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.
Monday, September 20, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, September 10, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, September 03, 2010
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.
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.
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