Spring Preparation
A common misconception is that the buds on trees form in the spring just before the leaves open up. However, by the time a tree’s leaves drop in the fall, its leaves for the next spring are already formed. Project Learning Tree’s activity “Bursting Buds” lets students investigate the stages leaf buds go through as leaves develop during the year. Adapt this activity by starting in the winter instead of the fall. For older students, have them work on identifying trees based upon the bud scars. This approach, sometimes in combination with bark, and tree shape, are ways people identify trees when they no longer have leaves.
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Bernard, R. 2001. A Tree for All Seasons. National Geographic Children’s Books.
Bourgoing, P. 1992. The Tree. Scholastic First Discovery Books.
Dorros, A. 1997. A Tree is Growing. Scholastic, Inc.
Ehlert, L. 2005. Leaf Man. Harcourt Trade Publishers.
Fontes, J.K. 2002. Signs of Spring. Mondo Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America.. Dawn Publications.
Lionni, L. 1992. A Busy Year. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Locker, T. 1995. Sky Tree. Harper Collins Publishers.
Lyon, G. 1996. ABCedar: an Alphabet of Trees. Scholastic Inc..
Miller, D. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker Books for Young Readers.
Morrison, G. 2005. Oak Tree. Houghton Mifflin Co.
Oppenheim, J. 1967. Have You Seen Trees. Addison Wesley Longman Publishing Company.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1997. From Bud to Blossom. Coughlan Publishing.
Schwartz, D.M. 2000. Plant Blossoms. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Grades 3-5
Burnie, D. 2005. Tree. DK Publishing, Inc.
Dowden, A. 1975. The Blossom on the Bough: A Book of Trees. Thomas Y. Crowell.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
George, K. 1998. Old Elm Speaks. Clarion Books.
Gibbons, G. 1984. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree. Voyager Books.
Hiscock, B. 1991. The Big Tree. Atheneum Books-MacMillan.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America. Dawn Publications.
Leslie, C. 1991. Nature All Year Long. Harper Collins Children Book Group.
Locker, T. 1995. Sky Tree. Harper Collins Publishers.
Lyons, D. 2002. The Tree. Illumination Arts Publishing.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Grades 6-8
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing the Trees. Bradbury Press-MacMillan.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Zim, H. S. 1989. Trees: A Guide to Familiar American Trees. St. Martin's Press.
Grades 9-12
Rushforth, K. 2004. The Easy Tree Guide: Common Native and Cultivated Trees of the United States and Canada. Globe Pequot Press.
Zim, H.S. 2001. Trees: A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press. Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Climate Change
According to most scientists, global warming is the single most important issue that affects our environment. Project Learning Tree’s activity, The Global Climate, is a good starting point for exploring this topic.
After students complete the student page “Saving a Ton of CO2” with their families, ask students what they can do individually to reduce CO2 every day (e.g. turn off lights when they leave a room, turn off electronics and unplug them when not in use, etc.). What can your school do?
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Aston, D.H. 2003. Loony Little. Candlewick Press.
Donnelly, K.J. 2003. Floods of the Past and Future. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Rockwell, A.F. 2006. Why Are the Ice Caps Melting?: The Dangers of Global Warming. HarperCollins Publishers.
Grades 3-5
David, L. and C. Gordon. 2007. The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming. Scholastic, Inc.
Fretwell, H. 2007. The Sky's Not Falling!: Why It's OK to Chill about Global Warming. World Ahead Publishing, Inc.
Howell, L. 2004. Introduction to Weather and Climate Change. Usborne Publishing Limited.
Morgan, S. 2007. Changing Climate. Sea to Sea Publications.
Morris, N. and R. Bowden. 2007. Global Warming. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Oxlade, C. 2002. Global Warming. Coughlan Publishing.
Pringle, L.P. 1990. Global Warming: Assessing the Greenhouse Threat. Arcade Publishing.
Rowland-Entwistle, T. 1991. Weather and Climate. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Taylor, B. 2001. How to Save the Planet. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Thornhill, J. 2007. This Is My Planet: The Kid's Guide to Global Warming. Maple Tree Press.
Varilla, M. 2004. Scholastic Atlas of Weather. Scholastic, Inc.
Grades 6-8
Blashfield, J.F. and W.B. Black. 1991. Global Warming. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Calhoun, Y. 2007. Environment in the News. Chelsea House Publishers.
Cherry, L. 2008. How we know what we know about our Changing Climate: Scientists and kids Explore Global Warming. Dawn Publications.
