Linda -

Eyewitness Books puts out a great series for children that includes a book
on Arms and Armor.  The explanations are clear and to the point, and there
are many full-color illustrations.  You should be able to get it at your
local bookstore.

Deborah Bain

Wilson, Linda wrote:

> Hi folks
> Apologies for cross-listings
>
> I attended the Visitor Studies conference this past summer in Washington
> D.C. and of course bought stuff for friends and family.  I sent my 10
> year old nephew a replica of  the ammunition used in the Civil War and a
> map of the Washington D.C. area, hoping to spark an interest in this
> part of history.
>
> Nope, he became intrigued by the "powder" in the bag and had questions
> about what actually happened in the gun.
>
> What activities or books would you creative folks recommend I read or do
> with Brad to help him understand how guns work (outside of the boy's
> suggestion that we find a Civil War gun and try it out!)
>
> Since I'm such a constructivist and proponent of educational reform Brad
> always decides the direction of our investigations and I bring in stuff.
> After we finish with how guns and bullets work we might end up looking
> at other types of explosions (including gasoline engines in cars or the
> technology of other weapons or what happens to people when they are
> injured or who knows what.
>
> I just love the turns a child's mind takes, don't you?
>
> Linda Wilson
> Visitor Studies and Evaluation
> Shedd Aquarium, Chicago IL
> 312 362 3261
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