Whoosh Knowledge Gateways

 

Crayon drawing of Old Faithful

Additional Whoosh Resources

Homeschoolers and all dedicated parents, welcome to Whoosh Knowledge Gateways!

A reminder of BioFables’ 5-tier knowledge category structure:

    • 1. Core Disciplines: Sciences, Humanities, Values/Behaviors
      • 2. Knowledge Gateways (Color-coded examples: Earth/Space Science, History, Spirit)
        • 3.  Discovery Paths (Example: Geology, a Discovery Path of Earth/Space Science)
          • 4. Discovery Path Branches (Example: Geysers, a Discovery Path Branch of Geology)
            • 5. Knowledge Nuggets: Titles of specific mini- or pop-up lessons (Example: Geyser ingredients)

In this page you’ll find four sets of tables and lists; these are tools for helping you help your children derive the greatest benefit from reading Whoosh:

      1. Whoosh, by chapter: Sciences, Humanities, Values/Behaviors
      2. Sciences content
      3. Humanities content
      4. Values/Behaviors content

The figure below shows how the tables and lists relate to BioFables’ 5-tier structure. The size of the circles  represent the increasing number of distinct knowledge components.

 

Tiers 1 and 2 have specific numbers of categories: three Core Disciplines, and seven Knowledge Gateways that are specific to one of the three Core Disciplines. The seven Knowledge Gateways are further identified as Basic, Hybrid and Applied (see List 1, below). You and your young readers likely will be most interested in Tier 5, Knowledge Nuggets. This 5-tier structure will help you trace lessons back through the earlier tiers to their learning origins.


NOTE: Please be aware that tiers 2-5  are unique to each book; category names typically use words that children would understand (e.g. plants), rather than formal terminology (e.g. botany). In addition, the following lists and tables do not represent a complete list of Sciences, Humanities and Values/Behaviors core disciplines, but rather those that specifically appear in Whoosh.


Whoosh, by Chapter

TABLE 1, Whoosh  is arranged chapter-by-chapter. It’s a good way to get a mental picture of  the entire book, especially the chapter descriptions and links to additional resources (child-friendly links are in orange). This table incorporates the three Core Disciplines, their Knowledge Gateways and Discovery Paths (Tiers 1-3).

The rows in the left column of the table, highlighted in light green, show the Chapter number and the chapter’s pages; following the highlighted row is a quick chapter overview and occasional resource links to relevant sites for further investigation (links to child-friendly sites are in orange).

The right column rows, highlighted in light green, show the chapter’s title. The chapter’s color-coded Knowledge Gateways, with their associated Discovery Paths, appear beneath each chapter title.

TABLE 1.  Whoosh by Chapter: Sciences, Humanities and Values/Behaviors
CHAPTER: Page Numbers
CHAPTER TITLES
Brief Chapter Description; Resource Links Knowledge Gateways (in color); Discovery Paths
Helpful Hints
Chapter 1: Pages 1-4
Old Faithful = “Old Faceful?”
It felt warm and wonderful when “Old Faceful” steam surrounded Melody, but even a few stray droplets stung and left red spots her twin brother’s bare skin.

Old Faithful Area
Geysers at Yellowstone

  • Earth, Space Science
    • Geology
  • Society
    • Family relationships
  • Morals/Ethics
    • Honesty/Truth
  • People
    • Parental Responsibility
    • Concern for Others
    • Sibling Teasing
Chapter 2: Pages 4-8
Old Faithful Behaves
Mom’s graceful yoga “dance” keeps time with the erupting geyser, with Mom and geyser both earning the applause of other visitors.