Fridell, R. 2002. Global Warming. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Lourie, P. 2007. Arctic Thaw: The People of the Whale in a Changing Climate. Boyds Mills Press.
Nardo, D. 2005. Ozone. Thomson Gale.
Parks, P.J. 2003. Global Warming. Thomson Gale.
Peckham, A. 1991. Global Warming. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Pringle, L.P. 2001. Global Warming: The Threat of Earth's Changing Climate. Seastar Books.
Silverstein, A. 2003. Global Warming. Lerner Publishing Group.
Scoones, S. 2002. Climate Change: Our Impact on the Planet. Raintree Publishers.
Stein, P. 2001. Forecasting the Climate of the Future. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Smith, T. 2004. Earth's Changing Climate. Smart Apple Media.
Tanaka, S. 2007. Climate Change. Groundwood Books.
Vogel, C.G. 2003. Human Impact. Scholastic Library Publishing.
World Almanac. 2002. Climate and the Environment. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Grades 9-12
Bilger, B. 1992. Global Warming. Chelsea House Publishers.
Evans, K. 2007. Weird Weather: Everything You Didn't Want to Know about Climate Change but Probably Should Find Out. Groundwood Books.
Leggett, J. 2001. The Carbon War: Global Warming and the End of the Oil Era. Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Stevens, W.K. 2001. Change in the Weather: People, Weather, and the Science of Climate. Dell Publishing.
Tesar, J. 2002. Global Warming. Replica Books.
According to most scientists, global warming is the single most important issue that affects our environment. Project Learning Tree’s activity, The Global Climate, is a good starting point for exploring this topic.
After students complete the student page “Saving a Ton of CO2” with their families, ask students what they can do individually to reduce CO2 every day (e.g. turn off lights when they leave a room, turn off electronics and unplug them when not in use, etc.). What can your school do?
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Aston, D.H. 2003. Loony Little. Candlewick Press.
Donnelly, K.J. 2003. Floods of the Past and Future. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Rockwell, A.F. 2006. Why Are the Ice Caps Melting?: The Dangers of Global Warming. HarperCollins Publishers.
Grades 3-5
David, L. and C. Gordon. 2007. The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming. Scholastic, Inc.
Fretwell, H. 2007. The Sky's Not Falling!: Why It's OK to Chill about Global Warming. World Ahead Publishing, Inc.
Howell, L. 2004. Introduction to Weather and Climate Change. Usborne Publishing Limited.
Morgan, S. 2007. Changing Climate. Sea to Sea Publications.
Morris, N. and R. Bowden. 2007. Global Warming. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Oxlade, C. 2002. Global Warming. Coughlan Publishing.
Pringle, L.P. 1990. Global Warming: Assessing the Greenhouse Threat. Arcade Publishing.
Rowland-Entwistle, T. 1991. Weather and Climate. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Taylor, B. 2001. How to Save the Planet. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Thornhill, J. 2007. This Is My Planet: The Kid's Guide to Global Warming. Maple Tree Press.
Varilla, M. 2004. Scholastic Atlas of Weather. Scholastic, Inc.
Grades 6-8
Blashfield, J.F. and W.B. Black. 1991. Global Warming. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Calhoun, Y. 2007. Environment in the News. Chelsea House Publishers.
Cherry, L. 2008. How we know what we know about our Changing Climate: Scientists and kids Explore Global Warming. Dawn Publications.
Fridell, R. 2002. Global Warming. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Lourie, P. 2007. Arctic Thaw: The People of the Whale in a Changing Climate. Boyds Mills Press.
Nardo, D. 2005. Ozone. Thomson Gale.
Parks, P.J. 2003. Global Warming. Thomson Gale.
Peckham, A. 1991. Global Warming. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Pringle, L.P. 2001. Global Warming: The Threat of Earth's Changing Climate. Seastar Books.
Silverstein, A. 2003. Global Warming. Lerner Publishing Group.
Scoones, S. 2002. Climate Change: Our Impact on the Planet. Raintree Publishers.
Stein, P. 2001. Forecasting the Climate of the Future. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Smith, T. 2004. Earth's Changing Climate. Smart Apple Media.
Tanaka, S. 2007. Climate Change. Groundwood Books.
Vogel, C.G. 2003. Human Impact. Scholastic Library Publishing.
World Almanac. 2002. Climate and the Environment. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Grades 9-12
Bilger, B. 1992. Global Warming. Chelsea House Publishers.
