Stormy Weather

Come take a simulated field trip through a storm! People and animals coexist and experience the same natural phenomena such as weather. During storms people and animals both seek shelter. Use Project WILD's "Stormy Weather" to visualize what kind of animal you will be and what you will do during the storm. Will you be a turkey in the woods? A meadowlark on the prairie? A cricket frog on a stream bank? Or a bluegill in a pond? Experience a storm through another animal’s eyes!

Iowa Connection

Research your local community: What is the average rainfall? Snowfall? How many thunderstorms are there per year on average? What is the average temp? Winter? Summer? Humidity?

Book List
Grades PreK-2

Barrett, J. and R. Barrett. 1978. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Simon & Schuster.

Barrett, J. and R. Barrett. 1997. Pickles to Pittsburgh: A Sequel to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Simon & Schuster.

Branley, F.M. and J.G. Hale. 1997. Down Comes the Rain. HarperCollins Publishers.

DePaola, T. 1985. The Cloud Book. Holiday House, Inc.

DeWitt, L. and C. Croll. 1993. What Will the Weather Be? HarperCollins Publishers.

DK Publishing, Inc. 2004. Weather (Eye Wonder Series). DK Publishing, Inc.

Frost, H. 2004. Weather: Fog. Coughlan Publishing.

Frost, H. 2004. Weather: Ice. Coughlan Publishing.

Frost, H. 2004. Weather: Snow. Pebble Books.

Frost, H. 2004. Weather: Wind. Coughlan Publishing.

Gibbons, G. 1993. Weather Forecasting. Simon & Schuster.

Gibbons, G. 1992. Weather Words and What They Mean. Holiday House, Inc.

Locker, T. 2003. Cloud Dance. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Martin, J.B. and M. Azarian. 1998. Snowflake Bentley. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

National Geographic Society, R. Cremins, and T.B. Griswold. 2001. My First Pocket Guide: Weather. National Geographic Society.

Pinwheel, and J. Moon. 2008. What’s the Weather? Scholastic, Inc.

Polacco, P. 1997. Thunder Cake. Penguin Group (USA).

Rabe, T. and A. Ruiz. 2004. Oh, Say, Can You Say, What’s the Weather Today?: All About Weather. Random House.

Rockwell, A. and F. Lessac. 2008. Clouds (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science Series). HarperCollins Publishers.

Rylant, C. and L. Stringer. 2008. Snow. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Simon, S. 2006. Weather. HarperCollins Publishers.

Singer, M. and F. Lessac. 2002. On the Same Day in March: A Tour of the World’s Weather. HarperCollins Publishers.

White, N., et al. Magic School Bus Kicks up a Storm: A Book About Weather. Scholastic, Inc.

Grades 3-5

Barrett, J. and R. Barrett. 1978. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Simon & Schuster.

Barrett, J. and R. Barrett. 1997. Pickles to Pittsburgh: A Sequel to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Simon & Schuster.

Berger, M., G. Berger, and R. Sullivan. 1999. Can it Rain Cats and Dogs?: Questions & Answers about Weather. Scholastic, Inc.

Branley, F.M. and J.G. Hale. 1997. Down Comes the Rain. HarperCollins Publishers.

Breen, M., K. Friestad and M.P. Kline. 2000. The Kids’ Book of Weather Forecasting: Build a Weather Station, “Read” the Sky & Make Predictions! Ideals Publications.

Capeci, A., J. Stamper, and H. Gangloff. Electric Storm (Magic School Bus #14). Scholastic, Inc.

Chanko, P. and D. Moreton. 1997. Weather. Scholastic, Inc.

Cole, J., C. Bracken, and B. Degen. 2006. Lost in the Snow (Magic School Bus Series). Scholastic, Inc.

Cosgrove, B. 2007. Eyewitness Weather. DK Publishing, Inc.

DePaola, T. 1985. The Cloud Book. Holiday House, Inc.

DeWitt, L. and C. Croll. 1993. What Will the Weather Be? HarperCollins Publishers.

Dickstein, L. and Editors of Time For Kids. 2006. Time for Kids: Storms! HarperCollins Publishers.

DK Publishing, Inc. 2004. Weather (Eye Wonder Series). DK Publishing, Inc.

Gibbons, G. 1993. Weather Forecasting. Simon & Schuster.

Gibbons, G. 1992. Weather Words and What They Mean. Holiday House, Inc.

Locker, T. 2003. Cloud Dance. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Martin, J.B. and M. Azarian. 1998. Snowflake Bentley. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Nankin, F. and G.A. England. 1998. Wonders of Weather (Eyes on Nature Series). Kids Books, Inc.

National Geographic Society, R. Cremins, and T.B. Griswold. 2001. My First Pocket Guide: Weather. National Geographic Society.

