FIRST CHAPTER FRIDAY | 3 Weeks in the Rainforest by Jennifer Swanson + Author Interview
What could a team of scientists discover in just THREE WEEKS in the Amazon rainforest?
Today's First Chapter Friday read aloud takes us out of the classroom and straight into the field with 3 Weeks in the Rainforest: A Rapid Inventory in the Amazon by Jennifer Swanson—a fascinating, photo-filled middle grade nonfiction STEM book that gives readers a front-row seat to real scientific fieldwork!
And stick around after our reading for a special interview with author Jennifer Swanson as we talk about science, research, writing nonfiction, and the incredible real-life work behind this book.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Deep in the Amazon rainforest, scientists are racing against the clock. They have just three weeks to explore, observe, count, photograph, collect, and record as much information as possible about the plants, animals, ecosystems, and communities around them.
It's called a rapid inventory, and the information they gather can help protect some of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Readers follow a women-led team from Chicago's Field Museum working alongside local and Indigenous scientists and community members in Colombia. Biologists trek through mud and rain searching for everything that **flies, swims, crawls, slithers, and walks**, while social scientists visit communities to learn from the people who know and care for the land.
And this isn't just a pretend science expedition—it's REAL. Over more than two decades, Field Museum rapid inventory teams have helped conserve **28.9 MILLION acres of the Amazon rainforest!**
SCIENCE & STEM TEACHERS: This book is an awesome way to show students what scientists actually DO in the field. Readers see researchers studying biodiversity, identifying species, collecting specimens, gathering evidence, working with communities, and using data to make a real-world case for conservation.
ELA TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS: 3 Weeks in the Rainforest is also a fantastic example of engaging narrative nonfiction for kids. Photos, fascinating facts, real scientists, adventure, and a race against time make this a strong choice for students who love animals, nature, science, exploration, and informational books.
It's a natural springboard for cross-curricular conversations about ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation, environmental science, scientific research, evidence, nonfiction text features, and careers in STEM.
Watch the first chapter, then stick around to meet Jennifer Swanson and learn more about the story behind the science!
MORE FIRST CHAPTER FRIDAY!
First Chapter Friday Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB
FIRST CHAPTER FRIDAY CLASSROOM RESOURCES
FULL First Chapter Friday Worksheet Bundle: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Aloud-Videos-Engaging-Middle-School-Reading-Resource-8469855
⭐ Find even more middle school ELA resources, book recommendations, and student engagement ideas inside Word Nerd Collaborative: www.wordnerdcollaborative.com
#FirstChapterFriday #3WeeksInTheRainforest #JenniferSwanson #AmazonRainforest #Rainforest #STEMBooks #STEMEducation #ScienceTeachers #MiddleGradeNonfiction #NonfictionForKids #EnvironmentalScience #MiddleSchoolELA #SchoolLibrarians #ReadingEngagement #ScienceBooksForKids
What could a team of scientists discover in just THREE WEEKS in the Amazon rainforest?
Today's First Chapter Friday read aloud takes us out of the classroom and straight into the field with 3 Weeks in the Rainforest: A Rapid Inventory in the Amazon by Jennifer Swanson—a fascinating, photo-filled middle grade nonfiction STEM book that gives readers a front-row seat to real scientific fieldwork!
And stick around after our reading for a special interview with author Jennifer Swanson as we talk about science, research, writing nonfiction, and the incredible real-life work behind this book.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Deep in the Amazon rainforest, scientists are racing against the clock. They have just three weeks to explore, observe, count, photograph, collect, and record as much information as possible about the plants, animals, ecosystems, and communities around them.
It's called a rapid inventory, and the information they gather can help protect some of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Readers follow a women-led team from Chicago's Field Museum working alongside local and Indigenous scientists and community members in Colombia. Biologists trek through mud and rain searching for everything that **flies, swims, crawls, slithers, and walks**, while social scientists visit communities to learn from the people who know and care for the land.
And this isn't just a pretend science expedition—it's REAL. Over more than two decades, Field Museum rapid inventory teams have helped conserve **28.9 MILLION acres of the Amazon rainforest!**
SCIENCE & STEM TEACHERS: This book is an awesome way to show students what scientists actually DO in the field. Readers see researchers studying biodiversity, identifying species, collecting specimens, gathering evidence, working with communities, and using data to make a real-world case for conservation.
ELA TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS: 3 Weeks in the Rainforest is also a fantastic example of engaging narrative nonfiction for kids. Photos, fascinating facts, real scientists, adventure, and a race against time make this a strong choice for students who love animals, nature, science, exploration, and informational books.
It's a natural springboard for cross-curricular conversations about ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation, environmental science, scientific research, evidence, nonfiction text features, and careers in STEM.
Watch the first chapter, then stick around to meet Jennifer Swanson and learn more about the story behind the science!
MORE FIRST CHAPTER FRIDAY!
First Chapter Friday Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB
FIRST CHAPTER FRIDAY CLASSROOM RESOURCES
FULL First Chapter Friday Worksheet Bundle: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Aloud-Videos-Engaging-Middle-School-Reading-Resource-8469855
⭐ Find even more middle school ELA resources, book recommendations, and student engagement ideas inside Word Nerd Collaborative: www.wordnerdcollaborative.com
#FirstChapterFriday #3WeeksInTheRainforest #JenniferSwanson #AmazonRainforest #Rainforest #STEMBooks #STEMEducation #ScienceTeachers #MiddleGradeNonfiction #NonfictionForKids #EnvironmentalScience #MiddleSchoolELA #SchoolLibrarians #ReadingEngagement #ScienceBooksForKids