Bird Song Survey


It is time once again for the annual Christmas Bird Count! This year marks the 111th National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count which thousands of Americans participate in annually. Young and old, students and teachers, parents and grandparents participate every year as citizen scientists to do their part to gather important information for bird conservation. Use Project WILD’s “Bird Song Survey” to explore the importance of inventorying wildlife populations!

Christmas Bird Count http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count

And don’t forget about the upcoming Great Backyard Bird Count in February! http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

Young Child Extension

Young children can help count birds too! Take kids on a walk around the school yard or observe birds through the windows of the classroom. Keep a chart to track the number of birds sighted. Put a bird feeder up outside the classroom window to attract birds for children to watch. Or help the children make pinecone bird feeders to hang up themselves. Use Growing Up WILD’s “Bird Beak Buffet” to learn more about our feathered friends!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
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 Guide to 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.
Collard, S.B. 2002. Beaks! Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Garelick, M. 1995. What Makes a Bird a Bird? Mondo Publishing.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard. Dawn Publications.
Johnson, A. 2005. Iowa Birds. Lone Pine Publishing.
Kavanagh, J. 2001. Iowa Birds. Waterford Press Ltd.
Latimer, J. et al. 1999. Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
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.
Rockwell, A.F. 1992. Our Yard Is Full of Birds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Sill, C.P. 1997. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Tekiela, S. 2001. Birds of Iowa: Field Guide. Adventure Publications.
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.
Zim, H.S. 1989. Birds. St. Martin's Press.

Grades 3-5
Arnold, C. 2003. Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
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 Guide to 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.
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.
Burnie, D. 2005. Birdwatcher. DK Publishing, Inc.
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.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard. Dawn Publications.
Hume, R. 1993. Birdwatching. Random House, Incorporated.
Johnson, A. 2005. Iowa Birds. Lone Pine Publishing.
Kavanagh, J. 2001. Iowa Birds. Waterford Press Ltd.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Backyard Bird Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
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.
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.
Rockwell, A.F. 1992. Our Yard Is Full of Birds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Sill, C.P. 1997. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Tekiela, S. 2001. Birds of Iowa: Field Guide. Adventure Publications.
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.
Zim, H.S. 1989. Birds. St. Martin's Press.

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.
Johnson, A. 2005. Iowa Birds. Lone Pine Publishing.
Kavanagh, J. 2001. Iowa Birds. Waterford Press Ltd.
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.
Spaulding, D.T. 1997. Watching Our Feathered Friends. Lerner Publishing Group.
Tekiela, S. 2001. Birds of Iowa: Field Guide. Adventure Publications.
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
Dobson, C. 1981. Feeding Wild Birds in Winter. Firefly Books.
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.
Peterson, R. T. and L. A. Peterson. 2010. Peterson Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Roth, S. 2000. Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible. Rodale Press, Incorporated.
Sibley, D. A. 2000. National Aububon Society: The Sibley Guide to Birds. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
Stokes, D. and L. Stokes. 2010. The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Little, Brown & Company.
Tekiela, S. 2001. Birds of Iowa: Field Guide. Adventure Publications.

Let’s Talk Turkey

Thanksgiving is next week and as everyone knows we often refer to this day of giving thanks as “Turkey Day”. This year before “Turkey Day” gather your students and talk about turkeys. Ask them what they think of when they hear the word “turkey”. Are their thoughts about domestic or wild turkeys? What is the difference? Use Project WILD’s “Let’s Talk Turkey” to explore the history of Wild Turkeys.

For information on the history of Wild Turkeys in Iowa visit:
Iowa DNR Wildlife Wild Turkey Restoration http://www.iowadnr.gov/wildlife/files/files/turkey_restoration.pdf

Young Child Extension

Ask young children if they have ever seen a turkey. Where was it? What did it look like? Talk about what turkeys look like and where they live and the difference between wild and domestic turkeys. For more ideas and for snacks and crafts use Growing Up WILD’s “Terrific Turkeys”

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 2008. All About Turkeys. Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 2009. I'm A Turkey! Scholastic, Inc.
Balian, L. 2003. Sometimes It's Turkey, Sometimes It's Feathers. Star Bright Books, Inc.
Bateman, T. 2004. A Plump and Perky Turkey. Marshall Cavendish, Inc.
Bloxam, F. and J. Sollers. 2005. Little Tom Turkey. Down East Books.
Johnston, T. and R.F. Deas. 2004. 10 Fat Turkeys. Scholastic, Inc.
May, J. and J. Hamberger. 1973. Wild Turkeys. Holiday House, Inc.
Patent, D.H. and W. Munoz. 1989. Wild Turkeys,Tame Turkey. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Spirn, M.S. and R.W. Alley. 2000. The Know-Nothings Talk Turkey (I Can Read Book 2). HarperCollins Children's Books.
Stemple, D. and T. Lewin. 2001. High Ridge Gobbler: A Story of the American Wild Turkey. Boyds Mills Press.
Steinberg, D. and L. Conrad. 2005. The Turkey Ball. Penguin Group (USA).

Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 2008. All About Turkeys. Scholastic, Inc.
Balian, L. 2003. Sometimes It's Turkey, Sometimes It's Feathers. Star Bright Books, Inc.
Bateman, T. 2004. A Plump and Perky Turkey. Marshall Cavendish, Inc.
Bloxam, F. and J. Sollers. 2005. Little Tom Turkey. Down East Books.
May, J. and J. Hamberger. 1973. Wild Turkeys. Holiday House, Inc.
Spirn, M.S. and R.W. Alley. 2000. The Know-Nothings Talk Turkey (I Can Read Book 2). HarperCollins Children's Books.
Stemple, D. and T. Lewin. 2001. High Ridge Gobbler: A Story of the American Wild Turkey. Boyds Mills Press.
Steinberg, D. and L. Conrad. 2005. The Turkey Ball. Penguin Group (USA).

Grades 6-8
May, J. and J. Hamberger. 1973. Wild Turkeys. Holiday House, Inc.
Patent, D. H. and W. Munoz. 1992. Wild Turkey: Tame Turkey. Sandpiper.
Stemple, D. and T. Lewin. 2001. High Ridge Gobbler: A Story of the American Wild Turkey. Boyds Mills Press.

Grades 9-12
Dickson, J. G. 1992. The Wild Turkey: Biology and Management. Stackpole Books.
Eiche, S. 2006. Presenting the Turkey: The Fabulous Story of a Flamboyant and Flavorful Bird. Centro Di.
Williams, L. E. and G. W. Griffen. 1993. Wild Turkey Country. Northword Press.

Have Seeds Will Travel

It’s time to take a “seed walk”! Autumn is the best time of year for collecting seeds. Take kids out to collect seeds from plants along a trail, in the schoolyard or have them collect seeds from home to bring to school. Then use Project Learning Tree’s “Have Seeds Will Travel” to examine and explore the wonder of seeds!

Young Child Extension
Use Growing Up WILD’s “Seed Need” to explore the fascinating world of plant seeds with young children. Take the children on a “seed walk” to collect seeds and then let them examine the seeds. They can sort them by size, shape, or color. Or use the seeds to create seed collages!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Aston, D. 2007. A Seed Is Sleepy. Chronicle Books LLC.
Berger, M. 1994. All about Seeds: A Hands-on Science Book. Scholastic, Inc.
Brown, R. 2001. Ten Seeds. Knopf Publishing Group.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Carle, E. 1991. The Tiny Seed. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Cole, J. 1995. The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow. Scholastic, Inc.
Downden, A.O. 1984. From Flower to Fruit. Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
Doyle, M. and J. Allibone. 2002. Jody's Beans. Candlewick Press.
Ehlert, L. 1992. Planting a Rainbow. Harcourt Children's Books.
Fowler, A. 2001. From Seed to Plant. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 1991. From Seed to Plant. Holiday House.
Hickman, P. 1996. A Seed Grows: My First Look at a Plant's Life Cycle. Kids Can Press, Ltd.
Jennings, T.J. 1988. Seeds. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jordan, H.J. 1992. How a Seed Grows. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Kuchalla, S. 1990. All About Seeds. Troll Communications L.L.C.
Krauss, R. 1993. The Carrot Seed. HarperCollins Publishers.
Lauber, P. 1981. Seeds Pop-Stick-Glide. Crown Publishers, Inc.
Lovejoy, S. 1999. Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children. Workman Publishing Company.
Manning, M. and B. Granstrom. 2003. The Seed I Planted (Wonderwise Readers). Franklin Watts, Ltd.
Marzollo, J. 1996. I'm a Seed. Scholastic, Inc.
Moncure, J.B. 1990. How Seeds Travel: Popguns and Parachutes. Child's World, Incorporated.
Morgan, S. 2004. Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Thameside Press.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2002. How and Why Seeds Travel. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Pascoe, E. 2003. Plants with Seeds. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Richards, J. and A. Hariton. 2006. A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds. Lerner Publishing Group.
Robbins, K. 2005. Seeds. Atheneum.
Rockwell, A. 1999. One Bean. Walker Books for Young Readers.
Roemer, H.B. 2006. What Kinds of Seeds Are These? T&N Children's Publishing.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1998. Seeds. Capstone Press.
Schaefer, L.M. 2003. Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Scrace, C. 2002. Growing Things. Franklin Watts.
Wexler, J. 1988. Flowers, Fruits Seeds. Prentice Hall Books.
Whitehouse, P. 2002. Seeds. Heinemann.
Worth, B. 2001. Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants. Random House, Incorporated.