Polacco, P. 1997. Thunder Cake. Penguin Group (USA).

Rupp, R., M. Sweet, and D. Nap. 2003. Weather. Storey Kids.

Rylant, C. and L. Stringer. 2008. Snow. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Simon, S. 2006. Lightning. HarperCollins Publishers.

Simon, S. 1992. Storms. HarperCollins Publishers.

Simon, S. 2006. Weather. HarperCollins Publishers.

Singer, M. and F. Lessac. 2002. On the Same Day in March: A Tour of the World’s Weather. HarperCollins Publishers.

Spilsbury, R. and L.A. Spilsbury. 2006. Weather. Chelsea House.

Wallace, K. 1999. DK Readers: Whatever the Weather (Level 1: Beginning to Read). DK Publishing, Inc.

White, N., et al. Magic School Bus Kicks up a Storm: A Book About Weather. Scholastic, Inc.

Grades 6-8

Breen, M., K. Friestad and M.P. Kline. 2000. The Kids’ Book of Weather Forecasting: Build a Weather Station, “Read” the Sky & Make Predictions! Ideals Publications.

Challoner, J. 2004. Hurricane and Tornado (Eyewitness Books Series). DK Publishing.

Cosgrove, B. 2007. Eyewitness Weather. DK Publishing, Inc.

Juettner, B. 2004. Weather. Cengage Gale.

Nankin, F. and G.A. England. 1998. Wonders of Weather (Eyes on Nature Series). Kids Books, Inc.

Parker, J. 2008. Weather. Weigl Publishers.

Rupp, R., M. Sweet, and D. Nap. 2003. Weather. Storey Kids.

Spilsbury, R. and L.A. Spilsbury. 2006. Weather. Chelsea House.

Grades 9-12

Ahrens, C.D. 2008. Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate, and the Environment. Cengage Learning.

Bologna, J. and C.K. Passante. 2006. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Extreme Weather. Penguin Group (USA).

Challoner, J. 2004. Hurricane and Tornado (Eyewitness Books Series). DK Publishing.

Cosgrove, B. 2007. Eyewitness Weather. DK Publishing, Inc.

Juettner, B. 2004. Weather. Cengage Gale.

Ludlum, D.M. 1991. The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Weather. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.

Parker, J. 2008. Weather. Weigl Publishers.

Williams, J., et al. 2009. The AMS Weather Book: The Ultimate Guide to America’s Weather. University of Chicago Press.

Links

Iowa Climate

http://www.city-data.com/states/Iowa-Climate.html

Climate of Iowa

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/dvn/downloads/Clim_IA_01.pdf

Wikipedia: Thunderstorm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstorm

Wikipedia: Winter Storms

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowstorm

Field, Forest, and Stream

Ecosystems are not “things” or simply “a place” in nature. Ecosystems are communities of different species interacting with each other and with the chemical and physical factors that make up the nonliving environment.  Use Project Learning Tree’s “Field, Forest, and Stream” to conduct a field study of three different environments. Consider how the non-living elements (sunlight, soil moisture, temperature, wind, water flow) influence the living elements (plants, animals, microbes) in an ecosystem.

Iowa Extension

Visit three local ecosystems to conduct your field study. For example, visit a local wetland, woodland, and prairie. Study the different ecosystems within Iowa. Highlight some of the unique ecosystems in Iowa such as the Loess Hills of western Iowa. Does your local area have a unique ecosystem? Find out and study it further!

Book List

Grades PreK-2

Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Cefrey, H. 2003. Grasslands. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.

Dewey, J.O. 1987. At the Edge of the Pond. Little, Brown & Company.

DK Publishing. 2004. Forest. DK Publishing, Inc.

Fleming, D. 1991. In the Tall, Tall Grass. Henry Holt and Co.

Fleming, D. 1993. In the Small, Small Pond. Henry Holt and Co.

Fowler, A. 1999. Our Living Forests. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Fowler, A. 2000. Lands of Grass. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Howard, F. 2006. Grasslands. ABDO Publishing Company.

Humphrey, P. 1995. In the Deep, Dark Forest. Steck-Vaughn.

Kosek, J.K. 2003. What's inside Lakes? Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.

Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group.

Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of an Apple Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Grassy Field. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Stream. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

Salas, L.P. 2007. Temperate Deciduous Forests: Lands of Falling Leaves. Coughlan Publishing.

Silver, D.M. and P.J. Wynne. 1997. One Small Square Backyard. The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Silver, D.M. 1997. One Small Square: Woods. McGraw-Hill Companies.

Grades 3-5

Beatty, R. 2003. Rivers, Lakes, Streams, and Ponds. Raintree Publishers.

Biskup, A., and T. Smith. 2007. Exploring Ecosystems with Max Axiom, Super Scientist. Capstone Press.

