"This [book] would liven up a science curriculum no end, and it might also convince young readers
to go beyond the elemental pleasures of 'Ew, gross' to the more sophisticated appreciation of 'Wow,
cool.'" — The Bulletin, starred review
"Montgomery has a gift for scene-setting [and] deftly weaves clear explanations into the main text.
Bishop's phenomenal photos show spiders mating, shedding their skin, even leaping through the air. It's
enough to make Miss Muffet fall in love." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
The following activties were written by Leigh Lewis, an elementary school teacher in Wynne, Arkansas.
Picture a Tarantula is an activity that builds
observation skills. Students will listen to a description
of a Goliath birdeater tarantula and draw a picture
from that description. This activity points out the
importance of detail. It links science, reading/literacy,
and art in a way that students love!
Classify, Classify, Classify is an activity that can
be utilized in a variety of ways. Students will hear how
living organisms are classified, and then they will look
at the animals pictured in the book and decide how
they should be classified. This is truly an adventure!
Once students collect the data, they will organize the
information in tables and graphs. Students can do this
individually or in groups. This activity links math,
science, and technology.
Creature Search is an activity that combines
science, writing, and reading. Students will be given a
topic from
The Tarantula Scientist to research. They
will then do a written and oral report. As an added
bonus students will be learning about many fascinating
plants and animals that live in the jungles and
rainforests that are rapidly being destroyed.
The
Spider Crossword Puzzle is a fun conclusion
to a great book. Students will read
The Tarantula
Scientist, and then put all of their newly acquired
knowledge to use by filling in the puzzle.
