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This is a fascinating 30 page book full of photographs, many of them full page and all in color, of recess at a school in Alaska during the wintertime. The author is a teacher as well as a photographer. There are photographs of the kids putting on the layers of clothing for recess, sledding, playing on the typical playground equipment that is nearly buried in snow, then returning inside, and the piles of discarded clothing. There are photos of frozen eyelashes, walking to school in the dark, and more.
Along with the photos are tidbits of information about life in Alaska in the winter - wild animals that visit the school, a hand drawn map of Alaska, and details about the difficulties of doing the typical recess activities. A free study guide to go along with the book is available online which includes language arts, science, math, and art to make a mini-unit study all in itself. The science and art activities could be done and enjoyed by upper elementary children with minimal assistance, but also could be enjoyed by lower elementary children with assistance. The math is 1st to 2nd grade level, but ideas easily come to mind for more difficult math activities that would tie into geography with a little outside research.
This book is for lower elementary to upper elementary, but even adults enjoy the photographs. I greatly enjoyed looking through it and it makes a great read aloud to younger children with the colorful large photographs. The fact that it is of real children in a real situation make it even more fascinating.
-- Product Review by Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC, March, 2006
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