GUEST BLOGGER SUZANNE SLADE
Coronaviruses in our world today
Covid-19 has changed life as we know it. Students are naturally curious about the mysterious coronavirus that causes Covid-19, which means they have a lot of questions. This new picture book about June Almeida, the woman who discovered the first human coronavirus, is a great way to engage and inspire your readers as they uncover answers to their questions!
Find out the facts: Studying coronavirus
Read June Almeida, Virus Detective! The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronaviruis.
Discuss the following questions with students:
- What challenges did June Almeida face?
- How did she pursue her love of science?
- How did powerful microscopes help June study viruses?
- Why did June and others name this new virus that she’d found “coronavirus?”
- What did you learn about coronaviruses that surprised you?
Share what you know about June’s coronavirus journey
A summary is a short version of a longer story.
Check out this book trailer summary of JUNE ALMEIDA, VIRUS DETECTIVE!
Then, write a paragraph summary telling others what you know about scientist June Almeida.
Compare sources about June
Ask students to read this Washington Post KidsPost article about June Almeida.
Thank discuss what new facts students discovered from this news article.
Ask students to compare how the picture book about June Almeida was different than the Kidspost news article. (Consider writing style, vocabulary, artwork/illustrations, facts, etc.)
Extra coronavirus resources
Coronavirus Activity Booklet (created by Stony Brook Children’s Hospital)
Brainpop Coronavirus Movie: Click “movie” icon to watch (4 minutes long)
Brainpop Make-A-Map: Ask students create a spider map using the following question at the top of the map: “What is the coronavirus and how can we contain it?”
Then ask students to watch the movie again and identify and connect facts about the new coronavirus, including what it is, how it spread, and tips for stopping its spread. Evidence can include text, images, and movie clips.
Suzanne Slade is the Sibert Honor author of over 140 children’s books. As a mechanical engineer, she ofter writes about women in STEM. Other recent titles include A COMPUTER CALLED KATHERINE: HOW KATHERINE JOHNSON HELPED PUT AMERICA ON THE MOON (NSTA Best STEM Book), EXQUISITE: THE POETRY AND LIFE OF GWENDOLYN BROOKS, and OUT OF SCHOOL AND INTO NATURE: THE ANNA COMSTOCK STORY (NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book).
- Website: suzanneslade.com
- Twitter: @AuthorSSlade
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