Microorganisms

  • Biology
    • Microbes/bacteria
  • Earth, Space Science
    • Geography
  • Health
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Exercise
  • Learning/Knowledge/Skills
    • Exploration
  • People
    • Parental Responsibility
    • Generosity
Chapter 3: Pages 9-12
Bubbling Along the Boardwalk
A nature trail like no other…bubbles and burps, hissing and splashing… unexpected colors that belonged to fields of wild flowers, not water and mud.
  • Earth, Space Science
    • Geology
  • Language
    • Sounds and Spelling
  • Emotions
    • Sense of Humor
  • Mind
    • Sense of Wonder
    • Word Games
  • Body
    • Balance/Stability
  • People
    • Parental Responsibility
    • Respect
  • Planet
    • Research
Chapter 4: Pages 13-18
Nature: A Closer Look
Dr. Ethyl reveals some of the mystery of what’s going on just under the boardwalk as the Maloney family walks the planks a second time.

Geysers (Wikipedia)
How Volcanoes Work
Types of Yellowstone Geysers

  • Chemistry
    • Molecules
    • Elements
    • Forms
  • Earth, Space Science
    • Geology
  • Language
    • Word Derivations
    • Classic Literature
  • Arts
    • Drawing
  • Mind
    • Visualization
  • Learning/Knowledge/Skills
    • Sharing Knowledge
    • Acquiring Knowledge
  • People
    • Hospitality
Chapter 5: Pages 19-23
All Steamed Up
Water and steam: same H2O. BUT…how about that huge difference in distance between water and steam molecules?
  • Chemistry
    • Molecules
    • Forms
  • Math
    • Comparisons
  • Learning/Knowledge/Skills
    • Sharing Knowledge
    • Acquiring Knowledge
Chapter 6: Page 24-28
How Hot Is Hot?
Water, boiling water, steam, superheated water: geysers have all these forms of H2O, but that’s not all. Dr. Ethyl starts with Mallory’s diagram of an underground teapot to explain how geysers work.
  • Physics
    • Heat, Temperature, Pressure
  • Earth, Space Science
    • Geology
  • Language
    • Classic Literature
  • Arts
    • Writing
    • Singing
    • Drawing
  • Morals/Ethics
    • Honesty/Truth
  • Emotions
    • Sense of Humor
  • Mind
    • Visualization
  • Body
    • Balance/Stability
Chapter 7: Pages 29-34
Living Thermometers
Could anything live in these brightly colored, steaming water? Would you believe microbes, their colors revealing how hot they prefer their baths?

Extremophiles (Wikipedia)

  • Biology
    • Microbes/Bacteria
    • Plants
  • Technology
    • Microscopes (Physics: Optics)
  • Language
    • Word Derivations
  • Life Skills
    • Creativity
  • Emotions
    • Sense of Humor
    • Disappointment
  • Mind
    • Visualization
Chapter 8: Pages 35-39
pH? What’s That?
It’s not only heat that these extremophile microbes love, it’s also the extreme acidity or alkalinity (the other side of the acidity scale).

What is pH?

  • Chemistry
    • Forms
    • Functions
  • Work, Careers
    • Dreams for the Future
  • Learning/Knowledge/Skills
    • Sharing Knowledge
    • Acquiring Knowledge
  • People
    • Respect
    • Gratitude
Chapter 9: Pages 40-46
Telling Grandpa Mike about Yellowstone
Reviewing some of what they learned at Yellowstone with Grandpa Mike, the twins accidentally reveal Melody’s extremophile-like experience.
  • Mind
    • Intuition
  • Learning/Knowledge/Skills
    • Sharing Knowledge
Chapter 10: Pages 47-48
Next Adventure
The twins look forward to “meeting” lots of animals, Mom’s cousin who runs a family farm and driving a special experimental car to Southern Illinois.  

 

The Core Disciplines in Whoosh LIST 1 are presented with their Knowledge Gateways and Discovery Paths (Tiers 1-3) in side-by-side columns. We’ve grouped each of the Knowledge Gateways and their Discovery Paths into Basic (foundational knowledge), Hybrid (relevant both to Basic and Applied Discovery Paths), and Applied (using basic or hybrid principles for practical, real-world purposes).

