Bursting Buds

Trees buds, though actually formed during the previous summer, begin to swell and open the following spring. Until the buds start to open they are covered by scales, specialized leaves that keep the miniature leaves inside protected until they are ready to grow.

Go outside and go on a nature walk around your schoolyard or neighborhood. Look for buds on trees and shrubs. Do the buds still have their scales? Are they starting to open? Compare buds from several different types of trees and shrubs. See if you can identify the different parts of the buds and twigs.

Have each student choose a tree. Visit the tree weekly to observe the buds and to cut a bud open. Dry the buds each week and mount chronologically so show the bud development and growth.

For more fun ideas and the full activity use Project Learning Tree’s “Bursting Buds”.

Young Child Extension
Take children on walk to look for buds on trees, and shrubs. Do any of the plants have new leaves or flowers? Do any of them have buds? What do they look like? Describe them (color, texture, size). What do you think the buds will grow into? What do you think they will look like? Make plans to periodically return to the plants that have unopened buds over the next few weeks to watch for new growth.

Collect twigs with buds from plants that have been pruned. Using plastic knives encourage the children to take the buds apart. Provide magnifying glasses. Questions to ask: What do you think the buds will grow into? Leaves or flowers? Why? What do the plant materials smell like? Feel like? Describe the inside of the buds. What do you think would happen if we put the twigs with buds in water? Try putting a few of the twigs in water. Observe what happens.

For more great ideas use Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood’s “Bursting Buds”.

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Behn, H. and J. Endicott. 1994. Trees. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Bernard, R. 2001. A Tree for All Seasons. National Geographic Society.
Blackaby, S., and C. Delage. 2003. Bud and Blossoms. Coughlan Publishing.
Bourgoing, P. 1992. The Tree. Scholastic First Discovery Books.
Burnie, D. 2005. Plant. DK Publishing, Inc.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts, and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Burns, D. and L. Garrow. 1998. Leaves, Trees and Bark (Take-Along Guide). NorthWord Books for Young Readers.
Canizares, S. and P. Chanko. 1997. Look At This Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Charman, A. 2003. I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves and Other Questions about Plants. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Dixon, M. 1998. Plants around Us. Smart Apple Media.
Downden, A.O. 1984. From Flower to Fruit. Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
Eckroat, L. W. 2009. The Life of Bud. Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Gibbons, G. 1984. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree. Voyager Books.
Gove, D. and M. H. Mallory. My Mother Talks to Trees. Peachtree Publishers.
Hewitt, S. 1999. Plants and Flowers. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Kalman, B. 2000. What Is a Plant? Crabtree Publishing Company.
Lyon, G. 1996. ABCedar: an Alphabet of Trees. Scholastic Inc..
Orme, H. 2003. Why Do Plants Grow in Spring? Gareth Stevens Audio.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1997. From Bud to Blossom. Coughlan Publishing.
Schwartz, D. M., and D. Kuhn. 1998. Plant Blossoms. Creative Teaching Press, Inc.
Worth, B. 2006. I Can Name 50 Trees Today!: All about Trees. Random House Publishing Group.

