Spider Web Geometry

Halloween is just around the corner and it’s time to celebrate all that is spooky, creepy, and crawly! Spiders are often at the top of the “creepy, crawly” list even though they are important contributors to ecological systems and are fascinating creatures. Celebrate Halloween this week by going on a spider “hunt”! Look around your classroom, schoolyard, backyard or home for evidence of spiders. Then use Project WILD’s “Spider Web Geometry” to investigate these wonderful creatures more closely!

Young Child Extension:
Take the little kids on a spider “hunt” too! Then read spider stories, try Miss Spider’s Tea Party, and talk about spiders. Finish by making spider pictures!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Berger, G., M. Berger and R. Osti. 2000. Do All Spiders Spin Webs? (Scholastic Q & A). Scholastic, Inc.
Bishop, N. 2007. Spiders. Scholastic, Inc.
Carle, E. 1989. The Very Busy Spider. Penguin Group (USA).
Cole, J., G. Cole and R. Broda. 1995. Spider's Lunch: All About Garden Spiders. Penguin Group (USA).
Cronin, D. and H. Bliss. 2005. Diary of a Spider. HarperCollins Publishers.
Gibbons, G. 1994. Spiders. Holiday House, Inc.
Graham, M. B. 1967. Be Nice to Spiders. HarperCollins Publishers.
Holmes, K.J. 2000. Spiders. Coughlan Publishing.
Kelman, B.D. 1995. Web Weavers and Other Spiders. Crabtree Publishing Company.
London, J. and R. Baviera. 1998. Dream Weaver. Silver Whistle.
McDermott, G. 1987. Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Merrians, D. and G. McKeown. 1977. I Can Read About Spiders. Troll Communications, LLC.
Monks, L. 2007. Aaaarrgghh! Spider! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Parsons, A. and J. Young. 1990. Amazing Spiders (Eyewitness Junior).. Random House Children's Books.
Resnick, J.P. Spiders (Photo-Fact Collection Series). Kidsbooks, Inc.
Simon, S. 2007. Spiders. HarperCollins Publishers.
Spinelli, E. and J. Dyer. 2004. Sophie’s Masterpiece: A Spider’s Tale. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Trapani, I. 1998. Itsy Bitsy Spider. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Winer, Y. and K. Lloyd-Jones. 1998. Spiders Spin Webs. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.

Grades 3-5
Berger, G., M. Berger and R. Osti. 2000. Do All Spiders Spin Webs? (Scholastic Q & A). Scholastic, Inc.
Bishop, N. 2007. Spiders. Scholastic, Inc.
Cole, J., G. Cole and R. Broda. 1995. Spider's Lunch: All About Garden Spiders. Penguin Group (USA).
Gibbons, G. 1994. Spiders. Holiday House, Inc.
Holmes, K.J. 2000. Spiders. Coughlan Publishing.
Humphries, T. 2003. Are You a Spider? Kingfisher.
Kelman, B.D. 1995. Web Weavers and Other Spiders. Crabtree Publishing Company.
McDermott, G. 1987. Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Parsons, A. and J. Young. 1990. Amazing Spiders (Eyewitness Junior).. Random House Children's Books.
Platt, R. 2002. DK Readers: Spiders’ Secrets. DK Publishing.
Resnick, J.P. Spiders (Photo-Fact Collection Series). Kidsbooks, Inc.
Simon, S. 2007. Spiders. HarperCollins Publishers.
Spinelli, E. and J. Dyer. 2004. Sophie’s Masterpiece: A Spider’s Tale. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Winner, C. 2004. Everything Bug: What Kids Really Want to Know About Insects and Spiders. T&N Children’s Publishing.

Grades 6-8
Impey, R. 2009. Spiders. Oxford University Press.
Winner, C. 2004. Everything Bug: What Kids Really Want to Know About Insects and Spiders. T&N Children’s Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Evans, A.V. and C. Tufts. 2007. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders & Related Species of North America. Sterling Publishing.
Milne, L.J., M. Milne, and S. Rayfield. 1980. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. Knopf Doubleday Publishing.

