Image: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Condor Comeback by Sy Montgomery. Photographs by Tianne Strombeck. 80 p. Scientists in the Field Series. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, July, 2020. 9780544816536. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)
Happy Friday! We made it! It's Friday! My students all continue to remain patient and flexible as 2020 continues to dish up challenges. Yesterday, we pivoted to all-virtual learning for the great snowstorm that wasn't. We had snow, about six inches, but not the foot to foot and a half that was promised. I felt sorry that students didn't get a snow day. Nothing boosts the spirits like a snow day. Oh well. With virtual learning platforms, the snow day may become obsolete.
I look for ways to tell my student to pat yourself on the back and I offer a virtual high five. I'm am always thrilled when I see them doing so on my zoom screen. Three school days until break!
Fact Friday features Condor Comeback by Sy Montgomery. This is one of the newest entries in The Scientist in the Field series I write so often about. In 1982, there were just 12 California Condors left in the wild. What do conservation scientists do when an animal is on the brink of extinction? Ms. Montgomery, veteran science writer, informs us in captivating detail.
First, conservationists and zoos got together to start a breeding program. Next, the magnificent creatures had to be introduced to the wild and studied. Each year, the birds are captured and examined to check their health, especially to check for levels of lead. The terrain these scientists have to traverse is rough and there are other challenges, like holding a thrashing bird that is roughly the size of a large sofa still for examination!
As usual, there are plenty of fascinating full-color photographs as well as maps and charts to pore over. Additionally, the back matter contains suggestions for readers who'd like to learn more. This series is an auto-purchase for me. I happen to love science. I created a unit for seventh graders just so this series would get the readership it deserved.
Fact Friday features Condor Comeback by Sy Montgomery. This is one of the newest entries in The Scientist in the Field series I write so often about. In 1982, there were just 12 California Condors left in the wild. What do conservation scientists do when an animal is on the brink of extinction? Ms. Montgomery, veteran science writer, informs us in captivating detail.
First, conservationists and zoos got together to start a breeding program. Next, the magnificent creatures had to be introduced to the wild and studied. Each year, the birds are captured and examined to check their health, especially to check for levels of lead. The terrain these scientists have to traverse is rough and there are other challenges, like holding a thrashing bird that is roughly the size of a large sofa still for examination!
As usual, there are plenty of fascinating full-color photographs as well as maps and charts to pore over. Additionally, the back matter contains suggestions for readers who'd like to learn more. This series is an auto-purchase for me. I happen to love science. I created a unit for seventh graders just so this series would get the readership it deserved.
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