA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book 2004

Citation:

The Woods Scientist by Stephen R. Swinburne.  Photographs by Susan C. Morse.  (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002).  48p. Informational Junior Book.

Summary:

Sue Morse allows the reader to listen in on her lessons of forestry knowledge.

Critique:

a.         The stories and expertise provided are useful and the photographs enhance the information being explained

b.          Personal accounts from Sue and hands on experiences of the voyager take the reader on the learning trip through the woods.  Facts about markings, seeds, and animals are explained and their connectedness to one another. 

c.         Bear claw marks on a tree are discovered along with two holes, so the question of what made them is posed to the group.  Predictions and suggestions are made, although none were correct.  Sue helped the group out by providing a hands-on example (p. 20-22).

Curriculum Connection:  

The Woods Scientist would be well suited in any classroom that studies science.  There are plenty of references and explanations about forestry and wildlife, ecosystems, and habitats that it can be used in several grade levels.