Grades 3-5
Anthony, J.A. 1997. Dandelion Seed. California: Dawn Publications.
Berger, M. 1994. All about Seeds: A Hands-on Science Book. Scholastic, Inc.
Bix, C.O. 1982. How Seeds Travel. Lerner Publishing Group.
Branigan, C. 2005. Flowers and Seeds. Smart Apple Media.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Burton, J. and K. Taylor. 1999. Nature and Science of Seeds. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Cole, J. 1995. The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow. Scholastic, Inc.
Farndon, J. 2006. Seeds. Thomson Gale.
Fowler, A. 2001. From Seed to Plant. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 1991. From Seed to Plant. Holiday House.
Goodman, S.E. 2001. Seeds, Stems, and Stamens: The Ways Plants Fit into Their World. Lerner Publishing Group.
Hickman, P. 1996. A Seed Grows: My First Look at a Plant's Life Cycle. Kids Can Press, Ltd.
Hoff, M.K. 2004. Pollination. The Creative Company.
Jennings, T.J. 1988. Seeds. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jennings, T.J. 1989. Seeds and Seedlings. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jordan, H.J. 1992. How a Seed Grows. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Kalman, B.1996. How a Plant Grows. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Kirkpatrick, R.K. 1990. Look at Seeds and Weeds. Raintree Publishers.
Lauber, P. 1991. Seeds: Pop Stick Glide. Crown Books for Young Readers.
Moncure, J.B. 1990. How Seeds Travel: Popguns and Parachutes. Child's World, Incorporated.
Morgan, S. 2004. Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Thameside Press.
Overbeck, C. 1982. How Seeds Travel. Minneapolis: Lerner.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2002. How and Why Seeds Travel. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Pascoe, E. 2003. Plants with Seeds. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Richards, J. and A. Hariton. 2006. A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds. Lerner Publishing Group.
Robbins, K. 2004. Seeds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Roemer, H.B. 2006. What Kinds of Seeds Are These? T&N Children's Publishing.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Rushing, F. 2004. Dig, Plant, Grow. Cool Springs Press.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1998. Seeds. Capstone Press.
Schaefer, L.M. 2003. Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Scrace, C. 2002. Growing Things. Franklin Watts.
Wexler, J. 1988. Flowers, Fruits Seeds. Prentice Hall Books.
Whitehouse, P. 2002. Seeds. Heinemann.
Worth, B. 2001. Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants. Random House, Incorporated.

Grades 6-8
Bates, J.W. 1991. Seeds to Plants: Projects with Biology. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Goodman, S.E. 2001. Seeds, Stems, and Stamens: The Ways Plants Fit into Their World. Lerner Publishing Group.
Lauber, P. 1991. Seeds: Pop Stick Glide. Crown Books for Young Readers.
Moncure, J.B. 1990. How Seeds Travel: Popguns and Parachutes. Child's World, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2002. How and Why Seeds Travel. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Pascoe, E. 1996. Seeds and Seedlings. Thomson Gale.
Robbins, K. 2004. Seeds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1998. Seeds. Capstone Press.
Schaefer, L.M. 2003. Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Winckler, S. 2002. Planting the Seed: A Guide to Gardening. Lerner Publishing Group.

Grades 9-12
Bates, J.W. 1991. Seeds to Plants: Projects with Biology. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Kershner, B., et al. 2008. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. Sterling Publishing.
Kesseler, R., and W. Stuppy. 2009. Seeds: Time Capsules of Life. Firefly Books, Limited.
Martin, A. C. 2000. Seed Identification Manual. The Blackburn Press.
Robbins, K. 2004. Seeds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Thoreau, H. D. 1996. Faith in a Seed: The Dispersion of Seeds and Other Late Natural Natural Writings. Island Press.
Young, J. A. 2009. Seeds of Woody Plants in North America. Timber Press, Inc.

Deer Crossing

Every year wildlife biologists and other wildlife professionals must make important decisions that impact wildlife and people. There are many factors that can impact these decisions. Use Project WILD’s “Deer Crossing” to put students in the wildlife management seat and let them decide what should be done with a deer herd in Idaho (or Iowa!).

Young Child Extension
Use Growing Up WILD’s “Oh, Deer!” activity to explore wildlife habitat. Make deer antler headbands and take the kids outside to the schoolyard to pretend they are deer. What would real deer do if they were in the schoolyard? Is there water for them to drink? Is there food for them to eat? Try reading Jim Arnosky’s “All About Deer” and then make deer shaped sandwiches with pretzel antlers!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Deer. Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Bailey, J. 1988. Discovering Deer (Discovering Nature). Scholastic Library Publishing.
Ballard, C. 2008. Watching Wildlife: Animal Habitats. Heinemann.
Biel, T. L. 1996. The Deer Family (Zoobooks Series). Wildlife Education, Limited.
Bruchac, J. 1991. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Carle, E. 2007. My Very First Book of Animal Homes. Penguin Group (USA).
Dingwall, L. 1994. Deer (Getting to Know Nature's Children Series). Grolier Academic Reference.
Galko, F. 2002. Forest Animals (Animals in Their Habitats). Heinemann Library.
Hoberman, M. A. and B. Fraser. 2007. A House is a House for Me. Penguin Group (USA).
Hodge, D. and P. Stephens. 1999. Deer, Moose, Elk, and Caribou (Kids Can Press Wildlife Series). Kids Can Press, Limited.
Jenkins, S. and R. Page. I See a Kookaburra!: Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Magellan, M. 1990. Home At Last. Humanics Children's House.
Press, J. and B. Day. 2005. Animal Habitats! Ideals Publications.
Squire, A.O. 2002. Animal Homes. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Deer. Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Bailey, J. 1988. Discovering Deer (Discovering Nature). Scholastic Library Publishing.
Bair, D. and P. Wright. 1999. Deer Watching. Capstone Press.
Biel, T. L. 1996. The Deer Family (Zoobooks Series). Wildlife Education, Limited.
Chinery, M. 2004. Animal Habitats. Southwater.
DK Publishing. 2009. Animal Habitats. DK Publishing, Inc.
Kalman, B. 2007. The ABC’s of Habitats. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Press, J. and B. Day. 2005. Animal Habitats! Ideals Publications.

Grades 6-8
DK Publishing. 2009. Animal Habitats. DK Publishing, Inc.
Ganeri, A. 2005. Animal Homes (Nature Files Series). Chelsea House Publishers.
Benvus, J.M., and G. Wolff. 1989. The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
Brasch, N. 2010. Why Do Spiders Live in Webs?: All About Animal Habitats. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Press, J. and B. Day. 2005. Animal Habitats! Ideals Publications.
Zwaschka, M. and M. Hansen. 1999. The White-Tailed Deer. Coughlan Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Benvus, J.M., and G. Wolff. 1989. The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
Bang. M. 1997. Common Ground: The Earth We Share. Blue Sky Press.
Dinsmore, J. 1994. A Country So Full of Game: The Story of Wildlife in Iowa. University of Iowa Press.
Dinsmore, S. and J. Moore. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Francis, M. H. 2006. The Whitetail Fieldbook: The Visual guide to Deer. Nova Vista Publishing.

Signs of Fall

The air is crisp and autumn winds are starting to blow. That can mean only one thing – it’s time to go on a fall leaf hunt! Use Project Learning Tree’s “Signs of Fall” and take students outside to observe nature’s leaf show! Learn why and how leaves change color as the temperature outside drops.

Young Child Extension
Use Project Learning Tree: Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood’s “Signs of Fall”. Take little kids on a leaf hunt on your school grounds or backyard and look for different colored leaves. Then read stories about autumn leaves and make leaf art!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
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).
Bridwell, N. 1997. Clifford's First Autumn. San Val.
Carle, E. 1991. The Tiny Seed. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Colandro, L. 2010. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves. Scholastic, Inc.
Curry, D. L. L. and A. Janinski. 2004. Fall Leaves. Scholastic Library Publishing.
DePalma, M. 2005. A Grand Old Tree. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Desjardens, D. 2005. The Autumn Marathon. Artistic Ventures LLC.
Ehlert, L. 2005. Leaf Man. Harcourt Trade Publishers.
Ehlert, L. 1991. Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf. Harcourt Children's Books
Evans, L. 1997. Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gamlin, L. 1997. Trees. DK Publishing, Inc.
Gerber, C. 2006. Leaf Jumpers. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Good, E.W. 1994. Fall Is Here! I Love It! Good Books.
Hall, Z. 2000. Fall Leaves Fall! Scholastic Press.
Lynn, M. 2008. Fall Leaves. Publish America.
Maestro, B. 1994. Why Do Leaves Change Color? HarperCollins Children's Books.
Marzollo, J. 1999. I Am a Leaf. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Muller, G. 2004. Autumn. Floris Books.
Nidey, K. 2004. When Autumn Falls. Albert Whitman.
Rawlinson, J., and T. Beeke. 2008. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves. HarperCollins Publishers.
Roca, N., and R. M. Curto. 2004. Fall. Barron’s Educational Series Incorporated.
Ryder, J. 1991. Hello Tree! Lodestar Publishers.
Schweninger, A. 1991. Autumn Days: Let's Look at the Seasons. Viking Children's Books.
Turner, B. J., J. Schultz, and J. Dunlap. 2002. Autumn: Signs of the Season Around North America. Coughlan Publishing.
Woodworth, V. 1997. Do Cows Turn Colors in the Fall? Child's World.