Looking at Leaves

Fall is in full swing! The leaves on the trees have slowly changed before our eyes and where once there was a sea of green, we are now greeted with red, orange, yellow and brown. It is a glorious time of year to head out the door for a nature walk around your backyard, neighborhood, schoolyard or local park. As you walk, notice the different colors, shapes and textures of the leaves. Scoop them up and watch the wind carry them away, rake a pile of leaves and then jump in it, smell the earthy scent of crushed leaves and listen to them crunch when you walk. Enjoy the leaves of fall! Then collect a handful to take back to the classroom and use Project Learning Tree’s “Looking at Leaves” to explore leaves and learn how they can be used to identify the trees and plants that they came from.

Young Child Extension:
Go on a leaf scavenger hunt in your backyard! Find yellow leaves, red leaves, fuzzy leaves and leaves that have “teeth”. Then collect a handful of leaves to bring inside to explore with your five senses. When you’re done, use paper and crayons to make leaf rubbings or use different leaves to create animal shapes!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Anthony, J. and C. Arbo. 1999. In a Nutshell (Sharing Nature with Children Book Series). Dawn Publications.
Arnosky, J. 1999. Crinkleroot's Nature Almanac. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Arnosky, J. 1977. I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees. Penguin Group (USA).
Bishop, N. 2004. Forest Explorer: A Life-Sized Field Guide. Scholastic, Inc.
Behn, H. and J. Endicott. 1994. Trees. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Bunting, E. 1994. The Night Tree. Voyager Books.
Burns, D. and L. Garrow. 1998. Leaves, Trees and Bark (Take-Along Guide). NorthWord Books for Young Readers.
Buscagalia, L. 1982. The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages. SLACK, Inc.
Canizares, S., D. Moreton and B. Chessen. 1997. Who Lives in a Tree? Scholastic, Inc.
Charman, A. 2003. I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves and Other Questions about Plants. Houghton Mifflin Company.
DePalma, M. 2005. A Grand Old Tree. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Evans, L. 1997. Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gaff, J. 2005. I Wonder Why Pine Trees Have Needles and Other Questions about Forests. Roaring Brook Press.
Gerber, C. 2006. Leaf Jumpers. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Good, E.W. 1994. Fall Is Here! I Love It! Good Books.
Gove, D. and M. H. Mallory. My Mother Talks to Trees. Peachtree Publishers.
Hall, Z. 2000. Fall Leaves Fall! Scholastic Press.
Johnson, R. 2000. A Walk in the Deciduous Forest. Lerner Publishing Group.
Lavies, B. 1989. Tree Trunk Traffic. Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
Locker, T. 2001. Sky Tree: Seeing Science Through Art. HarperCollins Publishers.
Maestro, B. and L. Krupinski. 1996. Why Do Leaves Change Color?. HarperCollins Publishers.
Maass, R. 1992. When Autumn Comes. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Marzollo, J. 1999. I Am a Leaf. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Miller, D.S. and S. Schuett. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker & Company.
Nidey, K. 2004. When Autumn Falls. Albert Whitman.
Robbins, K. 1998. Autumn Leaves. Scholastic, Inc.
Ryder, J. 1991. Hello Tree! Lodestar Publishers.
Rylant, C. 2000. In November. Harcourt.
Schweninger, A. 1991. Autumn Days: Let's Look at the Seasons. Viking Children's Books.
Sohi, M.E. 1995. Look What I Did With a Leaf. San Val.
Spinelli, E. 2004. I Know It's Autumn. HarperCollins Publishers. (Kindergarten)

Grades 3-5
Albert, T. 1997. A Kid's Fall EcoJournal: With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season. Trickle Creek Books.
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing the Trees. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Bernard, R. 2001. A Tree for All Seasons. National Geographic Children’s Books.
Bourgoing, P. 1992. The Tree. Scholastic First Discovery Books.
Bunting, E. 1994. The Night Tree. Voyager Books.
Burns, D. 1998. Trees, Leaves and Bark. Northwoods Press.
Dowden, A. The Blossom on the Bough: A Book of Trees. Thomas Y. Crowell.
Ehlert, L. 2005. Leaf Man. Harcourt Trade Publishers.
Gibbons, G. 1984. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree. Voyager Books.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Lyon, G. 1996. ABCedar: an Alphabet of Trees. Scholastic Inc..
Miller, D. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker Books for Young Readers.
Sohi, M.E. 1995. Look What I Did With a Leaf. San Val.

Grades 6-8
Albert, T. 1997. A Kid's Fall EcoJournal: With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season. Trickle Creek Books.
Arno, J. 2000. Trees: An Explore Your World Handbook. The Discovery Channel.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.