Evans, K. 2007. Weird Weather: Everything You Didn't Want to Know about Climate Change but Probably Should Find Out. Groundwood Books.
Leggett, J. 2001. The Carbon War: Global Warming and the End of the Oil Era. Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Stevens, W.K. 2001. Change in the Weather: People, Weather, and the Science of Climate. Dell Publishing.
Tesar, J. 2002. Global Warming. Replica Books.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
What’s in the Air?
While Iowans don’t focus on acid rain, it still continues in parts of the country. Project WILD Aquatic’s activity “What’s in the Air” takes a look at acid rain, and the effects it may have on aquatic life and habitats.
Have students research Iowa’s role in acid rain. Does acid rain fall in Iowa? Do factories in Iowa release the pollutants described that can create acid rain? Are there any of these factories in your community? If so, how do they try to prevent pollutants from entering the air? Have these factories had to modify their production/disposal of waste to prevent air pollution since they were built?
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Asimov, I. 1992. Why Is the Air Dirty? Gareth Stevens Audio.
Branley, F.M. 1986. Air Is All around You. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Kallen, S.A. 1993. If the Sky Could Talk. ABDO Publishing Company.
Stille, D.R. 2004. Air: Outside, inside, and All Around. Capstone Press.
Wheeler, J. 1993. For the Birds: A Book about Air. ABDO Publishing Company.
Llewellyn, C. 2003. Fight Air Pollution. Thameside Press.
Grades 3-5
Hudak, H.C. 2006. Air Pollution. Weigl Publishers, Incorporated.
Llewellyn, C. 2003. Fight Air Pollution. Thameside Press.
Patchett, L. 1994. Clean Air, Dirty Air. A&C Black Publishers, Ltd.
Snodgrass, M.E. 1991. Environmental Awareness: Air Pollution. Finney Company, Incorporated.
Grades 6-8
Calhoun, Y. 2007. Environment in the News. Chelsea House Publishers.
Chapman, M. 2002. Air Pollution: Our Impact on the Planet. Raintree Publishers.
Costa-Pau, R. 1994. Keeping the Air Clean. Chelsea House Publishers.
George, M. 1992. Air Pollution. Creative Company.
Miller, C.G. and L.A. Berry. 1996. Air Alert: Rescuing the Earth's Atmosphere. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Grades 9-12
Miller, E.W. 1998. Indoor Pollution: A Reference Handbook. ABC-CLIO, Incorporated.
While Iowans don’t focus on acid rain, it still continues in parts of the country. Project WILD Aquatic’s activity “What’s in the Air” takes a look at acid rain, and the effects it may have on aquatic life and habitats.
Have students research Iowa’s role in acid rain. Does acid rain fall in Iowa? Do factories in Iowa release the pollutants described that can create acid rain? Are there any of these factories in your community? If so, how do they try to prevent pollutants from entering the air? Have these factories had to modify their production/disposal of waste to prevent air pollution since they were built?
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Asimov, I. 1992. Why Is the Air Dirty? Gareth Stevens Audio.
Branley, F.M. 1986. Air Is All around You. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Kallen, S.A. 1993. If the Sky Could Talk. ABDO Publishing Company.
Stille, D.R. 2004. Air: Outside, inside, and All Around. Capstone Press.
Wheeler, J. 1993. For the Birds: A Book about Air. ABDO Publishing Company.
Llewellyn, C. 2003. Fight Air Pollution. Thameside Press.
Grades 3-5
Hudak, H.C. 2006. Air Pollution. Weigl Publishers, Incorporated.
Llewellyn, C. 2003. Fight Air Pollution. Thameside Press.
Patchett, L. 1994. Clean Air, Dirty Air. A&C Black Publishers, Ltd.
Snodgrass, M.E. 1991. Environmental Awareness: Air Pollution. Finney Company, Incorporated.
Grades 6-8
Calhoun, Y. 2007. Environment in the News. Chelsea House Publishers.
Chapman, M. 2002. Air Pollution: Our Impact on the Planet. Raintree Publishers.
Costa-Pau, R. 1994. Keeping the Air Clean. Chelsea House Publishers.
George, M. 1992. Air Pollution. Creative Company.
Miller, C.G. and L.A. Berry. 1996. Air Alert: Rescuing the Earth's Atmosphere. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Grades 9-12
Miller, E.W. 1998. Indoor Pollution: A Reference Handbook. ABC-CLIO, Incorporated.
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