My Kingdom for a Shelter
One of the basic habitat needs of animals (humans included) is shelter. Animals use different materials in their habitat to create shelters. Wildlife shelters vary by species and while some are elaborate, the underground burrows of prairie dogs for instance, others are very simple, such as a songbird’s use of a bush to escape a storm. Use Project WILD’s “My Kingdom for a Shelter” to explore animal shelters. Pick an animal, explore where it lives and how it makes shelter and then try to recreate it!
Young Child Extension
Talk with little kids about how our homes keep us warm and safe; compare how animals need places to be warm and safe as well. Explore some animal shelters in books and pictures. Try reading “My Very First Book of Animal Homes” by Eric Carle. Then have kids draw pictures of their homes or an animal home that they choose.
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Allen, J. and S. Mendez. 2009. Animal Homes. Kingfisher.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Carle, E. 2004. A House for Hermit Crab. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Carle, E. 2007. My Very First Book of Animal Homes. Penguin Group (USA).
Chessen, B. and P. Cahanko. 1997. Animal Homes. Scholastic, Inc.
Hoberman, M. A. and B. Fraser. 2007. A House is a House for Me. Penguin Group (USA).
Lock, D. 2007. Animals at Home. DK Publishing, Inc.
Magellan, M. 1990. Home At Last. Humanics Children's House.
Squire, A.O. 2002. Animal Homes. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Tatchell, J., A. Baker, and J. Rigby. 1999. Animal Homes. E.D.C. Publishing.
Wilkes, A., et al. 2003. Animal Homes (Kingfisher Young Knowledge Series). Kingfisher.
Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Hoberman, M. A. and B. Fraser. 2007. A House is a House for Me. Penguin Group (USA).
Magellan, M. 1990. Home At Last. Humanics Children's House.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Animal Architects. National Geographic Society.
Grades 6-8
Ballard, C. 2008. Watching Wildlife: Animal Habitats. Heinemann.
Ganeri, A. 2005. Animal Homes (Nature Files Series). Chelsea House Publishers.
Grades 9-12
Benvus, J.M., and G. Wolff. 1989. The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
Hansel, M. 2007. Built by Animals: The Natural History of Animal Architecture. Oxford University Press, USA.
Franz, B.S. 2006. The Wildlife Habitat Journal-Restoring and Exploring Wildlife Habitat in Your Own Backyard. Lulu.com.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Dropping in on Deer
Iowa has a large deer population and each year wildlife biologists must make important decisions about how to best manage deer throughout our state. To do this they have to assess the size of the deer population and the ability of the local habitat to sustain it. But how do biologists gather the information that they need to make these decisions? One way in which biologists do this is by taking an inventory or census of the deer by counting them. Across the state biologists keep track of deer populations using aerial and ground surveys and by tracking deer numbers based on hunter reports.
Another way that biologists can track deer populations is through deer poop. Yes, that’s right, deer poop. Deer poop, called deer pellets, can be counted and studied to let biologists know how many deer are using the area. Pretend you’re a wildlife biologists too and use Project WILD’s “Dropping in on Deer” to do your own deer pellet survey!
Young Child Extension
Take young children on a nature hike to look for deer, deer tracks, deer pellets or other signs of deer. Talk about where deer live and what they eat. Read stories about deer - try All About Deer by Jim Arnosky.
Then make deer antler headbands:
1) Help children trace their hands on construction paper and cut them out (these are your antlers).
2) Make headbands with strips of construction paper.
3) Glue the antlers on the headbands. Viola! You have a herd of deer!
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Deer. Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1995. I See Animals Hiding. Scholastic.
Arnosky, J. 2008. Wild Tracks! A Guide to Nature's Footprints. Sterling Publishing.
Bailey, J. 1988. Discovering Deer (Discovering Nature). Scholastic Library Publishing.
Biel, T. L. 1996. The Deer Family (Zoobooks Series). Wildlife Education, Limited.
