Children often ask, "What do you like best about writing nonfiction books?"
My answer is "RESEARCH" That's how I either get to do hands-on investigating myself around the world.
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| Me in Antarctica |
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| Me and Baby Mike |
Or I get to interview experts around the world who have explored and investigated what I'm researching.
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Dr. Andrew Whitworth in 14-story tall tree in cloud forest in Peru studying woolly monkeys. Read about his research in WOOLLY MONKEY MYSTERIES (Millbrook, 2019) |
A great research topic for RESEARCHERS-IN-TRAINING is a local tree.
Older students can tackle investigating a tree in their home yard--or during a visit to a local park with their adult partner. Younger students can share in a class investigation of a tree in the school yard--or bring in a potted tree as a classroom "visitor".
Below is the hands-on investigation. It's to give a tree it's annual checkup.
A TREE'S CHECKUP
Pick a tree whose lower branches are easy to reach. Then check it out by answering these questions "Yes" or "No".1. Are some twigs or branches bare?
(When it's still the season for leaves. In other seasons, there should be buds where new leaves will grow.)
2. Do any of the leaves look curled up or dead?
(When it's still the season for leaves to be healthy.)
3. Do you see any scars or wounds on the tree's trunk?
4. Look closely, do you see any holes or tunnels through the bark? If so, insects may have attacked the tree.
5. Do you see any webs, galls (bumps) or dripping sap on twigs? If so, insects may have attacked the tree.
If you answered "No" more often than "Yes", the tree is probably in good health.
For the expert interview, the children could do this activity.
FAMILY TREE
Have children interview an adult member of their family about a tree they remember from their childhood. They should work up 3 questions to ask their expert. Here are some samples they could use:
1. Where was the biggest tree you ever remember seeing as a child?
2. Can you tell me a story about any tree you remember from where you grew up?
3.Please tell me about any time you got to play in a tree. Did you climb up? Did you fall down? Did you have a treehouse? Or a tree swing?
Little Extra: GET ARTY!
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| Georgia O'Keefe's The Lawrence Tree |
Everyone can share imagining how looking up through a tree changes what you see. Show a picture of the famous artist Georgia O'Keefe's painting, called The Lawrence Tree. Thi shows a dramatic view of the night sky viewed looking up though a big tree's branches. If you have a large tree on your school gounds, children can investigate this unique world view.
OR you can experience it and be the expert they interview about what your experience stretching out under a big tree and looking up. Remember, in many places that view can change seasonally.
GET READY! Once kids discover what fun RESEARCH can be, they'll be eager for new RESEARCH Adventures. I know I always am!