LIST 1.  Whoosh Overview: Sciences, Humanities and Values/Behaviors
SCIENCES HUMANITIES VALUES/BEHAVIORS

BASIC

  • Biology
    • Microbes/Bacteria
    • Plants
  • Chemistry
    • Molecules
    • Elements
    • Forms
    • Functions
  • Physics
    • Heat, Temperature
  • Earth, Space Science
    • Geology
    • Geography

HYBRID

  • Math
    • Measurements
    • Comparisons

APPLIED

  • Technolgy
    • Microscopes (Physics: Optics)

BASIC

  • People
    • Family Relationships
    • People Relationships
  • Language
    • Sounds and Spelling
    • Word Derivations
    • Play on Words
    • Guessing Games
    • Classic Literature
  • History
      • Locations
  • Health
    • Exercise
    • Food and Nutrition
    • FEAST

HYBRID

  • Arts
    • Writing
    • Drawing
    • Singing
    • Ideas/Creativity

APPLIED

  • Work, Careers
    • Dreams for the Future
    • Musician
    • Biologist
    • Explorer
    • Tai Chi Instructor
    • Wellness Guide
    • Chemist
    • Microbiologist

BASIC

  • Body
    • Balance/Stability
    • Natural Movement
  • Mind
    • Sense of Wonder
    • Word Games
    • Visualization
    • Intuition
    • Inferring Meaning of Words
  • Spirit
    • Honesty/Truth
  • Emotions
    • Concern for Others
    • Sense of Humor
    • Disappointment

HYBRID

  • Learning/Knowledge/Skills
    • Exploration
    • Sharing Knowledge
    • Acquiring Knowledge

APPLIED

  • People
    • Parental Responsibility
    • Sibling Teasing
    • Concern for Others
    • Generosity
    • Respect
    • Gratitude
    • Hospitality
    • Keeping in Touch
  • Planet
    • Research

The next three sets of lists and tables compile the Sciences, Humanities and Values/Behaviors content for the entire Whoosh book.  Bulleted lists of Knowledge Gateways, with their associated Discovery Paths, offer a quick glance at category tiers 1-3 appearing in Whoosh. Their associated tables incorporate all 5 category tiers, including brief definitions of the Knowledge Gateways and instances of the specific Knowledge Nuggets (lessons) within each Core Discipline.


Whoosh Sciences Core Discipline

 

Whoosh List 2 is an at-a-glance bulleted list, offering a quick look at the Sciences Knowledge Gateways in bold, followed by their Discovery Paths that appear in Whoosh.

Whoosh LIST 2.  Sciences Knowledge Gateways and Discovery Paths
      • Biology: Microbes/Bacteria; Plants
      • Chemistry: Molecules; Elements; Forms; Functions
      • Physics: Heat, Temperature, Pressure
      • Earth, Space Science: Geology; Geography
      • Math: Measurements; Comparisons
      • Technology: Physics (Optics)

Whoosh TABLE 2 includes the major Sciences KNOWLEDGE GATEWAYS (light green background) occurring in all the chapters of Whoosh.

LEFT COLUMN

KNOWLEDGE GATEWAYS appear in alphabetical order. The rows below each Knowledge Gateway name one or more of its associated Discovery Paths (indented); Discovery Path Branches, where they occur, are further indented below the Discovery Path. These categories represent increasingly-specific subjects.

RIGHT COLUMN

Brief definitions of each Sciences Knowledge Gateway help to recognize subjects related to the Gateway.  Definitions of Discovery Paths that are split into more-detailed groups in the left column are identified by a yellow background. Knowledge Nuggets offer the most specific information or lessons.