Grades 9-12
Arno, J. 2000. Trees: An Explore Your World Handbook. The Discovery Channel.
Kershner, B., et al. 2008. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. Sterling Publishing.

What’s in the Water?

September 18th is World Water Monitoring Day! On this day all around the world people are coming together to monitor the quality of the water in their communities. Use Project WILD Aquatic’s “What’s in the Water?” to monitor the water of a hypothetical river and analyze the pollutants that you find. Then use what you have learned about water quality and pollutants to monitor a real waterway in your community. Organize your school, youth group or family for a day of water testing, litter removal and wildlife watching at your local pond or stream.

Young Child Extension:
Set up a water table and let young children freely explore water with cups, colanders, strainers, and a water wheel. Ask them to think about the different ways that we use water (bathing, drinking, playing), and ways that plants and animals use water. Discuss how all living things need and use water. Draw pictures of lakes, streams, or rain, or play some music and create your own water dance!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Amos, W.H. 1981. Life in Ponds and Streams. National Geographic Society.
Bandes, H. 1993. Sleepy River. Philomel Books.
Base, G. 2001. The Water Hole. Harry N Abrams, Inc.
Brimner, L.D. 1999. Raindrops. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Cole, J. and B. Degen. 1988. The Magic School Bus At the Waterworks. Scholastic, Inc.
Curry, D.L. 1999. The Water Cycle. Capstone Press.
DK Publishing. 2007. Water Everywhere. DK Publishing, Inc.
Dolan, E.F. 1997. Our Poisoned Waters. Penguin Group Incorporated.
Donnelly, A. 1998. Water Pollution. Child's World, Incorporated.
Edom, H. 2007. Science with Water. EDC Publishing.
Falwell, C. 2001. Turtle Splash!: Countdown at the Pond. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fourment, T. 2004. My Water Comes from the Mountains. Roberts Rinehart Publishers.
Fraiser, D. 2004. The Incredible Water Show. Harcourt.
Friedman, J.C. 1975. ABC of a Summer Pond. Johnny Reads, Incorporated.
Frost, H. 1999. Keeping Water Clean. Capstone Press.
Giesecke, E. and A. Royston. 2002. Pond Plants. Heinemann Library.
Greenfield, E. and J.S. Gilchrist. 1999. Water, Water. HarperCollins Publishers.
Hooper, M. The Drop in My Drink: The Story of Water on Our Planet. Viking Press.
Jango-Cohen, J. 2005. Why Does It Rain? Lerner Publishing Group.
Jarnow, J. and E. Hathon. 2000. Splish! Splash! Penguin Group, Inc. (USA).
Kerley, B. 2006. A Cool Drink of Water. National Geographic Society.
Locker, T. 2002. Water Dance. Harcourt Children's Books.
Morrison, G. 2006. Drop of Water. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Nelson, S.A., G. Saunders-Smith, and K.M. Krebs. 2006. Let's Save Water!. Capstone Press, Inc.
Olien, R. 1999. Splish Splash Science, Grades 1-3: Learning about Water with Easy Fun-Filled Activities. Scholastic, Inc.
Rauzon, M.J. 1995. Water, Water Everywhere. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Rosinsky, N.M. 2002. Water: Up, Down, and All Around. Capstone Press.
Schmid, E. 1994. The Water's Journey. North-South.
Seuling, B. 2000. Drip! Drop!: How Water Gets to Your Tap. Holiday House, Inc.
Seuss, Dr. 1947. McElligot's Pool. San Val.
Sidman, J. and B. Prange. 2005. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Swanson, D. 2005. Wonder in Water. Annick Press, Limited.
Tresselt, A.R. 1990. Rain Drop Splash. HarperCollins Publishers.
Wells, R.E. 2006. Did a Dinosaur Drink This Water? Albert Whitman & Company.
Wyler, R. 1990. Puddles and Ponds: An Outdoor Book. Silver Burdett Press.

