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Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard
Anyone can get involved in gathering data for ongoing, actual scientific studies such as the Audubon Bird Count and FrogWatch USA. Just get out into a field, urban park, or your own backyard. You can put your nose to a monarch pupa or listen for raucous frog calls. You can tally woodpeckers or sweep the grass for ladybugs. This book, full of engaging photos and useful tips, will show you how.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published February 14, 2012
5 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
Loree Griffin Burns
14 books69 followersLoree is a scientist-turned-writer specializing in books about science and nature for young readers. You can learn more about her adventures and her books by visiting her website (www.loreeburns.com) or by following her blog (http://loreeburns.com/category/blog/).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
January 18, 2012
The author of this book, Loree Griffin Burns, is my friend and critique partner, but I'd be singing this praises even if she were a stranger who didn't make good soup. I love this book for so many reasons it's tough to know where to start.
There's the gorgeous, outdoor photography...that perfect nonfiction voice that's knowledgeable and fascinating but friendly, too... and opportunities for kids to get involve and extend the reading experience after the last page is turned.
But really, what I think CITIZEN SCIENTISTS does best is take science out of the realm of "hard stuff that grown-ups do" and brings it to a kid's level, not through the usual kitchen counter experiments but through getting young people involved in actual scientific research projects. CITIZEN SCIENTISTS explains in vivid and stunning detail how kids can count birds and listen for frogs, tag butterflies, record data, and make a real, substantial difference in the world of science.
It's a beautiful book filled with gorgeous photographs and loaded with resources to help kids get involved in real-life science in their own back yards.
There's the gorgeous, outdoor photography...that perfect nonfiction voice that's knowledgeable and fascinating but friendly, too... and opportunities for kids to get involve and extend the reading experience after the last page is turned.
But really, what I think CITIZEN SCIENTISTS does best is take science out of the realm of "hard stuff that grown-ups do" and brings it to a kid's level, not through the usual kitchen counter experiments but through getting young people involved in actual scientific research projects. CITIZEN SCIENTISTS explains in vivid and stunning detail how kids can count birds and listen for frogs, tag butterflies, record data, and make a real, substantial difference in the world of science.
It's a beautiful book filled with gorgeous photographs and loaded with resources to help kids get involved in real-life science in their own back yards.
May 25, 2013
A surprisingly interesting and readable book! The book begins by explaining what citizen science is -- it's anyone who is interested in studying our world, in formal or informal ways. Loree Griffin Burns describes four examples of citizen scientists: tracking monarch butterfly migration, participating in an annual Christmas bird census, counting frogs by listening to mating calls, and mapping ladybug diversity.
This is a really solid nonfiction text. The author and photographer use pretty much every single nonfiction text feature (except bold words from the glossary) that a librarian could dream of teaching her students. I also found the stories engaging and interesting. The text is best for middle school readers but parts of it could be used in elementary school classrooms. I would recommend it to kids who enjoy reading about science and animals but are ready for a longer and more advanced text.
Additional information included in the text: Resources for each animal, Bibliography, Glossary, and Index.
This is a really solid nonfiction text. The author and photographer use pretty much every single nonfiction text feature (except bold words from the glossary) that a librarian could dream of teaching her students. I also found the stories engaging and interesting. The text is best for middle school readers but parts of it could be used in elementary school classrooms. I would recommend it to kids who enjoy reading about science and animals but are ready for a longer and more advanced text.
Additional information included in the text: Resources for each animal, Bibliography, Glossary, and Index.
March 20, 2012
I love that this book is so kid friendly. It features four projects--one for each season of the year--and includes sections written in the second person point of view, so kids will know it's for them. The book has plenty of examples of kids participating in citizen science projects and tips for how readers can get involved in the projects themselves. I just know this book will convert tons of kids into citizen scientists, and later, into adults who care for and protect the natural world.
January 17, 2016
This was amazingly helpful and inspired me to go look in the backyard!
April 18, 2018
Citizen Scientists
is the study of our world by people who live in it. It is a well written book with beautiful photography that teaches us learning through observation.
November 3, 2016
Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard is an informational text that begins by explaining what citizen science is – a type of science in which citizens make observations and collect data and send the information to lead scientists, who use the data in their official experiments. A somewhat lengthy picture, the four chapters of the book each describe a different citizen science experiment: fall butterflying, winter birding, spring frogging, and summer ladybugging.