Cole, M.S. 2003. Forest. Gale Group.

Cole, M.S. 2003. Prairies. Thomson Gale.

Erlic, L. 2005. Grasslands. Weigl Publishers, Incorporated.

George, M. 1994. Prairie. Creative Company.

Hawley, E. 2012. Exploring Ecosystems. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

Horton, C. 1985. Grasslands. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004.Journey into a River. Lerner Publishing Group.

Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Wetland. Lerner Publishing Group.

Kubesh, K. 2007. Forest Habitats. Hands of a Child.

Lynch, W. and A. Lang. 2006. Prairie Grasslands. T&N Children's Publishing.

Patent, D.H. 1996. Prairies. Holiday House.

Paul, T. 1997. In Woods and Forests. Crabtree Publishing Company.

Staub, F. 1993. America's Prairies. Lerner Publishing Group.

Tagliaferro, L. 2006. Explore the Deciduous Forest. Coughlan Publishing.

Grades 6-8

Biskup, A., and T. Smith. 2007. Exploring Ecosystems with Max Axiom, Super Scientist. Capstone Press.

Court, J. 1985. Ponds and Streams. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Currie, S. 2009. Ecosystems. Cherry Lake Publishing.

Hawley, E. 2012. Exploring Ecosystems. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

Hoare, B. 2003. Temperate Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.

MacMillan, D.M. 2003. Life in a Deciduous Forest. Lerner Publishing Group.

Murray, P. 1997. Prairies: Biomes of Nature. The Child' World Inc.

Novacek, M. J. 2007. Terra : Our 100-Million-Year-Old Ecosystem--and the Threats That Now Put It at Risk. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.

Richardson, G. 2008. Ecosystems. Weigl Publishers, Inc.

Rotter, C. 2002. The Prairie. Creative Company.

Vyn, K. 1978. The Prairie Community. New York: Julian Messener.

Grades 9-12

Biskup, A., and T. Smith. 2007. Exploring Ecosystems with Max Axiom, Super Scientist. Capstone Press.

Boon, W. and H. Groe. 1990. Nature's Heartland: Native Plant Communities of the Great Plains. Ames:

Currie, S. 2009. Ecosystems. Cherry Lake Publishing.

Kurtz, C. 1996. Iowa's Wild Places. Ames: Iowa State University Press.

Madson, J. 1994. Where the Sky Began: Land of the Tallgrass Prairie. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.

Manning, R. 1997. Grassland: The History, Biology, Politics, and Promise of the American Prairie. Penguin Group.

Richardson, G. 2008. Ecosystems. Weigl Publishers, Inc.

Thompson, J.R. 1992. Prairies, Forests and Wetlands: The Restoration of Natural Landscape Communities in Iowa. University of Iowa Press.

Links

Wikipedia: Ecosystem

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem

IPTV: What Are Ecosystems?

http://www.pbs.org/earthonedge/ecosystems/index.html

Prairie Memoirs

Close your eyes: Envision vast grasslands with thousands of bison grazing, their dark brown fur glistens in the sunlight. Feel the sweet, spring breeze blow across your face. Smell the damp grass and wildflowers. This is the scene that would have met you if you had been a settler on the Great Plains of North America in the 19^th century. An estimated 60 million bison once roamed the vast prairies that stretched from Canada to Texas west of the Mississippi River. Native American tribes were dependent upon these vast herds of bison for meat, shelter, and clothing. With the arrival of settlers from the East the delicate balance of bison, prairie, and indigenous life was upset. Use Project WILD’s “Prairie Memoirs” to explore this event from several different viewpoints.

Iowa Extension

As a class, research settlers, bison, prairies, and native life in Iowa at the time of European settlement - use journal entries, old photographs, and other resources to paint a picture of what life would have been like for all involved at that time in Iowa’s history. How did cultural factors influence people’s relationship to the land, plants, and wildlife?

Book List

Grades PreK-2

Arnosky, J. 2006. Grandfather Buffalo. Penguin Group (USA).

Bannatyne-Cugnet, J. 1992. Prairie Alphabet. Tundra.

Butterfield, M. 1999. Animals on Plains and Prairies. Raintree Publishers.

Cefrey, H. 2003. Grasslands. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.

Fleming, D. 1991. In the Tall, Tall Grass. Henry Holt and Co.

Fowler, A. 2000. Lands of Grass. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Geisert, A. 1998. Prairie Town. Walter Lorraine Books.

Hazelwood, D., and R. Dobbins. 2010. Bison at Hollow Hill. Mirror Publishing.

Hirschi, R. 1992. Where Are My Prairie Dogs and Black-Footed Ferrets? Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers.

Hirschi,R. 1989. Who Lives On The Prairie? Putnam Publishing Group.