Grades 3-5
Beatty, R. 2003. Rivers, Lakes, Streams, and Ponds. Raintree Publishers.
Berger, M. 1995. Water, Water Everywhere. Ideals Publications.
Canizares, S. and P. Chanko. 1998. Water. June 1998.
Cobb, V. 1986. Trip of a Drip. Little, Brown & Company.
Donovan, S. 2003. Animals of Rivers, Lakes and Ponds. Raintree Publishers.
Dorros, A. 2000. Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean. HarperCollins.
Goodrich, R.S. 2004. Hydro's Adventure Through the Water Cycle. Geoquest Pubns.
Hughes, M. 2004. Water Cycle. Heinemann Library.
Jervis, P. 1997. How Science Works: Water. Barnes & Noble Books.
Kerley, B. 2006. A Cool Drink of Water. National Geographic Society.
Kubo, H. 1990. Insects in the Pond. Steck-Vaughn.
Mckinney, B.S. 1998. A Drop around the World. Dawn Publications.
Olien, R. 2006. Making Water Clean. Capstone Press.
Royston, A. 2006. The Life And Times of a Drop of Water: The Water Cycle. Raintree.
Wick, W. 1997. Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder. Scholastic, Inc.
Yolen, J. 1995. Water Music: Poems for Children. Boyds Mills Press.

Grades 6-8
Bailey, G. and S. Way. 2009. Water. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Baker, L.W. 2004. Encyclopedia of Water Science. Thomson Gale.
Barss, K.J. 1992. Clean Water. Chelsea House Publishers.
Braun, E. and S. Donovan. 2001. River, Lakes, and Ponds. Raintree Publishers.
Day, T. 2007. Water. DK Publishing, Inc.
Loewer, P. 1996. Pond Water Zoo: An Introduction to Microscopic Life. Atheneum.
McKinney, B.S. and M.S. Maydak. 1998. A Drop Around the World. Dawn Publications.

Grades 9-12
Barss, K.J. 1992. Clean Water. Chelsea House Publishers.
Bartram, J. and R. Balance. 1996. Water Quality Monitoring: Practical Guide to the Design and Implementation of Freshwater Quality Studies and Monitoring Program. Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Cossi, O. 1993. Water Wars. Silver Burdett Press.
DeBarry, P.A. 2004. Watersheds: Processes, Assessment and Management. Wiley.
Dobson, C. 1999. Watersheds: A Practical Handbook for Healthy Water. Firefly Books, Limited.
Gardner, R. 2004. Experimenting with Water. Dover Publications.
Lucas, E. 1991. Water: A Resource in Crisis. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Newton, Lisa H., C.K. Dillingham and J.H. Choly. 2005. Watersheds 4: Ten Cases in Environmental Ethics. Wadsworth Publishing.
Ryerson, M. 2003. Water Music. University of Michigan Press.

Stormy Weather

Come take a simulated field trip through a storm! People and animals coexist and experience the same natural phenomena such as weather. During storms people and animals both seek shelter. Use Project WILD's "Stormy Weather" to visualize what kind of animal you will be and what you will do during the storm. Will you be a bear in the woods? A meadowlark on the prairie? Or a frog on a stream bank? Experience a storm through another animal’s eyes!

Family Fun:
Make a rain shaker and create a storm of your own! http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/8239#make

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Barrett, J. and R. Barrett. 1978. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Simon & Schuster.
Barrett, J. and R. Barrett. 1997. Pickles to Pittsburgh: A Sequel to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Simon & Schuster.
Branley, F.M. and J.G. Hale. 1997. Down Comes the Rain. HarperCollins Publishers.
DePaola, T. 1985. The Cloud Book. Holiday House, Inc.
DeWitt, L. and C. Croll. 1993. What Will the Weather Be? HarperCollins Publishers.
DK Publishing, Inc. 2004. Weather (Eye Wonder Series). DK Publishing, Inc.
Frost, H. 2004. Weather: Fog. Coughlan Publishing.
Frost, H. 2004. Weather: Ice. Coughlan Publishing.
Frost, H. 2004. Weather: Snow. Pebble Books.
Frost, H. 2004. Weather: Wind. Coughlan Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 1993. Weather Forecasting. Simon & Schuster.
Gibbons, G. 1992. Weather Words and What They Mean. Holiday House, Inc.
Locker, T. 2003. Cloud Dance. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Martin, J.B. and M. Azarian. 1998. Snowflake Bentley. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
National Geographic Society, R. Cremins, and T.B. Griswold. 2001. My First Pocket Guide: Weather. National Geographic Society.
Pinwheel, and J. Moon. 2008. What’s the Weather? Scholastic, Inc.
Polacco, P. 1997. Thunder Cake. Penguin Group (USA).
Rabe, T. and A. Ruiz. 2004. Oh, Say, Can You Say, What’s the Weather Today?: All About Weather. Random House.
Rockwell, A. and F. Lessac. 2008. Clouds (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science Series). HarperCollins Publishers.
Rylant, C. and L. Stringer. 2008. Snow. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Simon, S. 2006. Weather. HarperCollins Publishers.
Singer, M. and F. Lessac. 2002. On the Same Day in March: A Tour of the World’s Weather. HarperCollins Publishers.
White, N., et al. Magic School Bus Kicks up a Storm: A Book About Weather. Scholastic, Inc.