Written for 3rd through 6th graders, this book entices children to get outside and observe nature through the avenue of citizen science projects. The book encourages young children by explaining that they are naturally good scientists and observers, contrasting them with adults who are often more districted and are less close to the ground. Not only does the book do an excellent job of carefully describing how to conduct a variety of observations, like tagging butterflies or counting birds, but it does so in a way that tells students how they can do it with joy as well. The author gives direct guidance on how to enjoy the experience, such as, “It may run its proboscis over your palm. Very few people have ever experienced this particular tickle: savor it! Watch your monarch for as long as it lets you. Ask your assistant to take a photo or two. When your monarch lifts off, watch it go. Wish it well.” Each chapter also provides rich information about each experiment and the subject of the experiment, like details about frog diseases, or specific academic vocabulary such as foreleg, tympanum, and dorsolateral ridges.
This book could be used for a classroom activity that integrates both science and English language arts. The book could be used as a read aloud selection or, if multiple copies were available, for shared reading in small groups. After reading and discussing the book, the class could be given three citizen science projects (there are many others, in addition to those described in the book; the book offers suggestions for how to find citizen science projects available nationally) and vote on the one in which they would like to participate as a class – or a project could be selected that aligns to the grade-level science standards. The project could be conducted over several science classes, with the class collecting field data and sending the results to the scientists. A second classroom activity, that again integrates both science and English language arts, could similarly begin with the book – as a read aloud or shared reading literacy activity. Following discussion, each small group could come up with one idea for an observational field study that the class could conduct on their school grounds, such as counting tree species or insect species. The class could vote on their favorite study, and the project could be conducted over several following science periods.
Written for 3rd through 6th graders, this book entices children to get outside and observe nature through the avenue of citizen science projects. The book encourages young children by explaining that they are naturally good scientists and observers, contrasting them with adults who are often more districted and are less close to the ground. Not only does the book do an excellent job of carefully describing how to conduct a variety of observations, like tagging butterflies or counting birds, but it does so in a way that tells students how they can do it with joy as well. The author gives direct guidance on how to enjoy the experience, such as, “It may run its proboscis over your palm. Very few people have ever experienced this particular tickle: savor it! Watch your monarch for as long as it lets you. Ask your assistant to take a photo or two. When your monarch lifts off, watch it go. Wish it well.” Each chapter also provides rich information about each experiment and the subject of the experiment, like details about frog diseases, or specific academic vocabulary such as foreleg, tympanum, and dorsolateral ridges.
This book could be used for a classroom activity that integrates both science and English language arts. The book could be used as a read aloud selection or, if multiple copies were available, for shared reading in small groups. After reading and discussing the book, the class could be given three citizen science projects (there are many others, in addition to those described in the book; the book offers suggestions for how to find citizen science projects available nationally) and vote on the one in which they would like to participate as a class – or a project could be selected that aligns to the grade-level science standards. The project could be conducted over several science classes, with the class collecting field data and sending the results to the scientists. A second classroom activity, that again integrates both science and English language arts, could similarly begin with the book – as a read aloud or shared reading literacy activity. Following discussion, each small group could come up with one idea for an observational field study that the class could conduct on their school grounds, such as counting tree species or insect species. The class could vote on their favorite study, and the project could be conducted over several following science periods.
March 16, 2012
Richie’s Picks: CITIZEN SCIENTISTS: BE A PART OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY FROM YOUR OWN BACKYARD by Loree Griffin Burns and Ellen Harasimowicz, photographer, Henry Holt, February 2012, 80p., ISBN: 978-0-8050-9517-3
“It’s poetry in motion, and when she turned her eyes to me
As deep as any ocean, as sweet as any harmony
She blinded me with science (‘She blinded me with science!’)
And failed me in geometry.”
-- Thomas Dolby
“Scientists are still studying these and many more questions about monarch migration. Dr. Orley ‘Chip’ Taylor, a professor at the University of Kansas, is confident that tagging more monarchs will reveal important answers. When Fred and Norah Urquhart retired, Chip founded Monarch Watch to continue their tagging program. The organization is dedicated to understanding and preserving the monarch through tagging and educational programs.