Howard, F. 2006. Grasslands. ABDO Publishing Company.

Jones, D.M. 2012. Bison Babies. Farcountry Press.

Larson, J. S. 2006. Mighty Bison. Lerner Publishing Group.

Lerner, C. 1980. Seasons of the Tallgrass Prairie. William Morrow & Co Library.

Mader, J. 2004. Living on a Prairie. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Magby, M. 2012. American Bison. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

McGehee, C. 2004. A Tallgrass Prairie Alphabet. University of Iowa Press.

McMillan, B. 1986. Counting Wildflowers. New York: Lothrop, Lee, & Shepard Books.

Nichols, C. 2002. Grassy Lands. Benchmark Books.

Penny, M. 2003. Grasslands. Thameside Press.

Reynolds, M. 1999. Prairie Fire. Orca Book Publishers.

Rowan, J.P. 1983. Prairies and Grasslands. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Grades 3-5

Arnold, C. 1993. Through the Year with - Prairie Dogs. Scholastic, Inc.

Arnosky, J. 2006. Grandfather Buffalo. Penguin Group (USA).

Bannatyne-Cugnet, J. 2002. Heartland: A Prairie Sampler. Tundra.

Bouchard, D. 1998. If You're Not from the Prairie. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Bright, M. 2002. Endangered and Extinct Animals of the Mountains, Deserts, and Grasslands. Millbrook Press, Inc.

Chinery, M. 1992. Grassland Animals. Random House Books for Young Readers.

Cole, M.S. 2003. Prairies. Thomson Gale.

Cook, K.J. 1993. Disappearing Grasslands. Gareth Stevens Audio.

Dvorak Jr., D. 1994. A Sea of Grass. New York: Macmillan.

Erlic, L. 2005. Grasslands. Weigl Publishers, Incorporated.

George, M. 1994. Prairie. Creative Company.

Gray, S.H. 2000. Grasslands. Capstone Press.

Horton, C. 1982. Grasslands and People. Silver Burdett Press.

Horton, C. 1985. Grasslands. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Jackson, K. and S. Mather. 2006. Explore the Grasslands. Capstone Press.

Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.

Johnson, R.L., P.V. Saroff and G. Braasch. 2000. A Walk in the Prairie. Lerner Publishing Group.

Johnson, S.A. 1976. Animals of the Grasslands. Lerner Publishing Group.

Khanduri, K. 1994. Grassland Wildlife. EDC Publishing.

Lambert, D. 1988. Grasslands. Silver Burdett Press.

Langley, A. 1993. Grasslands. Reader's Digest Children's Publishing, Incorporated.

Langley, A. 1993. Grasslands. Reader's Digest Children's Publishing, Incorporated.

Lynch, W. and A. Lang. 2006. Prairie Grasslands. T&N Children's Publishing.

Patent, D.H. 1996. Prairies. Holiday House.

Patent, D.H. 1998. Fire: Friend or Foe. Clarion Books.

Patent, D.H. 2003. Life in a Grassland. Lerner Publishing Group.

Pipes, R. 1998. Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.

Savage, S. 1997. Animals of the Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.

St. Antoine, S. 2001. Stories from Where We Live -- The Great North American Prairie. Milkweed Editions.

Staub, F. 1993. America's Prairies. Lerner Publishing Group.

Thompson, L. 2004. People of the Plains and Prairies. Rourke Publishing, LLC.

Wallace, M.D. 2001. America's Prairies and Grasslands: Guide to Plants and Animals. Fulcrum Publishing.

Winner, C, and J.F. McGee. 2001. Bison. Cooper Square Publishing.

Winner, C. 2004. Prairie Animals. T&N Children's Publishing.

Grades 6-8

Busch, P.S. 1977. Wildflowers and the Stories Behind Their Names. Charles Scribner & Sons.

Collard, S.B. 2005. Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America’s Lost Grasslands. Houghton Mifflin.

Gish, M. 2012. Bison. The Creative Company.

Hoare, B. 2003. Temperate Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.

Lerner, C. 1980. Seasons of the Tallgrass Prairie. New York: William Morrow and Company.

Murray, P. 1997. Prairies: Biomes of Nature. The Child' World Inc.

Ricciuti, E.R. 1996. Grassland. Marshall Cavendish Inc.

Rotter, C. 2002. The Prairie. Creative Company.

Runkel, S. and D.M. Roosa. 1989. Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie. Ames: Iowa State University Press.

Scullin, W. M. 2005. Young Person's Guide to the Prairie. South River Press.

Siy, A. 1991. Native Grasslands. Silver Burdett Press.

Stone, L.M. 1989. Prairies. Rourke Enterprises, Incorporated.

Toupin, L.P. 2005. Life in the Temperate Grasslands. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Vyn, K. 1978. The Prairie Community. New York: Julian Messener.