Grades 3-5
Barrett, J. and R. Barrett. 1978. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Simon & Schuster.
Barrett, J. and R. Barrett. 1997. Pickles to Pittsburgh: A Sequel to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Simon & Schuster.
Berger, M., G. Berger, and R. Sullivan. 1999. Can it Rain Cats and Dogs?: Questions & Answers about Weather. Scholastic, Inc.
Branley, F.M. and J.G. Hale. 1997. Down Comes the Rain. HarperCollins Publishers.
Breen, M., K. Friestad and M.P. Kline. 2000. The Kids’ Book of Weather Forecasting: Build a Weather Station, “Read” the Sky & Make Predictions! Ideals Publications.
Capeci, A., J. Stamper, and H. Gangloff. Electric Storm (Magic School Bus #14). Scholastic, Inc.
Chanko, P. and D. Moreton. 1997. Weather. Scholastic, Inc.
Cole, J., C. Bracken, and B. Degen. 2006. Lost in the Snow (Magic School Bus Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Cosgrove, B. 2007. Eyewitness Weather. DK Publishing, Inc.
DePaola, T. 1985. The Cloud Book. Holiday House, Inc.
DeWitt, L. and C. Croll. 1993. What Will the Weather Be? HarperCollins Publishers.
Dickstein, L. and Editors of Time For Kids. 2006. Time for Kids: Storms! HarperCollins Publishers.
DK Publishing, Inc. 2004. Weather (Eye Wonder Series). DK Publishing, Inc.
Gibbons, G. 1993. Weather Forecasting. Simon & Schuster.
Gibbons, G. 1992. Weather Words and What They Mean. Holiday House, Inc.
Locker, T. 2003. Cloud Dance. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Martin, J.B. and M. Azarian. 1998. Snowflake Bentley. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Nankin, F. and G.A. England. 1998. Wonders of Weather (Eyes on Nature Series). Kids Books, Inc.
National Geographic Society, R. Cremins, and T.B. Griswold. 2001. My First Pocket Guide: Weather. National Geographic Society.
Polacco, P. 1997. Thunder Cake. Penguin Group (USA).
Rupp, R., M. Sweet, and D. Nap. 2003. Weather. Storey Kids.
Rylant, C. and L. Stringer. 2008. Snow. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Simon, S. 2006. Lightning. HarperCollins Publishers.
Simon, S. 1992. Storms. HarperCollins Publishers.
Simon, S. 2006. Weather. HarperCollins Publishers.
Singer, M. and F. Lessac. 2002. On the Same Day in March: A Tour of the World’s Weather. HarperCollins Publishers.
Spilsbury, R. and L.A. Spilsbury. 2006. Weather. Chelsea House.
Wallace, K. 1999. DK Readers: Whatever the Weather (Level 1: Beginning to Read). DK Publishing, Inc.
White, N., et al. Magic School Bus Kicks up a Storm: A Book About Weather. Scholastic, Inc.

Grades 6-8
Breen, M., K. Friestad and M.P. Kline. 2000. The Kids’ Book of Weather Forecasting: Build a Weather Station, “Read” the Sky & Make Predictions! Ideals Publications.
Challoner, J. 2004. Hurricane and Tornado (Eyewitness Books Series). DK Publishing.
Cosgrove, B. 2007. Eyewitness Weather. DK Publishing, Inc.
Juettner, B. 2004. Weather. Cengage Gale.
Nankin, F. and G.A. England. 1998. Wonders of Weather (Eyes on Nature Series). Kids Books, Inc.
Parker, J. 2008. Weather. Weigl Publishers.
Rupp, R., M. Sweet, and D. Nap. 2003. Weather. Storey Kids.
Spilsbury, R. and L.A. Spilsbury. 2006. Weather. Chelsea House.

