Finding Out About Dinosaurs
Space Explorers Series
What’s inside...
Follows scientists and their approaches to discovery to explain how they know what they do about these prehistoric reptiles. The book is authored by Kate Petty.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-2
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like if dinosaurs still roamed the earth today?
Which dinosaur in the book was your favorite, and why?
How do you think dinosaurs communicated with each other?
What can we learn from studying dinosaurs and how they lived?
If you could be a dinosaur for a day, which one would you choose and what would you do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine being in the world of dinosaurs, asking them how they would feel and what they would see.
Link discussions to the illustrations in the book to help visualize the concepts being discussed.
Use the names of different dinosaurs mentioned in the book to quiz your child playfully, making learning both fun and interactive.
Relate the dinosaurs' habitats and behaviors to modern animals where possible, to provide context and deepen understanding.
Praise your child’s responses and insights, fostering a positive reading and learning environment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: Kate Petty's 'Finding Out About Dinosaurs' nurtures a child's natural curiosity about the prehistoric world, encouraging them to explore and learn about the different species of dinosaurs and their habitats.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child’s everyday life by inspiring them to ask questions and seek answers about the world around them, whether it’s about animals, nature, or any other area of interest.
Example Lesson: Understanding Extinction and Environmental Change
Explanation: The book educates children on how dinosaurs became extinct and the environmental changes that contributed to this, promoting an early awareness of ecological balance and the impact of environmental changes.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of caring for their environment to prevent damage and promote sustainability, making them more conscious about recycling, conserving water, and other eco-friendly practices.
Example Lesson: Patience and Perseverance
Explanation: Through the detailed process of how paleontologists discover and reconstruct dinosaur bones, children learn the values of patience and perseverance.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to develop persistence in their own lives, whether it's completing a challenging puzzle, learning a new skill, or working on a long-term project.
Example Lesson: Respect for Science and History
Explanation: The book emphasizes the importance of scientific methods and historical knowledge in piecing together the lives of creatures that lived millions of years ago.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this respect for science and history in their academic subjects, showing greater interest and understanding in these areas, fostering a lifelong love for learning.