Amazing Arctic & Antarctic Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself series) - Hardcover

Van Vleet, Carmella

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 193467009X ISBN 13: 9781934670095

Publisher: Nomad Press, 2008

Synopsis

The faraway lands of the North and South Poles are examined in this revealing guide, enabling children to explore the coldest places on Earth from the warmth of their homes. From polar exploration and penguins to Inuit cultures and the tundra, simple yet thorough explanations are provided for a range of Arctic and Antarctic topics while copious vocabulary notes and fun factoids enrich the material. More than two dozen interactive projects and experiments—ranging from making an Inuit boat, polar bear paw prints, a model of a dog igloo, midnight rations, and snowshoes—provide children a chance to see polar principles in action, without major adult involvement or fancy materials.

About this title

About the Author:

Carmella Van Vleet is a former teacher and the author of Amazing Ben Franklin Inventions You Can Build Yourself, Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself, How to Avoid School Snafus, Writing Club, and Writing Club II. She lives in Lewis Center, Ohio.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4–6—The title both exaggerates and overlooks the contents of this volume. It's much more than a project book, and the projects are far less than "amazing." The 12 chapters are clearly written and introduce the polar regions in a comprehensive way, explaining the harsh climates that result from the Earth's tilt, the habitats and inhabitants (both animal and human), exploration and explorers, the lifestyle and research taking place in Antarctica, and the impact of global warming on the poles. The hands-on activities include science experiments, games, and crafts that range from papier-mâché to sewing and carpentry. Some of the projects are quite involved, and there are no step-by-step diagrams. The science activities lack explanations of the principles involved or their application. No extensions or guiding questions are included and sometimes the correlation to the chapter is a stretch. Overall, the book's busy design can be confusing. The chock-full pages have a body text that flows into sidebar text with only a slight font-size difference. Highlighted "words to know" boxes, interesting facts, and "More Things to Try" boxes, along with black, gray, and white graphics, are included. A gray abstract pattern behind the activities and chapter title pages causes occasional legibility issues.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI
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About this edition

• Publisher: Nomad Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 193467009X
• ISBN 13: 9781934670095
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 128