“’If you are interested in conserving a particular organism, you have to understand it,’ says Chip. ‘You really have to understand every little bit of its biology.’”
CITIZEN SCIENTISTS is a seriously hands-on guide to becoming part of various national and international collaborative efforts to understand creatures that you might well find alighting in your own backyard. By time we meet Chip Taylor in the book, we’ve already learned how to carefully capture a butterfly, ascertain that it is, indeed, a monarch, determine whether it is a boy or a girl monarch, stick a numbered identification tag to his or her wing, and then let it return to its butterfly duties.
In addition to butterflies, CITIZEN SCIENTISTS explores how we can make our backyards an inviting place for birds and become involved in the century-old annual bird census. It explains how we can learn all sorts of frog calls and then go out at night and use our ears to participate in scientific amphibian monitoring activities. And it details how we can become ladybug spotters and take part in the work of identifying various species of ladybugs which we know – or those of us who are Eric Carle fans know – eat lots of aphids and, thus, help farmers.
“’With information that kids have supplied,’ John says, ‘we are starting to get a really good handle on where our rare ladybugs are.’”
For each of these four creatures, CITIZEN SCIENTISTS also provides a basic body parts identification guide and a list of recommended supplies to gather in preparation for going out into the field (or into a field).
I like how a lot of basic information is packed into this nice short, photo-packed, hands-on guide. There are plenty of additional resources cited in the back matter, but the main focus here is on providing an introduction that will get kids (and their parents and teachers) interested in nature and enthused about becoming members of the scientific community.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
“It’s poetry in motion, and when she turned her eyes to me
As deep as any ocean, as sweet as any harmony
She blinded me with science (‘She blinded me with science!’)
And failed me in geometry.”
-- Thomas Dolby
“Scientists are still studying these and many more questions about monarch migration. Dr. Orley ‘Chip’ Taylor, a professor at the University of Kansas, is confident that tagging more monarchs will reveal important answers. When Fred and Norah Urquhart retired, Chip founded Monarch Watch to continue their tagging program. The organization is dedicated to understanding and preserving the monarch through tagging and educational programs.
“’If you are interested in conserving a particular organism, you have to understand it,’ says Chip. ‘You really have to understand every little bit of its biology.’”
CITIZEN SCIENTISTS is a seriously hands-on guide to becoming part of various national and international collaborative efforts to understand creatures that you might well find alighting in your own backyard. By time we meet Chip Taylor in the book, we’ve already learned how to carefully capture a butterfly, ascertain that it is, indeed, a monarch, determine whether it is a boy or a girl monarch, stick a numbered identification tag to his or her wing, and then let it return to its butterfly duties.
In addition to butterflies, CITIZEN SCIENTISTS explores how we can make our backyards an inviting place for birds and become involved in the century-old annual bird census. It explains how we can learn all sorts of frog calls and then go out at night and use our ears to participate in scientific amphibian monitoring activities. And it details how we can become ladybug spotters and take part in the work of identifying various species of ladybugs which we know – or those of us who are Eric Carle fans know – eat lots of aphids and, thus, help farmers.
“’With information that kids have supplied,’ John says, ‘we are starting to get a really good handle on where our rare ladybugs are.’”
For each of these four creatures, CITIZEN SCIENTISTS also provides a basic body parts identification guide and a list of recommended supplies to gather in preparation for going out into the field (or into a field).
I like how a lot of basic information is packed into this nice short, photo-packed, hands-on guide. There are plenty of additional resources cited in the back matter, but the main focus here is on providing an introduction that will get kids (and their parents and teachers) interested in nature and enthused about becoming members of the scientific community.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
March 10, 2014
This is a really interesting (but dense) book for kids about how to be a “citizen scientist.” What I like best is that the book demonstrates the fact that our own backyards and parks are areas where we can conduct significant scientific research, collect data that is relevant, and learn about the fascinating wild world around us. The book focuses on four species correlated with the four seasons: monarch butterflies of Fall, over-wintering birds, frogs in Spring, and summertime ladybugs. A lot of diagnostic information is provided, as well as simple data collection methods that can be used by interested children. Included with each chapter are anecdotes of peer citizen scientists, a “When You Go…” checklist for each particular outing, and a simple, unintimidating “Quick Quiz” that covers a small piece of information that is useful for data collection. In the rear of the book, additional resources for information and a glossary are included. This is a terrific book for budding young scientists, especially students that may be interested in doing extra work to enhance their learning beyond the classroom walls. Certainly, these projects could be easily done on school grounds where birds and bugs are found. Large photographs are clear and not only show close-up photos of organisms, but also display young scientists doing data collection and using equipment. This text is probably best suited for children aged 10 and above.