Grades 9-12

Boon, W. and H. Groe. 1990. Nature's Heartland: Native Plant Communities of the Great Plains. Ames:

Brown, L. 1979. Grasses: An Identification Guide. Houghton Mifflin Co.

Christiansen, P. and M. Muller. 1999. An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.

Collard, S. B. 2005. The Prairie Builders : Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands. Boston: Edsall, M.S. 1985. Roadside Plants and Flowers. Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press.

Fitzgerald, D., and L. M. Hasselstrom. 1998. Bison: Monarch of the Plains. Graphic Arts Ctr Pub Co.

Forey, P. and C. Fitzsimons. 1992. Instant Guide to Wildflowers. Random House Value Publishing, Incorporated.

Gruenau, D., D. Peacock, and S. Fuller. 1995. Bison: Distant Thunder. Takarajima Books.

Isenberg, A.C., and D. Worster. 2001. The Destruction of the Bison: An Environmental History, 1750-1920. Cambridge University Press.

Johnsgard, P.A. 2001. Prairie Birds: Fragile Splendor in the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas.

Johnsgard, P.A. 2005. Prairie Dog Empire: A Saga of the Shortgrass Prairie. University of Nebraska Press.

Kindscher, K. 1992. Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie: An Ethnobotanical Guide. University Press of Kansas.

Kirt, R.R. 1995. Prairie Plants of the Midwest: Identification and Ecology. Stipes Publishing, L.L.C.

Kurtz, C. 1996. Iowa's Wild Places. Ames: Iowa State University Press.

Ladd, D. 2005. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the Common Wildflowers and Plants of the Prairie Midwest. Globe Pequot Press.

Madson, J. 1994. Where the Sky Began: Land of the Tallgrass Prairie. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.

Manning, R. 1997. Grassland: The History, Biology, Politics, and Promise of the American Prairie. Penguin Group.

Moul, F. 2006. The National Grasslands: A Guide to America's Undiscovered Treasures. University of Nebraska Press.

Muller, M. 2000. Prairie in Your Pocket: A Guide to Plants of the Tallgrass Prairie. University of Iowa Press.

Packard, S. 2005. Tallgrass Restoration Handbook: For Prairies, Savannas, and Woodlands. Island Press.

Sample, M. S. 1987. Bison: Symbol of the American West. Globe Pequot Press.

Sherow, J.E. 2007. The Grasslands of the United States: An Environmental History. ABC-CLIO, Incorporated.

Shirley, S.1994. Restoring the Tallgrass Prairie : An Illustrated Manual for Iowa and the Upper Midwest. New York: University of Iowa P.

Waterlow, J. 1996. Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.

Links

IDNR – Iowa’s Prairie Resource Center

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/LandStewardship/PrairieResourceCenter.aspx

Iowa Prairie Network

http://www.iowaprairienetwork.org/

IAN Iowa’s Biological Communities Series - Iowa Prairies

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/IAN203.pdf

NPS – Iowa’s Prairie Heritage on Display April 29 to May 28

http://www.nps.gov/heho/parknews/tallgrass-prairie-exhibit.htm

IPTV Iowa Pathways – The First Farmers

http://www.iptv.org/iowapathways/mypath.cfm?ounid=ob_000145

Iowa Official Register – History of Iowa

http://publications.iowa.gov/135/1/history/7-1.html

IPTV Iowa Pathways – Explore Iowa History

http://www.iptv.org/iowapathways/default.cfm

Explorations in Iowa History Project

http://www.uni.edu/iowahist/Default.htm

Access Genealogy – Iowa Indian Tribes

http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/iowa/index.htm

The Nature Conservancy – Reintroduction of Bison to Iowa: Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/iowa/explore/reintroduction-of-bison-to-iowa-broken-kettle-grasslands-preserve.xml

A Brief Culture History of Iowa

http://www.uiowa.edu/~osa/learn/prehistoric/overview.htm

Buffalo Tales: The Near-Extermination of the American Bison

http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/nattrans/ntecoindian/essays/buffalo.htm

First Impressions How do you feel about bats? Do you find them scary or weird? What about spiders? Do they give you the “creepy crawlies”? People often have misconceptions about wildlife based on inaccurate stereotypes. While bats, spiders and other “scary” wildlife may not be cute and cuddly, they are important contributors to healthy ecosystems. Use Project WILD’s “First Impressions” to learn more about wildlife that is often feared and misunderstood.

