Honeybees and Hexagons

"Honeybees are some of nature’s finest mathematicians. Not only can they calculate angles and comprehend the roundness of the earth, these smart insects build and live in one of the most mathematically efficient architectural designs around: the beehive."

Learn more by viewing the complete Ted Ed lesson by Zack Patterson and Andy Peterson.

After viewing this you may want to check out this book on patterns and shapes in nature.

Bees, Snails, & Peacock Tails: Patterns & Shapes . . . Naturally (2008), written by Betsy Franco and illustrated by Steve Jenkins explores surprising and hidden shapes and patterns in nature. Poetic text and cut paper collage illustrations serve as a beautiful vehicle for introducing young readers to these concepts. On a page depicting a snake, a spider hanging from a thread, a snail shell, a bee in flight, an ant, and goose silhouetted against the moon, the text begins this way.

In the day
and the night,
on the land
and in flight

tucked in hollows
of trees,
in the tide pools
and seas,

you'll find patterns and shapes—
from the snakes to the bees!

The next page reveals the genius behind a beehive. This is one of my favorite spreads in the book—not only do I love the text, but I could spend hours staring at the bees on the hive. The layers upon layers of paper used to create the illustration are stunning. The text that accompanies it reads:

Study a beehive
and you will see
the mathematical genius of the bee.

The hexagons
you'll find inside
fit side
by side
by side
by side.

This math is passed
mysteriously
from worker bee
to worker bee!

*Swoon* Beautiful images and beautiful words—what better tools are there to introduce nonfiction to young readers? None that I can think of. 

Franco and Jenkins next explore moths, the stunning symmetry of a spider's web, the dazzling feathers of the male peacock, the familiar V of migrating geese, the teamwork and formation of members of an ant colony, the geometry of animal tracks (a mouse in the snow), the shapes on diamondback snakes, the radial symmetry of sea stars, the shape of a puffed-up puffer fish, and the spirals of a snail shell. The text/poem on the shell page is written in the same spiral form displayed by the shell.

The text ends with the same background as the opening spread, though presented at nightfall with some different animals on the page. There are eyes inside a hole in the tree, sea stars on a rock, a moth flitting in the moonlight, and a spider now resting on a completed web. The text reads:

So there you have it . . . .
I think you'll agree

that creatures
on land,
in the air,
in the sea

make patterns and shapes
quite naturally!

Text ©Betsy Franco. All rights reserved. 

The end matter of the book is titled New Angles on Animals and provides a brief bit of information on each of the animals highlighted in the pages of the text.

While I plan on using this book for math to talk about shapes and patterns, I can also see it being used in science to discuss camouflage and other animal adaptations. This is a gorgeous book in both writing and illustration. I highly recommend it.

Thematic Book List - Extreme Weather

There are many types of storms, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards. Caused by extremes in weather, storms can cause severe damage. But extremes are not limited to storms. Weather conditions such as too little or too much precipitation can result in drought or flood. Extremely high temperatures can cause a heat wave. Whatever the condition, extreme weather is something meteorologists work hard to predict so that lives and property can be protected.

Here is a list of books that focuses on storms and events caused by extreme weather conditions.

Nonfiction Picture Books

 

The Big Rivers: The Missouri, the Mississippi, and the Ohio (1997, OP), written and illustrated by Bruce Hiscock - In a text that combines history, geography and science, Hiscock describes the flooding of the upper Mississippi in 1993, while explaining what a river basin is, how it works as part of the water cycle, and how the system of dams and levees failed on this occasion.

The Big Storm (2008), written and illustrated by Bruce Hiscock - This book follows the course of one large weather system as it travels across the United States.  Hiscock carefully chronicles a large springtime storm in 1982 as it moves from rain in the Pacific Northwest, to a blizzard in the Sierras, to tornadoes and hail in the Texas plains, and finally to New York City where it becomes a blizzard. As the storm rolls on, readers learn about weather forecasting, how storms are formed, and how they travel.

Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America (2006), written by Jim Murphy - The great blizzard of 1888 changed the way we respond to storms. Using personal recollections as well as newspapers, photographs, and sketches made by news artists during the storm, Murphy takes readers into the unfolding blizzard and its aftermath. As a result of this storm, legislation was passed in New York to clean up the city, bury wires, build the subway, and more. Back matter includes a six page narrative discussion of notes on sources and related reading material. 