Dorros, A. 1991. Animal Tracks. Scholastic, Inc
Galko, F. 2002. Forest Animals (Animals in Their Habitats). Heinemann Library.
Hodge, D. and P. Stephens. 1999. Deer, Moose, Elk, and Caribou (Kids Can Press Wildlife Series). Kids Can Press, Limited.
James, S. 1996. Wild Woods. Tandem Library Books.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart P.
Sams, C.R. and J. Stoick. 2004. Lost in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Carl R. Sams II Photography.
Sams, C.R. and J. Stoick. 2000. Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Carl R. Sams II Photography.
Townsend, E.R. 2007. Deer. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Deer. Scholastic, Inc.
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. 1992. Long Spikes. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Arnosky, J. 1983. Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher. HarperCollins Publishers.
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.
Dorros, A. 1991. Animal Tracks. Scholastic, Inc
Galko, F. 2002. Forest Animals (Animals in Their Habitats). Heinemann Library.
Hodge, D. and P. Stephens. 1999. Deer, Moose, Elk, and Caribou (Kids Can Press Wildlife Series). Kids Can Press, Limited.
James, S. 1996. Wild Woods. Tandem Library Books.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart P.
Sams, C.R. and J. Stoick. 2004. Lost in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Carl R. Sams II Photography.
Sams, C.R. and J. Stoick. 2000. Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Carl R. Sams II Photography.
Townsend, E.R. 2007. Deer. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 6-8
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).
Leach, M. 2003. Animal Neighbors: Deer. Hodder & Stoughton, Ltd.
Nelson, R. 2009. Life Cycles: Deer. Lerner Publishing Group.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart P.
Grades 9-12
Dinsmore, S. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
La Tourrette, J. 1997. Watching Wildlife: The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Observing Animals in the Wild. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Miller, K.V. and R.L. Marchinton. 2007. Quality Whitetails: The Why and How of Quality Deer Management. Stackpole Books.
Thomas, E.M. 2009. The Hidden Life of Deer: Lessons from the Natural World. HarperCollins Publishers.
Iowa has a large deer population and each year wildlife biologists must make important decisions about how to best manage deer throughout our state. To do this they have to assess the size of the deer population and the ability of the local habitat to sustain it. But how do biologists gather the information that they need to make these decisions? One way in which biologists do this is by taking an inventory or census of the deer by counting them. Across the state biologists keep track of deer populations using aerial and ground surveys and by tracking deer numbers based on hunter reports.
Another way that biologists can track deer populations is through deer poop. Yes, that’s right, deer poop. Deer poop, called deer pellets, can be counted and studied to let biologists know how many deer are using the area. Pretend you’re a wildlife biologists too and use Project WILD’s “Dropping in on Deer” to do your own deer pellet survey!
Young Child Extension
Take young children on a nature hike to look for deer, deer tracks, deer pellets or other signs of deer. Talk about where deer live and what they eat. Read stories about deer - try All About Deer by Jim Arnosky.
Then make deer antler headbands:
1) Help children trace their hands on construction paper and cut them out (these are your antlers).
2) Make headbands with strips of construction paper.
3) Glue the antlers on the headbands. Viola! You have a herd of deer!
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Deer. Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1995. I See Animals Hiding. Scholastic.
Arnosky, J. 2008. Wild Tracks! A Guide to Nature's Footprints. Sterling Publishing.
Bailey, J. 1988. Discovering Deer (Discovering Nature). Scholastic Library Publishing.
Biel, T. L. 1996. The Deer Family (Zoobooks Series). Wildlife Education, Limited.
Dorros, A. 1991. Animal Tracks. Scholastic, Inc
Galko, F. 2002. Forest Animals (Animals in Their Habitats). Heinemann Library.
Hodge, D. and P. Stephens. 1999. Deer, Moose, Elk, and Caribou (Kids Can Press Wildlife Series). Kids Can Press, Limited.
