Chapter 12 – Informational Books

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is a value associated with reading informational books? Children will a. Experience the excitement of new discoveries. b. Be introduced to the scientific method. c. Be encouraged to stretch their minds, expand this curiosity, and develop observational powers. d. All of the above a. The facts are accurate. b. There are no stereotypes. c. Illustrations clarify the text. d. The style stimulates interest. a. The author’s style b. The characterizations c. The setting d. The author’s qualifications

2. Which of the following is probably the most important criterion in evaluating informational books?

3. Which of the following is more important when evaluating informational books than when evaluating fiction?

4. An author of an information book who discusses both the benefits of and the detrimental consequences of forest fires is concerned with a. Distinguishing between facts and theories b. Providing differing views on controversial subjects c. Demonstrating that he or she has the qualifications to write the book d. Providing up-to-date information

5. Anthropomorphism means a. Writing fictitious dialogue for biographical characters. b. Describing the life cycle of an animal. c. Giving human emotions and attributes to animals. d. Using stereotypes to describe females.

6. An informational book that would not encourage analytical thinking and evaluation would a. Provide differing views on controversial subjects b. Encourage children to withhold judgments until all facts are explored c. Present facts and theories without differentiating between them d. Encourage children to experimen t and to compare a. Simple to complex b. Familiar to unfamiliar c. Early to later development d. Flashbacks a. Omit all technical terms b. Write short sentences c. Use only words with a few syllables d. Define terms within the context of the book a. By citing the latest information gained from their own research or that of others b. By describing details so that the readers can visualize the ancient world c. By including drawings or photographs of archaeological sites d. All of the above a. Murphy’s An American Plague: The ture and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 b. Murphy’s Blizzard! c. Kerby’s Owney: The Mail-Pouch Pooch d. None of the above

7. Which of the following is not a common organizational technique in informational books?

8. Which of the following would be the best way for an author to ensure that an informational book is not too difficult to understand?

9. How can authors develop credibility in writing about the ancient world?

10. Which of the following informational books chronicles Philadelphia’s epidemic that killed 4,0005,000 people and caused the evacuation of about 20,000 citizens?

11. Jim Murphy’s The Great Fire distinguishes between a. Facts and rumors b. The volunteer and professional fireman c. Documents and personal accounts d. All of the above a. The human body b. Crafts c. The ancient world d. The modern world a. Detailed illustrations b. Photographs c. Figurative language d. Interviews with people from the time period a. To help children to understand the balance of ecosystems b. To encourage children to observe nature c. To help children to explore the life cycles of animals d. All of the above a. They must not give their animals human emotions or qualities. b. They must use accurate photographs. c. They must consider the background knowledge of their intended audience. d. They must present their facts clearly.

12. Alice Provensen’s The Buck Stops Here: The Presidents of the United States is an example of what type of informational book?

13. A strong sense of history can be developed in books about the modern world through all but which of the following?

14. What is the purpose for writing informational books about nature for children?

15. Writers of books about animals, must consider all but which of the following when writing books for children?

16. Books about the human body a. Are especially interesting to readers who are curious about their own bodies and how they function. b. Illustrate the importance of labeled diagrams when studying anatomy. c. Range from overviews to detailed discussions of one aspect of the body. d. All of the above a. Fisher’s The Story Goes on b. Micucci’s The Life and Times of the Apple c. Millard’s A Street Through Time: A 12,000 Year Walk Through History d. Locker’s Sky Tree: Seeing Science Through Art a. Natural disasters b. Weather c. Exploration d. Dinosaurs

17. All but which of the following is an informational book about plants?

18. All but which of the following topics is part of the geo logy and geography category of informational books?

19. Books that appeal to children’s curiosity about home appliances and machines include: a. Macaulay’s The Way Things Work b. Bang’s My Light c. Janeczko’s Top Secret: A Handbook of Codes, Ciphers, and Secret Writings d. All of these books are about how things work

20. Informational books about space and space travel should reflect a. Historical information. b. Current knowledge. c. Future possibilities. d. Opinions and ideas of people

21. “Informational books are defined as those written and illustrated to present, organize, and interpret documentable factual material for children,” is the definition of informational books presented by a. Russell Freedman b. The Robert F. Silbert Informational Book Award c. Milton Meltzer d. David Macaulay a. Using parts of a book b. Locating sources of information c. Using science vocabulary d. All of the above. a. Informational books are factual. b. Informational books do not include any literary elements to confuse the reader. c. Informational books tend to present information in a simple, consistent format. d. All of the above. a. Interpreting implied ideas b. Weighing the validity of facts c. Suspending disbelief d. Determining the adequacy of a source of information a. When was the book written? b. How competent is the author to write about this topic for this purpose? c. What is the book about? d. What sources did the author use to write the book?

22. Which of the following activities would be a benefit of using informational books in a science class?

23. Which of the following activities would be a good use of informational books in the science curriculum?

24. Which of the following would not be a critical reading of scientific materials?

25. Which of the following questions would most likely encourage a reader to critically evaluate an informational book?

Essay Questions

1. Identify the criteria for evaluating informational books. Choose one book that you believe meets the majority of your criteria and explain your reasons for thinking so.

2. Respond to this question, “Who should write science information books for children?” Defend your answer with evidence from the chapter.

3. Name four of the most common categories for informational books for children and provide the titles and authors of at least one book in each category.

4. Select an informational book and describe one instructional activity that you could use with that book and elementary school children.

5. Discuss the values of using informational books with children.

Answer Key

Chapter 1 – The Child Responds to Literature

Essay Question Feedback

1. Ideas for language development for both young children and upper elementary students are presented in Chart 1.1. Specific examples of books may also be pulled from this chart, but evidence of the student reading the book and connecting the language development characteristics to the literature should be clearly explained.

2. Students should choose from the following cognitive operations: observing, comparing, classifying, hypothesizing, organizing, applying, and responding described on pages 10-20 in the textbook. The answer should provide a specific title of a book and ways that the teacher would use this book to support the cognitive operation. For example, if observing is chosen, the answer should include observation of vivid colors and illustrations, details in artwork, and even comparison and contrast between details and concepts in the book.

3. The answer should include an appropriate book for the middle grades (see chart 1.4 on pages 3031 for possible choices). It should also point to factors mentioned on pages 35- 36 as applied to the specific piece of chosen literature.

4. A complete response should include the positive benefits that children’s literature has on language development, cognitive development, personality development, social development, and moral development. Specific examples and details of each should be explained. Student should also mention the benefits of response to literature and motivation in their responses.

5. Students should focus on three specific ways that literature supports a child’s development, pulling ideas from language development, cognitive development, personality development, and moral development. Specific book choices and how they support development should be explored.