Grades 3-5
Albert, T. 1997. A Kid's Fall EcoJournal: With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season. Trickle Creek Books.
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).
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing the Trees. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Burns, D. 1998. Trees, Leaves and Bark. Northwoods Press.
Gibbons, G. 1988. Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree. Globe Pequot Press.
Johnson, S. 1986. How Leaves Change. Learner Publications.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Tree Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Lerner, C. 1987. A Forest Year. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc.
Lyon, G. 1996. ABCedar: An Alphabet of Trees. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Morrison, G. 2000. Oak Tree. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Robbins, K. 1998. Autumn Leaves. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Simon, S. 1993. Autumn across America. Hyperion Books for Children.
Svedberg, U. 1988. Nicky the Nature Detective. R & S Books.

Grades 6-8
Albert, T. 1997. A Kid's Fall EcoJournal: With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season. Trickle Creek Books.
Johnson, S. 1986. How Leaves Change. Learner Publications.
Leslie, C. 1991. Nature All Year Long. HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Wiggers, R. 1991. Picture Guide to Tree Leaves. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Zim, H.S. and A.C. Martin. 1956. A Golden Guide to Trees. New York: Golden Pres

Grades 9-12
Leslie, C.W. 2003. Keeping a Nature Journal. Storey Publishing, LLC.
Smith, C.W. 2005. Fall Foliage: The Mystery, Science, and Folklore of Autumn Leaves. Globe Pequot Press.

Improve Your Place

Explore your school’s water “footprint”! Use Project Learning Tree’s “Improve Your Place” to explore your school’s water footprint and design a service learning project to improve your school’s water runoff and pollutant loading. Planting trees, shrubs and grasses, as well as installing rain gardens help prevent runoff of possible pollutants.
Go to Rain Water Audit and start your a rain water audit today!

Need a plan for improvement?
Visit Build Beautiful Rain Gardens to Purify Water for ideas and designs for rain gardens, which prevent runoff by “capturing” rainwater.
Does your school need more trees and shrubs? Try visiting Trees Forever to learn what trees, shrubs and grass you can plant to help “improve your place”!


Young Child Extension
Explore water this week! Give children cups or bowls of water to drink, play with and explore. Use Project WILD’s Growing Up WILD “Aqua Charades” for more fun ideas to get kids excited about water!

Is another grade in your school doing the Project Learning Tree “Improve Your Place” activity? Be sure to get the little kids involved! Even small children can help plant trees and shrubs!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Arnold, T. 2002. No More Water in the Tub! Penguin Group (USA).
Asch, F. and D. Halverson. 2000. Water. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Base, G. 2001. The Water Hole. Harry N Abrams, Inc.
Branley, F.M. 1997. Down Comes the Rain. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Brimner, L.D. 1999. Raindrops. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Cole, J. and B. Degen. 1988. The Magic School Bus At the Waterworks. Scholastic, Inc.
DK Publishing. 2007. Water Everywhere. DK Publishing, Inc.
Donnelly, A. 1998. Water Pollution. Child's World, Incorporated.
Edom, H. 2007. Science with Water. EDC Publishing.
Fourment, T. 2004. My Water Comes from the Mountains. Roberts Rinehart Publishers.
Fraiser, D. 2004. The Incredible Water Show. Harcourt.
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.
Kerley, B. 2006. A Cool Drink of Water. National Geographic Society.
London, J., T. Widener, and G. Couch. 2001. Sun Dance, Water Dance. Penguin Group (USA).
Morrison, G. 2006. A Drop of Water. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Olien, R. 1999. Splish Splash Science, Grades 1-3: Learning about Water with Easy Fun-Filled Activities. Scholastic, Inc.
Pluckrose, H. 2001. Water. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Rauzon, M.J. 1995. Water, Water Everywhere. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Relf, P. 1996. The Magic School Bus Wet All Over: A Book About The Water Cycle. Scholastic Paperbacks.
Rosinsky, N.M. 2002. Water: Up, Down, and All Around. Capstone Press.
Seuling, B. 2000. Drip! Drop!: How Water Gets to Your Tap. Holiday House, Inc.
Swanson, D. 2005. Wonder in Water. Annick Press, Limited.
Tresselt, A.R. 1990. Rain Drop Splash. HarperCollins Publishers.
Weininger, B. and A. Moller. 2003. Precious Water. North-South Books.
Wells, R.E. 2006. Did a Dinosaur Drink This Water? Albert Whitman & Company.
Yolen, J. 1995. Water Music: Poems for Children. Boyds Mills Press.

Grades 3-5
Berger, M. 1995. Water, Water Everywhere. Ideals Publications.
Berry, J.W. 2001. Every Kid's Guide to Saving the Earth. Warehousing & Fulfillment Specialists, LLC.
Binns, T.B. 2005. Clean Planet: Stopping Litter and Pollution. Heinemann Library.
Canizares, S. and P. Chanko. 1998. Water. June 1998.
Cobb, V. 1986. Trip of a Drip. Little, Brown & Company.
Collard, S.B. 2000. Acting for Nature: What Young People around the World Have Done to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
Ditchfield, C. 2001. Water. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Earthworks Group. 1990. 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth. Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House, Incorporated.
Elkington, J., D. Hill, J. Hailes, and J. Mekower.1990. Going Green: A Kid's Handbook to Saving the Planet. Viking Children's Books.
Flanagan, A.K. 2000. Water. Capstone Press.
Goodrich, R.S. 2004. Hydro's Adventure Through the Water Cycle. Geoquest Pubns.
Holmes, A. 1993. I Can Save the Earth: A Kid's Handbook for Keeping Earth Healthy and Green. Silver Burdett Press.
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.
Mckinney, B.S. 1998. A Drop around the World. Dawn Publications.
Moor, J.E. 1998. Water. Evan-Moor Educational Publishers.
Olien, R. 2006. Making Water Clean. Capstone Press.
Olien, R. 2006. Water Cycle. Capstone Press.
Petersen, C. 2004. Water Power. Children's Press (CT).
Roberts, P. 2002. Kids taking Action: Community Service Learning Projects, K-8. Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc.
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.
Braus, J. 1991. Pollution: Problems and Solutions (Ranger Rick’s Naturescope Series). National Wildlife Federation.
Clare, P. 2009. Living Green: Saving Our Earth. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Day, T. 2007. Water. DK Publishing, Inc.
Giono, J. 2003. Man Who Planted Trees. Random House UK Distribution.
Halpin, M. 2004. It's Your World - If You Don't Like It, Change It: Activism for Teens. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Harman. 2005. The Water Cycle: Evaporation, Condensation & Erosion. Heinemann-Raintree.
Jervis, P. 1997. How Science Works: Water. Barns and Noble Books.
Lewis, B. A. 2009. The Kid’s Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference. Free Spirit Publishing.
Markert, J. 1992. Water. The Creative Company.
McKay, K., J. Bonnin, and D. de Rothschild. 2008. True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet. Natl Geographic Soc Childrens Boks.
McKinney, B.S. and M.S. Maydak. 1998. A Drop Around the World. Dawn Publications.
McLeish, E. 1998. Keeping Water Clean, Vol. 4 Raintree Publishers.
Morgan, S. 2009. The Water Cycle. Rosen Publishing Group.
Rice, W.B., and M. Sullivan. 2010. Inside the Water Cycle. Compass Point Books.
Roberts, P. 2002. Kids taking Action: Community Service Learning Projects, K-8. Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc.
Royston, A. 2005. The Life and Times of a Drop of Water: The Water Cycle. Heinemann-Raintree.
Swanson, D. 2005. Wonder in Water. Annick Press, Limited.
The Earthworks Group. 1990. 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth. Andrews McMeel Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Barss, K.J. 1992. Clean Water. Chelsea House Publishers.
Collard III, S. 2000. Acting For Nature: What Young People Around the World Are Doing to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
Cossi, O. 1993. Water Wars. Silver Burdett Press.
Dobson, C. 1999. Watersheds: A Practical Handbook for Healthy Water. Firefly Books, Limited.
Gardner, R. 2004. Experimenting with Water. Dover Publications.
Graham, K. and G. Chandler. 1996. Environmental Hereos: 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.
Harman. 2005. The Water Cycle: Evaporation, Condensation & Erosion. Heinemann-Raintree.
Lewis, B. A. 2009. The Kid’s Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference. Free Spirit Publishing.
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.
Rice, W.B., and M. Sullivan. 2010. Inside the Water Cycle. Compass Point Books.
Riley, T. 2007. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Living. Alpha Books.
Royston, A. 2005. The Life and Times of a Drop of Water: The Water Cycle. Heinemann-Raintree.
Ryerson, M. 2003. Water Music. University of Michigan Press.
Sivertsen, L. and T. Sivertsen. 2008. Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
Stille, D.R. 2005. Natural Resources: Using and Protecting Earth’s Supplies. Capstone Press, Inc.