Grades 3-5
Behn, H. and J. Endicott. 1994. Trees. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Bernard, R. 2001. A Tree for All Seasons. National Geographic Society.
Blackaby, S., and C. Delage. 2003. Bud and Blossoms. Coughlan Publishing.
Bourgoing, P. 1992. The Tree. Scholastic First Discovery Books.
Burnie, D. 2005. Plant. DK Publishing, Inc.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts, and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Burns, D. and L. Garrow. 1998. Leaves, Trees and Bark (Take-Along Guide). NorthWord Books for Young Readers.
Canizares, S. and P. Chanko. 1997. Look At This Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Charman, A. 2003. I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves and Other Questions about Plants. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Dixon, M. 1998. Plants around Us. Smart Apple Media.
Dow, L., S. Addario, and R. C. Carolin. Incredible Plants. Time-Life Custom Publishing.
Downden, A.O. 1984. From Flower to Fruit. Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
Eckroat, L. W. 2009. The Life of Bud. Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Gibbons, G. 1984. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree. Voyager Books.
Gove, D. and M. H. Mallory. My Mother Talks to Trees. Peachtree Publishers.
Greenaway, T. 2000. Plant Life. Raintree Publishers.
Hewitt, S. 1999. Plants and Flowers. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Julivert, M.A. 1993. Life of Plants. Chelsea House Publishers.
Kalman, B. 2000. What Is a Plant? Crabtree Publishing Company.
Lyon, G. 1996. ABCedar: an Alphabet of Trees. Scholastic Inc..
Orme, H. 2003. Why Do Plants Grow in Spring? Gareth Stevens Audio.
McEvoy, P. 2003. Plants. Chelsea House Publishers.
Miller, D. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker Books for Young Readers.
Notkin, L. 1997. The Magic School Bus Gets Planted: A Book About Photosynthesis. Scholastic Paperbacks.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1997. From Bud to Blossom. Coughlan Publishing.
Schwartz, D. M., and D. Kuhn. 1998. Plant Blossoms. Creative Teaching Press, Inc.
Spilsbury, L. 2002. Plant Parts. Heinemann Library.
Stewart, M. 2003. Plants. Capstone Press.
Worth, B. 2006. I Can Name 50 Trees Today!: All about Trees. Random House Publishing Group.
Wyatt, V. 2000. Wacky Plant Cycles. Mondo Publishing.

Grades 6-8
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing the Trees. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
DK Publishing. 1992. Plants. DK CHILDREN.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
Howell, L. 2002. World of Plants. E.D.C. Publishing.
Kershner, B., et al. 2008. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. Sterling Publishing.
Parker, R. 2003. Introduction to Plant Science: Revised Edition. Thomson Delmar Learning.
Massa, R. 1997. Breathing Earth. Steck-Vaughn.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Silverstein, A. 1998. Photosynthesis. Lerner Publishing Group.
Staub, F.J. 2004. Photosynthesis. Creative Company.
Walker, Alan. 1999. A Leaf in Time. Portland Press.

Grades 9-12
Farndon, J. 2002. 1000 Things You Should Know about Plants. Mason Crest Publishers.
Greenaway, T. 1999. Plant Kingdom: A Guide to Plant Classification and Biodiversity. Raintree Publishers.
Heinrich, B. 1998. The Trees in My Forest. HarperCollins Publishers.
Kershner, B., et al. 2008. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. Sterling Publishing.

Soil Stories
Soil is the foundation for life on Earth. It is a wonderful mix of living and non-living organic matter in which most of the plants on our planet grow. There are different classifications of soils and these classifications can tell us whether or not the soil can sustain plant life, which plants can grow there, and even which soils are good for withstanding erosion and for building houses on. Use Project Learning Tree’s “Soil Stories” to explore the fascinating world of soil!

Young Child Extension
Bring in samples of the three main soil textures, sand, silt and clay. Allow children time to play with and feel each of the soil textures. Ask: What do each of the soils feel like? How do the soils differ from one another? Why do you think they are different? Try growing seeds in each of the soils and in a mixture of the three. Record what happens in a chart.

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Bial, R. 2001. A Handful of Dirt. Walker & Company.
Bourgeois, P. 1990. The Amazing Dirt Book. Kids Can Press, Limited.
Bourgeois, P., M. Newbigging, and K. Vanderlinden. 2008. The Dirt on Dirt. Kids Can Press, Limited.
Bryant-Mole, K. 1996. Soil. Steck-Vaughn.
De Bourgoing, P. and G. Jeunesse. 1995. Under the Ground. Scholastic, Inc.
Oxlade, C. 2002. Soil. Heinemann Library.
Richardson, A.D. 2001. Soil. Capstone Press.
Rosinsky, N. M., and S. Williams. 2002. Dirt: The Scoop on Soil. Coughlan Publishing.
Siddals, M. M., and A. Wolff. 2010. Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth. Random House Children’s Books.
Woodman, N. 2007. Dirt. National Geographic Society.

