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Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard
by
Loree Griffin Burns (Goodreads Author),
Ellen Harasimowicz
Anyone can get involved in gathering data for ongoing, actual scientific studies such as the Audubon Bird Count and FrogWatch USA. Just get out into a field, urban park, or your own backyard. You can put your nose to a monarch pupa or listen for raucous frog calls. You can tally woodpeckers or sweep the grass for ladybugs. This book, full of engaging photos and useful tips...more
Paperback, 80 pages
Published
February 14th 2012
by Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks
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Citizen Scientists is nominated for the 2013-2014 South Carolina Children's Book Award.
I'm not a big nonfiction reader. I'm also not fond of being outside. Many of my students, however, are my opposites. They love nonfiction, and they'd rather be outside than anywhere else. Citizen Scientists may be the perfect book for some of those students. This book takes a look at how kids can "be a part of scientific discovery from your own backyard." It presents the concept of citizen science in a way tha...more
I'm not a big nonfiction reader. I'm also not fond of being outside. Many of my students, however, are my opposites. They love nonfiction, and they'd rather be outside than anywhere else. Citizen Scientists may be the perfect book for some of those students. This book takes a look at how kids can "be a part of scientific discovery from your own backyard." It presents the concept of citizen science in a way tha...more
I'm willing to bet Burns originally pitched this as a 4-book series, like Serafini's 4-book Looking Closely series. Each chapter has several parts, each with a different approach to text--the imaginative, the didactic, the 'be the scientist', and an equipment checklist and picture-matching quiz. There's a lot of text, compared to the DK approach to info text, but Burns' writing is very good and I the balance of texts and visuals was fine for me. My 8-year-old daughter read several parts I asked...more
Henry Holt & Company, 2012
Nonfiction
80 pages
Recommended for grades 3-6
Initially alarmed by the notion of kids working to tag the fragile wings of the monarch butterfly, by the end of the section I was already making plans for doing this next fall with my students!
There are 4 main sections of this book that teach kids how they can become involved in the study of animals in their own communities. Monarchs, winter birds, frogs and ladybugs.
If you have children or you work with children, go bu...more
Nonfiction
80 pages
Recommended for grades 3-6
Initially alarmed by the notion of kids working to tag the fragile wings of the monarch butterfly, by the end of the section I was already making plans for doing this next fall with my students!
There are 4 main sections of this book that teach kids how they can become involved in the study of animals in their own communities. Monarchs, winter birds, frogs and ladybugs.
If you have children or you work with children, go bu...more
Citizen science is ‘the study of our world by the people who live in it” which means YOU! Kids are drawn to nature and what better place for them to learn about the science all around them. I love when my kids are out exploring and learning with a hands on approach. This book is fascinating in opening up my young ones eyes to the variety of nature that is in their own backyard during each season of the year.
Spring frogging entices kids to use their senses to listen for the different sounds of v...more
Spring frogging entices kids to use their senses to listen for the different sounds of v...more
Another delightful, inspiring offering from Loree Griffin Burns, this title shows young readers and their teachers and families how they can make a difference in the world by getting involved in natural science. After explaining what it means to be a citizen scientist, the author provides four different ways to help scientists from your own backyard. She divides the efforts in seasonal style: Fall Butterflying, Winter Birding, Spring Frogging, and Summer Ladybugging. Each of those chapters expla...more
Richie’s Picks: CITIZEN SCIENTISTS: BE A PART OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY FROM YOUR OWN BACKYARD by Loree Griffin Burns and Ellen Harasimowicz, photographer, Henry Holt, February 2012, 80p., ISBN: 978-0-8050-9517-3
“It’s poetry in motion, and when she turned her eyes to me
As deep as any ocean, as sweet as any harmony
She blinded me with science (‘She blinded me with science!’)
And failed me in geometry.”
-- Thomas Dolby
“Scientists are still studying these and many more questions about monarch migration....more
“It’s poetry in motion, and when she turned her eyes to me
As deep as any ocean, as sweet as any harmony
She blinded me with science (‘She blinded me with science!’)
