Oceans

Bibliographic Information
Oceans
by Simon, seymour
Piblisher: Smithsonian, 2006 Also published previously by Morrow Junior Books 1990.
ISBN: 978-0-006-088999-9
Dewey: 551.45 Classification: nonfiction
Interest level: 3rd-6th grade Reading Level: 5.9

Plot Summary
This is a concept text that offers the basic information on how the world's ocean(s) resahpe our earth. The text is supported with clear photographic images, diagrams, and maps. A quote from the book sums this up in a very effective manner,"Every moment of every day, the sea is at work reshaping the land."

Critical Analysis
Seymour Simon is a prolific writer of nonfiction books. He is known for the accurate and detailedinformation presented in each of his books. His style is easy to read while providing excellent content and vocabulary to his readres. According to Mr. Simon he is actively involved in the selection of the photographs for his text. He wants the illustrations to be accurate and to support his writing. This gives his text even more creditibility. Mr. Simon uses photographs, maps and graphs to support visual access. He does not use access features that one would expect to find in a work of nonfiction and this includes the omission of a table of contents. This makes it difficult to determine the organizstion of the text and the reader must just read through the text or scan and try to see how the text is set up. There are no notes or io bibliographies to support text, there is simply the text.
The necessary vocabulary to support understanding of how the ocean(s) reshape our land is introduced through context for the reader. Examples of these words would include; El Nino, tsunami, tidal wave, crests, and troughs.

Review Excerpts
Horn Book (March 2007) "...Seymour's concise exploration is enhanced by crisp photos and clear graphs, diagrams, and maps.

Awards
Orbis 1990

Connections'
The often used KWL lchart could be used very effectively with this concept book. This could be set up on large paper for the class to brainstorm. Later this information could be set up in a display or on a bulletin board to share with other classes when they come to the library. Teacher/librarian could begin by eliciting from students what do they already know about oceans and how they effect earth. Post these on the chart on the K (What we know section) Then students could write one thing they would like tio learn about ocean effects on earth and post on the W ( what we want to learn) section of the chart.. Using a jigsaw approach for reading could be used since the text is so readable. Divide class into groups and provide each group with a section to read. Each group needs to read their section. After the reading they need to discuss what they have read and record this to be shared with class. Each group must decide how they wish to share graphically the informatiuon with others The graphic representations could then be presented and posted under the L ( what we learned ) Once this is complete the class need to take a second look at their initial questions- were they answered- what were the answers- if not how would they find these answers. These topics could them be used to create research areas for groups to develop and investigate. An extension of this would be the creation of a fourth section to the chart-E (further exploration topics)- from what I have learned so far what area would I like to expliore in more depth?