Make a Coat!
Winter has officially begun! The winter solstice last week marked the official start of winter and the shortest day of the year. The cold season is upon us. The freezing winds are blowing and the sunshine is weak in the cold winter sky but many of us still venture out to explore and enjoy nature’s splendor. We pile on coats, snow pants, mittens, hats and scarves to get out the door and into nature. But where do we get our warm clothing? Where does the material for your coat come from? Explore the answer to these questions and learn how people throughout history have kept themselves warm with Project WILD’s “Make a Coat!”
Young Child Extension
Help young children make their own coat too and let them decorate the coats when you are done. Discuss how many of the materials we use to keep ourselves warm come from plants and animals. Look at books and pictures of animals in their winter “coats”. Then put on your coats (your real ones of course) and take a nature walk or just go out and play in the snow!
Book List
Grades PreK-2
DePaola, T. 1982. Charlie Needs a Cloak. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Langley, A. 2008. Wool. Crabtree Publishing Company.
L’Hommedieu, A.J. 1998. From Plant to Blue Jeans: A Photo Essay. Children’s Press (CT).
Mitgutsch, A., A. Fuchshuber, M. Reidel, and F. Hogner. 1983. From Cotton to Pants. Lerner Publishing Group.
Mitgutsch, A. 1981. From Cow to Shoe. Lerner Publishing Group.
Mitgutsch, A. 1983. From Sheep to Scarf. Lerner Publishing Group.
Nelson, R. 2003. From Cotton to T-Shirt. Lerner Publishing Group.
Grades 3-5
Keeler, P.A. and F.X. McCall. 1995. Unraveling Fibers. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Langley, A. 2008. Wool. Crabtree Publishing Company.
L’Hommedieu, A.J. 1998. From Plant to Blue Jeans: A Photo Essay. Children’s Press (CT).
Mitgutsch, A., A. Fuchshuber, M. Reidel, and F. Hogner. 1983. From Cotton to Pants. Lerner Publishing Group.
Mitgutsch, A. 1981. From Cow to Shoe. Lerner Publishing Group.
Mitgutsch, A. 1983. From Sheep to Scarf. Lerner Publishing Group.
Nelson, R. 2003. From Cotton to T-Shirt. Lerner Publishing Group.
Parker, S. 2002. Textiles. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Grades 6-8
Gleason, C. 2007. The Biography of Wool. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Keeler, P.A. and F.X. McCall. 1995. Unraveling Fibers. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Parker, S. 2002. Textiles. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Grades 9-12
Albright, B. and A. Grablewski. 2007. The Natural Knitter: How to Choose, Use, and Knit Natural Fibers from Alpaca to Yak. Crown Publishing Group.
Anawalt, P.R. 2007. The Worldwide History of Dress. Thames & Hudson.
Casselman, K.L. 1993. Craft of the Dyer: Colour from Plants and Lichens. Dover Publications.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Bird Song Survey
This week marks the beginning of the 110th Christmas Bird Count! It’s time once again to bundle up, grab your binoculars and head out to count birds for science! Every year tens of thousands of volunteers brave the cold to help biologists track and study bird populations. Use Project WILD’s “Bird Song Survey” to learn about inventorying wildlife populations, then apply what you have learned by participating in the Christmas Bird Count. The Christmas Bird Count runs December 14 through January 5th.
Want to do more? Join Project FeederWatch! Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders in backyards. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Great Backyard Bird Count February 12th-15th.
Young Child Extension
Get out the snowsuits and take the little kids along to count birds too! Make them their own “binoculars” by taping or gluing to empty toilet paper rolls together (let them decorate their own binoculars with crayons or markers). Then bundle up and head out to watch and count birds. After your walk, read stories about birds, try Bird Watcher by Jim Arnosky, make bird pictures and make up fun bird songs!
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Allen, K. 2006. Why Do Birds Fly South in the Winter?: A Book About Migration. Capstone Press.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bird Watcher. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's 25 Birds Every Child Should Know. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot's Guideto Knowing the Birds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Bailey, D. 1992. Birds: How to Watch and Understand the Fascinating World of Birds. DK Publishing, Inc.
Boring, M. and L. Garrow. 1998. Bird, Nests, and Eggs. National Book Network.
Bushnell, J. 1996. Sky Dancer. HarperCollins Publishers.
Collard, S.B. 2002. Beaks! Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
de. SairignGe, C. 1989. Animals in Winter. Young Discovery Library.
Frost, R. 2001. Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening. Dutton Juvenile.
Gans, R. 1996. How Do Birds Find their Way? (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2). Harper Trophy.
Garelick, M. 1995. What Makes a Bird a Bird? Mondo Publishing.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard. Dawn Publications.
Latimer, J. et al. 1999. Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
National Geographic Society. 1997. Animals in Winter. National Geographic Society.
Oppenheim, J.F. and B. Reid. 1987. Have You Seen Birds?. Scholastic, Inc.
Rabe, T. and A. Ruiz. 1998. Fine Feathered Friends: All About Birds (Cat in the Hat's Learning Library). Random House Children's Books.