Are Vacant Lots Vacant?

Take a look at your schoolyard - it probably has a playground, maybe grass and a little gravel or concrete too. Now look closer. Where you run and play is also home to insects, birds and possibly a few mammals too. Take a schoolyard nature walk and see if you can find them! Use Project Learning Tree’s “Are Vacant Lots Vacant?” to explore your schoolyard or a nearby vacant lot for signs of wildlife.

Young Child Extension
Little kids love getting down on their hands and knees and exploring nature! Take them out to the schoolyard and let them explore as they search for signs of wildlife and insects. Have the children paint or draw a picture of an animal that they found or gather a variety of art and craft supplies and have them create wildlife sculptures. Then have everyone gather around and read “In the Tall, Tall Grass” by Denise Fleming.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Bunting, E. 1996. Secret Place. Clarion Books.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Cooper, A.C. 2000. In the City. Rinehart P.
Corwin, J. 2009. Your Backyard is Wild. Penguin Group (USA).
Davis, W. 1998. City Park. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Dinsmore, S. J. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Epstein, S. 1989. Bugs for Dinner?: The Eating Habits of Neighborhood Creatures. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Fife, D. H. and J. Arnosky. 1996. The Empty Lot. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Fleming, D. 1995. In the Tall, Tall Grass. Henry Holt and Co. (BYR).
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Giogas, V. 2007. In My Backyard. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Herberman, E. 1989. The City Kid's Field Guide. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Kavanagh, J. and R. Leung. 2001. Urban Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (North American Nature Guides). Waterford Press.
Kirkland, J. 2006. Take a City Nature Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Landry, S.B. and R.T. Peterson. 1998. Peterson First Guide to Urban Wildlife. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Lunis, N. 1996. Life in Your Backyard. Newbridge.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin Books.
Rotner, S. 1992. Nature Spy. Atheneum.
Silver, D.M. and P.J. Wynne. 1997. One Small Square Backyard. The McGraw-Hill Companies.
Wood, A. J. 2003. Beetles and Bugs: A Nature Trail Book. Silver Dolphin Books.

Grades 3-5
Barrons Educational Series. 2000. Urban Animal. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Bunting, E. 1996. Secret Place. Clarion Books.
Burnie, D. 2005. Bug Hunter. DK Publishing, Inc.
Corwin, J. 2009. Your Backyard is Wild. Penguin Group (USA).
Dinsmore, S. J. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Fife, D. H. and J. Arnosky. 1996. The Empty Lot. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Green, J. 2002. In a Backyard. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Hodgkins, F. 2000. Animals among Us: Living with Suburban Wildlife. Shoe String Press, Incorporated.
Kavanagh, J. and R. Leung. 2001. Urban Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (North American Nature Guides). Waterford Press.
Kirkland, J. 2006. Take a City Nature Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Kranz, L. 2002. My Nature Book: A Journal and Activity Book for Kids. T&N Children's Publishing.
Landry, S.B. and R.T. Peterson. 1998. Peterson First Guide to Urban Wildlife. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Lunis, N. 1996. Life in Your Backyard. Newbridge.
Maurer, R. 1989. City Kid's Field Guide. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin Books.
Ross, M.E. 1993. World of Small: Nature Explorations with a Hand Lens. Yosemite Association.
Silver, D.M. and P.J. Wynne. 1997. One Small Square Backyard. The McGraw-Hill Companies.
VanCleaves, J. 1997. Janice VanCleave's Play and Find Out About Nature: Easy Experiments for Young Children. Wiley.
Wood, A. J. 2003. Beetles and Bugs: A Nature Trail Book. Silver Dolphin Books.

Grades 6-8
Barrons Educational Series. 2000. Urban Animal. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Dinsmore, S. J. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Kavanagh, J. and R. Leung. 2001. Urban Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (North American Nature Guides). Waterford Press.
Landry, S.B. and R.T. Peterson. 1998. Peterson First Guide to Urban Wildlife. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.Lawlor, E.P. 1993. Discover Nature Close to Home: Things to Know and Things to Do. Stackpole Books.

Grades 9-12
Bosselaar, L.A. 2000. Urban Nature: Poems About Wildlife in the City. Milkweed Editions.
Dinsmore, S. J. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Kavanagh, J. and R. Leung. 2001. Urban Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (North American Nature Guides). Waterford Press.
Landry, S.B. and R.T. Peterson. 1998. Peterson First Guide to Urban Wildlife. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.Leslie, C. 2003. Keeping a Nature Journal. Storey Publishing.

Environmental Exchange Box

Do you know what makes your environment special? What is unique about where you live from other regions of the world? Well it’s time to find out! Use Project Learning Tree’s “Environmental Exchange Box” to explore your unique geographic region. Then exchange your “environmental box” with another school to learn about their unique environment. First step – find another group to exchange with! Follow this link and fill out the form to be matched with another “environmental exchange” group: PLT Environmental Exchange Box Sign-up
Then set out to learn all you can about your own environment and start collecting items to share!

Young Child Extension
Sign up for an environmental exchange group too! Then take small children on a walk around your schoolyard, yard or local park to observe the plants and animals that live there. Start your own exchange box and put the children in charge of gathering local leaves from trees or drawing pictures of birds they see.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Chesanow, N. and A. W. Iosa. 1995. Where Do I Live?. Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
Dorros, A. and S. M. Dorros. 1997. Radio Man: Don Radio. San Val.
Edwards, M. 1994. Eve and Smithy: An Iowa Tale. HarperCollins Publishers.
Holling, C. 1980. Paddle-to-the-Sea. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Hopkins, L. B. and S. Alcorn. 2000. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Kohl, M. and J. Potter. 1998. Global Art: Activities, Projects, and Inventions from Around the World. Gryphon House.
Petty, K. and J. Maizels. 2000. The Amazing Pop-Up Geography Book. Penguin Group (USA).
Pierce, P. and B. Langton. 2003. H is for Hawkeye: An Iowa Alphabet. Sleeping Bear Press.
Pierce, P. A. and D. Rohner. 2006. Numbers in a Row: An Iowa Number Book. Sleeping Bear Press.
Rocha, R. and O. Roth. 1990. Blue & Beautiful: Planet Earth, Our Home. United Nations Publications.
Rylant, C. and L. Desimini. 2002. Tulip Sees America. Scholastic, Inc.
Wagner, J. and E. P. Dawson. 2003. H is for Hawkeye. Trails Books.

Grades 3-5
Allaby, M. 2008. National Geographic Visual Encyclopedia of Earth: Wonders of Our Living Planet. National Geographic Society.
Alexander, H. and M. Hamilton. 2010. A Child’s Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and People – From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc.
Doherty, G., A. Claybourne, and S. Davidson. 2010. The Usborne Geography Encyclopedia with Complete World Atlas. EDC Publishing.
Dorros, A. and S. M. Dorros. 1997. Radio Man: Don Radio. San Val.
Edwards, M. 1994. Eve and Smithy: An Iowa Tale. HarperCollins Publishers.
Holling, C. 1980. Paddle-to-the-Sea. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Hopkins, L. B. and S. Alcorn. 2000. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Kohl, M. and J. Potter. 1998. Global Art: Activities, Projects, and Inventions from Around the World. Gryphon House.
Ladoux, R. 2002. Iowa. Lerner Publishing Group.
Moore, J. E. and G. Shipman. 1993. Beginning Geography, Vol 2: Land Forms & Bodies of Water. Evan-Moor Educational Publishers.
Moore, J. E. and G. Shipman. 1993. Beginning Geography, Vol 3: Continents And Oceans. Evan-Moor Educational Publishers.
Petty, K. and J. Maizels. 2000. The Amazing Pop-Up Geography Book. Penguin Group (USA).
Wagner, J. and E. P. Dawson. 2003. H is for Hawkeye. Trails Books.

Grades 6-8
Allaby, M. 2008. National Geographic Visual Encyclopedia of Earth: Wonders of Our Living Planet. National Geographic Society.
Doherty, G., A. Claybourne, and S. Davidson. 2010. The Usborne Geography Encyclopedia with Complete World Atlas. EDC Publishing.
Editors of Kingfisher. 2005. Concise Geography Encyclopedia. Kingfisher.
Hopkins, L. B. and S. Alcorn. 2000. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Kohl, M. and J. Potter. 1998. Global Art: Activities, Projects, and Inventions from Around the World. Gryphon House.
Ladoux, R. 2002. Iowa. Lerner Publishing Group.

