Florian, Douglas. 2009. DINOTHESAURUS. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781416979784
SUMMARY:
Take a giant step back in time into a world filled with carnivores, herbivores, spinosaurous, and of course T-rex. With each turning of a page, another dinosaur will come to life through Florian's comical and informative poems. The illustrations are unique and interesting as each extinct animals characteristics are displayed for the viewer.
QUALITY AND APPEAL:
Age Range: 6 years and up
Grade Level: 1st grade and up
Students will enjoy learning about each extinct animal and will marvel at the detail each illustration depicts. Both young and old will find the punctuation tools useful as they try to say each dinosaur's name. The author also has simpler names in parenthesis. Each poem is pleasing to the ear with rhythm and meaning, as truths are spoken and on visual display.
Educators will find the table of contents and the Glossarysaurus useful tools when searching for key topics to share and discuss with their students. Each page has clear label and titles that will guide the user through the book to find and enjoy factual information as the author presents it.
SPOTLIGHT POEM: (Excerpt from pages 36-37)
SPINOSAURUS
SPY-no-SAW-rus (spine lizard)
What kept the Spinosaurus warm
When it was colder then the norm?
Spines much like a solar panel.
(And long underwear of flannel.)
CONNECTION:
The poem, SPINOSAURUS, could be shared during science lessons where various types of energy are being discussed, as well as prehistoric animal units. Students will enjoy the short, catchy, and funny poem about the Spinosaurus. To reinforce the ideas of solar energy, teachers guide their students through this fun and interactive lesson.
- Students work in small groups to design and create a solar oven using various types of items such as a box, black paper, and some type of reflective material like foil and mirrors. Groups should be creative in their designs to capture as much heat as possible.
- Students choose from a variety of possible items to cook in their solar oven: egg, cookie dough, or s'mores.
- On a hot and sunny day, allow groups to test their solar oven by attempting to cook their chosen food. Students should monitor the progress of their food as the light from the sun is reflected onto their design.
Reinforce the learning about solar energy and solar panels by sharing the SPINOSAURUS poem again. Discuss how this animal's spine could have kept it warm during cold seasons.
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