Grades 9-12
Ahrens, C.D. 2008. Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate, and the Environment. Cengage Learning.
Bologna, J. and C.K. Passante. 2006. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Extreme Weather. Penguin Group (USA).
Challoner, J. 2004. Hurricane and Tornado (Eyewitness Books Series). DK Publishing.
Cosgrove, B. 2007. Eyewitness Weather. DK Publishing, Inc.
Juettner, B. 2004. Weather. Cengage Gale.
Ludlum, D.M. 1991. The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Weather. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
Parker, J. 2008. Weather. Weigl Publishers.
Williams, J., et al. 2009. The AMS Weather Book: The Ultimate Guide to America’s Weather. University of Chicago Press.

Democracy in Action

The festivities of the 4th of July are done for another year - the sparklers are all gone and the red, white and blue streamers are put away until next summer. As the celebration of our nation’s independence comes to a close, let’s investigate what makes our country run. The United States of America is a democracy. We all know that, but what does that really mean? A democracy is a form of government in which the right to govern is vested in the citizens of a country and exercised through a majority rule. All citizens have equal access to power and enjoy legitimized freedoms. This means that citizens like you and I have a voice in the shaping of our government, as well as having a voice in the shaping of our natural resource policies and management. Use Project Learning Tree’s “Democracy in Action” to explore democratic systems as they pertain to environmental policies and decision-making.

Family Fun:
Make your family a democracy! Vote on what kind of “green” changes to make in your home and set up policies for sorting and returning the recycling.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Beard, D. B. and H. Maione. 2009. Annie Glover is Not a Tree Lover. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Doppert, M. 2000. The Streets are Free. Annick Press, Limited.
Hamilton, J. 1993. Eco Groups: Joining Together to Protect the Environment. ABDO Publishing Company.
John, J. 2009. Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country: Kids’ Letters to President Obama. McSweeney’s Publishing.
Maestro, B. and G. Maestro. 1990. More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution. HarperCollins Publishers.


Grades 3-5
Brooke, B. and R.L. Zeff. 2000. Environmental Action Groups. Facts on File, Inc.
Collard, S.B. and C.D. Buell. 1999. Acting for Nature: What Young People Around the World Have Done to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
Fitzpatrick, A. 2007. Democracy. Creative Co.
Hamilton, J. 1993. Eco Groups: Joining Together to Protect the Environment. ABDO Publishing Company.
Maestro, B. and G. Maestro. 1990. More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution. HarperCollins Publishers.
Swinburne, S.R. and J. Brandenburg. 2001. Once a Wolf: How Biologists Brought Back the Gray Wolf. San Val.
Travis, Cathy. 2006. Constitution Translated for Kids. Synergy Books.
Wadsworth, G. 1992. Rachel Carson: Voice for the Earth. Lerner Publishing Group.

Grades 6-8
Archer, J. 1998. To Save the Earth. Penguin Group (USA).
Byrnes, P. 1997. Environmental Pioneers. Oliver Press, Inc.
Fitzpatrick, A. 2007. Democracy. Creative Co.
Graham, K. 1996. Contemporary Environmentalists. Facts on File, Inc.
Graham, K. and G. Chandler. 1996. Environmental Heroes: Success Stories of People at Work for the Earth. Pruett Publishing Company.
Halpin, M. 2004. It’s Your World - If You Don’t Like It, Change It: Activism for Teens. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Jakobson, C. 1992. Think About: The Environment. Walker & Company.
Pringle, L. 2000. Environmental Movement. HarperCollins Publishers.
Rooney, F. 2007. Exceptional Women Environmentalists. Orca Book Publishers.
Sonneborn, L. 2007. The Environmental Movement: Protecting Our Natural Resources. Facts on File, Inc.
Travis, Cathy. 2006. Constitution Translated for Kids. Synergy Books.
Wadsworth, G. 1992. Rachel Carson: Voice for the Earth. Lerner Publishing Group.
Whitman, S. 1994. This Land is Your Land: The American Conservation Movement. Lerner Publishing Group.
Wilson, M. 2006. Democracy. Cengage Gale.

