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.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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.
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.
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