Science Must Read Mentor Text: The Tree of Life
If it's Sunday then it must be Must Read Mentor Text linky time with Collaboration Cuties!
If you have been reading my blog over the past year, you already know that I spent over a decade as a science and technology instructional leader with my district school board. I worked for central office creating materials for elementary teachers to use in their classrooms. During that time I was fortunate to meet a wonderful author, her name is Rochelle Strauss. Rochelle writes books which link really well with science concepts and they are beautifully illustrated by Margot Thompson.
"If every known species on Earth were a leaf on a tree, that tree would have 1 750 000 leaves. Since humans count for just one leaf on the tree, we have a lot to learn about the millions of other forms of life with which we share the world. A dazzlingly illustrated and child-friendly introduction to biodiversity, Tree of Life shows how living things are classified into five kingdoms — and how each has much to tell us about all aspects of life on our planet."
Rochelle Strauss
This non-fiction text takes students on a trip through all of the kingdoms. As you can see below in the Plant Kingdom spread there are over 270 000 species of plants in the tree of life.
Each kingdom is explored and students are given the opportunity to learn about the huge biodiversity of life on earth. In Ontario, Biodiversity is one of the grade 6 science unit topics and this book makes a wonderful addition. I love it so much that I purchased over 10 copies for my own classroom.
I have used this book to introduce the topic of Biodiversity and I have had students use it for small group reading. You can find other great teaching ideas from the learning resource materials provided free from Rochelle Strauss' site. Just click on any of the images below to go to her web page where you can download the entire learning resources packet for free.
Rochelle's website also contains links to where you can purchase her books both in Canada and the U.S. While you are there be sure to check out her other fabulous books. I really like the book "One Well" almost as much as "The Tree of Life".
Perfect book! This is my first unit of study with my sixth graders! Off to order it now. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAngela,
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you are going to use this book! I must tell you, you will be amazed at how much you will learn from reading it. The style of the book really appeals to visual learners. I will never forget learning about "coconut crabs" from this book. I looked them up on the internet and was amazed and appalled! These creatures are HUGE and I had never heard of them before reading Rochelle's book!
Hope you enjoy this book as much as I do!
Sidney
This looks like a great book. I love how it includes some great discussion questions. This is a new title for me. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Mary
Mary,
DeleteI have to agree that I LOVE a book that comes with some teaching resources already included. Not that I cannot make up my own, but sometimes I need inspiration to get me going. Rochelle includes teaching ideas with a lot of her books! Totally worth the purchase!
Sidney
I love these two books! I read them in my high school science classes to start units. Then we read it again at the end and discuss how it related to what we learned.
ReplyDeleteStephanie,
DeleteThat is so awesome that you use these books in high school! If I had you as a teacher I would have loved science class! Have you ever thought about having the students write books like this based on a topic you study?
This book looks absolutely amazing! How cool is it that you met the author? I am always looking for great nonfiction text examples and this will be added to my list. Thanks!
ReplyDelete~Holly
Fourth Grade Flipper
Holly,
DeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting. The book really is amazing and the author Rochelle is really down to earth and a great person! You won't regret buying any of her books! Hope you have a great week!
Sidney
Like most teachers I love books that have something to share. The little Learners will love this one. It has very impressive content and absolutely magnificent illustrations. Thanks for your direction.
ReplyDeleteJulie :-)
Mrs Stowe's Kinder Cottage
The pictures are awesome, and the text is easily chunked for better understanding. I love that there are so many jumping off places in this book. Each time I use it, I learn something new because I go off to find out more about something or other I have read. Totally worth the buy!
DeleteHope you are having a fantastic week!
That's a fabulous looking book!
ReplyDeleteBarbara @
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog Designs
Why thank you for commenting Barb! Rochelle and Margot really created a beautiful masterpiece with this book. I also like how accessible it makes a difficult topic. Hope you are enjoying your last few weeks of summer. I am trying!
Delete