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School Library Journal
"This book offers dozens of activities for learning how our senses
work. One chapter is devoted to each of the five senses: each begins with a
suggested reading list, a poem that can be sung to a familiar song, and an
explanation for teachers. Youngsters are introduced to the basics of
scientific method by learning to predict outcomes, make observations, and draw
conclusions.
Each hands-on project is designed to be fun and to promote learning
through self-discovery. There are even suggestions for ways to experience
the loss of one of the senses. Each experiment includes an activity goal, a
sensory note, and hints for success. All have been tested in classrooms
and most require only simple materials. These great ideas should be
welcomed by classroom teachers."
BOOKWATCH Journal
"As a beginning book about the musculoskeletal system, WATCH ME
GROW introduces children to the scientific method: forming hypotheses,
observing, gathering materials, testing, measuring, recording data, and
drawing conclusions. Children ages five to nine learn about the
musculoskeletal system by doing sixty hands-on-activities that explore
the building blocks (cells), framework (bones), movements (muscles), and
connections (joints, tendons, and ligaments) of the human body.
Although many children's books provide information about the wonders of
the world, WATCH ME GROW actually enables children to learn through the
process of discovery, a method of scientific inquiry that they will use
for the rest of their lives. The format for each activity follows
the progression of scientific experimentation, but it is presented in language that young children understand, such as "Did you know?" (research and new
information), "You will need" (gathering materials), and
"What do you think?" that gives the students an opportunity to
use their scientific observations to draw conclusions.
The book is divided into four major sections: "Grow, Grow,
Grow" investigates cells and their development; "Bundles of
Bones" examines various human bones; "Mighty Muscles"
explores the human body's muscles; and "Connections" probes
into the roles of joints, ligaments, and tendons. Each section
begins with a poem that reinforces the concepts learned and that can be
sung to a familiar tune. A "Wonderful Words" page
defines potentially new vocabulary to a young reader; a page of
discussion on the topic provides the necessary basic information for
conducting the experiments; and reproducible patterns – a boon to
teachers – are included with many activities.
As in O'Brien-Palmer's other works – HEALTHY ME and SENSE-ABILITIES
– WATCH ME GROW includes activities that require simple materials that
are easy to complete. The descriptions include the activity goal
along with additional requirements such as when adult supervision may be
necessary or the optimum site for the activity. Notes such as
these take the guesswork out of lesson planning. As O'Brien-Palmer
suggests, many of the activities can be set up as learning centers to
expand and extend learning once they have been introduced by a parent or
a teacher.
Well written and accurately illustrated, WATCH ME GROW is a must for elementary science and health teachers. Successful field testing
of the activities ensures that the experiments work. Activities completed
in order guide students through the scientific process from hypothesis to
conclusion. In addition, each activity can be adapted to meet the needs of older or younger students.
O'Brien-Palmer's extensive experience in educational curriculum
development and design and her previous works have prepared her well. Her
expertise as a writer and as an educator make WATCH ME GROW a delightful
reading experience that teachers will see as a classroom
essential."
Homeschool Network
"Although most schools don't start covering biology until 5th grade
or older, this book has some fun things to do for K-3. If you are following
your kid's lead and they are asking about how the body works, this book can help
provide activities to help explore and observe this subject. There
are 60 hands-on games, experiments, and activities.
Some of the ones that particularly appeal to me are the Body Outlines on
butcher paper, the experiment with bones, vinegar, and milk, and baking "Cellular Delight" cookies to learn the parts of a cell."
KIDS Magazine
"Transforms educational lessons about cells, muscles, bones, and joints into
60 hands-on creative projects, games, and experiments kids will enjoy. The
activities are designed (and pre-tested) to be fun and simple, and to promote
learning by engaging children in a process of self-discovery."
The Journal of Homeschooling
"This book contains 60 activities that teach kids about the muscular-skeletal
system and the scientific method. It includes four units of study on cells,
bones, muscles, and joints that provide projects, games, and experiments so
that kids can learn through the process of self-discovery. Kids can even
make Trivia Cards that teach interesting facts and test what they know."
NEA, National Education Association
"The best way to teach young children about health and safety is to make a
game of it. HEALTHY ME offers creative projects, experiments, activities,
and recipes, such as the "silly stretch" or the "grime-busters soap-making"
activity. "
Chicago Union Teacher
"Two new books by Michelle O'Brien-Palmer are ideal for teaching
children about how their bodies grow and how to keep them healthy.
WATCH ME GROW provides activities that teach young people about cells, bones, muscles, and joints. HEALTHY ME, a companion text, provides
activities for developing good health and safety habits.
The two books are designed for children in kindergarten through grade
three.
Ms. O'Brien-Palmer has more than 20 years of experience in developing educational curricula. She is also the author of SENSE-ABILITIES
and several teacher resource guides. She works with students,
teachers, and parents in field-testing the information she includes in
her books."
Publishers Weekly
"Two activity books teach younger kids about health and their
bodies. The more than 70 projects in HEALTHY ME by Michelle O'Brien-Palmer
demonstrate why it's important to brush your teeth and to wear seatbelts
and helmets. She includes songs celebrating health and safety, set
to familiar tunes, as well as snack recipes and exercise games.
WATCH ME GROW, also by O'Brien-Palmer, uses a similar format of songs,
games and simple experiments. Minimal illustrations guide kids' exploration of the
musculoskeletal system."
PLAYS National Magazine
KIDS Magazine
"Transforms lessons about hygeine, health, nutrition, exercise, and
safety into 70 creative projects, recipes, and experiments kids will enjoy.
The activities are designed to be fun and simple, and to promote learning by
engaging children in a process of self-discovery."
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ALA (American Library Association) BOOKLIST
"Using methods based on the theories of Nancie Atwell, Lucy
McCormick Calkins and Donald Graves, O'Brien-Palmer offers how-to information concerning
the writing process. She presents a variety of options for prewriting,
drafting, revising, editing and publishing, and provides numerous student examples
of each. Chapters on book formats (accordion book, can book, journal,
pop-up book, shape book, and report) and reproducible student forms are
included as well. The author's direct, almost 'cookbook' approach to this topic
works well here and will be most welcomed by elementary teachers and
librarians not familiar with the details of the writers' workshop method."
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