Get wild with National Wildlife Week March 17-23!!

Celebrate this wild week with us by learning about Iowa’s wildlife! Each day our blogs will feature information about different Iowa wildlife species.  Check every day to get Iowa species facts, classroom activities, books lists and MORE!

Wildlife Week Blog Schedule

Day 1 (March 17) - Mammals
Day 2 (March 18) - Birds
Day 3 (March 19) - Herps
Day 4 (March 20) - Invertebrates

Day 5 (March 21) - Fish

IDNR Education Blogs

Exploring Iowa’s Natural Resources blog

http://iowaprojectswildplt.blogspot.com/

Outdoor Explorations for Early Learners blog

http://outdoorexplorationsforearlylearners.blogspot.com/

Take it Outside: Fish Iowa!

http://takeitoutsidefishiowa.blogspot.com/

IDNR: Education – Classroom Resources

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Education/ForTeachers/ClassroomResources.aspx

Educators would you like a FREE Copy of Season III of Iowa Outdoors?

Iowa Public Television has created yet another outstanding season of Iowa Outdoors.  Iowa Outdoors explores ways Iowans are not only enjoying but also working to protect the state’s natural resources. Iowa Outdoors is a six-part series focusing on Iowa's natural resources, conservation efforts, outdoor recreation activities, and natural beauty  that can help your students better understand environmental science, geology, conservation, and many other concepts. 

IPTV now has DVDs of Season III available free to interested Iowa educators. Please tell your educator friends that they can go to the link below to request one: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mJrnWkxN-TKpJxHas75L45UYX-zs5mNZTwYZG2BKTKQ/viewform

Upcoming Project-based Natural Resources Trainings

Implementing Standards Through Site Based Projects (K-12 Educators)
June 24 & 25, 2014 (100% attendance is required for credit - Assignments due by July 23, 2014)
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Prairie Heritage Center (4931 Yellow Ave., Peterson, IA 51047)

Educators will be introduced to a variety of nationally-developed resources that support authentic learning as well the Projects WILD, WILD Aquatic and Learning Tree (secondary modules). Trainers will work with educators to incorporate activities from the Projects into inquiry-based learning cycles and develop real field investigations with their students. Educators will be encouraged to develop site based projects to study and/or improve their local natural resources. This can include service learning opportunities like Trees for Kids, IOWATER, NatureMapping, Wildlife Diversity monitoring efforts, development of outdoor learning areas or habitats, and more.

Participants are encouraged to bring information about their school site or a nearby natural area for use with workshop activities. Teaching partners/groups are encouraged to facilitate planning/implementation of projects.

You must register online. Registration deadline is June 10, 2014. Registration fees include course materials and 1 license renewal credit for $85.

Exploring Iowa’s Natural Resources On-line Course (K-12 Educators)
September 8 – December 21, 2014

“This course has provided me with information and resources to make lessons more relevant and engaging. The focus on inquiry, sense of place, and many other important aspects of teaching have been beneficial in terms of planning lessons and remembering to keep students and student activities at the core of what I do. It’s not just about the content and this course helped rejuvenate my interest in making lessons more student centered.”

Learn how to utilize local natural resources as unifying themes to implement a STEM-based approach in your curriculum. You will work in small groups and individually to create a network of contacts and resources to teach natural resource concepts. Group and individual assignments will build on each other throughout the course.

Each week a new course module focusing on a specific environmental education topic, strategy or skill will be available (time requirement 4-5 hours per week). You should be comfortable navigating web pages, have access to internet and a computer on a daily basis, and possess basic computer skills.

Registration deadline is August 29, 2014 - you must register electronically. Registration fee includes materials and 3 license renewal credit for $225. This course is being offered by AEA PD Online, a joint initiative by all of Iowa's Area Education Agencies. This course therefore uses AEA PD Online's alternative fee schedule for license renewal credit. Transcripts and credit will be issued by AEA PD Online instead of Heartland AEA.

Winter Fun

Cold temperatures and snowy school yards make it more of a challenge to get kids outside during the winter months. However, there are many engaging activities to get students out the door exploring and connecting with nature!

Winter Nature Walks

Take a winter walk around your schoolyard or a local park. Ideas for your walk: conduct a wildlife or tree inventory, take a listening walk, measure snow fall, look for and record animal tracks and signs, take your art class outside and sketch the winter landscape, have each student write about their winter walk, or come up with your own winter nature study based on your current curriculum!

