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| |  | SCI-LIT LINKS QUICKPLAN
HERO OR ZERO?
(QuickPlan developed by Cheri Keys, Brookville, Pennsylvania)
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OVERVIEW: When asked, "What is science?" the most popular answer is often, "Science is a subject taught in school." But in reality, science exists in the world around us and is responsible for our very existence. In Michael Chesworth's book, Archibald Frisby, we meet Archibald, a young boy that might be labeled by some as a science geek. His mother, in an attempt to get him to be a "normal" kid, sends him to summer camp. Archibald not only makes friends at camp, but also turns the other campers on to science. Simply, this activity identifies science as part of our daily lives, not a subject confined to the school environment.
BOOKLINK: Archibald Frisby by Michael Chesworth, Harper Collins Canada Ltd., 1994. ISBN 0-374-40436-4
SCIENCE ACTIVITY LINK: Children will identify the various places science and technology appears during Archibald's summer visit at camp. After discussing all of the areas of science represented in the book, students will also classify whether the area is Life, Physical, Earth and Space Science, or Mathematics.
OBJECTIVE: Through this activity, children will identify not only how science occurs in naturally in our world, but also its importance in our daily lives. Through this activity, numerable branches of science can be introduced, researched, and investigated.
SCIENCE PROCESSES AND CONTENT: Processes-observing, communicating, classifying, inferring, and gathering and organizing data. Content-physical science, life science, earth and space science, mathematics, recycling, etc.
NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION STANDARDS: (7) History and Nature of Science
MATERIALS: the book, Archibald Frisby, large white paper and drawing materials, notebook paper for recording responses
PROCEDURE:
1. Instruct the children to pay close attention to both the text and illustrations as you read them the story, Archibald Frisby. Read the story with zest! After the story is done, ask the children to recall all the areas of science and mathematics that were presented in the book. Have them respond on a piece of paper. Give them some time to complete the task. Have them share their ideas with the class and discuss their responses. Record their responses on the board under the four headings: Life Science, Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, and Mathematics.
A list of the science and mathematics connections in the book include:
 | Zoology (skeleton of the cat)
| | Technology (useful inventions developed through science)
| | Inventions (clock, iron, toaster, Mom's gift)
| | Mechanics (force and motion-the baseball)
| | Computers (his MAC)
| | Botany (dissecting his mom's flowers, photosynthesis)
| | Algebra (reading the text book)
| | Chemistry (the make-up of the stew)
| | Astronomy (planets, stars at night)
| | Meteorology (cloud drawings, thunderstorm)
| | Geology (caves, rock formations, layers of the Earth)
| | Aeronautics (kite)
| | Water cycle, ground water, etc. (at the drinking fountain)
| | Recycling (Archibald's plan presented to counselors)
| | Archeology, paleontology, anthropology (dinosaur bones)
| | Physics (force and motion - baseball)
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2. You may wish to involve your students in a writing experience based on the book. Here are some optional tasks: a.) Write a two or three sentence summary of the story. b.) Pick a word from the story. Write a "clue" sentence for the word and have classmates identify the word. c.) Imagine that you are a writer for the camp newspaper. Write a headline telling how Archibald won the ball game. d.) List the science and math connections mentioned in the book. (See page 3 for these sample task statements and possible responses).
3. Some questions for thought and discussion might include:
a.) Did Archibald's mother succeed in her attempt to get Archibald to be a "normal" kid and forget about science?
b.) What is the main idea, moral, theme of the story? Summarize it in writing.
4. After discussing the books and science as it relates to our world and daily lives, discuss whether Archibald is a HERO or ZERO. Have the students write a paragraph defending their position. This can be done as a journal activity, or the students can attach their response to a picture or sketch, depicting something from the story and also defending their position.
TEACHER RESOURCE BOOKS:
Science, Inventive Exercises to Sharpen Skills and Raise Achievement, exercises by Charlotte Poulos, Incentive Publications, Inc., 1998. ISBN 0-86530-409-2
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