Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Water’s Going On?


Every molecule of water that was present when the Earth’s oceans were formed millions of years ago is still present today. That means the water you drink is the same water dinosaurs drank! Most of the water consumed in the United States comes from groundwater. Groundwater takes hundreds or even thousands of years to replenish. Water is important to every living thing on Earth which is why it is so important to conserve and protect our water resources. Use Project WILD Aquatic’s “Water’s Going On?” to track your own water consumption!

Young Child Extension
Set up stations for children to explore water. Supply scoops, cups and other tools for filling, dumping and exploring. Supply cold water, warm water and ice. If possible, boil water to show children water in its gas form – steam. Ask children: Do you use water? What do you use water for? Who else uses water? Do animals use water? Where is there water? At your home? Outside? What do you like about water?

Book List
Grades PreK-2
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.
Curry, D.L. 1999. The Water Cycle. Capstone Press.
DK Publishing. 2007. Water Everywhere. DK Publishing, Inc.
Edom, H. 2007. Science with Water. EDC Publishing.
Falwell, C. 2001. Turtle Splash!: Countdown at the Pond. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fourment, T. 2004. My Water Comes from the Mountains. Roberts Rinehart 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).
Kerley, B. 2006. A Cool Drink of Water. National Geographic Society.
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.
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.
Yolen, J. 1995. Water Music: Poems for Children. Boyds Mills Press.

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. Making Water Clean. Capstone Press.
Olien, R. 1999. Splish Splash Science, Grades 1-3: Learning about Water with Easy Fun-Filled Activities. Scholastic, Inc.
Olien, R. 2006. Water Cycle. Capstone Press.
Royston, A. 2006. The Life And Times of a Drop of Water: The Water Cycle. Raintree.
Wells, R.E. 2006. Did a Dinosaur Drink This Water? Albert Whitman & Company.
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.
Day, T. 2007. Water. DK Publishing, Inc.
Markert, J. 1992. Water. The Creative Company.
McKinney, B.S. and M.S. Maydak. 1998. A Drop Around the World. Dawn Publications.
Morgan, S. 2009. The Water Cycle. Rosen Publishing Group.
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.
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 9-12
Barss, K.J. 1992. Clean Water. Chelsea House Publishers.
Cossi, O. 1993. Water Wars. Silver Burdett Press.
Gardner, R. 2004. Experimenting with Water. Dover Publications.
Harman. 2005. The Water Cycle: Evaporation, Condensation & Erosion. Heinemann-Raintree.
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.
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.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Invasive Species

Have you ever heard of zebra mussels? Or purple loosestrife? How about gypsy moths? There is thing that all of these species have in common – they are all invasive species. Invasive species are non-native species that overrun an environment where they have been transplanted. Throughout history people have intentionally and unintentionally moved species from their original environments to new ones. These non-native plant and animals are not always harmful, however, some of these new species cause problems when they outcompete the native species. Explore the world of invasive species with Project Learning Trees “Invasive Species”! February 26 to March 3 is National Invasive Species Awareness Week. Check out the NISAW website for things you can do to make a difference! http://www.nisaw.org/2012/ways_to_observe.pdf



Book List
Grades 3-5
Batten, M. 2003. Aliens from Earth: When Animals and Plants Invade Other Ecosystems. Peachtree Publishers.
Guiberson, B. 1999. Exotic Species: Invaders in Paradise. Lerner Publishing Group.
Lesinski, J.M. 1996. Exotic Invaders: Killer Bees, Fire Ants, and Other Alien Species are Infesting America! Walker & Company.
Roth, C.E. 1973. Walking Catfish and Other Aliens. Addison-Wesley.
Souza, D.M. 2003. Plant Invaders. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Grades 6-8
Collard, S.B. 1996. Alien Invaders: The Continuing Threat of Exotic Species. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Leland, J. 2005. Aliens in the Backyard: Plant and Animal Imports into America. University of South Carolina Press.
Lockwood, J.L., M. Marchetti and M. Hoopes. 2006. Invasion Ecology. Blackwell Publishers.
Weber, E. 2003. Invasive Plant Species of the World: A Reference Guide to Environmental Weeds. Oxford University Press.

Thursday, February 09, 2012

Bird Song Survey


It is time once again for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count! Every year thousands of Americans, young and old, participate 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!

Great Backyard Bird Count
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.