Flood: Wrestling With the Mississippi (1996, OP), written by Patricia Lauber - This National Geographic photo-essay describes the flooding of the Mississippi in 1993 with a focus on more on the underlying causes of the flooding. 

The Great American Dust Bowl (2013), written and illustrated by Don Brown - This graphic novel is a masterpiece of history and science, weaving together sourced facts in an accurate historical narrative. Brown uses words from primary source materials to explain how the heartland of America became a vast barren plain, citing drought, the Depression, the loss of bison, and more. Includes scientific explanations for the dust storms as well as first hand accounts. Back matter includes a selected bibliography and source notes.

National Geographic Readers: Storms (2009), written by Miriam Goin - This Level 1 reader introduces the basics of weather and then goes on to describe a variety of storms, including thunder and lightning, hailstorm, sandstorm, blizzard, monsoon, and others. Back matter includes a glossary.

Rising Waters: A Book About Floods (2005), written by Rick Thomas and illustrated by Denise Shea  - This book in the Amazing Science series describes the causes and effects of flooding. Back matter includes a glossary and helpful print and web resources.

Sizzle!: A Book About Heat Waves (2005), written by Rick Thomas and illustrated by Denise Shea - This book in the Amazing Science series describes what a heat wave is and how it affects living things in rural and urban areas. Back matter includes a glossary and helpful print and web resources.

Storms (1992), written by Seymour Simon - In stunning pictures and clear and engaging text, Simon provides clear explanations of various storm types, how they form, and how destructive they can be.

Whiteout!: A Book About Blizzards (2005), written by Rick Thomas and illustrated by Denise Shea - What happens when snow is falling and wind is blowing? Readers will learn the answer to this question and more as they read about the conditions often found during a blizzard, include including whiteouts, strong winds, snowdrifts, and wind chills.

Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll (1999), written by Franklyn Branley and illustrated by True Kelley - This book in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series focuses on thunder and lightning. Back matter includes 2 simple experiments and additional resource suggestions for learning more.

Lightning! (2006), written by Seymour Simon - With stunning pictures and clear engaging text, Simon describes how and why lightning occurs, different types of lightning, how scientists study it, how to stay safe during an electrical storm, and more. 

Lightning, Hurricanes,  and Blizzards: The Science of Storms (2010), written by Paul Fleisher - At nearly 50 pages, this book is filled with information about storms. It opens by explaining that "Storms are the most dramatic weather events." Five chapters include: (1) air masses, weather fronts, and mid-altitude cyclones; (2) thunderstorms; (3) tornadoes; (4) hurricanes; and (5) other storms. Back matter includes a glossary, selected bibliography, further reading, and web sites.

Nature's Fireworks: A Book About Lightning (2003), written by Josepha Sherman and illustrated by Omarr Wesley - This book in the Amazing Science series describes the different ways lightning is created  and what makes it flash across the sky. Back matter includes a glossary and helpful print and web resources.

Our Wonderful Weather: Thunderstorms (2014), written by Valerie Bodden - Using beautiful photos and clear, concise text, Bodden describes what thunderstorms are, the relationship of thunder and lightning, kinds of thunderstorms, and more. Back matter includes a glossary, titles for learning more, and helpful web sites.

Rumble, Boom!: A Book About Thunderstorms (2005), written by Rick Thomas and illustrated by Denise Shea - This book in the Amazing Science series describes how thunderstorms form. Also included is information on phenomena such as thunder, lightning, storm cells, downdrafts, super cells, and more. Back matter includes a glossary and helpful print and web resources.

Before moving on to books about tornadoes and hurricanes, let's take a quick break to watch this terrific little Peep and the Big Wide World video on stormy weather.

Do Tornadoes Really Twist? (2000), written by Melvin and Gilda Berger and illustrated by Higgins Bond - In an engaging question and answer format, this book provides a good introduction to tornadoes and hurricanes. Illustrations, diagrams and maps accompany clearly written and engaging text. 

Our Wonderful Weather: Tornadoes (2014), written by Valerie Bodden - Using beautiful photos and clear, concise text, Bodden describes what tornadoes are, their shapes and sizes, how they are measured, and more. Back matter includes a glossary, titles for learning more, and helpful web sites.