Ray, M. 2004. Welcome Brown Bird. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Sill, C.P. 1997. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Weidensaul, S. and T. Taylor. 1998. Birds (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Zim, H.S. 1989. Birds. St. Martin's Press.
Grades 3-5
Arnold, C. 2003. Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Bateman, R. 2005. Bateman's Guide to Backyard Birds. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Boring, M. 1998. Bird, Nests, and Eggs. T&N Children's Publishing.
Bredeson, C. 2002. Animals That Migrate. Franklin Watts.
Burnie, D. 2005. Birdwatcher. DK Publishing, Inc.
Cherry, L. 1997. Flute's Journey: The Life of a Wood Thrush. Harcourt Brace.
Cortright, S. 1995. Birding Basics. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Davies, J. 2004. The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Dawe, N. 1988. Bird Book and the Bird Feeder. Workman Publishing Company, Inc.
Fitcher, G.S. 1982. Birds of North America. Random House, Incorporated.
Hume, R. 1993. Birdwatching. Random House, Incorporated.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Backyard Bird Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Knight, T. 2003. Marvelous Migrators. Heinemann.
Kress, S.W. 2001. Bird Life. Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press.
Latimer, J. et al. 1999. Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Lerner, C. 1994. Backyard Birds of Winter. HarperCollins Publishers.
Lerner, C. 2001. On the Wing: American Birds in Migration. HarperCollins.
Lindsey, T. 1999. Birding. Time-Life Custom Publishing.
Loates, G. and B. Kalman. 1988. Birds at My Feeder. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Maslowski, S. 2001. Birds in Winter. Smart Apple Media.
Peterson, R.T. 1999. Backyard Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Pine, J. 1993. Backyard Birds. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Rabe, T. and A. Ruiz. 1998. Fine Feathered Friends: All About Birds (Cat in the Hat's Learning Library). Random House Children's Books.
Weidensaul, S. and T. Taylor. 1998. Birds (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Yolen, J. 1999. Bird Watch: A Book of Poetry. Putnam Juvenile.
Grades 6-8
Burgess, T.W. 2003. Burgess Bird Book for Children. Dover Publications.
Burnie, D. 2004. Bird. DK Publishing, Inc.
Ganeri, A. 1993. Birds. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gans, R, Mirocha, P. 1996. How Do Birds Find Their Way? HarperTrophy.
Latimer, J. et al. 1999. Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Lee, F. 2005. Backyard Birding for Kids: A Field Guide and Activities. Gibbs Smith.
Robbins, C.S. 2001. Birds of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press.
Rylant, C. 2006. The Journey: Stories of Migration. Blue Sky Press.
Spaulding, D.T. 1997. Watching Our Feathered Friends. Lerner Publishing Group.
Ward, A. 2004. Pocket Factfiles: Birds. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Weidensaul, S. and T. Taylor. 1998. Birds (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Grades 9-12
Chu, Miyoko. 2007. Songbird Journeys: Four Seasons in the Lives of Migratory Birds. Walker & Company.
DeGraaf, R.M. 1995. Neotropical Migratory Birds: Natural History, Distribution, and Population Change. Cornell University Press.
Dobson, C. 1981. Feeding Wild Birds in Winter. Firefly Books.
Faaborg, J.R. 2002. Saving Migrant Birds: Developing Strategies for the Future. University of Texas Press.
Gardner, D. and N. Overcott. 2003. Birds at Your Feeder: A Guide to Winter Birds of the Great Plains. University of Iowa Press.
Johnson, A. 2005. Iowa Birds. Lone Pine Publishing.
Johnson, J. 2003. 1000 Facts on Birds. Barnes & Noble Books.
Kavanagh, J. 2001. Iowa Birds. Waterford Press Ltd.
Roth, S. 2000. Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible. Rodale Press, Incorporated.
Tekiela, S. 2001. Birds of Iowa: Field Guide. Adventure Publications.
This week marks the beginning of the 110th Christmas Bird Count! It’s time once again to bundle up, grab your binoculars and head out to count birds for science! Every year tens of thousands of volunteers brave the cold to help biologists track and study bird populations. Use Project WILD’s “Bird Song Survey” to learn about inventorying wildlife populations, then apply what you have learned by participating in the Christmas Bird Count. The Christmas Bird Count runs December 14 through January 5th.
Want to do more? Join Project FeederWatch! Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders in backyards. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Great Backyard Bird Count February 12th-15th.
Young Child Extension
Get out the snowsuits and take the little kids along to count birds too! Make them their own “binoculars” by taping or gluing to empty toilet paper rolls together (let them decorate their own binoculars with crayons or markers). Then bundle up and head out to watch and count birds. After your walk, read stories about birds, try Bird Watcher by Jim Arnosky, make bird pictures and make up fun bird songs!