Young Child Extension
Follow the listed activity by showing children pictures of different “scary” animals. Ask them how the animals make them feel. Why? As a class pick one of the animals to explore further. Read books, take a walk to find them in nature, or even have a County Conservation Board Naturalist bring an animal or activity to your class. Learn all you can about the animal and how it contributes to a healthy ecosystem. Scary doesn’t mean bad!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 2009. Slither and Crawl: Eye to Eye with Reptiles.
Boutiller, J. 2005. Pigs Aren't Dirty, Bears Aren't Slow: And Other Truths about Misunderstood Animals. Annick Press, Limited.
Burns, D. and L. Garrow. Frogs, Toads, and Turtles (Take-Along Guide). NorthWord Books for Young Readers.
Cannon, J. 1993. Stellaluna. Harcourt Children's Books.
Cronin, D. and H. Bliss. 2005. Diary of a Spider. HarperCollins Publishers.
DK Publishing. 2007. Backyard Bugs. DK Publishing, Inc.
Dorros, A. 1988. Ant Cities (Let's Read and Find Out Science2). HarperCollins Publishers.
Earle, A. 1995. Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats. HarperTrophy.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2006. On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks. Dawn Publications.
Graham, M. B. 1967. Be Nice to Spiders. HarperCollins Publishers.
Gibbons, G. 2000. Bats. Holiday House.
McDermott, G. 1987. Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Milton, J. 1994. Bats and Other Animals of the Night. Random House, Incorporated.
Monks, L. 2007. Aaaarrgghh! Spider! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Pallotta, J. and R. Masiello. 1990. The Icky Bug Alphabet. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Pallotta, J. and R. Massiello. 1989. The Yucky Reptile Alphabet Book. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Priddy, R. and J. Rigg. 2004. I Love Animals: Wild, Scary, Cute or Cuddly, We Love Them All. St. Martin's Press.
Pringle, L., and M. Henderson. 2000.0Bats!: Strange and Wonderful. Boyd Mills Press.
Sill, C. 2003. About Arachnids: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Simon, S. 1987. Animal Fact, Animal Fable. Random House Children's Books.
Simon, S. 1994. Snakes. HarperCollins Publishers.
Waldrop, V.H., D. Anker, and E.B. Blizard. 1988. Unhuggables: The Truth about Snakes, Slugs, Skunks, Spiders, and Other Animals That Are Hard to Love. National Wildlife Federation.

Grades 3-5
Baraclough, S. 2005. Bugs: The World's Most Terrifying Insects. Backpack Books.
Behler, J.L. 1999. Reptiles (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Bernard, R. 2001. Insects. National Geographic Society.
Boutiller, J. 2005. Pigs Aren't Dirty, Bears Aren't Slow: And Other Truths about Misunderstood Animals. Annick Press, Limited.
Cronin, D. and H. Bliss. 2005. Diary of a Spider. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2006. On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks. Dawn Publications.
Gibbons, T. 1997. Mosquitoes. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Gilpin, D., B. Hersey, and D. Salariya. 2004. Bats (Scary Creatures Series). Scholastic Library Publishing.
Graham, M. B. 1967. Be Nice to Spiders. HarperCollins Publishers.
McDermott, G. 1987. Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Monks, L. 2007. Aaaarrgghh! Spider! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Murawski, D. 2004. Spiders and Their Webs. National Geographic Society.
Pallotta, J. and R. Masiello. 1990. The Icky Bug Alphabet. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Patent, D. 2003. Slinky, Scaley, Slithering Snakes. Walker.
Pringle, L., and M. Henderson. 2000.0Bats!: Strange and Wonderful. Boyd Mills Press.
Pringle, L. 2004. Snakes! Strange and Wonderful. Boyds Mills Press.
Sussman, S. 1987. Lies (people believe) About Animals. Albert Whitman.
Waldrop, V.H., D. Anker, and E.B. Blizard. 1988. Unhuggables: The Truth about Snakes, Slugs, Skunks, Spiders, and Other Animals That Are Hard to Love. National Wildlife Federation.
Winner, C. 2004. Everything Bug: What Kids Really Want to Know About Insects and Spiders. T&N Children’s Publishing.

Grades 6-8
Carson, M. K., and T. Uhlman. 2010. The Bat Scientists. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Cronin, D. and H. Bliss. 2005. Diary of a Spider. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2006. On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks. Dawn Publications.
McDermott, G. 1987. Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Monks, L. 2007. Aaaarrgghh! Spider! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Pallotta, J. and R. Masiello. 1990. The Icky Bug Alphabet. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Patent, D. 2003. Slinky, Scaley, Slithering Snakes. Walker.
Pringle, L. 2004. Snakes! Strange and Wonderful. Boyds Mills Press.
Sussman, S. 1987. Lies (people believe) About Animals. Albert Whitman.
Sway, M. 1999. Bats: Mammals That Fly. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Waldrop, V.H., D. Anker, and E.B. Blizard. 1988. Unhuggables: The Truth about Snakes, Slugs, Skunks, Spiders, and Other Animals That Are Hard to Love. National Wildlife Federation.