Grades 9-12
Archer, J. 1998. To Save the Earth. Penguin Group (USA).
Byrnes, P. 1997. Environmental Pioneers. Oliver Press, Inc.
De Tocqueville, A., G. Bevan, and I. Kramnick. 2003. Democracy in America. Penguin Group (USA).
Doherty, B. 2002. Ideas and Actions in the Green Movement. Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Gay, K. 1994. Pollution and the Powerless: The Movement for Environmental Justice. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Graham, K. 1996. Contemporary Environmentalists. Facts on File, Inc.
Graham, K. and G. Chandler. 1996. Environmental Heroes: Success Stories of People at Work for the Earth. Pruett Publishing Company.
Halpin, M. 2004. It’s Your World - If You Don’t Like It, Change It: Activism for Teens. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Rooney, F. 2007. Exceptional Women Environmentalists. Orca Book Publishers.
Sonneborn, L. 2007. The Environmental Movement: Protecting Our Natural Resources. Facts on File, Inc.
Wall, D. 1993. Green History: An Anthology of Environmental Literature, Philosophy and Politics. Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Whitman, S. 1994. This Land is Your Land: The American Conservation Movement. Lerner Publishing Group.
Wilson, M. 2006. Democracy. Cengage Gale.

Power of Print

Bang! Boom! Zing! There are fireworks, parades and picnics – it must be the 4th of July! Every year we celebrate our nation’s independence on the 4th of July, the day that we, as a nation, adopted the Declaration of Independence. We celebrate the freedom that we fought for and won. One aspect of that freedom is the freedom of the press. The freedom of the press protects our right to the published word. Today in the United States, this freedom is used and enjoyed by everyone. Explore this freedom with Project Learning Tree’s “Power of Print”. Read opposing viewpoints on environmental issues, write your own opinion and celebrate the freedom to express yourself!

Family Fun:
After the fireworks have ended and the sparklers all gone search your yard for fireflies, natures own sparklers! Put a few in a jar to observe for the evening and watch them light up the night. Before you go to bed, give them their freedom!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Anderson, L.H. and M. Faulkner. 2008. Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Herbert, J. 2002. The American Revolution for Kids: A History with 21 Activities. Chicago Review Press, Inc
Lakin, P., B. Dacey and D. Bandelin. 2006. Abigail Adams: First Lady of the American Revolution. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Maestro, B. and G. Maestro. 2005. Liberty or Death: The American Revolution 1763-1783. HarperCollins Publishers.
Moore, K. and D. O’Leary. 1998. If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution. Scholastic, Inc.
Osborne, M.P. and S. Murdocca. 2000. Revolutionary War on Wednesday (Magic Tree House Series #22). Random House Children’s Books.
Osborne, M.P., N.P. Boyce, and S. Murdocca. 2004. American Revolution: A Nonfiction Companion to Revolutionary War on Wednesday. Random House Children’s Books.

Grades 3-5
Anderson, L.H. and M. Faulkner. 2008. Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Davis, B. and E.W. Brooke. 1992. Black Heroes of the American Revolution. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Hakin, J. 2007. History of the US Volume 3: From Colonies to Country 1735-1791. Oxford University Press.
Herbert, J. 2002. The American Revolution for Kids: A History with 21 Activities. Chicago Review Press, Inc.
Maestro, B. and G. Maestro. 2005. Liberty or Death: The American Revolution 1763-1783. HarperCollins Publishers.
Micklos, J. 2008. African Americans and American Indians Fighting in the Revolutionary War. Enslow Publishers, Inc.
Moore, K. and D. O’Leary. 1998. If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution. Scholastic, Inc.
Murray, S. 2005. American Revolution (Eyewitness Books Series). DK Publishing.
Osborne, M.P. and S. Murdocca. 2000. Revolutionary War on Wednesday (Magic Tree House Series #22). Random House Children’s Books.
Osborne, M.P., N.P. Boyce, and S. Murdocca. 2004. American Revolution: A Nonfiction Companion to Revolutionary War on Wednesday. Random House Children’s Books.

Grades 6-8
Anderson, L.H. and M. Faulkner. 2008. Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Brown Reference Group. 2009. Revolutionary War. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Friedman, I.C. 2005. Freedom of Speech and the Press. Facts on File, Inc.
Davis, B. and E.W. Brooke. 1992. Black Heroes of the American Revolution. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Hakin, J. 2007. History of the US Volume 3: From Colonies to Country 1735-1791. Oxford University Press.
Herbert, J. 2002. The American Revolution for Kids: A History with 21 Activities. Chicago Review Press, Inc
Maestro, B. and G. Maestro. 2005. Liberty or Death: The American Revolution 1763-1783. HarperCollins Publishers.
Micklos, J. 2008. African Americans and American Indians Fighting in the Revolutionary War. Enslow Publishers, Inc.
Murray, S. 2005. American Revolution (Eyewitness Books Series). DK Publishing.
Sheinkin, S. and T. Robinson. 2008. King George: What Was His Problem? Everything Your Textbooks Didn’t Tell You About the American Revolution. Roaring Brook Press.

