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A Compare and Contrast Book
Sharks and Dolphins: A Compare and Contrast Book
Sharks and dolphins both have torpedo-shaped bodies with fins on their backs. They slice through the water to grab their prey with sharp teeth. But despite their similarities, sharks and dolphins belong to different animal classes: one is a fish and gets oxygen from the water and the other is a mammal and gets oxygen from the air. Marine educator Kevin Kurtz guides early readers to compare and contrast these ocean predators through stunning photographs and simple, nonfiction text.
32 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2016
251 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Kurtz
45 books4 followersKevin Kurtz has loved books and nature since he was a kid growing up in upstate New York. As an adult, he has worked at a marine biology research center, an aquarium and a children's science museum. He has also sailed on scientific research ships, including with the Chicxulub Impact Crater expedition as scientists drilled into the crater from the asteroid impact that wiped out most of the dinosaurs.
His first children's book, 'A Day in the Salt Marsh,' was published in 2007. He continues to write books and visit schools to introduce children to the wonders of reading, writing, science and nature.
His first children's book, 'A Day in the Salt Marsh,' was published in 2007. He continues to write books and visit schools to introduce children to the wonders of reading, writing, science and nature.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 27, 2016
This book has so many opportunities to be used in classroom and library settings. It is a perfect book to use with modeling compare and contrast writing. It is one in a series of 6 titles. The author uses beautiful photographs and simple direct text to point out similarities and differences between two favorite marine animals.
The author is an environmental educator who has worked with the South Carolina aquarium and the Center for Birds of Prey. This book will be useful in elementary libraries. It includes 4 pages educational activities that link to the publishers website one to consider
The author is an environmental educator who has worked with the South Carolina aquarium and the Center for Birds of Prey. This book will be useful in elementary libraries. It includes 4 pages educational activities that link to the publishers website one to consider
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September 16, 2021Sharks and dolphins are animals that reside in the ocean. Both animals have fins and flippers to help them move. Sharks are fish. Dolphins are mammals. Sharks and dolphins breathe in different ways. There are more than four hundred types of sharks. While there are many sharks, there are only forty-three types of dolphins.
This book was fun to read. I liked finding out about sharks and dolphins. There were some things that I had previous knowledge of such as the way each of them breathes. I did not know just how many different species of sharks there were. Four hundred is a very large number.
I could use this book in a first grade class room. The students could listen to me read the book. We would make a compare and contrast chart together of the shark and dolphin. After this, I would have them choose two things to compare and contrast. They would have to find three similarities and differences.
This book was fun to read. I liked finding out about sharks and dolphins. There were some things that I had previous knowledge of such as the way each of them breathes. I did not know just how many different species of sharks there were. Four hundred is a very large number.
I could use this book in a first grade class room. The students could listen to me read the book. We would make a compare and contrast chart together of the shark and dolphin. After this, I would have them choose two things to compare and contrast. They would have to find three similarities and differences.
September 10, 2020
My students enjoyed this book. It sparked a lot of responses: questions and other facts they know.
The materials in the back of the book are also helpful for student learning.
(Another page or two would have been great.)
The materials in the back of the book are also helpful for student learning.
(Another page or two would have been great.)
August 1, 2019
Another Kevin Kurtz compare and contrast book that I think will be great to use with my students.
June 9, 2020
It's very, very, very, very boring to some kids but not to others because some like to learn but others don't.
March 19, 2016
Barton, C., & Lichtenheld, T. (2010). Shark vs. train. New York: Little, Brown.
Kurtz, K. (2016). Sharks and dolphins: A compare and contrast book. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arbordale Publishing.
Sharks and Dolphins: A Compare and Contrast Book, is a good clear nonfiction book to teach students about sharks and dolphins. It has clear easy to understand text that younger readers could read themselves. The photographs are wonderful and engaging. Younger students seem to all have a fascination with sharks, so it’s a great way to get and hold their attention. I have paired this book with the fun and wonderful Shark Vs. Train. I love this book because it’s clever and silly. The word play is funny and it’s fun to talk about the puns and clever word play with the students. These two book work together not only because of sharks, but also because both are comparing things.
The obvious text structure in this book pairing is compare and contrast. Both the nonfiction and the fiction use it. Text features include; photographs, captions, bold lettering and headings.
A Venn diagram could be used well with this book, but a KWL could work and create a terrific anchor chart. I would also use a web with this. There are tons of strategies you can use when the topic is basic like this. It just plays into everything. It’s a good way to introduce the idea of comparing and contrasting, because of how many things you can come up with.
Kurtz, K. (2016). Sharks and dolphins: A compare and contrast book. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arbordale Publishing.
Sharks and Dolphins: A Compare and Contrast Book, is a good clear nonfiction book to teach students about sharks and dolphins. It has clear easy to understand text that younger readers could read themselves. The photographs are wonderful and engaging. Younger students seem to all have a fascination with sharks, so it’s a great way to get and hold their attention. I have paired this book with the fun and wonderful Shark Vs. Train. I love this book because it’s clever and silly. The word play is funny and it’s fun to talk about the puns and clever word play with the students. These two book work together not only because of sharks, but also because both are comparing things.
The obvious text structure in this book pairing is compare and contrast. Both the nonfiction and the fiction use it. Text features include; photographs, captions, bold lettering and headings.
A Venn diagram could be used well with this book, but a KWL could work and create a terrific anchor chart. I would also use a web with this. There are tons of strategies you can use when the topic is basic like this. It just plays into everything. It’s a good way to introduce the idea of comparing and contrasting, because of how many things you can come up with.
February 2, 2016
Filled with wonderful photographs and simple but engaging text, this book introduces young readers to sharks and dolphins. By looking at how they are alike and how they are different, youngsters come to appreciate them even more. The Venn diagram in the back matter helps them see that there are some things certain species have in common as well as some aspects that make them unique. The book has many uses for a science classroom and will certainly prompt curiosity and an interest in learning even more. This publisher always provides additional free materials and activities online, which allows teachers to extend their lessons even further.
August 5, 2016
This would be a great mentor text for young writers. Simply written, clear and cohesive – very explicit in the similarities and differences between these two animals. The page layouts work and there are a wide variety of sharks and dolphins in the photographs. Pretty sure “Commerson’s” dolphin should be capitalized. Not a deal breaker--just a minor edit.
March 25, 2016
A delightful picture and text book for young readers and adults alike. Learned some things I didn't know and really liked the photographs. Will be passing this along to one of my students at school crossing that is having trouble with his reading and loves sharks. Thanks to Goodreads.
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April 26, 2016Have already reviewed this book
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April 28, 2017Sharks and Dolphins is a great digital book for children and students! I don't usually like digital books that much because I personally like to hold the book and I feel it's more personal. However, I really liked this book! It's simple but effective. It teaches about the differences and similarities of dolphins and sharks. It also shows different types of sharks and dolphins as well different sea animals! Read this book to learn more about the wonderful ocean life!
My favorite thing about this book is the pictures! They're so beautiful and are easily the thing that captivates the audience at first. The written text and pictures go together because for example, it says "This is a spinner dolphin" and they include a picture of a spinner dolphin! It's a must, I learned a lot about the different types of animals in this book!
My favorite thing about this book is the pictures! They're so beautiful and are easily the thing that captivates the audience at first. The written text and pictures go together because for example, it says "This is a spinner dolphin" and they include a picture of a spinner dolphin! It's a must, I learned a lot about the different types of animals in this book!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews