How Can Teachers Use It?
Overall, Builda the Re-Bicycler is a great way to introduce young kids to reusing. It also presents a great role model for young girls, as Builda is an engineer and business owner. As part of a print and digital book series called Tales from Midlandia, the book is set in the same imaginary community as the others in the series, all of which deal with "universal concepts and social situations." Builda the Re-Bicycler gently introduces young kids to the idea of reusing and remind us all of its importance.
Read More Read Less
What's It Like?
Editor's Note: Builda the Re-Bicycler has closed and is no longer available.
Builda the Re-Bicycler is an interactive book that teaches young kids the importance of reducing, recycling, and especially reusing. Perfect for lessons about Earth Day or any science or social studies lesson on environmental stewardship, the story centers on Builda, who owns a bike factory. Citizens were throwing bikes away, even if there was only one broken part or they simply wanted a new bike of a different color. Builda starts to reuse the parts from previously discarded bikes to fix other bikes rather than throwing them away. Through the story, kids learn that reusing keeps stuff out of landfills and reduces the need for new things. In addition to its environmental lessons, Builda can also facilitate early reading skills in read-to-me mode, where each word of the story is highlighted as it’s read. Three discussion questions at the end of the book help spark classroom discussion and encourage reader reflection.
First, choose a story mode for Builda the Re-Bicycler: auto-play, read-to-me, or read-by-myself. If the book is read by a narrator in auto-play or read-to-me modes, simply use the arrows to turn pages and view the words as they’re highlighted when spoken. Tap, swipe, or shake each page's interactive elements, and tap on the hidden "Inks" to find all seven. The menu bar at the bottom can be accessed on each page. Three discussion questions at the end of the book help parents further the lesson.
Read More Read Less
Is It Good For Learning?
While the message of a wasteful culture harming the environment may be serious, the story's cute illustrations keep it light. Still, this 14-page story isn't a quick read; some younger kids may have difficulty remaining engaged the entire time, even with the interactive elements. The only (small) irritant on this app is the music on the first few pages, which is hectic and seems out of place with the illustrations. Fortunately, the music settles down on subsequent pages.
Read More Read Less
The story includes interactive elements, like pushing bikes into the dump.
The app highlights words in read-to-me or auto-play modes.
The arrow tab at the bottom of each page opens to display options and settings.
Kids can jump to a specific page in this 14-page book.
Three discussion questions encourage kids to think about recycling and improving communities.