Winter Study Ideas

Conduct a study as a class or break into small groups. Have a brainstorming session to decide what the students would like to investigate about winter. Some ideas are temperature, snowfall/precipitation, wind, plant growth/dormancy, wildlife behavior (migration, hibernation, survival, etc…), art or literature classes could study winter landscapes in art, or naturalists writings on winter. Have students design and conduct an experiment or study. Have them present their findings to the class upon completion.

 

The family of Craig Tufts, Family Summits, Inc. and National Wildlife Federation announces the 5th Annual Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Award, which is given to a young person between the ages of 8 and 18 to attend a week-long, summer outdoor educational adventure camp with a parent or guardian. The Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Craig Tufts, Chief Naturalist of National Wildlife Federation.

Each year the Fund grants an award to one youth to attend a Family Nature Summit. The Fund provides travel, room and board and program fees for the award winner and an accompanying parent or guardian.

The contest is for anyone between the ages of 8 – 18 years old.  Applicants must submit an original essay about their favorite outdoor or nature-related activities describing how nature-related activities and experiences have impacted them.

To view the full details of the scholarship award and to apply for the award visit:

The National Wildlife Federation Website - Craig Tufts’ Educational Scholarship Fund & Family Nature Summit

http://www.nwf.org/What-We-Do/Kids-and-Nature/Programs/Craig-Tufts-Scholarship.aspx?s_email_id=20140207_BOT_ENG_Newsletter_February_Edition|STBot

Harness the Wind

What is wind?

Wind is air in motion. Wind is produced by the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface by the sun. As the sun warms the Earth’s surface the atmosphere warms too. Some parts of the Earth receive direct rays of sun and others do not. This creates a difference in air pressure. Warm air weighs less than cold air and rises; cold air moves in and replaces the warm air. This movement of cold and warm air, or the change in air pressure, creates wind. Wind is affected by local and global conditions.

Design a Wind Experiment

As a class design an experiment to study or test some aspect of the wind. Let the students design and lead the study. Be a guide and resource for the students as they discuss, design and carry out their experiment/study. Some ideas: wind energy, wind speed, air pressure, how wind shapes the land, benefits of wind, wind damage.

Presentation

Once students have designed and/or carried out their experiment or study have them create a multimedia presentation of their findings.

Links

Kid Wind Project - Learn About Wind: Wind Power Basics

http://learn.kidwind.org/learn

Earth Science for Kids - Wind

http://www.ducksters.com/science/earth_science/wind.php

EPA: Students

http://www.epa.gov/students/index.html

Book List

Grades 3-5

Bauer, M. D., and J. Wallace. 2003. Wind. Simon Spotlight.

Capeci, A., and C. Bracken. 2007. The Magic School Bus Rides the Wind. Scholastic, Inc.

Drummond, A. 2011. Energy Island: How one community harnassed the wind and changed their world. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

Friend, S. 2002. Earth’s Wild Winds. 21^st Century.

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

Kamkwamba, W., B. Mealer, and E. Zunon. 2012. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Penguin Group (USA).

Woelfle, G. 2013. The Wind at Work: An Activity Guide to Windmills. Chicago Review Press, Inc.

Grades 6-8

Caduto, M. J., J. H. Mitchell, and D. Bonta. 2011. Catch the Wind, Harness the Sun: 22 Super-Charged Projects for Kids. Storey Publishing, LLC.

Dobson, C. 2010. Wind Power: 20 Projects to Make with Paper. Firefly Books, Limited.

Fitzgerald, S., D. Voege, and Science Applications, Inc. Staff. 2010. Wind Power. Chelsea House Publishers.

Ganeri, A. 2004. Wind. Gareth Stevens Publishing.

Walker, N. 2006. Generating Wind Power. Crabtree Publishing Company.

Grades 9-12

Kamkwamba, W., and B. Mealer. 2010. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope. William Morrow.

Rodgers, A., and A. Streluk. 2008. Wind and Air Pressure (Measuring the Weather). Heinemann Library.

Walker, N. 2006. Generating Wind Power. Crabtree Publishing Company.

Bird Song Survey

It is almost time once again for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count! Young and old, students and teachers, parents and grandparents participate every year 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!

Participate in the upcoming Great Backyard Bird Count February 14-17, 2014! 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.

Wildlife in National Symbols

January is the perfect time to observe bald eagles in Iowa! A great number of bald eagles overwinter in Iowa and can be observed along rivers and streams. Years ago it was unusual to see bald eagles in Iowa at all but today we enjoy their presence year-round as many have made Iowa their permanent home and breed within our borders. On August 8, 2007, the bald eagle was officially removed from the federal threatened and endangered species list under the Endangered Species Act. The bald eagle has a rocky history in the United States and has made a tremendous recovery in recent years.