And failed me in geometry.”
-- Thomas Dolby
“Scientists are still studying these and many more questions about monarch migration....more
I got to see the early pages of this book last fall. I'll bet someone out there will remind me what this is called--I cannot think of it right now. Loree Griffin Burns does a solid job of presenting non-fiction subjects (Tracking Trash, The Hive Detectives) and CITIZEN SCIENTISTS will be welcomed by classroom teachers looking to address NF found in the new standards.
The early pages I saw were about the monarch butterfly project that talks about how these are tagged and tracked (simply amazing)....more
The early pages I saw were about the monarch butterfly project that talks about how these are tagged and tracked (simply amazing)....more
I loved this book! I was so pleased when I won it from Goodreads.
An overview: Citizen Scientists presents four different real-life research projects you and your family can participate in, one for each season related to different animals: butterflies for fall, birds for winter, frogs for spring, and ladybugs for summer.
The book is well written. Each section opens with an immersion, story-like description of the project, followed by more details on the scientific research, and lastly a section o...more
An overview: Citizen Scientists presents four different real-life research projects you and your family can participate in, one for each season related to different animals: butterflies for fall, birds for winter, frogs for spring, and ladybugs for summer.
The book is well written. Each section opens with an immersion, story-like description of the project, followed by more details on the scientific research, and lastly a section o...more
This book is a great resource for anyone wanting to get kids excited about practicing science. Loree Griffin Burns presents four nature projects - one for each season - in which kids and families can contribute to ongoing scientific research. Capturing and tagging monarch butterflies, counting birds seen in the wild, studying frogs, and hunting for species of ladybugs. All four projects are real science research that kids and families can contribute information to.
In each section, Burns gives s...more
In each section, Burns gives s...more
Science has never interested me, though I love the natural world and its creatures. Kids who might share my feelings may have their definition of science shaken up by this stunningly beautiful book. The layout, color photos, checklists, and practical information give engaging activities for each season: fall butterflying, winter birding, spring frogging, and summer ladybugging. Burns has written a user-friendly and appealing introduction that’s sure to captivate young readers who already love sc...more
Some books make me want to stand on a chair in the middle of my local independent book store and shout, “You have got to get your kid this book!” It is rare that a nonfiction book would ignite this kind of passion but CITIZEN SCIENTIST: BE A PART OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY FROM YOUR OWN BACKYARD is rare. Loree Griffin Burns manages to offer so much in a single volume that the book itself becomes a discovery. Read more at my blog...http://annajboll.wordpress.com...
It has taken me forever to get around to doing this review. But it is not because the book was hard to read. It is exactly because it is so well done that I'm just now doing a review.
Our Summer Reading theme next year is Feed Your Brain. It is going to center around the broad theme of science. As soon as I received this book and realized how great it was, I started taking notes and adapting the sections into library programs. I have already designed an entire program series pulled from the pages...more
Our Summer Reading theme next year is Feed Your Brain. It is going to center around the broad theme of science. As soon as I received this book and realized how great it was, I started taking notes and adapting the sections into library programs. I have already designed an entire program series pulled from the pages...more
****Please note that I won this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway program****
Originally posted on Melissa's Midnight Musings: http://midnight-orchids.blogspot.com/...
I have to say right off the bat that this is a great book. It's informative, well written, and most important of all, fun.
The first thing that caught my eye was the author's definition of citizen science. It's a very basic definition but still important. Burns defines citizen science as: "The study of our world by t...more
Originally posted on Melissa's Midnight Musings: http://midnight-orchids.blogspot.com/...
I have to say right off the bat that this is a great book. It's informative, well written, and most important of all, fun.
The first thing that caught my eye was the author's definition of citizen science. It's a very basic definition but still important. Burns defines citizen science as: "The study of our world by t...more
The author of this book, Loree Griffin Burns, is my friend and critique partner, but I'd be singing this praises even if she were a stranger who didn't make good soup. I love this book for so many reasons it's tough to know where to start.