November 28, 2018
This book is an informational book on how to conduct science research on your own that can actually make a difference in animal studies and animal populations. The book is divided into four sections: Monarch butterflies, Birds, Frogs, and Ladybugs. For the Monarch butterflies, there is a program called Monarch watch that shares a goal amongst thousands of people who catch butterflies, tag their wings, and then let them go. The birds chapter focuses on bird watching and collecting data based off the number of different bird species counted. The chapter discusses an annual tradition called the Christmas Bird Count that happens all over the country in which Christmas day people go out and look for birds. Data is then collected and sent to scientist who study bird populations. The third chapter focuses on frog watching. Frog watchers study and memorize different frog sounds to recognize the different species of frogs that are out and about. The last chapter is about ladybugs. There is a website in which children can go and record the different types of lady bugs they find. I will definitely have this book in my classroom to spark the love of science into my students!
December 30, 2018
Written for the intermediate grades, Citizen Scientist is a book about being an environmentalist in one's own backyard. Dr. Loree Griffin Burns has written three ALA Notable books previously. The photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz enhance the text in such detail that the reader will want to go outside immediately, no matter which season, to start investigating! There are four chapters: Fall Butterflying, Winter Birding, Spring Frogging, and Summer Ladybugging. Details about previous investigations by young explorers are given as well as many books, field guides, and internet resources for further research. This book could be used in the classroom as well as in a personal backyard. I am now motivated to start my own explorations this winter...observing & counting birds will be exciting! Ages 5-12 will enjoy this book and parents/teachers are encouraged to also be investigators!
January 5, 2021
Burns describes how citizens around the world document the travel and conditions of butterflies, birds, frogs and ladybugs. Burns starts by clearly defining the terms “citizen,” “scientist” and “citizen science” – “the study of our world by the people who live in it” – including “everyday people.” She immediately makes the student reader feel welcome and a part of the community of citizen scientists and then draws us in even further with descriptions of how we, everyday people, can tag butterflies or document birds sighted to help scientists and then shares narratives of volunteers who track these creatures.
August 10, 2017
I loved this book for the simple ways it exposes kids to the science right outside their door. Whether you are in the country or the city, this can easily be used to reinvigorate STEM learning and scientific explorations with elementary aged kids. I like the way it is broken up into four sections with a focus for each season. Easy to follow and full of helpful resources. Great book for parents and teachers alike.
December 9, 2017
I cannot say enough good things about the quality of this nonfiction science informational text. The pictures are perfect and very abundant. I think the diagrams are a great additive and very helpful to the comprehension of the text. I love the whole premise of this book, that children can go out and become scientist right in their backyards and community. I would most likely use this book right in my classroom as the center of a focus lesson.
July 29, 2020
I had really high hopes for this book and it came highly recommended. I was not at all wowed, it seemed too specific to kids who like to collect data.
Yes. Data is important and scientists need it.
But I don't think data collection is such an intriguing way to draw kids into science.
Nor does it seem the most fun way for kids to jump into scientific discovery.
Oh well, second homeschooling book collection fail.
I'll keep the book, I guess.
Yes. Data is important and scientists need it.
But I don't think data collection is such an intriguing way to draw kids into science.
Nor does it seem the most fun way for kids to jump into scientific discovery.
Oh well, second homeschooling book collection fail.
I'll keep the book, I guess.
July 23, 2017
My five year old son loves nonfiction about animals. This can make for some pretty dry reading aloud. This book was interesting to read, each chapter started with a little narrative that was written as if you were the character exploring their backyard/environment. Very enjoyable.
October 15, 2017
A wonderful book for kids and parents who want to learn more about how they can do science in their own backyard...or community. The best part? The author gives names of who to reach in order to do science. Wonderful tool!
Read
February 9, 2020Well written for kids and families.
April 28, 2021
Wonderful book to show kids what a citizen scientist is and how to get involved in your own community.
April 16, 2022
A great book that gives examples of how students around the globe are acting as citizen scientists. Includes activities in which you can participate as well as lots of other useful books/resources.
December 12, 2024
Interactive, user-friendly, and super informative. I'm excited to do some science!
December 5, 2018
This book gives so much insight as to what bugs and plants and birds do. It also encourages getting out and into the yard to see some of the amazing things that we may overlook that may be right in our own backyards.
January 8, 2022
Great non fiction book with excellent information about monarchs, ladybugs,
frogs, and birds. Contains enough interesting information about monarchs, frogs, local birds (depending where you live), and ladybugs. I'm a big monarch butterfly fan and thought I had read quite a lot about monarchs, but I found special information about them I did not know and will be very useful when I present the book to my students.
The book is currently a copy in our school library, but come next paycheck I will also own a copy!! Loved it!
frogs, and birds. Contains enough interesting information about monarchs, frogs, local birds (depending where you live), and ladybugs. I'm a big monarch butterfly fan and thought I had read quite a lot about monarchs, but I found special information about them I did not know and will be very useful when I present the book to my students.
The book is currently a copy in our school library, but come next paycheck I will also own a copy!! Loved it!
August 30, 2012
It has taken me forever to get around to doing this review. But it is not because the book was hard to read. It is exactly because it is so well done that I'm just now doing a review.
Our Summer Reading theme next year is Feed Your Brain. It is going to center around the broad theme of science. As soon as I received this book and realized how great it was, I started taking notes and adapting the sections into library programs. I have already designed an entire program series pulled from the pages of this book.
I've even made a budget list of the supplies I will need.
This book is so perfect. It caters to families, teachers, librarian, naturalists, budding scientists and anyone who wonders about the natural world.
I love the way the Burns gives us both a first person story scenario and 1st person experience in each section. The When You Go segment and the Quick Quiz help make this a kid friendly book.
The When You Go segment always features a brief advice section and comprehensive list of supplies that will be needed. One of my favorites was the Bird Count list. It indicated that a notebook and pencil were needed. Then it shared under that heading that ink doesn't flow well in cold temperatures. Science and pragmatism in one.
The Quick Quiz provides a challenge for the individual reader or a game for two or more. An added bonus is that it teaches readers to refer to additional information found elsewhere in the book.
Burns also inserts prompts elsewhere in the book. For example, on page 31 she is wrapping up the informational/first person experience section about the Christmas Bird Count and inserts a statement about a variety of other bird watching groups. Then indicates that you can find more information on these programs in the back of the book. She is training the reader to utilize all the resources her book has and preparing them to do the same with future books that may not tell the reader, directly, to access the information contained at the end of a book.
This book is a great resource and would make a great gift to any outdoor explorer or scientist. For a family trying to get your kids unglued from the TV or video game, this book might be the answer and it is extremely family friendly.
Our Summer Reading theme next year is Feed Your Brain. It is going to center around the broad theme of science. As soon as I received this book and realized how great it was, I started taking notes and adapting the sections into library programs. I have already designed an entire program series pulled from the pages of this book.
I've even made a budget list of the supplies I will need.
This book is so perfect. It caters to families, teachers, librarian, naturalists, budding scientists and anyone who wonders about the natural world.
I love the way the Burns gives us both a first person story scenario and 1st person experience in each section. The When You Go segment and the Quick Quiz help make this a kid friendly book.
The When You Go segment always features a brief advice section and comprehensive list of supplies that will be needed. One of my favorites was the Bird Count list. It indicated that a notebook and pencil were needed. Then it shared under that heading that ink doesn't flow well in cold temperatures. Science and pragmatism in one.
The Quick Quiz provides a challenge for the individual reader or a game for two or more. An added bonus is that it teaches readers to refer to additional information found elsewhere in the book.
Burns also inserts prompts elsewhere in the book. For example, on page 31 she is wrapping up the informational/first person experience section about the Christmas Bird Count and inserts a statement about a variety of other bird watching groups. Then indicates that you can find more information on these programs in the back of the book. She is training the reader to utilize all the resources her book has and preparing them to do the same with future books that may not tell the reader, directly, to access the information contained at the end of a book.
This book is a great resource and would make a great gift to any outdoor explorer or scientist. For a family trying to get your kids unglued from the TV or video game, this book might be the answer and it is extremely family friendly.
