Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record (Book 3)



Last updated Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Author: Annie Barrows
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Date of Publication: 2007
ISBN: 0811856836
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2024

Synopsis: World record fever grips the second grade, and soon Ivy and Bean are trying to set their own record by becoming the youngest people to have ever discovered a dinosaur. But how hard is it to find one?

Note to readers:
•  This book does start out slowly, introducing the story and the characters. For time purposes, you may want to start at page 55, explaining about the World Record competition and going from there.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Where do you think fossils are found?
•  How deep do you think you'd have to dig for a fossil?
•  Have you ever seen a fossil?

Vocabulary
•  Record - The best performance of its kind.
•  Fossil - The preserved remains of a prehistoric plant or animal.
•  Paleontologist - People who study and dig for fossils.
•  Ichthyosaur - A marine reptile of the Mesozoic era.
•  Museum - A place to store and exhibit art and objects of cultural value.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What World Record do you think you could break?
•  What is going on right now where people are breaking records? (The Olympics!)

Craft ideas:
•  Make a fossil dig or dino habitat with sand and plastic dinos or bones (use paper or other crafts materials if that is all you have available).
•  Dino Bookmarks: https://artsycraftsymom.com/paper-dinosaur-bookmarks/
•  TP Roll Dinosaur: https://www.yourmodernfamily.com/dinosaur-out-of-toilet-paper-rolls/
or https://www.thecrafttrain.com/toilet-roll-dinosaurs/

Special activities:
•  There are several other World Records mentioned in the book, besides the fossil finding, like the spoon hanging. It would be fun to allow the kids to compete to see who can be the best at an event or hide some dinos and/or bones around the room for the kids to "search" for and award them the "World Record"...for their class!

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!