The BP Oil Spill (A True Book: Disasters)
#3 in A true book Series
on Goodreads (20)
What’s inside...
Photographs, maps, time lines, and easy-to-follow text describe the events surrounding the 2010 British Petroleum/Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Discover the events surrounding the 2010 British Petroleum/Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A True Natural Disasters series investigates the events leading up to a disaster, explores the causes, and ponders how the events changed, or could alter, history. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study.
Discussion points
How do you think the animals and plants were affected by the oil spill?
What are some ways that people helped to clean up the oil spill?
Why do you think it is important to take care of our environment?
Can you think of ways we can prevent such disasters from happening in the future?
How do you feel about the response efforts after learning about the BP Oil Spill?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the discussion, briefly summarize the main points of the book to refresh your child’s memory.
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about what they've read and relate it to their everyday experiences.
Use a world map or globe to locate the Gulf of Mexico, helping your child to visualize where the events took place.
Discuss the importance of environmental conservation and how everyone can contribute to preventing such disasters.
Praise your child’s responses to encourage further discussion and deeper thinking about the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Environmental Responsibility
Explanation: The book details the catastrophic effects of the BP Oil Spill on wildlife and ecosystems, teaching children about the importance of taking care of our environment.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in activities like recycling, conserving water, and learning more about ways to protect nature.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Negligence
Explanation: Through the narrative of the spill, children learn how negligence and improper management can lead to disastrous outcomes, emphasizing the need for attentiveness and responsibility.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to always be mindful and attentive in their actions, whether it's in completing schoolwork, or during interactions with others.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork in Crisis Management
Explanation: The book demonstrates how various teams and organizations came together to manage the oil spill, underlining the power of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate effectively with others in their school projects or any team-based activities, understanding that collective efforts often yield better results.
Example Lesson: Science and Technology in Problem Solving
Explanation: The cleanup efforts highlighted in the book include various scientific methods and technologies used to mitigate the spill’s effects, showcasing the role of innovation in solving real-world problems.
Real-World Application: This lesson inspires children to appreciate science and technology, and encourages them to pursue knowledge in these fields to solve everyday problems.