July 19, 2017
****Please note that I won this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway program****
Originally posted on Melissa's Midnight Musings: http://midnight-orchids.blogspot.com/...
I have to say right off the bat that this is a great book. It's informative, well written, and most important of all, fun.
The first thing that caught my eye was the author's definition of citizen science. It's a very basic definition but still important. Burns defines citizen science as: "The study of our world by the people who live in it."
This resonated for me in particular because having my degree in Sociology, I can really relate to that. Granted, Sociology is more narrowly defined, being that it's the scientific study of society and the way it works, but broadly, the two are very similar.
Although the book is meant for children, to help foster their love for learning and studying animals, I really think adults can learn a lot from it too.
The language is easily broken down and well illustrated by lots of pictures and examples of the activity that the author is describing. The author also really promotes getting outside, and doing these different tasks in order to help the various species and the research efforts for each one.
I really enjoyed the structure of the book. It's divided into four sections, one for each of the four seasons, with each season highlighting a different animal. Fall is dedicated to butterflies, Winter to birds, Spring to frogs, and Summer to ladybugs. There are also quizzes at the end of each section. Plus there's an extensive list of resources and an excellent glossary at the back of the book as well.
I believe that this book is geared toward ages 10-12 but I really think that any age child can enjoy it, even if it just means looking at the photos. The photos, by the way are beautiful and varied.
I'd recommend this to anyone who has a curious youngster (or who may just be curious themselves) who wants to learn about these animals.
Originally posted on Melissa's Midnight Musings: http://midnight-orchids.blogspot.com/...
I have to say right off the bat that this is a great book. It's informative, well written, and most important of all, fun.
The first thing that caught my eye was the author's definition of citizen science. It's a very basic definition but still important. Burns defines citizen science as: "The study of our world by the people who live in it."
This resonated for me in particular because having my degree in Sociology, I can really relate to that. Granted, Sociology is more narrowly defined, being that it's the scientific study of society and the way it works, but broadly, the two are very similar.
Although the book is meant for children, to help foster their love for learning and studying animals, I really think adults can learn a lot from it too.
The language is easily broken down and well illustrated by lots of pictures and examples of the activity that the author is describing. The author also really promotes getting outside, and doing these different tasks in order to help the various species and the research efforts for each one.
I really enjoyed the structure of the book. It's divided into four sections, one for each of the four seasons, with each season highlighting a different animal. Fall is dedicated to butterflies, Winter to birds, Spring to frogs, and Summer to ladybugs. There are also quizzes at the end of each section. Plus there's an extensive list of resources and an excellent glossary at the back of the book as well.
I believe that this book is geared toward ages 10-12 but I really think that any age child can enjoy it, even if it just means looking at the photos. The photos, by the way are beautiful and varied.
I'd recommend this to anyone who has a curious youngster (or who may just be curious themselves) who wants to learn about these animals.
April 24, 2013
Citizen Scientists is nominated for the 2013-2014 South Carolina Children's Book Award.
I'm not a big nonfiction reader. I'm also not fond of being outside. Many of my students, however, are my opposites. They love nonfiction, and they'd rather be outside than anywhere else. Citizen Scientists may be the perfect book for some of those students. This book takes a look at how kids can "be a part of scientific discovery from your own backyard." It presents the concept of citizen science in a way that most young readers and budding scientists will appreciate. It may even provide a starting point for some fairly intense science projects.
Loree Griffin Burns' narrative, paired with Ellen Harasimowicz's beautifully detailed photographs, engages young readers and invites them to participate in nature studies without leaving their own backyards. Four types of studies are highlighted: fall butterflying, winter birding, spring frogging, and summer ladybugging. The author states that the experiences in each of these studies may vary from region to region. Additional resources and anecdotes are provided for each study for readers who wish to explore the topic further.
At the back of the book, in addition to a bibliography, glossary, and index, the author also provides information on finding resources for other citizen science projects. Most of them involve animal and plant studies.
Citizen Scientists is a welcome addition to my library's nonfiction collection, and I will recommend it to my 3rd-5th grade teachers when they begin studying plants, animals, and nature. Young readers who show a keen interest in science, particularly in conducting their own experiments, will love this book.
