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Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings
By: Douglas Florian
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Copyright: 2009
Genre: Poetry, Nonfiction
Grade Level: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd
Brief Synopsis:
This book is full of dinosaurs,
Both carnivores and herbivores.
You'll find a big Iguanodon,
As well as a clever Tro-o-don.
There's Spinosaurus and T. rex,
Plus plesiosaurs with giant necks,
And others from an ancient age.
Want to learn more?
Then turn the page!
This book is loaded with poems about the different types of Dinosaurs that existed millions of years ago. It is not only educational, but poetry too!
About the Author:
Douglas Florian- he is the creator of many acclaimed picture books including Dinothesaurus, which received starred reviews in four major publications, Comet, Stars, The Moon and Mars, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year and Horn Book Fanfare List selection; Bow Wow Meow Meow, winner of the Gryphon Award and a Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year; and Lizards, Frogs and Polliwogs, a Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book. He lives with his family in New York.Themes: - Exploring the different types of dinosaurs that existed
- Using poetry to educate about dinosaurs
- Comparing and contrasting this extinct species
- Using poetry to educate about dinosaurs
- Comparing and contrasting this extinct species
Pre-Reading Activities:
- Begin unit on dinosaurs before reading any of these poems to the class. They will need prior knowledge to understand what is being said in the poems. Have students fill out a KWL chart about dinosurs. These charts will be evaluated and then whatever students lack knowledge in will be taught.
- Teach or review what EXTINCT means. Have a class discussion on the rug for this activity. We will work with a poster to brainstorm the definition of extinct and some examples of extinct things of the past.
- Begin unit on dinosaurs before reading any of these poems to the class. They will need prior knowledge to understand what is being said in the poems. Have students fill out a KWL chart about dinosurs. These charts will be evaluated and then whatever students lack knowledge in will be taught.
- Teach or review what EXTINCT means. Have a class discussion on the rug for this activity. We will work with a poster to brainstorm the definition of extinct and some examples of extinct things of the past.
Post Reading Activities:
- Have students pronounce the names of the dinosaurs with you. Florian writes in the correct pronounciation, and the students need to know how to use this to help them say the word out loud. Once we practice as a whole group have the students split off into partners to practice with each dinosaurs name.
- Students will pick one poem from this book. With their poem they will explain each line of the poem in their own words. Once they have found information about their dinosaur they will present the facts they found from the poem to the class. Some students will get the same poem, so as they present the class can see what differences they notice between each interpretation.
- Have students pronounce the names of the dinosaurs with you. Florian writes in the correct pronounciation, and the students need to know how to use this to help them say the word out loud. Once we practice as a whole group have the students split off into partners to practice with each dinosaurs name.
- Students will pick one poem from this book. With their poem they will explain each line of the poem in their own words. Once they have found information about their dinosaur they will present the facts they found from the poem to the class. Some students will get the same poem, so as they present the class can see what differences they notice between each interpretation.
Reflection: I like that this book can teach students about a particular topic in such a creative and fun way. This type of book can show students that nonfiction does not have to be dry fact after fact. The title of the book is playful in that you can get that it is like a thesaurus of dinosaurs. Also most dinosaurs end in saurus and it can be a play on this fact as well. Students could also have a continuation of this book by choosing a dinosaur from a poem and then research it. They can find out if the poem is completely factual, and also add to the information that was already presented to them in the poem. Dinothesaurus is very well thought out and would be a beneficial addition to and elementary classroom.
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