A wonderful social studies tie in with viewing these majestic birds is the Project WILD activity “Wildlife in National Symbols.” This activity takes a look at the diversity of countries and cultures that include wildlife in their symbols. An interesting extension to this activity is to look at the symbols of other states, and Iowa schools. Are the symbols animals? Are these animals native to the respective state or school? Research more about the history of these symbols.

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.

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.

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.
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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.

“From Bison to Bread: The American Prairie”

Prairie is the French word for meadow. Prairie originally covered vast areas of North America, from Canada to Texas and from Indiana to the Rocky Mountains. Today, little original prairie is left in North America. Of the 30 million acres of prairie that once covered Iowa it is estimated that only 0.1% remains. Prairies are a diverse pool of plants species, are habitat for many wildlife species and are a protective buffer for ground and surface water supplies. Use Project WILD’s “From Bison to Bread: The American Prairie” to explore Iowa’s prairies.

Book List
Grades 3-5
Arnold, C. 1993. Through the Year with - Prairie Dogs. Scholastic, Inc.
Bannatyne-Cugnet, J. 2002. Heartland: A Prairie Sampler. Tundra.
Bouchard, D. 1998. If You're Not from the Prairie. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Chinery, M. 1992. Grassland Animals. Random House Books for Young Readers.
Christiansen, P. and M. Muller. 1999. An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
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.
Kirt, R.R. 1995. Prairie Plants of the Midwest: Identification and Ecology. Stipes Publishing, L.L.C.
Ladd, D. 2005. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the Common Wildflowers and Plants of the Prairie Midwest. Globe Pequot Press.
Lambert, D. 1988. Grasslands. Silver Burdett Press.
Langley, A. 1993. Grasslands. Reader's Digest Children's Publishing, Incorporated.
Levy, J. 2003. What Lives on a Prairie? Rosen Publishing Group, 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.
Pattison, D., and K. Rietz. 2011. Prairie Storms. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
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.
Steele, P. 1997. Grasslands. Lerner Publishing Group.
Stille, D.R. 1998. Grasslands. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Stone, L.M. 2004. Grasslands. Rourke Publishing, LLC.
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.
Wilder, L. I., and R. Graef. 1900. Prairie Day (My First Little House Books Series). HarperCollins Publishers.
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.
Christiansen, P. and M. Muller. 1999. An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
Collard, S.B. 2005. Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America’s Lost Grasslands. Houghton Mifflin.
Hoare, B. 2003. Temperate Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.
Kirt, R.R. 1995. Prairie Plants of the Midwest: Identification and Ecology. Stipes Publishing, L.L.C.
Ladd, D. 2005. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the Common Wildflowers and Plants of the Prairie Midwest. Globe Pequot Press.
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.
Schwarm, L. 2003. On Fire. Duke Un Mentary.
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.
Tarbox, A. D. 2011. A Prairie Food Chain. The Creative Company.
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: Houghton Mifflin Company Trade & Reference Division.
Edsall, M.S. 1985. Roadside Plants and Flowers. Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press.
Forey, P. and C. Fitzsimons. 1992. Instant Guide to Wildflowers. Random House Value Publishing, Incorporated.
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.
Madson, J. 2005. The Elemental Prairie: Sixty Tallgrass Plants. 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.
Peterson, R.T. and M. McKenny.1968. A Field Guide to the Wildflowers: Northeastern and North-Central North America. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
Smith, J. R., and Smith, B. S. 1980. A Prairie Garden : Seventy Native Plants You Can Grow in Town or Country. New York: University of Wisconsin P.
Thompson, J.R. 1992. Prairies, Forests and Wetlands: The Restoration of Natural Landscape Communities in Iowa. University of Iowa Press.
Waterlow, J. 1996. Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.