I'm not a big nonfiction reader. I'm also not fond of being outside. Many of my students, however, are my opposites. They love nonfiction, and they'd rather be outside than anywhere else. Citizen Scientists may be the perfect book for some of those students. This book takes a look at how kids can "be a part of scientific discovery from your own backyard." It presents the concept of citizen science in a way that most young readers and budding scientists will appreciate. It may even provide a starting point for some fairly intense science projects.
Loree Griffin Burns' narrative, paired with Ellen Harasimowicz's beautifully detailed photographs, engages young readers and invites them to participate in nature studies without leaving their own backyards. Four types of studies are highlighted: fall butterflying, winter birding, spring frogging, and summer ladybugging. The author states that the experiences in each of these studies may vary from region to region. Additional resources and anecdotes are provided for each study for readers who wish to explore the topic further.
At the back of the book, in addition to a bibliography, glossary, and index, the author also provides information on finding resources for other citizen science projects. Most of them involve animal and plant studies.
Citizen Scientists is a welcome addition to my library's nonfiction collection, and I will recommend it to my 3rd-5th grade teachers when they begin studying plants, animals, and nature. Young readers who show a keen interest in science, particularly in conducting their own experiments, will love this book.
April 10, 2012
Citizen science is ‘the study of our world by the people who live in it” which means YOU! Kids are drawn to nature and what better place for them to learn about the science all around them. I love when my kids are out exploring and learning with a hands on approach. This book is fascinating in opening up my young ones eyes to the variety of nature that is in their own backyard during each season of the year.
Spring frogging entices kids to use their senses to listen for the different sounds of various frogs, including a list of common frogs and what their voice sounds like. Meet an amphibian monitor who tracks frogs!
Summer Ladybugging shows us citizens that there are 70 varieties of ladybugs! Amazing details as your young one and you go and explore for ladybugs and learn about them with this book.
Fall spends time looking at butterflies and specifically monarch butterflies and their uniqueness.
Winter is for the birds, or at least watching and recording the ones that happen to be around still in your winter backyard.
Fantastic photos keep the interest of young and old alike as well as show details that you may not see if you don’t get close up.
Resources in the back of the book provide additional places to research if you want to delve deeper into one of the seasons.
I highly recommend this book for homeschoolers, fantastic focus on one animal group each season and works great for elementary students.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Spring frogging entices kids to use their senses to listen for the different sounds of various frogs, including a list of common frogs and what their voice sounds like. Meet an amphibian monitor who tracks frogs!
Summer Ladybugging shows us citizens that there are 70 varieties of ladybugs! Amazing details as your young one and you go and explore for ladybugs and learn about them with this book.
Fall spends time looking at butterflies and specifically monarch butterflies and their uniqueness.
Winter is for the birds, or at least watching and recording the ones that happen to be around still in your winter backyard.
Fantastic photos keep the interest of young and old alike as well as show details that you may not see if you don’t get close up.
Resources in the back of the book provide additional places to research if you want to delve deeper into one of the seasons.
I highly recommend this book for homeschoolers, fantastic focus on one animal group each season and works great for elementary students.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2014
Griffin Burns, L. (2012). Citizen scientists: Be a part of scientific discovery from your own backyard. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC.
2013 Orbis Pictus Honor.
Informational.
This book is a fun and interactive book about science, science experiments, and how the reader can conduct simple experiments from her own backyard. The pages have background color and decoration much like a scrapbook, and each page is full of bright and colorful photographs, diagrams, and varying font colors,sizes, and styles. This makes the book very pleasing to the eye and makes the information pop, which grabs the reader's attention and keeps them engaged. The book focuses on the four seasons and ties each to a themed experiment: Fall Butterflying, Winter Birding, Spring Frogging, and Summer Ladybugging. The book provides facts, checklists, diagrams, questions, additional resources, and quick quizzes on the material. It also follows the format of a mini-textbook, including a table of contents, a glossary, and an index. This book would be a great asset to have in the classroom to excite students about science and to illustrate how science and science experiments can be used in the student's world outside of the classroom. It was enjoyable to read and it will definitely be a purchase I make for my future classroom; whether for first graders, fifth graders, or anything in between!
2013 Orbis Pictus Honor.
Informational.