There's the gorgeous, outdoor photography...that perfect nonfiction voice that's knowledgeable and fascinating but friendly, too... and opportunities for kids to get involve and extend the reading experience after the last page is turned.
But really, what I th...more
There's the gorgeous, outdoor photography...that perfect nonfiction voice that's knowledgeable and fascinating but friendly, too... and opportunities for kids to get involve and extend the reading experience after the last page is turned.
But really, what I th...more
I love that this book is so kid friendly. It features four projects--one for each season of the year--and includes sections written in the second person point of view, so kids will know it's for them. The book has plenty of examples of kids participating in citizen science projects and tips for how readers can get involved in the projects themselves. I just know this book will convert tons of kids into citizen scientists, and later, into adults who care for and protect the natural world.
So many ways for families and classes to get outside and study what is happening. I encourage everyone to pick one activity--studying butterflies, winter bird migration count, tracking frogs or photographing ladybugs. Participate in the online data colection and see what is happening around the country and around the world. You won't see your yard or deck or porch or balcony the same way again.
Families will enjoy using this seasonal book to help their children experience the outdoors in a scientific way. The reader learns about one subject (monarchs, birds, frogs, ladybugs) during each of the four seasons. The last few pages of each section have a journal type area that can be used as a model for the reader. This book would be a wonderful model for classroom use.
Although I am not much of a scientist, I loved this book. Each of the projects which Burns presents is so intriguing and the way she explains everything really makes me want to get out into the field and explore. I highly recommend this book to share with kids and nature-lovers. It's fun to read, there are beautiful pictures, and it has great projects. Citizen science all the way!
Scientists are not the only ones who can explore and study nature. Citizens like you and me can also contribute to the cause of learning about different animal species. Citizens can participate in Fall butterflying, Winter birding, Spring frogging, and Summer ladybugging to help scientists learn more about these animals and their behavior patterns.
What is a citizen scientist? Well, it could be you! This fabulous book tells how everyday kids are involved in tagging (butterflies) and surveys/counts (ladybugs, birds, and frogs.) It is fascinating and makes the reader want to get out there and explore and make a difference in the study of these and other fascinating creatures.
I love books that make readers wonder. I love books that show young readers that science is everywhere. This beautifully designed book is easily digested and easy to get kids excited about the outdoors. What's even better is the fact that they don't have to travel far to replicate the activities in the book.
An inspiring nature read that details how anybody can contribute to ongoing scientific research from their own backyard! Covers butterflies, birds, frogs, and ladybugs with a separate section for additional research for each creature. Great photos and excellent writing makes this a fun read.
Burns' latest book is truly a remarkable piece of non fiction for children. Encouraging children to take an active, participatory role in their world, "Citizen Scientists" is unafraid to ask questions left unanswered, solidifying its position within a genre of inquiry.
Love the idea of being scientists in our own backyards. This book could be on a reading ladder with Nic Bishop's Backyard Detective. Definite bonus- the resources and added information included at the end.
Loree Griffin Burns did an excellent job with this book! And I loved the beautiful and colorful photography. I do not have kids but I would have absolutely loved reading this when I was growing up.
Families and classrooms only need to step out the backdoor to explore nature. Emphasis is on butterflies, frogs, ladybugs and bird. Great book with photographs, glossary index, and resources.
This is a great book explaining 4 different science projects anyone can participate in. Counting birds, Tagging butterflies, Listening for frogs and counting ladybugs.
With only four chapters, Citizen Scientists left me wanting more. They talk about four things to do (one in each chapter), and that's it. Not good for anyone looking for a variety of activities.
I loved the photographs in this book. This is a great book for would-be scientists or young readers who like the outdoors, nature and want to help make a difference to the environment.
Mar 16, 2012
Mamma
marked it as to-read
Whether I win it or not, I must read it! I'm a FrogWatch USA volunteer, and I'm trying to teach others what they can do.
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Loree is a scientist-turned-writer specializing in books about science and nature for young readers. You can learn more about her adventures and her books by visiting her website (www.loreeburns.com) or by following her blog (http://loreeburns.wordpress.com/).
More about Loree Griffin Burns...
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