Tornado! The Story Behind these Twisting, Turning, Spinning, and Spiraling Storms (2011), written by Judy and Dennis Fradin - This National Geographic Kids book includes amazing photographs and a wealth of information on how tornadoes form and are categorized, their destructive power, information on storms of note, and more.

Tornado Alert (1990), written by Franklyn Branley and illustrated by Giulio Maestro - This book in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series describes how, where, and when tornadoes happen and what to do during a tornado. 

Tornadoes (2001), written by Seymour Simon - In stunning pictures and clear and engaging text, Simon provides a comprehensive look at tornadoes, including how they form, where they occur, and how they are studied.

Tornadoes! (2012), written by Marcie Aboff and illustrated by Aleksandar Sotirovski - This graphic novel uses text and illustrations to explain how tornadoes form, how they are measured, and how to stay safe during one.

Tornadoes! (2010), written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons - In this book, Gibbons uses text and images to help readers understand how tornadoes form, how they are classified, where they typically appear, safety procedures during a storm, and much more. 

Twisters: A Book About Tornadoes (2005), written by Rick Thomas and illustrated by Denise Shea - This book in the Amazing Science series describes how tornadoes form and provides explanations updrafts, downdrafts, thunderstorms, rotation, and funnel clouds. Back matter includes a glossary and helpful print and web resources.

Eye of the Storm: A Book About Hurricanes (2005), written by Rick Thomas and illustrated by Denise Shea - This book in the Amazing Science series describes how hurricanes form, what tropical storms are, and how storm surges occur. Back matter includes a glossary and helpful print and web resources.

Hurricane! (2008), written and illustrated by Celia Godkin - In a beautifully illustrated book, readers learn how coastal Florida has adapted to seasonal storms. With an eye to the flora and fauna, Godkin shows and tells readers how the opossum, fiddler crab, manatee, and many others (including humans), weather the storm.

Hurricanes (2007), written by Seymour Simon - With incredible photographs clear and concise text, Simon provides readers with an in-depth look at one of nature's most terrifying storm types: the hurricane. Included is information on how hurricanes develop, how they are studied, and safety measures for those faced with such a storm. 

Hurricanes! (2012), written by Marcie Aboff and illustrated by Aleksandar Sotirovski - This graphic novel uses text and illustrations to explain how hurricanes form, how they are named and measured, and how to stay safe during one.

Hurricanes! (2010), written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons - In this book, Gibbons presents information about hurricanes in a kid-friendly manner using a combination of engaging water-color illustrations and simple text. Included are facts about the different types of hurricanes, where they occur, how meteorologists predict them, and more.

Our Wonderful Weather: Hurricanes (2014), written by Valerie Bodden - Using beautiful photos and clear, concise text, Bodden describes what tornadoes are, how they are measured, they eye of the storm, and more. Back matter includes a glossary, titles for learning more, and helpful web sites.

The Whirlwind World of Hurricanes with Max Axiom, Super Scientist (2010), written by Katherine Krohn and illustrated by Cynthia Martin and Al Milgrom - This graphic novel follows scientist Max Axiom as he explores the science and history behind hurricanes.

Picture Books

Flood (2013), written and illustrated by Alvaro Villa - This wordless picture book tells the story of the natural destruction that flooding can cause. Readers follow a family as they prepare for a storm, head to higher ground, and return to see the devastation brought by flood waters. Despite their despair at seeing their damaged home, the family rebuilds.

The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane (1996), written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen - Miss Frizzle leads her class on a field to visit a weather station, but of course, a great deal happens before they actually get there. The bus turns into a hot air balloon and rises into the sky. Once Ms. Frizzle hears a hurricane watch is in effect, they head south to the equator where the students watch the birth of a hurricane. Included is a great deal of information on how hurricanes form, their effects, and other tidbits on a range of weather-related topics.

Thunderstorm (2013), written and illustrated by Arthur Geisert - The illustrations for this wordless picture book were created in one 415 inch long panorama that beautifully details the effects of a passing storm and shows how a farm family and various animals weather the storm. The passing storm inflicts real damage, but Geisert wraps things ups by showing the community getting down to the work of repair once the skies clear.

Online Resources
For additional resources, consider these sites.

