Darwin and Evolution for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities (16)

For Kids

by Kristan Lawson

Darwin and Evolution for Kids traces the transformation of a privileged and somewhat scatterbrained youth into the great thinker who proposed the revolutionary theory of evolution. Through 21 hands-on activities, young scientists learn about Darwin’s life and work and assess current evidence of evolution. Activities include going on a botanical treasure hunt, keeping field notes as a backyard naturalist, and tying knots for ship sails like those on the HMS Beagle . Children also learn how fossils are created, trace genetic traits through their family trees, and discover if acquired traits are passed along to future generations. By encouraging children, parents, and teachers to define the differences between theories and beliefs, facts and opinions, Darwin and Evolution for Kids does not shy away from a theory that continues to spark heated public debate more than a century after it was first proposed.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Evolution, Childrens, Biography, History, Animals

146 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Native Californian Kristan Lawson is the author of several successful travel guides, including Weird Europe for St. Martin's Press, and America Off the Wall: The West Coast. She lives in Berkeley, California.

Reviews

[Chadi Raheb]

چارلز عزیز،
وه که چقدررررر دوستت دارم!
روند تفکرتو، جسارتت رو، تشنگی مداومت برای بیشتر دونستن، پایداریت رو.
و همزمان ضعف‌هاتو میبینم، که تو هم یک انسان هستی با تمام مشکلات و اشتباهات انسانی و پس حواسم هست تو رو متعصبانه نپرستم.
اما چیزی که بودی، چیزی که شروع کردی و برامون به جا گذاشتی رو از ته قلب تحسین میکنم و همیشه احترام زیادی برات قائل خواهم بود.

البته که این کتاب-طبق عنوانش- برای کودکان نوشته شده و من هم چون در این زمینه یک کودک مشتاق هستم، و وحشتزده تر از اونی که مستقیم سراغ کتاب اصلیت برم، از همین پله شروع کردم.
چارلز عزیزم،
امیدوارم روزی پله ی آخر باهات ملاقات کنم و اون روز شاید تو و فقط تو بتونی برام بگی و قانعم کنی که چرا انسان به سرعت تبدیل به چیزی میشه که نباید...

[Alicia]

I used this as part of a unit study for my 7 yo. She, and I, really enjoyed it. I learned quite a bit as well and my child now has a deeper understanding of evolution than I did last year.

[Denise]

Finding science-based books that hold children's attention can be a struggle. Or at least my children would prefer watching Bill Nye, Cosmos, Walking with Dinosaurs, etc. over reading. I liked that this book presents the information as well as activities. Some are great as rainy day things to do vs. being stuck in front of video games.

[niloo]

عالی بود مصخوصا به خاطر اینکه کلی فعالیت مختلف داشت. از بررسی طبیعت و حیوانات گرفته تا آموزش طرز تهیه کیک مورد علاقه داروین:)

[Brian Stuy]

What a wonderful book this is. Very concise yet understandably written, the book presents a variety of activities while giving a very interesting brief history of how Darwin put all the pieces together to discover the "Origin of Species." I enjoyed reading every single page. If you have a child older than 10 with an interest in science, get this book.

[Janice]

Follows Darwin's life, development of his theory and what happened after. Discusses how other scientists helped promote and prove it. Has some activities to do along with the reading.

More for middle grade and middle school.

[Elsa]

What a fantastic book about evolution! This does not shy away from the supposed conflict between religion and evolution and in fact mentions it consistently throughout, proclaiming that it is possible to believe in both.

[Simone]

Excellent resource. I could see this best being used around grade 5-6, the text portion could be appropriate for older kids and even adults would find it interesting and engaging.

[Kimberly Brown]

My kids loved this book. Great, simple activities that really help deepen understanding of concepts.

[Pat]

This book sets a high standard. Some books for kids do a great job of informing adults. Loved it. Still do.

[Niloofar]

کتاب رو خوندم تا بیشتر با تکامل آشنا بشم فک کنم باید توی ایرانم تو کتابهای درسی مون اینا رو آموزش بدن
البته چون با دین مغایرت داره متاسفانه همچین اتفاقی نمیفته

[Stella]

Not really "for Kids" but more like a good teacher or homeschooling resource.

[Liam]

Very good

[Kendra]

I read this book because I am a Creationist and wanted to see what the other side had to say to children. I would have only given it a 1-star rating, but raised the level because the section containing the biography of Charles Darwin was interesting and enjoyable. The sections I did not like were where the author made it sound like people believing the Bible and professing Creationism were narrow minded and unscientific. The author makes claims that the Bible is wrong, but has obviously not researched her statements as I could see right through them. She also claims that "all" scientists believe in evolution -- this is a false claim as there are many agnostic, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and other scientists who hold reasonable doubts on this issue.

[Amy]

My daughter, age 10, really liked this book enough to have me read it as her bedtime story for a week. She didn't want to do the activities, just read it. It was well written though they format did make it repetitive which got old by the end, for me at least.

[Girl_sheep]

کتاب بسیاااااار عالی نخونید از دستتون رفته عاااالیه عالی پیشنهاد میکنم کتاب سرگذشت شگفت انگیز حیات روی زمین که دلایل فرگشت رو بیان میکنه هم مطالعه کنید.از ریچارد داوکینز
https://taaghche.com/book/7475

[Mike]

Excellent introduction to evolution for kids, including much of the subsequent discussion and controversies.

[Feryal Alavi]

amazinggg...totally understandable

[Luke]

I thought this book by Kristan Lawson was pretty good. I learned a lot an did a lot of fun activities too. I would recommend to anyone who is interested in science and evolution.

[Hamid]

ترجمه ی سارا هاشمی
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