Undersea
Understanding Animals
The Universe
Unusual Birds
Unusual Fish
Uranus: The Sideways Planet
Urban Ecology
Using Simple Machines
Vancouver Aquarium
Vanishing Animals of the World
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Veterinarian
Volcano
Volcanoes
Volcanoes
Volcanoes and Earthquakes
Volcanoes and Earthquakes
Voyageurs Series
Undersea (Print-Non-Fiction). Dan Mackie. (Hayes Technology Series). Hayes Publishing, Burlington (DHP), 1987. 32 p. ISBN 0-88625-156-7 ($5.95 pbk.)
A general overview of everything you wanted to know about oceans: ocean terrain, ocean creatures, scuba, food from the sea, farming the sea, underwater technology, minerals, oil and power, and future underwater worlds. Stresses positive impact of technology. Mentions a Canadian-designed diving suit. Colour illustrations. Includes table of contents. Provides metric and imperial measures.
Suggested Use:
Grade 5 - Oceans
Understanding Animals (Videotape). Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. (Wonderstruck Presents Series). CBC Enterprises, Toronto (MGR), 1988. 27 min. Available for duplication, Order No. V02708. Teacher's guide available, (BB) Order No. 5958 ($8.15 pbk.)
Poses the question, "How well do humans and animals understand each other?" Includes monitor lizards from the Aboriginal sub-continent, a pet beaver, training monkeys to help people with physical disabilities, polar bears, and Canadian husky sled dogs.
Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Animals
Grade 6 - Plant and Animal Adaptations
The Universe (Print-Non-Fiction). Larry A. Ciupik. (Read About Series). Raintree Childrens' Books, Milwaukee (NEL), 1987. ISBN 0-8172-3264-8 ($16.95 hdc.) ISBN 0-8172-3289-3 ($11.95 pbk.)
A simple introduction to astronomy. Discusses the planets, moons, constellations, solar systems and galaxies that make up the universe. Touches on space exploration. Simple colour diagrams, larger print. Includes metric conversion table, pronunciation guide, glossary and index.
Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - The Solar System
Unusual Birds (Print-Non-Fiction). Christine Butterworth. (My World Series - Red Level). Macmillan Education, London, England (CMC), 1988. 16 p. ISBN 0-333-46017-0 ($4.36 pbk.)
Parrots, bird of paradise, bower birds and hummingbirds are featured in this book. Discusses special characteristics and eating habits. Large print, simple text and very good photos make this a good series for early elementary grades. Includes an index.
Suggested Use:
Kindergarten
Grade 1 - Animals
Unusual Fish (Print-Non-Fiction). Christine Butterworth. (My World Series - Red Level). Macmillan Educational, London, England (CMC), 1988. 16 p. ISBN 0-333-46015-4 ($4.36 pbk.)
Features several species of saltwater fish. These fish are very unusual looking. Offers a little interesting information about each fish. Large print, clear text and colourful photos make this book enjoyable for young children. Index included.
Suggested Use:
Kindergarten
Grade 1 - Animals
Grade 2 - Oceans
Uranus: The Sideways Planet (Print-Non-Fiction). Isaac Asimov. (Isaac Asimov's Library of the Universe). Gareth Stevens, Milwaukee (SBC), 1988. 32 p. ISBN 1-55532-324-3 ($14.95 hdc.)
Describes Uranus as revealed in the information sent back by Voyager II. Includes: history of discovery, tilt on axis, moons, rings, and comparison to Earth. Good photos and illustrations. Thought provoking questions throughout. Includes table of contents, glossary and index. Provides metric and imperial measures.
Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - The Solar System
Grade 6 - Exploring Space
Urban Ecology (Print-Non-Fiction). Jennifer Cochrane. (Project Ecology). Wayland, East Sussex, England (NEL), 1987. 47 p. ISBN 0-85078-894-3 ($20.50 hdc.)
Investigates the natural environments of towns and cities. Concerned with air and water quality, garbage, and noise pollution. Shows plants, insects, invertebrates, birds, and wild mammals. Looks at plant succession and niches. Suggests bringing more nature into cities by allowing areas to go wild, and by creating ponds and gardens. Most sections are accompanied by an activity or experiment. Clearly written, good illustrations. Table of contents, glossary and index included. Metric measures.
Suggested Use:
Grade 5 - Resources
Grade 6 - Ecosystems; Plant and Animal Adaptations
Using Simple Machines (Filmstrip Kit). Walt Disney Educational Media Co., Burbank, California (MCI), 1986. 2 filmstrips, two 6 min. audiocassettes and a teacher's guide. Order No. 22610000 ($115.00 kit)
Students visit an artist's studio and are taught the basic physics of simple machines. Introduces students to the lever, inclined plane, wedge, screw and pulley. Illustrates how machines make work easier for people.
Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Simple Machines
Grade 5 - Machines and Work
Vancouver Aquarium (Print-Non-Fiction). Roy Tanami. Vancouver Aquarium (GSBP), 1989 48 p. ISBN 0-920045-53-7 ($5.96 pbk.)