This book is a fun and interactive book about science, science experiments, and how the reader can conduct simple experiments from her own backyard. The pages have background color and decoration much like a scrapbook, and each page is full of bright and colorful photographs, diagrams, and varying font colors,sizes, and styles. This makes the book very pleasing to the eye and makes the information pop, which grabs the reader's attention and keeps them engaged. The book focuses on the four seasons and ties each to a themed experiment: Fall Butterflying, Winter Birding, Spring Frogging, and Summer Ladybugging. The book provides facts, checklists, diagrams, questions, additional resources, and quick quizzes on the material. It also follows the format of a mini-textbook, including a table of contents, a glossary, and an index. This book would be a great asset to have in the classroom to excite students about science and to illustrate how science and science experiments can be used in the student's world outside of the classroom. It was enjoyable to read and it will definitely be a purchase I make for my future classroom; whether for first graders, fifth graders, or anything in between!
March 17, 2012
Another delightful, inspiring offering from Loree Griffin Burns, this title shows young readers and their teachers and families how they can make a difference in the world by getting involved in natural science. After explaining what it means to be a citizen scientist, the author provides four different ways to help scientists from your own backyard. She divides the efforts in seasonal style: Fall Butterflying, Winter Birding, Spring Frogging, and Summer Ladybugging. Each of those chapters explains, step by step, how to tag monarch butterflies, count birds, monitor frogs, and identify ladybugs. By counting these critters, youngsters are able to help scientists identify the paths the monarchs follow during their migration as well as trace rare ladybugs and narrow down the possible reasons behind frog abnormalities or a dip in their numbers. Filled with large photographs, the book also includes "When You Go" sections for each outdoor adventure describing what to take and wear as well as a photographic"Quick Quiz" testing readers' knowlege about the species. Back matter includes additional resources, a glossary, and a bibliography, all intended to draw on the excitement about the natural world that this book has generated. What a wonderful book that needs to be in every science classroom today!
February 5, 2013
Henry Holt & Company, 2012
Nonfiction
80 pages
Recommended for grades 3-6
Initially alarmed by the notion of kids working to tag the fragile wings of the monarch butterfly, by the end of the section I was already making plans for doing this next fall with my students!
There are 4 main sections of this book that teach kids how they can become involved in the study of animals in their own communities. Monarchs, winter birds, frogs and ladybugs.
If you have children or you work with children, go buy this book!
Next fall I will be urging students to bring in monarchs, but for more than watching a life cycle in action. We will tag our butterflies, and months later we will be able to go online to see if any of our butterflies made the migration to Mexico (which is touch from the northern states, but it happens). Meanwhile, in Mexico school children will be collecting the tagged butterflies and returning them to the migration project where they will be paid about $4 US dollars per tag. Our students become part of a bigger understanding of science and the world through projects like this.
Nonfiction
80 pages
Recommended for grades 3-6
Initially alarmed by the notion of kids working to tag the fragile wings of the monarch butterfly, by the end of the section I was already making plans for doing this next fall with my students!
There are 4 main sections of this book that teach kids how they can become involved in the study of animals in their own communities. Monarchs, winter birds, frogs and ladybugs.
If you have children or you work with children, go buy this book!
Next fall I will be urging students to bring in monarchs, but for more than watching a life cycle in action. We will tag our butterflies, and months later we will be able to go online to see if any of our butterflies made the migration to Mexico (which is touch from the northern states, but it happens). Meanwhile, in Mexico school children will be collecting the tagged butterflies and returning them to the migration project where they will be paid about $4 US dollars per tag. Our students become part of a bigger understanding of science and the world through projects like this.
November 6, 2013
This is an incredibly well-written book that encourages young readers to go out and explore the world. Though this is targeted at younger children, I enjoyed it quite a bit and I took away quite a bit of knowledge from it. Loree Griffin Burns sparks the readers interest in becoming what she defines as a "citizen scientist." She defines a citizen scientist as anyone who lives in this world today and explains to the reader that they don't have to be an actual scientist to study the world around them. The book teaches the reader how to tag butterflies, count birds, monitor frogs, and identify ladybugs. There is a section in the book for each of these topics where Loree Griffin Burns gives the reader a "how-to" lesson, gives information and facts about the topic, provides a real life example of people doing this, and ends the chapter with a small quiz to test the readers knowledge. This book is packed full of bright colors and vivid pictures that are pleasing to the eye. This book would be a great one to use in an elementary classroom setting to inspire students to get outside and explore.
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