Tools of Timekeeping: A Kid’s Guide to the History & Science of Telling Time (Tools of Discovery series) by Linda Formichelli and W. Eric Martin
Every once in awhile you stumble across a book that teaches you things you never expected. Tools of Timekeeping has been one of those books for me.
Linda Formichelli and W. Eric Martin delve into the history of telling time in a thorough and engaging way. Each page is filled with a compelling account of timekeeping through the ages and the people who changed it. They have tried to place each discovery or invention in the context of its period, so that children understand how problems are solved with every development. I was pleasantly surprised that I learned something new in every chapter.
Even better, 15 hands-on activities show kids how to build their own working water clocks, sundials, “sandglasses” (hourglasses), incense clocks and more. This is the part I found most enlightening. Although I had a vague idea how to make a sundial, Formichelli and Martin’s instructions help you make an incredibly accurate and detailed sundial, down to finding your latitude so you can get the angles correct. Later on they discuss how to make a close approximation with a hand sundial. I think it was important to show this the simpler one later, after the children had worked through how to make an accurate one and know how much really goes into it.
Hands-on activities assist any learner delve into the material more deeply and gain a better understanding of the concepts presented, but in the case of the hands-on or kinesthetic learner these activities are critical. This book presents activities that are spot-on relevant and extremely detailed, not just vague afterthoughts as is too often the case. The authors have made the abstract ideas come to life through these awesome projects.
In addition to all the new facts I picked up from this book, I realized something about myself. I realized I enjoyed being an art masterpiece volunteer because with each lesson we presented a relevant hands-on activity, having the kids draw, paint or sculpt. Also, I love science because after learning a concept or developing a question, it is time to do a hands-on experiment to test it out. This realization helps me focus on my strengths as a writer. Who would have thought reviewing a book could do that?
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Note: Older children and young adults would also find this book useful and appealing.
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Nomad Press (July 1, 2005)
ISBN-10: 0972202676
ISBN-13: 978-0972202671
Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. For more information, stop by Picture Book of the Day. This week’s post is at Write About Now.