Eureka!

Tarantula Scientist, The

Publication Information

Author: Montgomery, Sy

Illustrator: Bishop, Nic

Title: Tarantula Scientist, The

Date: 2004

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

City: Boston

ISBN, paperback:

ISBN, hardback: 978-0-618-91577-4

Recommended audience:

ABE/ABLE: Yes

ESOL: Yes

Family:

Young Adult:

Picture: Yes

General Information:

Book Type(s): photographic essay, nonfiction, reference

HSE Descriptor(s): science

Summary:

This book describes everything you ever wanted to know about tarantula spiders and the scientists who study them. The inviting, conversational style and the vivid color photographs enliven the topic. Teachers will appreciate the end matter resources, including web sites, stats, glossary and bibliography.

Teaching Ideas:

Teacher can prepare students for the scientific vocabulary (although the author always includes explanations in the text) by using the glossary at the end of the book. Constructing a chart of types and characteristics of tarantulas--size, color, habitat, defenses etc.--would provide information for writing. Readers might choose one of the experiments to illustrate how a scientist applies the scientific method. Using the photographs and text, students can write a descriptive paragraph of their favorite tarantula. Keeping a scientist journal of observations while viewing the detailed photos would encourage writing and then set the purpose for reading as one reads the description, comparing what they wrote in their journal. There are many interesting facts that run against common knowledge (or my knowledge) that could be developed into an Anticipaton guide for agree/disagree/why? such as : a tarantule is an insect" or "tarantulas can be found around the world".....

Teaching Strategies: