Tracks!
Animal tracks are a wonderful way to learn about wildlife. By observing wildlife tracks you can learn what kind of animal species live in a certain area, how many there may be and what they are doing. Other signs of wildlife such as burrows, droppings, nests and food litter can also tell us many things about wildlife. Animal tracks are easily found in mud and snow. Take advantage of all of our Iowa snow and get outside to look for animal tracks! Use Project WILD’s “Tracks!” to delve into the wonder of animal tracks!
Young Child Extension
Young children can look for animal tracks too! Take children on a walk through the snow to observe animal tracks. Encourage them to make observations about what they see. How big are the tracks? What kind of animal do they think they are from? Do they themselves also make tracks in the snow? Upon returning to the classroom allow children to make their own track pictures using tracks stencils or rubber tracks stamp, or remove their shoes and let them make their own tracks with their own bare feet! For more fun ideas with young children use Project WILD’s Growing Up WILD “Tracks!”.
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1998. Animal Tracker. Random House Value Publishing, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1979. Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 1995. I See Animals Hiding. Scholastic.
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.
Boring, M. and L. Garrow. 1996. Rabbits, Squirrels, and Chimpmunks (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Dingwall, L. 1994. Deer (Getting to Know Nature's Children Series). Grolier Academic Reference.
Dorros, A. 1991. Animal Tracks. Scholastic, Inc
George, L. B. 1999. In the Snow: Who's Been Here?. HarperCollins Publishers.
Giogas, V. 2007. In My Backyard. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard. Dawn Publications.
MacLulich, C. 1996. Animal Feet. Scholastic, Inc.
Nail, J.D. and H. Skudder. 1994. Whose Tracks Are These? A Clue Book for Familiar Forest Animals. Rinehart Publishing.
Ricci, C. and S. Hall. 2003. Follow Those Feet! (Dora the Explorer Ready-to-Read, Level 1). Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart.
Rockwell, A. 1992. Our Yard is Full of Birds. Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishers.
Ruurs, M. 2007. In My Backyard. Tundra.
Sams, C.R. and J. Stoick. 2000. Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Carl R. Sams II Photography.
Selsam, M. E. and M.D. Hill. 1999. Big Tracks, Little Tracks: Following Animal Prints. HarperCollins Publishers.
Selsam, M.E. and J. Hunt. 1991. Keep Looking! Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Sill, C. 1997. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Wiesmuller, D. 2003. In the Blink of an Eye. Walker & Company.
Wolff, A. 2006. Stella and Roy Go Camping. Yosemite Association.
Yee, W.H. 2007. Tracks in the Snow. Square Fish.
Grades 3-5
Amato, C.A. 2002. Backyard Pets: Activities for Exploring Wildlife Close to Home. Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.
Arnosky, J. 1998. Animal Tracker. Random House Value Publishing, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1979. Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 2002. Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Shore Walking. HarperCollins.
Arnosky, J. 1995. I See Animals Hiding. Scholastic.
Arnosky, J. 1983. Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher. HarperCollins Publishers.
Arnosky, J. 2008. Wild Tracks! A Guide to Nature's Footprints. Sterling Publishing.
Bair, D. and P. Wright. 1999. Deer Watching. Capstone Press.
Bateman, R. 2005. Bateman's Guide to Backyard Birds. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Bishop, N. 2002. Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close. Scholastic, Inc.
Green, J. 2002. In a Backyard. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Loates, G. and B. Kalman. 1988. Birds at My Feeder. Crabtree Publishing Company.
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.
Pine, J. 1993. Backyard Birds (HarperCollins Nature Study Book). Harper Collins.
Ross, M.E. 1997. Wildlife Watching with Charles Eastman. Lerner Publishing Group.
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.
Grades 6-8
Dinsmore, S. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Grassy, J. 1998. Mammals (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
La Tourrette, J. 1997. Watching Wildlife: The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Observing Animals in the Wild. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Peterson, R. T., R. P. Grossenheider, and O. J. Murie. 1996. Peterson Flash Guides: Animal Tracks. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Grades 9-12
Bang, P., P. Dahlstrom, and R. Mears. 2006. Animal Tracks and Signs. Oxford University Press, USA.
Dinsmore, S. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Kavanagh, J., and R. Leung. 2000. Animal Tracks. Waterford Press, Ltd.
La Tourrette, J. 1997. Watching Wildlife: The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Observing Animals in the Wild. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Peterson, R. T., O. J. Murie, and M. Elbroch. 2005. Peterson Field Guide to Animals Tracks. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Adopt a Tree We All Need
Get out those mittens, hats, boots and coats; it’s time to go outside! It is the heart of winter and time to explore the great outdoors in the snow. Use Project Learning Tree’s “Adopt a Tree” and “We All Need Trees” to explore the wonder of trees in the winter. Take a winter walk around the schoolyard or backyard and have each student choose a tree to “adopt”. Have students make observations about their tree and/or take measurements of height, girth etc. Take a picture of each student with their tree. Make plans to visit the trees during the spring. Then, have each student learn more about their tree. Can they figure out what kind of tree it is? What animals use their tree for food or shelter? Do we use their tree for food or what products do we get from this kind of tree? Explore and learn more!
Young Child Extension
Take young children out to explore the schoolyard and let them “adopt” a tree! Encourage them to learn all they can about their tree. What does it feel like? Smell like? What animals do they think might use their tree? Once back in the classroom have children draw pictures or write stories about their tree. Discuss different ways in which we use trees. Eat fruit or nuts from trees or make hot cocoa which comes from trees!
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Barasch, L. 1993. A Winter Walk. Ticknor & Fields.
Behn, H. and J. Endicott. 1994. Trees. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Berger, M. 1995. What Do Animals Do in Winter?: How Animals Survive the Cold. Ideals Publications.
Bunting, E. 1994. The Night Tree. Voyager Books.
Burns, D. and L. Garrow. 1998. Leaves, Trees and Bark (Take-Along Guide). NorthWord Books for Young Readers.
Canizares, S. and P. Chanko. 1997. Look At This Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Canizares, S., D. Moreton and B. Chessen. 1997. Who Lives in a Tree? Scholastic, Inc.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
Charman, A. 2003. I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves and Other Questions about Plants. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Costian, M. 2001. Life in a Tree: Focus, Habitat. Tandem Library.
DePalma, M.N. 2005. A Grand Old Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Evans, L. 2002. Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Finnegan, M.P. 2002. Winter: Signs of the Season around North America. Capstone Press.
Freedman, R. 1981. When Winter Comes. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Gackenbach, D. 1996. Mighty Tree. Harcourt Children's Books.
Gaff, J. 2005. I Wonder Why Pine Trees Have Needles and Other Questions about Forests. Roaring Brook Press.
George, J.C. 2001. Winter Moon. HarperCollins Publishers.
Gibbons, G. 1984. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree. Voyager Books.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Gove, D. and M. H. Mallory. My Mother Talks to Trees. Peachtree Publishers.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America. Dawn Publications.
Jones, J.B. 2001. Who Lives in the Snow? Rinehart P.
Lavies, B. 1989. Tree Trunk Traffic. Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
Lawlor, E.P. 1998. Discover Nature in Winter: Things to Know and Things to Do. Stackpole Books.
Llewellyn, C. 2004. Tree. T&N Children's Publishing.
Miller, D.S. and S. Schuett. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker & Company.
Sams, C.R. 2000. Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Sams, Carl, R. II, Photography.
Thomson, R. 1989. Winter. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Van Laan, N. 2000. A Tree for Me. Random House.
Wildsmith, B. 1991. Animal Seasons. Oxford University Press.
Worth, B. 2006. I Can Name 50 Trees Today!: All about Trees. Random House Publishing Group.
Yolen, J. 2005. Snow, Snow: Winter Poems for Children. Boyds Mills Press.
Grades 3-5
Albert, T. 1998. A Kid's Winter EcoJournal: With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season. Trickle Creek Books.
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing the Trees. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Bernard, R. 2001. A Tree for All Seasons. National Geographic Children’s Books.
Bourgoing, P. 1992. The Tree. Scholastic First Discovery Books.
Burns, D.L. and L. Garrow. 1998. Trees, Leaves and Bark. T&N Children’s Publishing.
Burton, J. and K. Taylor. 1999. Nature and Science of Winter. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Canizares, S. 1997. Look at This Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
Dowden, A. The Blossom on the Bough: A Book of Trees. Thomas Y. Crowell.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
George, K. 1998. Old Elm Speaks. Clarion Books.
Gibbons, G. 1984. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree. Voyager Books.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Hiscock, B. 1991. The Big Tree. Atheneum Books-MacMillan.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America.. Dawn Publications.
Meyer, M.L. 2002. Winter. Smart Apple Media.
Miller, D. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker Books for Young Readers.
Oppenheim, J. 1967. Have You Seen Trees. Addison Wesley Longman Publishing Company.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Tresselt, A. 1992. The Gift of a Tree. Lothrop, Lee & Shephard Books.
Wong, H & Vessel, M. 1969. Our Tree. Addison-Wesley.
Yolen, J. 2005. Snow, Snow: Winter Poems for Children. Boyds Mills Press.
Grades 6-8
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing the Trees. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
Jones, A. 2006. Four Seasons: Uncovering Nature. Firefly Books, Limited.
Santrey, L. 1982. Winter. Troll Communications L.L.C.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Watts, M.T. 1970. Winter Tree Finder. Nature Study Guild.
Grades 9-12
Arnosky, J. 1988. Sketching Outdoors in Winter. HarperCollins Publishers.
Bastedo, J. 2003. Falling for Snow: A Naturalist's Journey Into the World of Winter. Red Deer Press.
Heinrich, B. 1998. The Trees in My Forest. HarperCollins Publishers.
Kershner, B., et al. 2008. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. Sterling Publishing.
Marchand, P.J. 1987. Life in the Cold: An Introduction to Winter Ecology. University Press of New England.
Stokes, D.W. 1979. Stokes Guide to Nature in Winter. Little, Brown & Company.
Trelease, W. 1967. Winter Botany: An Identification Guide to Native Trees and Shrubs. Dover Publications.
Get out those mittens, hats, boots and coats; it’s time to go outside! It is the heart of winter and time to explore the great outdoors in the snow. Use Project Learning Tree’s “Adopt a Tree” and “We All Need Trees” to explore the wonder of trees in the winter. Take a winter walk around the schoolyard or backyard and have each student choose a tree to “adopt”. Have students make observations about their tree and/or take measurements of height, girth etc. Take a picture of each student with their tree. Make plans to visit the trees during the spring. Then, have each student learn more about their tree. Can they figure out what kind of tree it is? What animals use their tree for food or shelter? Do we use their tree for food or what products do we get from this kind of tree? Explore and learn more!
Young Child Extension
Take young children out to explore the schoolyard and let them “adopt” a tree! Encourage them to learn all they can about their tree. What does it feel like? Smell like? What animals do they think might use their tree? Once back in the classroom have children draw pictures or write stories about their tree. Discuss different ways in which we use trees. Eat fruit or nuts from trees or make hot cocoa which comes from trees!
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Barasch, L. 1993. A Winter Walk. Ticknor & Fields.
Behn, H. and J. Endicott. 1994. Trees. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Berger, M. 1995. What Do Animals Do in Winter?: How Animals Survive the Cold. Ideals Publications.
Bunting, E. 1994. The Night Tree. Voyager Books.
Burns, D. and L. Garrow. 1998. Leaves, Trees and Bark (Take-Along Guide). NorthWord Books for Young Readers.
Canizares, S. and P. Chanko. 1997. Look At This Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Canizares, S., D. Moreton and B. Chessen. 1997. Who Lives in a Tree? Scholastic, Inc.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
Charman, A. 2003. I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves and Other Questions about Plants. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Costian, M. 2001. Life in a Tree: Focus, Habitat. Tandem Library.
DePalma, M.N. 2005. A Grand Old Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Evans, L. 2002. Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Finnegan, M.P. 2002. Winter: Signs of the Season around North America. Capstone Press.
Freedman, R. 1981. When Winter Comes. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Gackenbach, D. 1996. Mighty Tree. Harcourt Children's Books.
Gaff, J. 2005. I Wonder Why Pine Trees Have Needles and Other Questions about Forests. Roaring Brook Press.
George, J.C. 2001. Winter Moon. HarperCollins Publishers.
Gibbons, G. 1984. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree. Voyager Books.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Gove, D. and M. H. Mallory. My Mother Talks to Trees. Peachtree Publishers.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America. Dawn Publications.
Jones, J.B. 2001. Who Lives in the Snow? Rinehart P.
Lavies, B. 1989. Tree Trunk Traffic. Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
Lawlor, E.P. 1998. Discover Nature in Winter: Things to Know and Things to Do. Stackpole Books.
Llewellyn, C. 2004. Tree. T&N Children's Publishing.
Miller, D.S. and S. Schuett. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker & Company.
Sams, C.R. 2000. Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Sams, Carl, R. II, Photography.
Thomson, R. 1989. Winter. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Van Laan, N. 2000. A Tree for Me. Random House.
Wildsmith, B. 1991. Animal Seasons. Oxford University Press.
Worth, B. 2006. I Can Name 50 Trees Today!: All about Trees. Random House Publishing Group.
Yolen, J. 2005. Snow, Snow: Winter Poems for Children. Boyds Mills Press.
Grades 3-5
Albert, T. 1998. A Kid's Winter EcoJournal: With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season. Trickle Creek Books.
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing the Trees. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Bernard, R. 2001. A Tree for All Seasons. National Geographic Children’s Books.
Bourgoing, P. 1992. The Tree. Scholastic First Discovery Books.
Burns, D.L. and L. Garrow. 1998. Trees, Leaves and Bark. T&N Children’s Publishing.
Burton, J. and K. Taylor. 1999. Nature and Science of Winter. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Canizares, S. 1997. Look at This Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
Dowden, A. The Blossom on the Bough: A Book of Trees. Thomas Y. Crowell.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
George, K. 1998. Old Elm Speaks. Clarion Books.
Gibbons, G. 1984. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree. Voyager Books.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Hiscock, B. 1991. The Big Tree. Atheneum Books-MacMillan.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America.. Dawn Publications.
Meyer, M.L. 2002. Winter. Smart Apple Media.
Miller, D. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker Books for Young Readers.
Oppenheim, J. 1967. Have You Seen Trees. Addison Wesley Longman Publishing Company.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Tresselt, A. 1992. The Gift of a Tree. Lothrop, Lee & Shephard Books.
Wong, H & Vessel, M. 1969. Our Tree. Addison-Wesley.
Yolen, J. 2005. Snow, Snow: Winter Poems for Children. Boyds Mills Press.
Grades 6-8
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing the Trees. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
Jones, A. 2006. Four Seasons: Uncovering Nature. Firefly Books, Limited.
Santrey, L. 1982. Winter. Troll Communications L.L.C.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Watts, M.T. 1970. Winter Tree Finder. Nature Study Guild.
Grades 9-12
Arnosky, J. 1988. Sketching Outdoors in Winter. HarperCollins Publishers.
Bastedo, J. 2003. Falling for Snow: A Naturalist's Journey Into the World of Winter. Red Deer Press.
Heinrich, B. 1998. The Trees in My Forest. HarperCollins Publishers.
Kershner, B., et al. 2008. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. Sterling Publishing.
Marchand, P.J. 1987. Life in the Cold: An Introduction to Winter Ecology. University Press of New England.
Stokes, D.W. 1979. Stokes Guide to Nature in Winter. Little, Brown & Company.
Trelease, W. 1967. Winter Botany: An Identification Guide to Native Trees and Shrubs. Dover Publications.
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