Whoosh TABLE 2.  Sciences Content
KNOWLEDGE GATEWAYS
Brief Definitions: Knowledge Gateways/Discovery Paths
Discovery Paths/Path Branches
Discovery Path Branches; Knowledge Nuggets
BIOLOGY Life and living things
Microbes/Bacteria Living thermometers: Extremophile colors show hot spring temperature {Ch. 7, pp. 29-34}
Plants Converting daylight to energy through photosynthesis {Ch 7, p. 34}
CHEMISTRY Substances, their structure, behavior, interactions
Molecules What is that awful smell? Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) {Ch. 4, p. 15}
Elements; Forms Same water elements (H2O), different states: liquid, gas (steam) [solid (ice)] {Ch. 5, p. 20}
Functions pH: Chemical condition of a solution, from 0 to 14 (H2O = 7, neutral) {Ch. 8, pp. 35-37; Ch. 9, p. 41}
PHYSICS Properties and nature of matter and energy
Heat, Temperature, Pressure What do guysers and pressure cookers have in common? Superheated steam! {Ch. 6, p. 25}
EARTH, SPACE SCIENCE Related to planet Earth and beyond
Geology Earth’s physical structure, substance, history, processes
     Geysers What are geyser ingredients? H2O, molten rock (magma), cracks in solid rock  {Ch. 6, p. 26-27}
     Hot springs Don’t put your brushes into these paint pots, plan a fun fight in these mud pots, or try to enjoy a steam bath in a fumerole! {Ch. 4, p. 16}
     Volcanoes, calderas Volcano: A mountain or hill with a vent that allows hot lava, rock and gases to erupt from the earth’s crust; after the eruption, a collapse causes a depression or caldera {Ch. 4, p. 17}
Geography Continents, countries, oceans/other waters, and their features
     Wyoming, Chicago Yellowstone is about 1,400 miles west/northwest of Chicago by road and about 1190 by air {Helpful Hints}
MATH Numbers, quantities and analysis
Measurements Size, length and amount, either actual or estimated {Ch. 9, pp. 42-43}
Comparisons Rules of thumb help to relate big and little things {Ch. 9, p. 44}
TECHNOLOGY Tools (products) and techniques using science
Microscopes (Physics: Optics) You can see things with a microscope that are otherwise invisible {Ch. 2, p. 6; Ch. 6, p. 22; Ch. 7, pp. 32-33}

Whoosh Humanities Core Discipline

Whoosh LIST 3 is an at-a-glance bulleted list. It offers  a quick look at the Humanities Knowledge Gateways in bold, followed by their Discovery Paths that appear in Whoosh.

Whoosh LIST 3.  Humanities Knowledge Gateways and Discovery Paths
      • Language: Sounds and Spelling; Word Derivations; Classic Literature
      • History: Locations
      • Health: FEAST
      • Arts: Writing; Play on Words; Singing; Rhythmic Movements; Ideas
      • Work, Careers: Musician; Biologist; Explorer; Tai Chi Instructor; Wellness Guide; Chemist; Microbiologist

Whoosh TABLE 3 includes the major Humanities Knowledge Gateways (light green background) occurring in all the chapters of Whoosh.

The left column shows each Knowledge Gateway and one or more associated Discovery Paths. Discovery Path Branches, where they occur, appear indented below the major Discovery Path. These branches (and sometimes sub-branches) are divisions of the major Discovery Path; they represent increasingly-specific fields.

The right column offers brief definitions of each Humanities Knowledge Gateway. Following each Knowledge Gateway are Knowledge Nuggets (mini- or pop-up lessons). These lessons correspond to the Discovery Path and any Discovery Path Branches that appear directly across in the the left column.