• The National Center for Atmospheric Research has a kids site with a series of pages on dangerous weather.
• National Geographic has a nice page devoted to extreme weather on our planet. You'll also find a terrific set of introductory videos on several extreme weather events here.
• Floods 101
• Hurricanes 101
• Lightning 101
• Tornadoes 101
• Surviving the Dust Bowl is a PBS film that tells the story of the farmers who came to the Southern Plains of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas dreaming of prosperity, and lived through ten years of drought, dust, disease and death. 
• Ready.Gov: Kids provides information to help families prepare for emergencies caused by extreme weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods. 
• Sky Diary KidStorm provides information about tornadoes, lightning, hurricanes, and storm chasing.
• The KidsAhead site has a page devoted to extreme weather such as hurricanes and tornadoes that includes activities, articles, and more.
• Owlie Skwarn's Weather Book: Storms Ahead! is a free pdf download created by NOAA, FEMA, and the American Red Cross.
• Try these book study pages for the Berger book on tornadoes.

That's it for now. This makes 4 separate lists all related to the water cycle and weather. Join me in two weeks for my next thematic list! 

Thematic Book List - Weather (An Introduction)

Weather describes the condition of the atmosphere at a particular place at a given point in time. Generally weather is described in terms temperature, pressure, wind conditions, moisture, etc. Because the weather is created by a mixture of factors, weather patterns change regularly. In contrast to this, climate refers to the "average" weather conditions for an area over a long period of time.

Here's an annotated list of books that provide an introduction to weather and weather forecasting.

Nonfiction Picture Books 

Can It Rain Cats and Dogs? (1999), written by Melvin and Gilda Berger and illustrated by Robert Sullivan - In an engaging question and answer format, this book provides a nice introduction to a range of weather topics. The book is divided into three subject categories:  (1) sun, air, and wind; (2) rain, snow, and hail; and (3) wild weather.

Feel the Wind (1990), written and illustrated by Arthur Dorres - This book in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series provides fun book simplifies facts about wind so that they are easy to understand. Children will learn about what causes wind, its place in weather, and how we can use it. There are also instructions on how to make your own anemometer.

Gusts and Gales: A Book About Wind (2003), written by Josepha Sherman  and illustrated by Omarr Wesley - This book in the Amazing Science series describes many different types of winds, including global winds, trade winds, local winds, and breezes. The text also touches upon extreme wind weather, including hurricanes and tornadoes.

I Face the Wind (2003), written by Vicki Cobb and illustrated by Julia Gorton - This is a wonderful introduction to what wind is and how it works. It even debunks the popular idea that air weighs nothing. Readers simply need a few materials (a plastic bag, a hanger, balloons, etc.) in order to conduct the series of basic experiments within the book. Between experiments, readers are offered explanations of how wind does what it does and how we experience it. The simplicity of the language combined with the great illustrations and easy-to-do science experiments make this book a wonderful resource for teachers and parents alike.

The Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting (2008), written by Mark Breen and Kathleen Friestad and illustrated by Michael Kline - This book opens with directions on keeping a weather log and does a great job of encouraging kids to make observations and predictions about the weather. Readers will find a wealth of information about weather, as well as directions on how to create simple versions of the most common instruments found in a weather station, including a rain gauge, hygrometer, psychrometer, barometer, and anemometer.  

National Geographic Readers: Weather (2013), written by Kristin Baird Rattini - This level 1 reader describes weather in the simplest of terms. Written in short chapters with economical text, this is a perfect introduction to weather for the youngest students. Back matter includes a picture glossary.

Oh Say Can You Say What's the Weather Today? All About Weather (2004), written by Tish Rabe and illustrated by Aristides Ruiz - This book from The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library is written in the style of Dr. Seuss. In it, Cat in the Hat and his friends travel by hot-air balloon and experience different types of weather and learn why we need to know what the weather is going to be. Back matter includes a glossary and list of additional resources. 

Pink Snow and Other Weird Weather (1998), written by Jennifer Arena and illustrated by Heidi Petach - This book in the Penguin Young Readers series looks at strange and unusual weather occurrences, such as pink snow, hail frogs, raining jellyfish, and more.

Ready to Read: Wind (2003), written by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by John Wallace - This Level 1 text uses simple words and short sentence structures to introduce readers to wind and its role in creating weather.