James, S. 1996. Wild Woods. Tandem Library Books.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart P.
Sams, C.R. and J. Stoick. 2004. Lost in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Carl R. Sams II Photography.
Sams, C.R. and J. Stoick. 2000. Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Carl R. Sams II Photography.
Townsend, E.R. 2007. Deer. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Deer. Scholastic, Inc.
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. 1992. Long Spikes. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Arnosky, J. 1983. Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher. HarperCollins Publishers.
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.
Dorros, A. 1991. Animal Tracks. Scholastic, Inc
Galko, F. 2002. Forest Animals (Animals in Their Habitats). Heinemann Library.
Hodge, D. and P. Stephens. 1999. Deer, Moose, Elk, and Caribou (Kids Can Press Wildlife Series). Kids Can Press, Limited.
James, S. 1996. Wild Woods. Tandem Library Books.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart P.
Sams, C.R. and J. Stoick. 2004. Lost in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Carl R. Sams II Photography.
Sams, C.R. and J. Stoick. 2000. Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Carl R. Sams II Photography.
Townsend, E.R. 2007. Deer. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 6-8
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).
Leach, M. 2003. Animal Neighbors: Deer. Hodder & Stoughton, Ltd.
Nelson, R. 2009. Life Cycles: Deer. Lerner Publishing Group.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart P.
Grades 9-12
Dinsmore, S. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
La Tourrette, J. 1997. Watching Wildlife: The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Observing Animals in the Wild. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Miller, K.V. and R.L. Marchinton. 2007. Quality Whitetails: The Why and How of Quality Deer Management. Stackpole Books.
Thomas, E.M. 2009. The Hidden Life of Deer: Lessons from the Natural World. HarperCollins Publishers.
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
The Hunter
Ask a group of adults their opinions on hunting and you may receive responses across the spectrum. The same is true with students. Project WILD’s activity “The Hunter” allows students to take a closer look at their personal feelings regarding hunting, while respecting other points of view.
Explore more about the hunting debate. As a class choose natural resource organizations and find their stand on hunting. Assign students to serve as members of these organizations and hold a debate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wildlife Managment Book List
Grades 3-5
Chandler, G. 1997. Guardians of Wildlife. Lerner Publishing Group.
Patent, D.H. 1986. Buffalo: The American Bison Today. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Grades 6-8
Camp, W.G. 2000. Managing Our Natural Resources. Thomson Delmar Learning.
Grades 9-12
Bailey, J.A. 1984. Principles of Wildlife Management. Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.
Deal, K.H. 1997. Wildlife and Natural Resource Management. Thomson Delmar Learning.
Dinsmore, J.J. 1994. A Country So Full of Game: The Story of Wildlife in Iowa. University of Iowa Press.
Feldhamer, G.A. 2004. Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, and Conservation. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Ask a group of adults their opinions on hunting and you may receive responses across the spectrum. The same is true with students. Project WILD’s activity “The Hunter” allows students to take a closer look at their personal feelings regarding hunting, while respecting other points of view.
Explore more about the hunting debate. As a class choose natural resource organizations and find their stand on hunting. Assign students to serve as members of these organizations and hold a debate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wildlife Managment Book List
Grades 3-5
Chandler, G. 1997. Guardians of Wildlife. Lerner Publishing Group.
Patent, D.H. 1986. Buffalo: The American Bison Today. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Grades 6-8
Camp, W.G. 2000. Managing Our Natural Resources. Thomson Delmar Learning.
Grades 9-12
Bailey, J.A. 1984. Principles of Wildlife Management. Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.
Deal, K.H. 1997. Wildlife and Natural Resource Management. Thomson Delmar Learning.
Dinsmore, J.J. 1994. A Country So Full of Game: The Story of Wildlife in Iowa. University of Iowa Press.
Feldhamer, G.A. 2004. Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, and Conservation. Johns Hopkins University Press.
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