Links
ISU Extension: Iowa Prairies
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/IAN203.pdf

What is a Prairie?
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/nature/habitat/whatprai.htm

Iowa Prairie Network
http://www.iowaprairienetwork.org/

Have Seeds Will Travel

It’s time to take a “seed walk”! Autumn is the best time of year for collecting seeds. Take kids out to collect seeds from plants along a trail, in the schoolyard or have them collect seeds from home to bring to school. Then use Project Learning Tree’s “Have Seeds Will Travel” to examine and explore the wonder of seeds!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Aston, D. 2007. A Seed Is Sleepy. Chronicle Books LLC.
Berger, M. 1994. All about Seeds: A Hands-on Science Book. Scholastic, Inc.
Brown, R. 2001. Ten Seeds. Knopf Publishing Group.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Carle, E. 1991. The Tiny Seed. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Cole, J. 1995. The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow. Scholastic, Inc.
Downden, A.O. 1984. From Flower to Fruit. Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
Doyle, M. and J. Allibone. 2002. Jody's Beans. Candlewick Press.
Ehlert, L. 1992. Planting a Rainbow. Harcourt Children's Books.
Fowler, A. 2001. From Seed to Plant. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 1991. From Seed to Plant. Holiday House.
Hickman, P. 1996. A Seed Grows: My First Look at a Plant's Life Cycle. Kids Can Press, Ltd.
Jennings, T.J. 1988. Seeds. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jordan, H.J. 1992. How a Seed Grows. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Kuchalla, S. 1990. All About Seeds. Troll Communications L.L.C.
Krauss, R. 1993. The Carrot Seed. HarperCollins Publishers.
Lauber, P. 1981. Seeds Pop-Stick-Glide. Crown Publishers, Inc.
Lovejoy, S. 1999. Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children. Workman Publishing Company.
Manning, M. and B. Granstrom. 2003. The Seed I Planted (Wonderwise Readers). Franklin Watts, Ltd.
Marzollo, J. 1996. I'm a Seed. Scholastic, Inc.
Moncure, J.B. 1990. How Seeds Travel: Popguns and Parachutes. Child's World, Incorporated.
Morgan, S. 2004. Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Thameside Press.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2002. How and Why Seeds Travel. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Pascoe, E. 2003. Plants with Seeds. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Richards, J. and A. Hariton. 2006. A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds. Lerner Publishing Group.
Robbins, K. 2005. Seeds. Atheneum.
Rockwell, A. 1999. One Bean. Walker Books for Young Readers.
Roemer, H.B. 2006. What Kinds of Seeds Are These? T&N Children's Publishing.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1998. Seeds. Capstone Press.
Schaefer, L.M. 2003. Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Scrace, C. 2002. Growing Things. Franklin Watts.
Wexler, J. 1988. Flowers, Fruits Seeds. Prentice Hall Books.
Whitehouse, P. 2002. Seeds. Heinemann.
Worth, B. 2001. Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants. Random House, Incorporated.

Grades 3-5
Anthony, J.A. 1997. Dandelion Seed. California: Dawn Publications.
Berger, M. 1994. All about Seeds: A Hands-on Science Book. Scholastic, Inc.
Bix, C.O. 1982. How Seeds Travel. Lerner Publishing Group.
Branigan, C. 2005. Flowers and Seeds. Smart Apple Media.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Burton, J. and K. Taylor. 1999. Nature and Science of Seeds. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Cole, J. 1995. The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow. Scholastic, Inc.
Farndon, J. 2006. Seeds. Thomson Gale.
Fowler, A. 2001. From Seed to Plant. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 1991. From Seed to Plant. Holiday House.
Goodman, S.E. 2001. Seeds, Stems, and Stamens: The Ways Plants Fit into Their World. Lerner Publishing Group.
Hickman, P. 1996. A Seed Grows: My First Look at a Plant's Life Cycle. Kids Can Press, Ltd.
Hoff, M.K. 2004. Pollination. The Creative Company.
Jennings, T.J. 1988. Seeds. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jennings, T.J. 1989. Seeds and Seedlings. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jordan, H.J. 1992. How a Seed Grows. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Kalman, B.1996. How a Plant Grows. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Kirkpatrick, R.K. 1990. Look at Seeds and Weeds. Raintree Publishers.
Lauber, P. 1991. Seeds: Pop Stick Glide. Crown Books for Young Readers.
Moncure, J.B. 1990. How Seeds Travel: Popguns and Parachutes. Child's World, Incorporated.
Morgan, S. 2004. Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Thameside Press.
Overbeck, C. 1982. How Seeds Travel. Minneapolis: Lerner.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2002. How and Why Seeds Travel. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Pascoe, E. 2003. Plants with Seeds. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Richards, J. and A. Hariton. 2006. A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds. Lerner Publishing Group.
Robbins, K. 2004. Seeds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Roemer, H.B. 2006. What Kinds of Seeds Are These? T&N Children's Publishing.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Rushing, F. 2004. Dig, Plant, Grow. Cool Springs Press.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1998. Seeds. Capstone Press.
Schaefer, L.M. 2003. Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Scrace, C. 2002. Growing Things. Franklin Watts.
Wexler, J. 1988. Flowers, Fruits Seeds. Prentice Hall Books.
Whitehouse, P. 2002. Seeds. Heinemann.
Worth, B. 2001. Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants. Random House, Incorporated.