Features superb vividly coloured photos of creatures from the Vancouver Aquarium. Each photo is accompanied by simple facts. The reading level is quite advanced, but students will enjoy the pictures. Metric measures.
Suggested Use:
Grade 2 - Oceans
Grade 5 - Oceans
Vanishing Animals of the World (Print-Non-Fiction). Clive Roots. (Wilderness Album Series). Hyperion Press, Winnipeg (HYP) 1988. 40 p. ISBN 0-920534-66-X ($5.95 pbk.)
Fascinating short stories about each animal are accompanied by scientific information and fine black and white illustrations. Discusses why animals became endangered and conservation measures. Written by director of Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg. Use with teacher's assistance for Grade 3. Table of contents included. Metric measures.
Suggested Use:
Grade 3 - Animals
Grade 5 - Communities and Ecosystems
Grade 6 - Ecosystems
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Print-Fiction Kit). Eric Carle. Scholastic-Tab, New York (SCH), 1983. 22 p. (7 copies of book and 3 p. teaching note) Order No. 00060-016 ($27.95 pbk. kit) Order No. 00120-1023 ($3.95 each)
An excellent introduction to studying caterpillars and their stages of growth. Also introduces counting and days of the week. The story of a hungry caterpillar who turns into a butterfly. Creative colour illustrations. Available individually or in packages of seven with teaching notes.
Suggested Use:
Kindergarten
Grade 1 - Animals
Veterinarian (Videotape). (Harriet's Magic Hats I Series). ACCESS Network, Calgary (MGR), 1980. 14:28 min. Available for duplication, Order No. V02361. Teacher's guide for series available, (BB) Order No. 5892 ($4.95 pbk.)
When Ralph, the parrot, becomes ill, Susan, the young student, takes him to a veterinarian. At the office, Susan learns that this doctor can treat animals for various injuries and diseases as well as offer counselling on how to care for pets. Series I is a bit dated, but could still be useful.
Suggested Use:
Kindergarten
Grade 1 - Animals
Grade 3 - Animals
Volcano (Print-Non-Fiction). Brian Knapp. (World Disasters Series). Steck-Vaughn, Austin, Texas (NEL), 1989. 48 p. ISBN 0-8114-2373-5 ($17.95 hdc.)
Explains in a fair amount of detail what causes these disasters, how to prepare for them, how to possibly prevent them and how to cope with them if necessary. Even includes a section about the benefits of disasters. Readable text, interesting photos. Table of contents, glossary and index included. Imperial measures.
Suggested Use:
Grade 6 - Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Volcanoes (Print-Non-Fiction). James Carson. (Planet Earth Series). Wayland, East Sussex, England (NEL), 1983. 48 p. ISBN 0-85078-295-3 ($17.95 hdc.)
Deals with how volcanoes form, why they erupt, what comes out of them, and the effects they have on the environment. Discusses types of eruptions, lava flows, volcanic shapes, plugs, dykes and sills, earth's core, major volcano zones, uses for volcanic heat, and ashes. Appropriate photos and diagrams. Clear text. Examples from around the world. Table of contents, glossary and index included. Provides metric and imperial measures.
Suggested Use:
Grade 6 - Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Volcanoes (Print-Non-Fiction). Hess-Inglin Translation Services. (Science and Its Secrets Series). Raintree Publishers (NEL), 1988. 64 p. ISBN 0-81723-081-5 ($19.50 hdc.) ISBN 0-81723-098-X ($12.40 pbk.)
Offers a variety of information regarding volcanoes. Explains what a volcano is and how one is formed. Answers numerous interesting questions relating to volcanology. Includes a table of contents, glossary and index. Metric and imperial measures are provided.
Suggested Use:
Grade 6 - Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Volcanoes and Earthquakes (Print-Non-Fiction). Basil Booth. (Our World Series). Wayland Publishers, Britain (NEL), 1988. 48 p. ISBN 1-85210-605-0 ($21.95 hdc.)
Describes volcanoes and earthquakes of the world, volcanic and earthquake zones, fumaroles, hot springs, geysers, and geothermal energy. Includes information about predicting earthquakes and volcanoes and their hazards. Clear photographs, and diagrams. Relevant to social studies. For grade six students with good reading skills. Includes table of contents, glossary and index. Metric measures.
Suggested Use:
Grade 6 - Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Volcanoes and Earthquakes (Print-Non-Fiction). Terry Jennings. (The Young Geographer Investigates Series). Oxford Press, England (OUP), 1988. 48 p. ISBN 0-19-917092-4 ($8.75 hdc.) ISBN 0-19-917086-X ($8.05 pbk.)
A clear practical introduction to earthquakes and volcanoes: how they are caused, where they happen, geysers, volcanic islands, historic earthquakes and volcanoes around the world, and preventing damage from them. Includes review questions and activities. Includes clear colour photos and illustrations, model making, creative writing. Relevant to geography. Table of contents and index included. Metric measures.
Suggested Use:
Grade 6 - Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Voyageurs Series (Videotape). Please refer to the title Digging Up the Past.