Grades 9-12
Carson, M. K., and T. Uhlman. 2010. The Bat Scientists. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Shedd, W. 2001. Owls Aren't Wise & Bats Aren't Blind: A Naturalist Debunks Our Favorite Fallacies About Wildlife. Crown Publishing Group.
Tait, M. 2006. Animal Tragic: Popular Misconceptions of Wildlife Through the Centuries. Think Books.

Links
Bats Live: A Distance Learning Adventure
http://batslive.pwnet.org./

10 scary animals that are totally harmless
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/10-scary-animals-that-are-totally-harmless/dont-judge-a-book-by-its-cov

Top 10 Misunderstood Creatures
http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-misunderstood-creatures.php

Watershed

A Watershed is an area of land that allows water to flow over or under its surface into a particular body of water. The boundaries of a watershed are determined by the guiding contours of the land surrounding that stream, river, lake, or bay. Because precipitation must flow somewhere, all land areas are a part of some watershed. We all live in a watershed. Explore your local watershed with Project WILD Aquatic’s “Watershed”!!

Young Child Extension

Involve children in a study of water. Set up water stations and allow children to explore water. Ask children how they use water? Do animals use water? Plants? Talk about how all living things need water. Lead into where water comes from and where it goes. Watch the rain, splash in the puddles, and/or visit a local stream.

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.

DK Publishing. 2007. Water Everywhere. DK Publishing, Inc.

Fourment, T. 2004. My Water Comes from the Mountains. Roberts Rinehart Publishers.

Greenfield, E. and J.S. Gilchrist. 1999. Water, Water. HarperCollins Publishers.

Jarnow, J. and E. Hathon. 2000. Splish! Splash! Penguin Group, Inc. (USA).

Olien, R. 1999. Splish Splash Science, Grades 1-3: Learning about Water with Easy Fun-Filled Activities. Scholastic, Inc.

Rauzon, M.J. 1995. Water, Water Everywhere. Sierra Club Books for Children.

Tresselt, A.R. 1990. Rain Drop Splash. HarperCollins Publishers.

Grades 3-5

Berger, M. 1995. Water, Water Everywhere. Ideals Publications.

Canizares, S. and P. Chanko. 1998. Water. June 1998.

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.

Jervis, P. 1997. How Science Works: Water. Barnes & Noble Books.

Moor, J.E. 1998. Water. Evan-Moor Educational Publishers.

Olien, R. 1999. Splish Splash Science, Grades 1-3: Learning about Water with Easy Fun-Filled Activities. Scholastic, Inc.

Grades 6-8

Bailey, G. and S. Way. 2009. Water. Gareth Stevens Publishing.

Baker, L.W. 2004. Encyclopedia of Water Science. Thomson Gale.

Markert, J. 1992. Water. The Creative Company.

Swanson, D. 2005. Wonder in Water. Annick Press, Limited.

Grades 9-12

Beck, G. G., and C. Dobson. 1999. Watersheds: A Practical Handbook for Healthy Water. Firefly Books, Limited.

Peaslee, G. et al. 2009. Watershed Investigations: 12 Labs for High School Science. Nationals Science Teachers Association.

Links

Just For Kids: What is a Watershed?

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=588795&mode=2

EPA: What is a Watershed?

http://water.epa.gov/type/watersheds/whatis.cfm

The World in Your Watershed

http://www.watersheds.org/kids/

Urban Nature Search

Do you think of nature as being someplace that you have to travel to? That wildlife is only found in “wild” places? Think again! Take a quick walk around your schoolyard or backyard and you will soon see that nature and wildlife are everywhere! Birds, bugs, trees, worms, and squirrels, just to name a few, are all found in our urban areas. Take students on an urban nature search and see what you can find! Use Project WILD’s “Urban Nature Search” for more activities!

Young Child Extension
Take young children out to the schoolyard and see what they can find! Young children love getting down on their hands and knees and looking at plants, and under rocks – perfect places to find urban wildlife!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
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.
Davis, W. 1998. City Park. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Di Salvo-Ryan, D. 1994. City Green. HarperCollins Publishers.
Epstein, S. 1989. Bugs for Dinner?: The Eating Habits of Neighborhood Creatures. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Fife, D.H. 1996. The Empty Lot. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Fleming, D. 1995. In the Tall, Tall Grass. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Fleming, D. 2000. Where Once There Was a Wood. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Giogas, V. 2007. In My Backyard. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Herberman, E. 1989. The City Kid's Field Guide. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Hester, N. 2004. The Living Town. Watts Pub Group.
Huelbig, C. 1996. City Kids and City Critters! McGraw-Hill Companies.
Koontz, R.M. 1998. The Complete Backyard Nature Activity Book: Fun Projects for Kids to Learn About the Wonders of Wildlife and Nature. McGraw-Hill.
Lunis, N. 1996. Life in Your Backyard. Newbridge Educational Publishing.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Raintree Steck-Vaughn. 1987. Animals in Cities and Parks. Steck-Vaughn.
Rammell, S.K. 2006. City Beats: A Hip-Hoppy Pigeon Poem. Dawn Publications.
Rockwell, A. 2006. Backyard Bear. Walker & Company.
Ruurs, M. 2007. In My Backyard. Tundra.
Schwartz, D.M. 1997. In the Park. Creative Teaching Press, Incorporated.
Thornhill, J. 1996. Wild in the City. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Wheeler, J.C. 1993. Beastly Neighbors. ABDO Publishing Company.