Grades 9-12
Editors of Kingfisher. 2005. Concise Geography Encyclopedia. Kingfisher.
Hopkins, L. B. and S. Alcorn. 2000. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Morrice, P. A. and J. Hart. 2007. Iowa. Cavendish, Marshall Corporation.

A few of My Favorite Things

Here’s a fun way to break the ice the first week back in school – have a resource “show and tell”. Have each student bring in one of their favorite objects, such as a skateboard, book, toy or stuffed animal. Have the students share their object with the class and tell why it’s their favorite but also what it is made up of, such as metal, wood, cotton or plastic. Keep a class list of the materials in their favorite objects. Then follow Project Learning Tree’s “A Few of My Favorite Things” to discuss and trace the natural resources origin of all the materials.

Young Child Extension
Have young children bring one of their favorite objects too! Have them share their object with the class and then as a class try to guess what it is made of and where those materials came from (i.e. wood from trees, cotton from cotton plants). Discuss how we get materials to make things from plants and animals just like we get food from plants and animals.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Deedy, C.A. and L.L. Seeley. 1994. Agatha’s Feather Bed: Not Just Another Wild Goose Story. Peachtree Publishers.
Gifford, C. 2008. Materials. Roaring Brook Press.
Priceman, M. 2008. How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A. Random House Childrens Books.

Grades 3-5
Deedy, C.A. and L.L. Seeley. 1994. Agatha’s Feather Bed: Not Just Another Wild Goose Story. Peachtree Publishers.
Gifford, C. 2008. Materials. Roaring Brook Press.
Priceman, M. 2008. How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A. Random House Childrens Books.

Grades 6-8
Lindeen, C.K. 2007. Natural and Human-Made. Pebble Books.
Morgan, S. 2009. Natural Resources. Black Rabbit Books.
Spilsbury, R. and L.A. Spilsbury. 2006. Earth’s Resources. Chelsea House Publishers.
Stille, D.R. 2005. Natural Resources: Using and Protecting Earth’s Supplies. Capstone Press, Inc

Grades 9-12
Parks, P. 2004. Global Resources. Cengage Gale
Winters, A. 2006. Destruction of Earth’s Resources: The Need for Sustainable Development. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.

Earth Manners

Children are naturally curious about nature and their environment. Take a child outdoors and chances are they will start exploring under rocks and leaves, picking up sticks and searching for bugs.. The desire to explore and learn should be nurtured while also teaching children about respect for all living things and their environment. Use Project Learning Tree's “Earth Manners” to help children develop their own guidelines for exploring and enjoying nature. Then try out your new set of outside “rules” and go outside to play and explore!

Young Child Extension
Take young children on a walk through your backyard, neighborhood, or local park. Talk about what the animals and plants there need to live. Talk about what they themselves need to live (food, water, shelter) and how they are the same things that animals need. Ask them what they think they can do when they are out walking to keep the area healthy for the plants and animals. Draw pictures and tell stories about where they live or where animals live. Read Why Should I Protect Nature? by Jen Green.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Barraclough, S. 2007. Respecting Our World. Black Rabbit Books.
Bruchac, J. 1991. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Bruchac, J. 1997. Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants through Native American Stories and Earth Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Gile, J. and T. Heflin. 1989. The First Forest. JGC/United Publishing Corps.
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Protect Nature? Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
Madden, D. 1986. 1993. The Wartville Wizard. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Tafuri, N. 1987. 1987. Do Not Disturb. HarperCollins Publishers.

Grades 3-5
Bruchac, J. 1991. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Bruchac, J. 1997. Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants through Native American Stories and Earth Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Gile, J. and T. Heflin. 1989. The First Forest. JGC/United Publishing Corps.
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Protect Nature? Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
Madden, D. 1986. 1993. The Wartville Wizard. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Kalman, B. 1993. The Colors of Nature. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Montgomery, R.G., and C. Grant. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press.

Grades 6-8
Bruchac, J. 1991. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Bruchac, J. 1997. Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants through Native American Stories and Earth Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Gile, J. and T. Heflin. 1989. The First Forest. JGC/United Publishing Corps.
Montgomery, R.G., and C. Grant. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press.

Grades 9-12
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Montgomery, R.G., and C. Grant. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press

Sounds Around

Stop what you are doing for a minute – now close your eyes and listen. What do you hear? Our ears are constantly being bombarded with sound, most of which we “tune out”. Our modern way of life produces a large amount of sound or noise - so much so that it is often referred to as “noise pollution”. Use Project Learning Tree’s “Sounds Around” to explore sound. Learn to “tune in” to the sounds of your environment, whether you’re on a crowded city street or a quite woodland trail. Then apply what you have learned to help identify and lessen local noise pollution problems.

Young Child Extension
Take young children outside to the schoolyard, backyard or local park. Have them close their eyes and listen. What do they hear? Talk about what they hear. Talk about how we use our ears to hear. When you get back to classroom draw pictures of the different things that they heard, or tell each other stories about what they heard.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Baylor, B. and P. Parnall. 1997. The Other Way to Listen. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Becker, B. and B. Huang. 1995. The Quiet Way Home. Holt, Henry, and Company
Bentley, D., H. Cahoon, and M. Gerth. 2004. Buzz-Buzz, Busy Bees. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Brown, M.W. and L. McCue. 2002. Bunny’s Noisy Book. Hyperion Books for Children.
Carle, E. and Jr. Martin, B. 1997. Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? Henry Holt and Co.
Graff, N.P. and G.B. Karas. 1998. In the Hush of the Evening. HarperCollins Publishers.
Martin, Jr., B. and J. Endicott. 1988. Listen to the Rain. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Pledger, M. 2007. Sounds of the Wild: Nightime. Silver Dolphin Books.
Seuss, Dr. 1954. Horton Hears a Who. Random House Children's Books.
Showers, P. and Aliki. 1993. The Listening Walk. HarperCollins Children's Books.

Grades 3-5
Baylor, B. and P. Parnall. 1997. The Other Way to Listen. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Becker, B. and B. Huang. 1995. The Quiet Way Home. Holt, Henry, and Company
Graff, N.P. and G.B. Karas. 1998. In the Hush of the Evening. HarperCollins Publishers.
Inseth, Z. 1998. Noise Pollution. Child’s World, Inc.
Martin, Jr., B. and J. Endicott. 1988. Listen to the Rain. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Showers, P. and Aliki. 1993. The Listening Walk. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Seuss, Dr. 1954. Horton Hears a Who. Random House Children's Books.

Grades 6-8
Baylor, B. and P. Parnall. 1997. The Other Way to Listen. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Finney, S. 1984. Noise Pollution. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Grey, J. 1975. Noise, Noise, Noise. Westminster John Knox Press.
Inseth, Z. 1998. Noise Pollution. Child’s World, Inc.

Grades 9-12
Bijsterveld, K. 2008. Mechanical Sound: Technology, Culture, and Public Problems of Noise in the Twentieth Century. MIT Press.
Hughes, HC. 1999. Sensory Exotica: A World Beyond Human Experience. MIT Press.
Keizer, G. 2010. The Unwanted Sound of Everything We Want: A Book About Noise. PublicAffairs.
Kosko, B. 2006. Noise. Penguin Group Inc (USA).
Prochnik, G. 2010. In Pursuit of Silence: Listening for Meaning in a World of Noise. Knopf Doubleday Publishing.

The Global Climate

The Earth’s climate system is complex. It is affected by what happens in the atmosphere, the oceans, glaciers, and land. The interaction of these variables and the changes that result from both natural and human-made variables are difficult to predict. This Earth Day, April 22, marks the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day - in celebration of this milestone explore our Earth’s climate and learn ways that you can reduce your “carbon footprint”. Use Project Learning Tree’s “The Global Climate” to learn about the Earth’s climate system and the amount of CO2 you generate. Find out what can you do to reduce CO2 emissions at home and at school!

Young Child Extension
Ask children about what they think people need to live? What do other animals need to live? What about plants and other living things? Where do all living things get what they need to live? Show them, through going outside, playing with a globe, or looking at pictures, how the Earth provides us, and all living things, with everything that we need to live. Discuss ways you, as a class, can use less so that there is more to share for all living things. Start a classroom recycle bin, turn off lights that aren’t being used, start a scrap paper bin for art projects or have the kids come up with their own ideas!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Albert, T. 2000. I Heard the Willow Weep. Trickle Creek Books.
Asch, F. 1994. The Earth and I. Gulliver Green.
Baker, J. 2004. Home. Greenwillow.
Beard, D.B. and H. Maione. 2009. Annie Glover Is Not a Tree Lover. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Berenstain, S. 1991. Berenstain Bears Don't Pollute (Anymore). Random House Children's Books.
Brown, P. 2009. The Curious Garden. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Douglas, L.G. 2003. Let's Get Ready for Earth Day. Children's Press.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House, Incorporated.
Earthworks Group. 1990. 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth. Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Fife, D. 1996. Empty Lot. Sagebrush Education Resources.
Gibbons, G. 1996. Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Glaser, L. 1996. Compost!: Growing Gardens from Your Garbage. Millbrook Press, Inc.
Glaser, L. and E. Kleven. 2000. Our Big Home: An Earth Poem. Lerner Publishing Group
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Protect Nature? Barron’s Educational Series.
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Recycle? Barron’s Educational Series.
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Save Energy? Barron’s Educational Series.
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Save Water? Barron’s Educational Series.
Harlow, R. 2001. The Environment. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Inches, A. and V. Garofoli. 2008. I Can Save the Earth!: One Little Monster Learns to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Little Simon.
Jennings, S. 2001. Franklin Plants a Tree. Scholastic.
Lowery, L. 2003. Earth Day. Carolrhoda Books.
Martin, B. Jr. 2006. I Love Our Earth. Charlesbridge Publishing.
Marx, D.F. 2000. Earth Day. Scholastic Library Publishing.
McDonnell, J. 1994. Celebrating Earth Day. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Paolilli, P. and D. Brewer. 2001. Silver Seeds: A Book of Nature Poems. Viking.
Roca, N. 2007. Three R's: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Salvo-Ryan, D.D. 1994. City Green. HarperCollins Publishers.
Schimmel, S. 2002. Children of the Earth…Remember. T&N Children's Publishing.
Schimmel, S. 1994. Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home. T&N Children's Publishing.
Taback, S. 2000. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. Penguin Group.

Grades 3-5
Arthus-Bertrand, Y., et al. 2004. Future of the Earth: An Introduction to Sustainable Development for Young Readers. HNA Books.
Ball, J. 2003. Conservation and Natural Resources. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Bang, M. 1997. Common Ground: The Water, Earth and Air We Share. Scholastic, Inc.
Berry, J.W. 2001. Every Kid's Guide to Saving the Earth. Warehousing & Fulfillment Specialists, LLC.
Binns, T.B. 2005. Clean Planet: Stopping Litter and Pollution. Heinemann Library.
Blackbirch Graphics.1997. Alternate Energy Sources. Twenty-first Century Books.
Brenner, B. 2000. Earth Is Painted Green: A Garden of Poems about Our Planet. Scholastic, Inc.
Collard, S.B. 2000. Acting for Nature: What Young People around the World Have Done to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
David, L. and C. Gordon. 2007. The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming. Scholastic, Inc.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House, Incorporated.
Elkington, J., D. Hill, J. Hailes, and J. Mekower.1990. Going Green: A Kid's Handbook to Saving the Planet. Viking Children's Books.
Gardner, R. 1992. Celebrating Earth Day: A Source Book of Activities and Experiments. Lerner Publishing Group.
Harlow, R. 2002. Pollution and Waste. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Holmes, A. 1993. I Can Save the Earth: A Kid's Handbook for Keeping Earth Healthy and Green. Silver Burdett Press.
Howell, L. 2004. Introduction to Weather and Climate Change. Usborne Publishing Limited.
Landau, E. 2002. Earth Day: Keeping Our Planet Clean. Enslow Elementary.
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.
Petersen, C. 2004. Alternative Energy. Children’s Press (CT).
Raum, E. 2008. Fossil Fuels and Biofuels. Heinemann Library
Romanek, T. 2005. Switched on, Flushed Down, Tossed out: Investigating the Hidden Workings of Your Home. Annick Press, Limited.
Ross, K. 1995. Every Day Is Earth Day. Millbrook Press.
Rowland-Entwistle, T. 1991. Weather and Climate. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Schimmel, S. 2002. Children of the Earth…Remember. T&N Children's Publishing.
Schimmel, S. 1994. Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home. T&N Children's Publishing.
Schwartz, L. and B. Armstrong. 1990. Earth Book for Kids: Activities to Help Heal the Environment. Creative Teaching Press, Inc.
Silverstein, S. 2004. The Giving Tree. HarpersCollins Children’s Books Group.
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.
Van Allsburg, C. 1990. Just a Dream. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Varilla, M. 2004. Scholastic Atlas of Weather. Scholastic, Inc.

Grades 6-8
Archer, J. 1998. To Save the Earth. Penguin Group (USA).
Bang, M. 2001. Common Ground: The Water, Earth and Air We Share. Spoken Arts.
Blashfield, J.F. and W.B. Black. 1991. Global Warming. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Bowden, R. 2002. Waste, Recycling and Reuse: Our Impact on the Planet. Raintree Publishers.
Brown, P. 1998. Energy and Resources. Scholastic.
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.
Clare, P. 2009. Living Green: Saving Our Earth. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Elwin, R. & Paulse, M. 1992. The Moonlight Hide and Seek Club in the Pollution Solution. Canadian Scholars Press.
The Earthworks Group. 1990. 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth. Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Fleischman, P. 1999. Seedfolks. HarperCollins Publishers.
Foster, J. 1991. Cartons, Cans, and Orange Peels: Where Does Our Garbage Go? Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gay, K. 1993. Caretakers of the Earth. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Giono, J. 2003. Man Who Planted Trees. Random House UK Distribution.
Graham, K. 1996. Contemporary Environmentalists. Facts on File, Inc.
Graham, K. and G. Chandler. 1996. Environmental Hereos: Success Stories of People at Work for the Earth. Pruett Publishing Company.
Grant, P & Haswell, A. 2000. Air and Energy. Thameside Press.
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.
Lambert, D. 1986. Pollution and Conservation. Bookwright Press.
Lourie, P. 2007. Arctic Thaw: The People of the Whale in a Changing Climate. Boyds Mills Press.
McKay, K., J. Bonnin, and D. de Rothschild. 2008. True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet. Natl Geographic Soc Childrens Boks.
Miller, C. 1986. Wastes. Franklin Watts.
Miller, C.G. and L.A. Berry. 1996. Air Alert: Rescuing the Earth's Atmosphere. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Nardo, D. 2005. Ozone. Thomson Gale.
Newton, D. 1990. Taking A Stand Against Environmental Pollution (Taking a Stand Series). Franklin Watts.
Orme, H. 2008. Living Green. Bearport Publishing Company, Inc.
Parks, P.J. 2003. Global Warming. Thomson Gale.
Passero, B. 2006. Energy Alternatives. Cengage Gale.
Peckham, A. 1991. Global Warming. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Pringle, L.P. 2001. Global Warming: The Threat of Earth's Changing Climate. Seastar Books.
Rock, M. 1992. The Automobile and the Environment. Chelsea House
Schwartz, L. and B. Armstrong. 1990. Earth Book for Kids: Activities to Help Heal the Environment. Creative Teaching Press, Inc.
Scoones, S. 2002. Climate Change: Our Impact on the Planet. Raintree Publishers.
Silverstein, A. 2003. Global Warming. Lerner Publishing Group.
Smith, T. 2004. Earth's Changing Climate. Smart Apple Media.
Sonneborn, L. 2007. The Environmental Movement: Protecting Our Natural Resources. Facts on File.
Stein, P. 2001. Forecasting the Climate of the Future. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Tanaka, S. 2007. Climate Change. Groundwood Books.
Vogel, C.G. 2003. Human Impact. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Watson, S. 2003. Protecting Global Environments. Smart Apple Media.
Wheeler, J. 1991. Earth Moves: Get There With Energy to Spare. ABDO.
Whitman, S. 1994. This Land is Your Land: The American Conservation Movement. Lerner Publishing Group.
Wines, J. and S. Horne. 2008. You Can Save the Planet: 50 Ways You Can Make a Difference. Scholastic, Inc
World Almanac. 2002. Climate and the Environment. Gareth Stevens Audio.

Grades 9-12
Archer, J. 1998. To Save the Earth. Penguin Group (USA).
Bilger, B. 1992. Global Warming. Chelsea House Publishers.
Collard III, S. 2000. Acting For Nature: What Young People Around the World Are Doing to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
Doherty, B. 2002. Ideas and Actions in the Green Movement. Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Evans, K. 2007. Weird Weather: Everything You Didn't Want to Know about Climate Change but Probably Should Find Out. Groundwood Books.
Fitzpatrick, T. 1992. Signals from the Heartland. Walker & Company.
Gay, K. 1994. Pollution and the Powerless: The Movement for Environmental Justice. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Graham, K. and G. Chandler. 1996. Environmental Hereos: 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.
Hayes, D. 2000. Official Earth Day Guide to Planet Repair. Island Press.
Imhoff, D. and R. Carra. 2005. Paper or Plastic?: Searching for Solutions to an Overpackaged World. Sierra Club Books.
Leggett, J. 2001. The Carbon War: Global Warming and the End of the Oil Era. Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Middleton, J. 1989. Atlas of Environmental Issues. Facts on File, Incorporated.
Polesetsky, M. and C.P. Cozic. 1991. Energy Alternatives. Cengage Gale.
Povey, K.D. 2007. Energy Alternatives. Cengage Gale.
Riley, T. 2007. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Living. Alpha Books.
Sailer, J. 1993. A Vogt for the Environment. The Book Publishing Company.
Sivertsen, L. and T. Sivertsen. 2008. Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
Smith, A.M. 2008. 50 Plus One Tips for Going Green. Gale Cengage Learning.
Stevens, W.K. 2001. Change in the Weather: People, Weather, and the Science of Climate. Dell Publishing.
Stille, D.R. 2005. Natural Resources: Using and Protecting Earth’s Supplies. Capstone Press, Inc.
Tesar, J. 2002. Global Warming. Replica Books.
Whitman, S. 1994. This Land is Your Land: The American Conservation Movement. Lerner Publishing Group.