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Allen, K. 2006. Why Do Birds Fly South in the Winter?: A Book About Migration. Capstone Press.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bird Watcher. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's 25 Birds Every Child Should Know. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot's Guideto Knowing the Birds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Bailey, D. 1992. Birds: How to Watch and Understand the Fascinating World of Birds. DK Publishing, Inc.
Boring, M. and L. Garrow. 1998. Bird, Nests, and Eggs. National Book Network.
Bushnell, J. 1996. Sky Dancer. HarperCollins Publishers.
Collard, S.B. 2002. Beaks! Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
de. SairignGe, C. 1989. Animals in Winter. Young Discovery Library.
Frost, R. 2001. Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening. Dutton Juvenile.
Gans, R. 1996. How Do Birds Find their Way? (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2). Harper Trophy.
Garelick, M. 1995. What Makes a Bird a Bird? Mondo Publishing.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard. Dawn Publications.
Latimer, J. et al. 1999. Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
National Geographic Society. 1997. Animals in Winter. National Geographic Society.
Oppenheim, J.F. and B. Reid. 1987. Have You Seen Birds?. Scholastic, Inc.
Rabe, T. and A. Ruiz. 1998. Fine Feathered Friends: All About Birds (Cat in the Hat's Learning Library). Random House Children's Books.
Ray, M. 2004. Welcome Brown Bird. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Sill, C.P. 1997. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Weidensaul, S. and T. Taylor. 1998. Birds (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Zim, H.S. 1989. Birds. St. Martin's Press.
Grades 3-5
Arnold, C. 2003. Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Bateman, R. 2005. Bateman's Guide to Backyard Birds. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Boring, M. 1998. Bird, Nests, and Eggs. T&N Children's Publishing.
Bredeson, C. 2002. Animals That Migrate. Franklin Watts.
Burnie, D. 2005. Birdwatcher. DK Publishing, Inc.
Cherry, L. 1997. Flute's Journey: The Life of a Wood Thrush. Harcourt Brace.
Cortright, S. 1995. Birding Basics. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Davies, J. 2004. The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Dawe, N. 1988. Bird Book and the Bird Feeder. Workman Publishing Company, Inc.
Fitcher, G.S. 1982. Birds of North America. Random House, Incorporated.
Hume, R. 1993. Birdwatching. Random House, Incorporated.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Backyard Bird Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Knight, T. 2003. Marvelous Migrators. Heinemann.
Kress, S.W. 2001. Bird Life. Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press.
Latimer, J. et al. 1999. Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Lerner, C. 1994. Backyard Birds of Winter. HarperCollins Publishers.
Lerner, C. 2001. On the Wing: American Birds in Migration. HarperCollins.
Lindsey, T. 1999. Birding. Time-Life Custom Publishing.
Loates, G. and B. Kalman. 1988. Birds at My Feeder. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Maslowski, S. 2001. Birds in Winter. Smart Apple Media.
Peterson, R.T. 1999. Backyard Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Pine, J. 1993. Backyard Birds. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Rabe, T. and A. Ruiz. 1998. Fine Feathered Friends: All About Birds (Cat in the Hat's Learning Library). Random House Children's Books.
Weidensaul, S. and T. Taylor. 1998. Birds (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Yolen, J. 1999. Bird Watch: A Book of Poetry. Putnam Juvenile.
Grades 6-8
Burgess, T.W. 2003. Burgess Bird Book for Children. Dover Publications.
Burnie, D. 2004. Bird. DK Publishing, Inc.
Ganeri, A. 1993. Birds. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gans, R, Mirocha, P. 1996. How Do Birds Find Their Way? HarperTrophy.
Latimer, J. et al. 1999. Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Lee, F. 2005. Backyard Birding for Kids: A Field Guide and Activities. Gibbs Smith.
Robbins, C.S. 2001. Birds of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press.
Rylant, C. 2006. The Journey: Stories of Migration. Blue Sky Press.
Spaulding, D.T. 1997. Watching Our Feathered Friends. Lerner Publishing Group.
Ward, A. 2004. Pocket Factfiles: Birds. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Weidensaul, S. and T. Taylor. 1998. Birds (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Grades 9-12
Chu, Miyoko. 2007. Songbird Journeys: Four Seasons in the Lives of Migratory Birds. Walker & Company.
DeGraaf, R.M. 1995. Neotropical Migratory Birds: Natural History, Distribution, and Population Change. Cornell University Press.
Dobson, C. 1981. Feeding Wild Birds in Winter. Firefly Books.
Faaborg, J.R. 2002. Saving Migrant Birds: Developing Strategies for the Future. University of Texas Press.
Gardner, D. and N. Overcott. 2003. Birds at Your Feeder: A Guide to Winter Birds of the Great Plains. University of Iowa Press.
Johnson, A. 2005. Iowa Birds. Lone Pine Publishing.
Johnson, J. 2003. 1000 Facts on Birds. Barnes & Noble Books.
Kavanagh, J. 2001. Iowa Birds. Waterford Press Ltd.
Roth, S. 2000. Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible. Rodale Press, Incorporated.
Tekiela, S. 2001. Birds of Iowa: Field Guide. Adventure Publications.
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