Grades 9-12
Hebert, D.L. 2005. Freedom of the Press. Cengage Gale.
Schomp, V. 2003. The Revolutionary War. Marshall Cavendish, Inc.
Sheinkin, S. and T. Robinson. 2008. King George: What Was His Problem? Everything Your Textbooks Didn’t Tell You About the American Revolution. Roaring Brook Press.

Sunlight and Shades of Green

Summertime is all about sunshine! We soak up the suns rays while we play at the beach or run through the sprinkler. Sunshine lifts our spirits, enables our bodies to produce Vitamin D, and it also grows the food that we eat. All plants need sunshine to grow; it enables them to produce their own food in a process called photosynthesis. Use Project Learning Tree’s “Sunlight and Shades of Green” to explore the process of photosynthesis. Choose a tree, bush or plant in your garden and watch what happens to a leaf when you cover it with cardboard.


Family Fun:
Harness the power of the sun to make sun prints! Gather construction paper, tape and objects to print (I recommend different kinds of leaves). Tape the objects to the construction paper and set in the direct sun for several hours. Remove the object and tape – viola! You now have a sun print!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Asch, F. 2008. The Sun Is My Favorite Star. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Branley, F.M. and E. Miller. 2002. Sun: Our Nearest Star. HarperCollins Publishers.
Chishilm, P. and M. Bang. 2009. Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life. Scholastic, Inc.
Gibbons, G. 1987. Sun Up, Sun Down. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Goldish, M. 1990. How Plants Get Food. Steck-Vaughn.
Harrison, D.L. 1986. Wake Up, Sun! (Step into Reading Books Series: A Step 2 Book). Random House Children’s Books.
Ring, S. and J. Moran. 2003. The Sun. Coughlan Publishing.
Simon, S. 1989. The Sun. HarperCollins Publishers.

Grades 3-5
Asimov, I. 1989. How Did We Find Out About Photosynthesis? Walker & Company.
Bailey, J. and M. Lilly. 2004. Sun Up, Sun Down: The Story of Day and Night. Coughlan Publishing.
Branley, F.M. and E. Miller. 2002. Sun: Our Nearest Star. HarperCollins Publishers. Gibbons, G. 1987. Sun Up, Sun Down. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Goldish, M. 1990. How Plants Get Food. Steck-Vaughn.
Grivell, P. The Sunlight Print Kit: Materials, Techniques, and Projects for Homemade Photography. Chronicle Books.
Juettner, B. 2005. Photosynthesis. KidHaven Press.
Notkin, L. 1997. The Magic School Bus Gets Planted: A Book About Photosynthesis. Scholastic Paperbacks.
Ring, S. and J. Moran. 2003. The Sun. Coughlan Publishing.
Simon, S. 1989. The Sun. HarperCollins Publishers.

Grades 6-8
Grivell, P. The Sunlight Print Kit: Materials, Techniques, and Projects for Homemade Photography. Chronicle Books.
Jefferis, D. 2008. The Sun: Our Local Star. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Juettner, B. 2005. Photosynthesis. Thomson Gale.
Kalman, B. 2005. Photosynthesis: Changing Sunlight into Food (Nature’s Changes Series). Crabtree Publishing Company.
Prinja, R.K. 2007. The Sun. Heinemann-Raintree.
Silverstein, A. 1998. Photosynthesis. Lerner Publishing Group.
Staub, F.J. 2004. Photosynthesis. Creative Company.

Grades 9-12
Goldstein, M.J. 2004. The Sun (Our Universe Series). Lerner Publishing Group.
Hill, S. and M.J. Carlowicz. 2006. Sun. Abrams N Harry, Inc.
Jefferis, D. 2008. The Sun: Our Local Star. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Morton, O. 2008. Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet. HarperCollins Publishers.
Silverstein, A., V. Silverstein, and L. Silverstein Nunn. 2007. Photosynthesis. Lerner Publishing Group.