Water Wonders

Water is essential for all life on Earth. It covers 71% of our planet and makes up 50-70% of the weight of all plants and animals. There is a fixed amount of water on Earth that is constantly being cycled through our environment to living things and back to our environment. This process is known as the water cycle. Use Project Learning Tree’s “Water Wonders” to explore the wonder of our Earth’s water!

Young Child Extension
Take advantage of the spring rain and take children outdoors to splash in water puddles! Discuss how the puddles were formed--the rain fell from the clouds to the Earth and pooled to make puddles. The water from the puddles will make its way into streams and rivers which will eventually flow into the ocean. The water will evaporate back into the clouds and then fall as rain once more. When you get back to the classroom draw pictures of rain, puddles or other water, then read books about water, try “A Drop Around the World” by Barbara Shaw McKinney.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Branley, F.M. 1997. Down Comes the Rain. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Brimner, L.D. 1999. Raindrops. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Curry, D.L. 1999. The Water Cycle. Capstone Press.
DK Publishing. 2007. Water Everywhere. DK Publishing, Inc.
Fourment, T. 2004. My Water Comes from the Mountains. Roberts Rinehart Publishers.
Fraiser, D. 2004. The Incredible Water Show. Harcourt.
Greenaway, T. 2000. Water Cycle. Raintree Publishers.
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).
Kalman, B. 2006. Water Cycle. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Locker, T. 2002. Water Dance. Harcourt Children's Books.
Mckinney, B.S. 1998. A Drop around the World. Dawn Publications.
Morrison, G. 2006. A Drop of Water. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Pluckrose, H. 2001. Water. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Rauzon, M.J. 1995. Water, Water Everywhere. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Relf, P. 1996. The Magic School Bus Wet All Over: A Book About The Water Cycle. Scholastic Paperbacks.
Rosinsky, N.M. 2002. Water: Up, Down, and All Around. Capstone Press.
Salas, L.P., and S. De Giorgi. 2010. There Goes the Water: A Song About the Water Cycle. Picture Window Books.
Schmid, E. 1994. The Water's Journey. North-South.
Seuling, B. 2000. Drip! Drop!: How Water Gets to Your Tap. Holiday House, Inc.
Swanson, D. 2005. Wonder in Water. Annick Press, Limited.
Tresselt, A.R. 1990. Rain Drop Splash. HarperCollins Publishers.
Waldman, N. 2003. Snowflake: A Water Cycle Story. Millbrook Press.
Wells, R.E. 2006. Did a Dinosaur Drink This Water? Albert Whitman & Company.
Weininger, B. and A. Moller. 2003. Precious Water. North-South Books.

Grades 3-5
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.
Ditchfield, C. 2001. Water. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Dorros, A. 2000. Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean. HarperCollins.
Flanagan, A.K. 2000. Water. Capstone Press.
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.
Mckinney, B.S. 1998. A Drop around the World. Dawn Publications.
Moor, J.E. 1998. Water. Evan-Moor Educational Publishers.
Olien, R. 2006. Water Cycle. 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.

Grades 6-8
Bailey, G. and S. Way. 2009. Water. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Day, T. 2007. Water. DK Publishing, Inc.
Harman. 2005. The Water Cycle: Evaporation, Condensation & Erosion. Heinemann-Raintree.
Markert, J. 1992. Water. The Creative Company.
Morgan, S. 2009. The Water Cycle. Rosen Publishing Group.
Rice, W.B., and M. Sullivan. 2010. Inside the Water Cycle. Compass Point Books.
Royston, A. 2005. The Life and Times of a Drop of Water: The Water Cycle. Heinemann-Raintree.
Swanson, D. 2005. Wonder in Water. Annick Press, Limited.

Grades 9-12
Harman. 2005. The Water Cycle: Evaporation, Condensation & Erosion. Heinemann-Raintree.
Rice, W.B., and M. Sullivan. 2010. Inside the Water Cycle. Compass Point Books.
Royston, A. 2005. The Life and Times of a Drop of Water: The Water Cycle. Heinemann-Raintree.

National Wildlife Week

March 15-19 is National Wildlife Week! Get wild this week by going on a nature hike to look for signs of wildlife. Watch for animal tracks and keep your eyes open for birds, squirrels, deer and other wildlife. Then study the decline and recovery of animal species with Project WILD’s “Back from the Brink”. Follow Project WILD’s fact sheets about the North American Alligator, the Black-Footed Ferret and the Gray Wolf. Then extend the activity and study the decline and recovery of several Iowa species:
Trumpeter Swan Restoration
Peregrine Falcon Restoration
Osprey Restoration
Deer in Iowa: A Historic Perspective
River Otters
Wild Turkeys

Get out, get wild and have fun!

Young Child Extension
Go on a nature walk in your schoolyard, neighborhood or local park, bring along Jim Arnosky’s “Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs” and look for wildlife or signs of wildlife. What do you see? Record your observations, draw pictures of the animals or animal tracks, nests or burrows, and the places where you found them. When you get back to the classroom read books about wildlife found in Iowa, try ”Swans” by Lynn Stone, “Deer” by JoAnn Macken or “Saving the Peregrine Falcon” by Caroline Arnold.

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnold, C. 1985. Saving the Peregrine Falcon. Lerner Classroom.
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Deer. Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1979. Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 1994. Crinkleroot’s Twenty-Five Mammals Every Child Should Know. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Arnosky, J. 2008. Wild Tracks! A Guide to Nature's Footprints. Sterling Publishing.
Bailey, J. 1988. Discovering Deer (Discovering Nature). Scholastic Library Publishing.
Cooper, J. 1997. Trumpeter Swan (Giants Among Us). Rourke Publishing.
Dingwall, L. 1994. Deer (Getting to Know Nature's Children Series). Grolier Academic Reference.
Dorros, A. 1991. Animal Tracks. Scholastic, Inc
Galko, F. 2002. Forest Animals (Animals in Their Habitats). Heinemann Library.
Galvin, L.G., and C. Leeper. 2002. River Otter at Autumn Lane (Smithsonian’s Backyard). Soundprints.
Giogas, V. 2007. In My Backyard. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Grassy, J. 1998. Mammals (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
James, S. 1996. Wild Woods. Tandem Library Books.
Macken, J. 2009. Deer (Animals That Live in the Foerst). Weekly Reader Learning Library.
Marston, H.I., and M.M. Brown. 2003. My Little Book of River Otters. Windward Publishing Company.
Mason, P., and C. Bateman. 1999. Return of the Osprey. Harbour Publishing Company, Limited.
Stone, L.M. 1997. Swans (Early Bird Nature Books). Lerner Publications.
Nail, J.D. and H. Skudder. 1994. Whose Tracks Are These? A Clue Book for Familiar Forest Animals. Rinehart Publishing.
Reece, P.J. 2001. Tilly: A River Otter. Perfection Learning Corporation.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart P.
Ruurs, M. 2007. In My Backyard. Tundra.
Ryder, J. 2000. Each Living Thing. Harcourt Children's Books.
Wechsler, D. 2001. Peregrine Falcons. PowerKids Press.

Grades 3-5
Amato, C.A. 2002. Backyard Pets: Activities for Exploring Wildlife Close to Home. Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Deer. Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1998. Animal Tracker. Random House Value Publishing, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1999. Arnosky's Ark. National Geographic Society.
Arnosky, J. 1979. Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 1992. Long Spikes. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Arnosky, J. 1999. Otters Under Water. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 2008. Wild Tracks! A Guide to Nature's Footprints. Sterling Publishing.
Bailey, J. 1988. Discovering Deer (Discovering Nature). Scholastic Library Publishing.
Bair, D. and P. Wright. 1999. Deer Watching. Capstone Press.
Biel, T. L. 1996. The Deer Family (Zoobooks Series). Wildlife Education, Limited.
Bishop, N. 2002. Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close. Scholastic, Inc.
Cooper, J. 1997. Trumpeter Swan (Giants Among Us). Rourke Publishing.
Doolittle, B. and E. M. 2001. Reading the Wild. Greewich Workshop Press.
Galvin, L.G., and C. Leeper. 2002. River Otter at Autumn Lane (Smithsonian’s Backyard). Soundprints.
Grassy, J. 1998. Mammals (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Green, J. 2002. In a Backyard. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Mason, P., and C. Bateman. 1999. Return of the Osprey. Harbour Publishing Company, Limited.
Montgomery, R.G. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Norsgaard, E.J. 1990. Nature's Great Balancing Act: In Our Own Backyard. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Pringle, L.P. 1990. Saving Our Wildlife. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Reece, P.J. 2001. Tilly: A River Otter. Perfection Learning Corporation.
Russo, M. 1998. Watching Nature: A Beginner's Field Guide. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Shedd, W. 2002. Kids' Wildlife Book. Williamson Kids Can Series.
Squire, A.O. 1996. 101 Questions and Answers about Backyard Wildlife. Walker & Company.
Sterry, P. 2005. Nature Explorer. Running Press Book Publishers.
Swinburne, S. 2003. The Woods Scientist. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Swinburne, S.R. and J. Brandenburg. 2001. Once a Wolf: How Biologists Brought Back the Gray Wolf. San Val.
Wechsler, D. 2001. Peregrine Falcons. PowerKids Press.