W is for Wind: A Weather Alphabet (2006), written by Pat Michaels  and illustrated by Melanie Rose - In two levels of text, one poetic and one informational, readers are lead through an alphabet of weather terms (a is for atmosphere, be is for barometer, c is for cloud, d is for dew, etc.). Written by a professional weatherman and storm tracker, Michaels explains weather phenomena, instruments, and more in clear, easy to understand language. Don't miss the helpful teaching guide that accompanies the text.

Weather (2006), written by Seymour Simon - In stunning pictures and clear and engaging text, Simon provides a comprehensive look at the weather. Beginning with the sun as the driver of our weather system, the text moves on to examine wind patterns, temperature, clouds, precipitation, smog, and the greenhouse effect.

Weather Forecasting (1993), written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons - In this book, Gibbons takes children through the four seasons and the weather that is associated with each one. She uses meteorologists at a weather station to explain how seasonal weather is predicted, observed and recorded. Some of the terms may be complicated for children, but Gibbons breaks them down so that they are easier to understand.

Weather: Whipping Up a Storm! (2012), written by Dan Green and designed and created by Basher - This book in the Basher Basics series presents a series of personified characters that describe their roles in creating weather. Chapters include World of Weather, Blue Sky Dreamers, Wet 'n' Wild, and Extreme Weather. Back matter includes a glossary. Learn more by thumbing through this sample.

Weather Words and What They Mean (1992), written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons. - In text and pictures, Gibbons reviews an extensive list of vocabulary words related to weather including different types of precipitation, weather instruments, temperature and much more. The final page presents a number of interesting facts about weather.

What Will the Weather Be? (2002), written by Lynda Dewitt and illustrated by Carolyn Croll - This book in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series explains the basic characteristics of weather and how meteorologists use a variety of tools to gather data for their forecasts. Readers will learn what scientists know about the weather and how they use this information to try and predict it.

Poetry

Make Things Fly: Poems About the Wind (1998, OP), edited by Dorothy M. Kennedy, illustrated by Sasha Meret - This collection of 27 poems devoted to the wind covers topics like the sound of wind, tornadoes, seasonal wind, windy nights, and much more. Includes poems by Russell Hoban, Eve Merriam, Myra Cohn Livingston, Karla Kuskin, and others.

Seed Sower, Hat Thrower: Poems about Weather (2008), written by Laura Purdie Salas - This collection of weather-themed poems was inspired by an amazing collection of photographs. The re are numerous poetic forms and the topics are wide ranging and cover all kinds of weather phenomena. 

Weather: Poems for All Seasons (1995), collected by Lee Bennett Hopkins and illustrated by Melanie Hall - This collection of poems in the I Can Read series covers topics like the sun, wind, clouds, rain, fog, and more.

Weather Report (1993, OP), collected by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Annie Gusman - This collection of more than 50 poems is divided into sections covering rain, sun, wind, snow, and fog. Each section begins with a brief folk rhyme, followed by a range of poem types written by a nice mix of classic and contemporary poets. 

Online Resources
For additional resources, consider these sites.

• The UCAR Center for Science Education provides site for students called Web Weather for Kids . You'll also find a wealth of resources for teachers.
• NASA's Climate Kids site has a page devoted to weather and climate.
• Treehouse Weather Kids is designed for teachers and students in the 5th – 8th grades. It provides basic information on weather topics such as winds, moisture, air pressure, seasons, and storms. 
• Weather Report for Kids is a site that creates a visual weather report for young children. 
• Weather Wiz Kids is a site created by meteorologist Crystal Wicker that provides comprehensive information on all types of weather phenomena.
• The National Weather Service in Wichita has a produced a two-part video series for kids, Weather for Kids Part 1 and Weather for Kids Part 2.
• The Interactive Weather Maker is a simulation where players adjust temperature and humidity to change weather conditions and create various weather phenomena. 
• Learn how to report and predict the weather at EdHeads Weather.
• Find directions for building your own weather instruments at weather science projects.

I also have a Pinterest board on this topic with many ideas and activities for instruction.
Follow Tricia's board Weather/Earth's Atmosphere on Pinterest.

You'll notice that books on storms like hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards are missing from this post. That is the subject for the my next thematic list, so stay tuned!