Whoosh TABLE 3.  Humanities Content
KNOWLEDGE GATEWAYS
Brief Definitions: Knowledge Gateways
Discovery Paths
Discovery Path Branches; Knowledge Nuggets
LANGUAGE Means of communication
Sounds and Spelling Guy Sir or geyser? Are there Gal Ma’ams? (Guys and, um Gals?) {Ch. 3, p. 10}
Word Derivations Celestine Pool looks celestial blue {Ch. 4, p. 14}
Cyanobacter microbes are named from Greek color greenish-blue {Ch. 7, p. 33}
Geothermal: Geo (earth) thermal (heat); Greek “earth heat” {Ch. 4, p. 17}
Caldera (circular indentation in the ground): from Spanish cauldron or large circular pot {Ch. 4, p. 18}
Extremeophile microbes love temperature extremes {Ch. 7, p. 31}
Classic Literature “Fire burn and cauldron bubble” (Macbeth: Shakespeare) {Ch. 4, p. 18
King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, Knights of the Round Table {Ch. 6, p. 26}
HISTORY Information about the past
Locations Yellowstone: World’s first National Park, established in 1872 {Ch. 4, p. 14}
HEALTH Level of well-being
FEAST Mom’s philosophy: Food Exercise Attitude Sleep Timing {Ch. 4, p. 14}
ARTS Creative skills and their expression
Writing Writing new words to familiar tunes {Ch. 6, p. 28}
Play on Words Dr. Ethyl A. Shun names a small geyser Sir Splashalot {Ch. 6, p. 26}
Singing What do “Twinkle, twinkle little star” and “Baa, Baa Black Sheep” have in common? {Ch. 6, p. 28}
Rhythmic Movements Onlookers applaud Mom’s Tai Chi duet with Old Faithful {Ch. 2, p. 7}
Ideas A color-coded thermometer to identify extremophile bacteria presence {Ch. 7, p. 34}
WORK/CAREERS/ROLE MODELS
Productive activity to earn an income or give back to society
Musician 7-year-old Melody’s interest is suggested by her name {Ch. 8, p. 38}
Biologist Melody’s science interest is sparked by colorful microbes {Ch. 8, p. 38}
Explorer Melody’s twin brother Mallory just happens to be interested in his famous namesake’s career {Ch. 8, p. 38}
Tai Chi Instructor Mom’s Tai Chi movements are more than simply exercise {Ch. 2, pp. 6-7}
Wellness Guide Mom incorporates FEAST into her wellness advice {Ch. 4, p. 14}
Chemist Dad’s knowledge of chemical principals comes in handy {Ch. 4, p. 15; Ch. 8, pp. 36-37}
Microbiologist Dr. Shun studies extremophiles at Yellowstone {Ch. 2, pp. 8, 11, 45}

Whoosh Values/Behaviors Core Discipline

Whoosh LIST 4 is an at-a-glance bulleted list. It offers a quick look at the Values/Behaviors Knowledge Gateways in bold, followed by their Discovery Paths that appear in Whoosh.

Whoosh LIST 4.  Values/Behaviors Discovery Paths and Knowledge Branches
      • Morals/Ethics: Honesty/Truth
      • Emotions: Concern for Others; Sense of Humor; Disappointment
      • Mind: Sense of Wonder; Word Games; Visualization; Intuition; Inferring Meaninng of Words
      • Body: Balance/Stability; Natural Movement
      • Learning/Knowledge/Skills:Exploration; Sharing Knowledge; Aquiring Knowledge
      • People: Parental Responsibility; Sibling Teasing; Concern for Others; Generosity; Respect, Gratitude, Hospitality; Keeping in Touch
      • Planet: Research

Whoosh TABLE 4 includes the major Values/Behaviors Knowledge Gateways (light green background) occurring in all the chapters of Whoosh.

The left column shows each Knowledge Gateway and one or more associated Discovery Paths. Discovery Path Branches, where they occur, appear indented below the major Discovery Path. These branches (and sometimes sub-branches) are divisions of the major Discovery Path; they represent increasingly-specific fields.

The right column offers brief definitions of each Values/Behaviors Knowledge Gateway. Following each Knowledge Gateway are Knowledge Nuggets (mini- or pop-up lessons). These lessons correspond to the Discovery Path and any Discovery Path Branches that appear directly across in the the left column.