Grades 6-8
Bates, J.W. 1991. Seeds to Plants: Projects with Biology. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Goodman, S.E. 2001. Seeds, Stems, and Stamens: The Ways Plants Fit into Their World. Lerner Publishing Group.
Lauber, P. 1991. Seeds: Pop Stick Glide. Crown Books for Young Readers.
Moncure, J.B. 1990. How Seeds Travel: Popguns and Parachutes. Child's World, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2002. How and Why Seeds Travel. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Pascoe, E. 1996. Seeds and Seedlings. Thomson Gale.
Robbins, K. 2004. Seeds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1998. Seeds. Capstone Press.
Schaefer, L.M. 2003. Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Winckler, S. 2002. Planting the Seed: A Guide to Gardening. Lerner Publishing Group.

Grades 9-12
Bates, J.W. 1991. Seeds to Plants: Projects with Biology. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Kershner, B., et al. 2008. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. Sterling Publishing.
Kesseler, R., and W. Stuppy. 2009. Seeds: Time Capsules of Life. Firefly Books, Limited.
Martin, A. C. 2000. Seed Identification Manual. The Blackburn Press.
Robbins, K. 2004. Seeds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Thoreau, H. D. 1996. Faith in a Seed: The Dispersion of Seeds and Other Late Natural Natural Writings. Island Press.
Young, J. A. 2009. Seeds of Woody Plants in North America. Timber Press, Inc.

Halloween “Scary” Animals
People respond differently to different animals. Our reaction towards certain animals depends on a number of factors, such as, our innate feelings, past experiences, and our culture. Accurate information and pleasant experiences have the power to change our views towards wildlife. For example, learning that spiders are beneficial may help to dispel initial fear.

Many of the symbols of Halloween are animals - creepy, crawly spiders, swopping bats, owls in trees, and crows on rooftops. People may have negative reactions to these animals based on myths and misinformation. Below are some facts about these sometimes mysterious but always fascinating “scary” animals! To learn more about each animal (or other “scary” animals) divide students into groups to research an animal and report back to the group with a multi-media presentation.

Spiders

Spiders belong to a group of animals called “arachnids”.  Scorpions, mites, and ticks are also part of the arachnid family.  Arachnids are creatures with two body segments, eight legs, no wings or antennae and are not able to chew. Many people think that spiders are insects but they are mistaken since insects have six legs and three main body parts.

There are more than 3,000 species of spiders in North America. These interesting arachnids eat insects and other small prey. They are beneficial to humans because they help keep insect populations under control.

Spider Book List

Bishop, N. 2012. Spiders. Scholastic, Inc.
Bradley, R. A., and S. Buchanon. 2012. Common Spiders of North America. University of California Press.
Simon, S. 2007. Spiders. HarperCollins Publishers.
Sterry, P. 2013. Spiders: A Portrait of the Animal World. New Line Books.

Bats
Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight and one of the most misunderstood animals in the world. Contrary to popular belief, bats do not dive at your hair, they don’t suck your blood, and they are not blind! Bats find their way using a sonar-like system called echolocation. Iowa’s bats are insect eaters and have no more desire for your blood than a fluffy bunny does.

Bats are beneficial to humans in a BIG way – by eating insects!  A single bat can eat up to 2,000 mosquitoes in a single night. That’s 2,000 mosquitoes gone from your yard in one night by just one bat! There are nine species of bats found in Iowa, one of which, the Indiana bat, is federally endangered.

Bat Books

Harvey, M. J., J. S. Altenbach, and T. L. Best. 2011. Bats of the United States and Canada. John Hopkins University Press.
Richardson, P. 2010. Bats. Firefly Books, Limited.
Tuttle, M. D. 2005.  America’s Neighborhood Bats. University of Texas Press.

Owls

These nocturnal hunters of Iowa’s woodlands and fields have been regarded with apprehension for centuries. With their silent wings, large eyes, and heads that appear to turn all the way around, these fascinating birds of prey have gotten a bad rap. Owls are distinctive birds that are found throughout the world in habitats ranging from arid deserts to Arctic tundra. There are eight species of owls that are regularly found in Iowa and four species that are occasional visitors.