Grades 6-8
Crump, D.J. 1987. Wildlife: Making a Comeback. National Geographic Society.
Esbensen, B.J., and M.B. Brown. 1993. Playful Slider: The North American River Otter. Little Brown & Company.
Goodnough, D. 2001. Endangered Animals of North America. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Grassy, J. 1998. Mammals (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Love, D., and J.M. Turley. 2005. Awesome Osprey: Fishing Birds of the World. Mountain Press Publishing Company.
Osborn, E. 2002. Project UltraSwan. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.
Reading, R.P. 2000. Endangered Animals: A Reference Guide to Conflicting Issues. Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Savage, C. 1993. Peregrine Falcons. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Swinburne, S.R. and J. Brandenburg. 2001. Once a Wolf: How Biologists Brought Back the Gray Wolf. San Val.
Taylor, B.H. 2001. Daphne: A Trumpeter Swan. Perfection Learning Corporation.

Grades 9-12
Banko, W.E. 1980. Trumpeter Swan: It’s History, Habits, and Population in the United States. University of Nebraska Press.
Dennis, R.H.2008. A Life of Ospreys. Whittles.
Dinsmore, S. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Franz, B.S. 2006. The Wildlife Habitat Journal-Restoring and Exploring Wildlife Habitat in Your Own Backyard. Lulu.com.
Gaughen, S. 2005. Endangered Species. Gale Group.
Harrison, G. and K. Harrison. 1987. America's Favorite Backyard Wildlife. Fireside.
Hoyt, E. 1991. Extinction A-Z. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Kruk, H. 2006. Otters: Ecology, Behavior and Conservation. Oxford University Press, USA.
La Tourrette, J. 1997. Watching Wildlife: The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Observing Animals in the Wild. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
McClung, R.M. 1993. Lost Wild America: The Story of Our Extinct and Vanishing Wildlife. Shoe String Press, Incorporated.
Roberts, R. 1998. Endangered Species. Gale Group.
Savage, C. 1993. Peregrine Falcons. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Swinburne, S.R. and J. Brandenburg. 2001. Once a Wolf: How Biologists Brought Back the Gray Wolf. San Val.

Animal Poetry

Friday marks the start of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count! It’s time once again to get out your binoculars and bird books and observe the birds that you see in your own backyard (or schoolyard!). This year, as you are recording the birds that you see, take a moment to feel the inspirational power of birds and bird flight. Watch the fantastic flight of a hawk overhead; observe the wonderful colors of the cardinal; note the perfect form of a chickadee’s beak; listen to the “wha-wha-wha” of a nuthatch as it crawls down a tree. When you return from your walk write a poem about your experience. Let Project WILD’s “Animal Poetry” guide you as you create your own nature poetry. Nature and wildlife have inspired countless artists and poets – let them inspire you!

Young Child Extension
Even the littlest of kids can help watch and count birds! Take little kids for a short walk in your backyard or schoolyard and help them count and record the birds that they see. Ask them to share what they see, feel and hear. When you return to the classroom have them draw pictures about their walk or write (or dictate to a teacher) a poem about their experience. Finish by reading poems about birds and nature.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
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 Guide to 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.
Garelick, M. 1995. What Makes a Bird a Bird? Mondo Publishing.
Harrison, M., and C. Stuart-Clark. 1992. The Oxford Book of Animal Poems. Oxford University Press.
Heard, G., and J.O. Dewey. 1997. Creatures of the Earth, Sea, and Sky: Poems. Boyds Mills Press.
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.
Paladino, C. 1993. Land, Sea, and Sky: Poems to Celebrate the Earth. Little, Brown & Company.
Rockwell, A.F. 1992. Our Yard Is Full of Birds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Ryder, J., and D. Nolan. 1990. Under Your Feet. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Sidman, J., and B. Prange. 2005. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
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.
Worth, V., and S. Jenkins. 2007. Animal Poems. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Yolen, J. and J. Stemple. Color Me a Rhyme: Nature Poems for Young People. Boyds Mills Press.
Zim, H.S. 1989. Birds. St. Martin's Press.

Grades 3-5
Arnold, C. 2003. Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
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 Guide to 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.
Bateman, R. 2005. Bateman's Guide to Backyard Birds. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Bradman, S., and S. Wintringham. 2002. Wild and Wonderful: Poems about the Natural World. Hodder Headline.
Burnie, D. 2005. Birdwatcher. DK Publishing, Inc.
Cortright, S. 1995. Birding Basics. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Dawe, N. 1988. Bird Book and the Bird Feeder. Workman Publishing Company, Inc.
Fitcher, G.S. 1982. Birds of North America. Random House, Incorporated.
Fleischman, P., and E. Beddows. 1992. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices. HarperCollins Publishers.
Hamerstrom, F. 1985. Walk When the Moon Is Full. Crossing Press, Inc
Harrison, M., and C. Stuart-Clark. 1992. The Oxford Book of Animal Poems. Oxford University Press.
Heard, G., and J.O. Dewey. 1997. Creatures of the Earth, Sea, and Sky: Poems. Boyds Mills Press.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard. Dawn Publications.
Hoberman, M.A., L. Winston, and B. Fortin. 2009. The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination. Sourcebooks, Incorporated.
Hume, R. 1993. Birdwatching. Random House, Incorporated.
Kalman, B., C. Curtis, and M. Jupp. 1982. Animals in Danger: Poems from No Man’s Valley. Random House Children’s Books.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Backyard Bird Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
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.
Maslowski, S. 2001. Birds in Winter. Smart Apple Media.
Nicholls, J. 1998. Earthways, Earthwise: Poems on Conservation. Oxford University Press, USA.
Peterson, R.T. 1999. Backyard Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Pine, J. 1993. Backyard Birds. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Rockwell, A.F. 1992. Our Yard Is Full of Birds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Sidman, J., and B. Prange. 2005. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Sill, C.P. 1997. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Vanderhorst, M.J. 2007. Pictures and Poems: Introducing young people to NATURE in a poetic way!. Authorhouse.
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 6-8
Bradman, S., and S. Wintringham. 2002. Wild and Wonderful: Poems about the Natural World. Hodder Headline.
Burgess, T.W. 2003. Burgess Bird Book for Children. Dover Publications.
Burnie, D. 2004. Bird. DK Publishing, Inc.
Fleischman, P., and E. Beddows. 1992. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fletcher, R.J. 1997. Ordinary Things: Poems from a Walk in Early Spring. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Ganeri, A. 1993. Birds. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Harrison, M., and C. Stuart-Clark. 1992. The Oxford Book of Animal Poems. Oxford University Press.
Hass, R. and P. Michael. 2008. River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things. Milkweed Editions.
Hoberman, M.A., L. Winston, and B. Fortin. 2009. The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination. Sourcebooks, Incorporated.
Kalman, B., C. Curtis, and M. Jupp. 1982. Animals in Danger: Poems from No Man’s Valley. Random House Children’s Books.
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.
Nicholls, J. 1998. Earthways, Earthwise: Poems on Conservation. Oxford University Press, USA.
Robbins, C.S. 2001. Birds of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. Golden Guides from St. Martin's 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.
Yolen, J. and J. Stemple. Color Me a Rhyme: Nature Poems for Young People. Boyds Mills Press.

Grades 9-12
Bosselaar, L., and E. Hiestand. 2000. Urban Nature: Poems About Wildlife in the City. Milkweed Editions.
Collins, B., and D. Sibley. 2009. Bright Wings: An Illustrated Anthology of Poems about Birds. Columbia University Press.
Dobson, C. 1981. Feeding Wild Birds in Winter. Firefly Books.
Felstiner, J. 2009. Can Poetry Save the Earth?: A Field Guide to Nature Poems. Yale University Press.
Furlow, E.S., et al. 1990. Joy of Songbirds. National Wildlife Federation.
Gardner, D. and N. Overcott. 2003. Birds at Your Feeder: A Guide to Winter Birds of the Great Plains. University of Iowa Press.
Harrison, M., and C. Stuart-Clark. 1992. The Oxford Book of Animal Poems. Oxford University Press.
Hollander, J. 1994. Animal Poems (Everyman’s Library). Knopf Doubleday Publishing.
Hyett, B.H. 1996. The Tracks We Leave: Poems on Endangered Wildlife of North America. University of Illinois 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.