Grades 3-5
Barrons Educational Series. 2000. Urban Animal. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Bash, B. 1992. Urban Roosts: Where Birds Nest in the City. Little, Brown & Company.
Green, J. 2002. In a Backyard. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Gustafson, K.B. 2005. Aunt Gussie And Grandfather Tree. Beaver's Pond Press.
Hirschi, R. 1987. City Geese. Penguin Group.
Hodgkins, F. 2000. Animals among Us: Living with Suburban Wildlife. Shoe String Press, Incorporated.
Kirkland, J. 2006. Take a City Nature Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Maurer, R. 1989. City Kid's Field Guide. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Morgan, S. 2001. Cities. World Book, Incorporated.
Morgan, S. 1998. Homes and Cities: Living for the Future. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Sanders, S.R. 2002. Crawdad Creek. National Geographic Society.
Shattil, W. 1997. City Foxes. Alaska Northwest Books.
Stetson, E. 2004. Kids' Easy-to-Create Wildlife Habitats: For Small Spaces in City-Suburbs-Countryside. Williamson Books.
Turner, S. 1999. Communities. Raintree Publishers.

Grades 6-8
Aldis, R. 1992. Towns and Cities. Silver Burdett Press.
Barrons Educational Series. 2000. Urban Animal. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Bruning, N.P. 1992. Cities against Nature. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Cochrane, J. 1988. Urban Ecology. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gralla, P. 1999. How Cities Work: Open Your Eyes to the Wonders of the Urban Environment. DIANE PublishingCompany.

Grades 9-12
Adams, C.E. 2005. Urban Wildlife Management. CRC Press.
Bosselaar, L.A. 2000. Urban Nature: Poems About Wildlife in the City. Milkweed Editions.
Lomberg, M. 2004. Healthy Cities: Improving Urban Life. Smart Apple Media.

Animal Poetry
Spring is in the air! As you soak up the wonderfully warm weather take a moment to feel the inspirational power of nature and wildlife. Watch the fantastic flight of a hawk overhead; observe the wonderful colors of prairie grasses; listen to the sigh of the breeze through the trees. Take a walk through a nature area or your backyard. Find a place to sit and watch, listen, feel, smell the natural world around you. 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
Take children on a nature walk. Ask them to share what they see, feel, smell, 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
Bradman, S., and S. Wintringham. 2002. Wild and Wonderful: Poems about the Natural World. Hodder Headline.
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.
Heard, G., and J.O. Dewey. 1997. Creatures of the Earth, Sea, and Sky: Poems. Boyds Mills Press.
Paladino, C. 1993. Land, Sea, and Sky: Poems to Celebrate the Earth. Little, Brown & Company.
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.
Vanderhorst, M.J. 2007. Pictures and Poems: Introducing young people to NATURE in a poetic way!. Authorhouse.
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.

Grades 3-5
Bradman, S., and S. Wintringham. 2002. Wild and Wonderful: Poems about the Natural World. Hodder Headline.
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.
Hass, R. and P. Michael. 2008. River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things. Milkweed Editions.
Heard, G., and J.O. Dewey. 1997. Creatures of the Earth, Sea, and Sky: Poems. Boyds Mills Press.
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.
Nicholls, J. 1998. Earthways, Earthwise: Poems on Conservation. Oxford University Press, USA.
Sidman, J., and B. Prange. 2005. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Vanderhorst, M.J. 2007. Pictures and Poems: Introducing young people to NATURE in a poetic way!. Authorhouse.
Yolen, J. and J. Stemple. Color Me a Rhyme: Nature Poems for Young People. Boyds Mills Press.

Grades 6-8
Bradman, S., and S. Wintringham. 2002. Wild and Wonderful: Poems about the Natural World. Hodder Headline.
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.
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.
Nicholls, J. 1998. Earthways, Earthwise: Poems on Conservation. Oxford University Press, USA.
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.
Felstiner, J. 2009. Can Poetry Save the Earth?: A Field Guide to Nature Poems. Yale University Press.
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.
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.

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.

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.

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.