Whoosh TABLE 4.  Values/Behaviors Content
KNOWLEDGE GATEWAYS
KNOWLEDGE GATEWAYS: BRIEF DEFINITIONS
Discovery Paths. Discovery Path Branches Knowledge Nuggets: Mini and Pop-up Lessons
Morals/Ethics
Internal character, beliefs
Honesty/Truth A long sleeved shirt hides the twins’ disobedience {Ch 1, pp 4-5}
What were you up to? “Nothing, just looking around” {Ch 1, p. 4}
Melody reluctantly promises Dad she won’t try to feel how hot the waters are beneath the boardwalk {Ch. 3, p. 10}
The twins feel guilty when Dr. Shun refers to the dangers of superheated water from geysers {Ch. 6, p. 25}
Emotions Feelings, sentiment, intuition
Concern for Others Mallory is relieved that his sister isn’t scalded {Ch. 1, p. 3}
Sense of Humor Dad refers to his singing voice as “good for cooling soup” {Ch. 6, p. 28}
Mom and Dad tease each other about redecorating their house with vivid colors that extremophiles demonstrate {Ch. 7, p. 29}
“Yum” – Mallory is reminded of colorful fruits and veggies {Ch. 7, p. 30}
Disappointment Melody learns her idea of an extremophile thermometer is impractical {Ch. 7, p.34}
Mind Rational, theoretical, analytical thinking
Sense of Wonder Melody is awed that ordinary people can actually visit a spectacular place such as Yellowstone {Ch. 3, p. 9}
Word Games The Maloneys and Dr. Shun play “20 Questions” {Ch. 3, pp. 11-12; Ch. 4, p. 17}
Visualization Mallory draws a geyser as a giant submersed teapot {Ch. 4, p. 13; Ch. 6, p. 26; Ch. 9, p. 42, 44}
Mallory sees the Octopus shape in Octopus Spring {Ch. 7, p. 30}
Intuition Grandpa suspects Melody actually could be an extremophile {Ch. 9, p. 45}
Inferring Meaning of Words Celestine Pool reminds Mom of celestial which refers to the skies, which are blue (just like Celestine Pool) {Ch. 4, p. 14}
Body Health, bodily strengh and movement
Balance/Stability Mallory worries he’ll lose his balance on the boardwalk or on the stepping stones at Dr. Shun’s cabin {Ch. 3, p. 9; Ch. 6, p. 24}
Natural Movement Mom’s Tai Chi form mimics Old Faithful’s eruption sequence {Ch. 2, pp. 6-7}
Learning/Knowledge/Skills
Pursuit and acquisition of understanding, wisdom, capabilities
Exploration After exploring online, the family wants to make the best of their time while they’re at Yellowstone {Ch. 2, p. 7}
Sharing Knowledge Dr. Shun helps the Maloney family better understand the unusual sights, sounds and smells they first encountered {Ch. 3, p. 11; Ch. 4-8}
The twins are anxious to tell Grandpa all they learned
Acquiring Knowledge The Maloneys eagerly absorb Dr. Shun’s lessons
Melody thinks “complicated” makes things interesting
People Regard for, and relationships with, humankind
Parental Responsibility Dad warns the twins about getting to close to a geyser
Mom makes sure everyone eats a hearty breakfast
Dad warns Melody not to test the hot springs’ temperatures
Sibling Teasing Melody makes light of her brother’s concern for her
Concern for Others Melody worries about her brother’s scald marks on his arms
Generosity Thanks to Grandpa’s gift, the Maloneys are exploring Yellowstone National Park
Respect The twins address the scientist as “Dr. Shun” (even though the adults use each others’ first names)
The twins don’t want to contradict Dr. Shun about only bacteria can be extremophiles and people can’t
Hospitality Dr. Shun invites the Maloneys to her hidden cabin for lunch and more learning
Keeping in Touch The Maloneys plan to send a followup email to Dr. Shun
Planet Earth’s natural environment: living organisms, surface, water, subsurface, atmosphere
Research Dr. Shun shares her knowledge of bacteria, laws of chemistry and physics, and geology with the Maloneys

For an overview of Whoosh, please visit the Whoosh home page. If you are ready to buy Whoosh, please click on the icon. It will take you to Barnes and Nobles’ Whoosh page.