Owl Books

Burton, R. 1990. Discovering Owls. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Duncan, J.R. 2003. Owls of the World: Their Lives, Behavior and Survival. Firefly Books, Limited.
Kalman, B.D. 1987. Owls. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Stidworthy, J. 1987. Year in the Life of an Owl. Silver Burdett Press.
Lawrence, R.D. 2003. Owls: The Silent Flyers. Firefly Books, Limited.
Long, K. 1998. Owls: A Wildlife Handbook. Johnson Books.
Parry-Jones, J. 2001. Understanding Owls: Biology, Management, Breeding, Training. F & W Publications, Incorporated.

Crows

Maybe it is the fact that crows are large and ominous looking, or maybe it’s their hoarse, throaty calls, whatever the cause, crows have a long history of being feared and loathed. However, crows are highly intelligent and social birds who display great care for one another. These gregarious members of the same family as ravens, magpies, and blue jays are actually among the smartest animals on the planet!

Crow Books

Kilham, L., and J. Waltermire. 1989. American Crow and the Common Raven. Texas A&M University Press.
Savage, C. 2004. Bird Brains: The Intelligence of Crows, Ravens, Magpies and Jays. D&M Publishers Incorporated.
Singer, M., and L. Saport. 2002. The Company of Crows: A Book of Poems. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

 

 

Category IV "Best Use of Color" 2013 Winner

Melissa Molloy, Knoxville Schools

 

Take It Outside Art Contest 2014

Welcome Teachers!

The Department of Natural Resources invites you to enroll your class in our third annual “Take It Outside” Art Contest — win prizes that will get you and your students involved in outdoor activities.

This year's contest will focus on natural places - from prairies and forests to lake and streams. Natural places can be public - like national wildlife refuges; state, county and city parks and recreation areas; school grounds. They can be smaller and private - back yards, vacant lots. Regardless of size or location, special places connect us to the outdoors. Where is your favorite place to "take it outside?" How do you enjoy your special natural area? Do you hike? Fish? Paddle? Turn over logs? Stare at the sky?
Use your artistic skills to create an image that shows you “Taking it Outside” in your favorite natural place (prairie, timber, pond, lake stream, river, marsh - even your backyard or a vacant lot). Be sure to show what make the place special for you. For more information about Iowa's habitats, visit our website (scroll down to the bottom of the page to the “document library” and click on “Natural Resources”).

Winning entries will receive prizes and will be used for upcoming promotions and displayed at the DNR building during the Iowa State Fair.

Participating schools will be entered in a drawing to receive a grant (total of 4 awarded) for a natural resources-based recreation experience at a local outdoor recreation area.

For more information visit: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Education/ForTeachers/EducationCompetitions.aspx

 

2014 Take It Outside Art Contest Rules
2014 Take It Outside Art Contest Teacher Registration Form
2014 Take It Outside Art Contest Student Entry Form

Mark your calendars because October 9, 2013 is a BIG, HEALTHY day!!
October 9 marks three great events aimed at getting kids outside and moving to promote a healthy lifestyle. It is International Walk to School Day, Live Healthy Iowa Kids: Fall Fitness Day, and Iowa’s Healthiest State Walk. See below for more information about these great events!

Live Healthy Iowa Kids: Fall Fitness Day

http://www.livehealthyiowakids.org/aspx/Public/Page.aspx?pid=13677
Fall Fitness Day is a one-day event encouraging Iowa schools to engage their students in 30 minutes of continuous activity. It shows kids that physical activity is fun and healthy! Visit the above link to register your school and for more information.

Activity ideas:

• Walk  
• Obstacle course
• Fitness stations
• Relay races
• Aerobics
• Dancing
• Nature hike
• Community cleanup

Healthiest State Walk

http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/healthiest-state-walk
Iowans across the state have shown their support for the Healthiest State Initiative by the thousands. By the hundreds of thousands, actually – in both 2011 and 2012, nearly 300,000 Iowans participated in 1-kilometer walks to show that we’re ready for a healthier Iowa.

They are striving to keep that momentum going to make this year’s walk on October 9 the biggest one yet. Be part of the movement by walking 1-kilometer (0.62 miles) on October 9.

International Walk to School Day

http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/
International Walk to School Day is October 9, 2013! International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. Over time, this event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school and a celebration – with record breaking participation – each October. Today, thousands of schools across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico – participate every October.

Three Ways to Participate

• Walk or bike from home
• Designated starting points (for students/families that live too far from school to walk or ride a bike)
• Walk or bike AT school