BioEd Online

Mr. Slaptail's Curious Contraption

• Grades:
• K-2

Riff and Rosie, Mr. Slaptail, and their neighbor Beulah Diggerpaw have an adventure while learning about energy use.

Synopsis: Riff and Rosie can't wait to see what contraption Mr. Slaptail is building now—on his rooftop! While they investigate, an explosion occurs at the local coal mine. After mine owner Beulah Diggerpaw is rescued, she announces the mine will close. The coal mine fuels most of the energy needs in Bright Water Corners. What will they use for energy?

Mr. Slaptail's Curious Contraption also features informative science boxes that highlight related topics to discuss, such as solar energy, ozone, chemical reactions, wavelengths of light, coal as fuel, effects of burning fossil fuels and wood, and use of alternative energy sources. At the end of the book is an illustrated activity and a glossary of health and science terms for student and teacher use.

The book is an integrated component of the Global Atmospheric Change unit but may be used as a stand-alone reading activity or with the unit's reading/language arts and mathematics supplements:  Global Atmospheric Change: The Reading Link and Global Atmospheric Change: The Math Link.

This storybook may be used with students in other grade levels. They are most appropriate for use with students in grades 3–5.

Download: Mr. Slaptail's Curious Contraption