Grades 3-5
Aloian, M. 2010. Different Kinds of Soil. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Bial, R. 2001. A Handful of Dirt. Walker & Company.
Bourgeois, P., M. Newbigging, and K. Vanderlinden. 2008. The Dirt on Dirt. Kids Can Press, Limited.
Hyde, N. 2010. Micro Life in Soil. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Lindeen, C. K. 2007. Soil Basics. Pebble Books.
Montgomery, H. L. 2010. How is Soil Made? Crabtree Publishing Company.
Tomecek, S. 2002. Dirt: Jump into Science. National Geographic Society.

Grades 6-8
Aloian, M. 2010. Different Kinds of Soil. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Gurney, B. 2004. Sand and Soil. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Montgomery, H. L. 2010. How is Soil Made? Crabtree Publishing Company.
Silverstein, A., V. Silverstein, and C. E. Silverstein. 2000. Life in a Bucket of Soil. Dover Publications.

Grades 9-12
Graham, I. 2004. Soil: A Resource Our World Depends On. Heinemann Library.
Janice, R. 2006. Land Abuse and Soil Erosion. Wiegel Publishers.
Nardi, J.B. 2005. World beneath Our Feet: A Guide to Life in the Soil. Oxford University Press.

Tree Lifecycle

All living things have a lifecycle that includes, birth, growth, aging, and death. Trees go through these stages over the course of their life even though we may not be here to witness the full cycle. As trees go through their lifecycle their role in the ecosystem changes. Visit a local forest, park or explore your schoolyard for trees in different stages of their lifecycle from acorns to rotting logs. Observe the animals and insects that use them at each. Then use Project Learning Tree’s “Tree Lifecycle” to investigate the lifecycle of trees and their varying role in the forest ecosystem.

Young Child Extension
Ask children: Are trees alive? How do they know? How do trees start life? Go for a walk outside and find trees at different stages of their lifecycle, such as an acorn under a tree, a sapling just starting to grow, a mature tree and a log on the ground. As a class act out the lifecycle of a tree: curl into a ball (you’re a seed), slowing uncurl and kneel (you’ve sprouted), stick your arms up (you’ve grown branches), wiggle your fingers (you grew leaves), stand up (you grew tall), wiggle your toes (you grew lots of roots), sway around and sigh (you are now a mature tree and home to wildlife), make a creaking sound and fall over (you grew old and fell down during a storm), curl into a ball (you are one of your seeds growing from under your rotting wood), slowly uncurl and kneel (you are sprouting again)…and so the tree lifecycle goes around.

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Anthony, J. and C. Arbo. 1999. In a Nutshell (Sharing Nature with Children Book Series). Dawn Publications.
Aston, D. 2007. A Seed Is Sleepy. Chronicle Books LLC.
Behn, H. and J. Endicott. 1994. Trees. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Berger, M. 1994. All about Seeds: A Hands-on Science Book. Scholastic, Inc.
Buscagalia, L.F. 1982. The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages. SLACK, Inc.
Burns, D.L. and L. Garrow. 1998. Trees, Leaves and Bark. T&N Children’s Publishing.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Canizares, S., D. Moreton and B. Chessen. 1997. Who Lives in a Tree? Scholastic, Inc.
Carle, E. 1991. The Tiny Seed. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
Cole, J. 1995. The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow. Scholastic, Inc.
DePalma, M.N. 2005. A Grand Old Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Fowler, A. 2001. From Seed to Plant. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gackenbach, D. 1996. Mighty Tree. Harcourt Children's Books.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Hankin, R. 1995. Up the Tall Tree. Steck-Vaughn.
Hickman, P. 1996. A Seed Grows: My First Look at a Plant's Life Cycle. Kids Can Press, Ltd.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America. Dawn Publications.
Lavies, B. 1989. Tree Trunk Traffic. Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
Miller, D. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker Books for Young Readers.
Moss, M. and A. Kennaway. 2005. This is the Tree. Random House Adult Trade Publishing Group.
Nayer, J. 1994. A Tree Can Be. Scholastic, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Peck, J. and V. Petrone. 2005. Way Up High in a Tall Green Tree. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Silverstein, S. 2004. The Giving Tree. HarperCollins Publishers.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Udry, J.M. and M. Simont. 1987. A Tree is Nice. HarperCollins Publishers.
Van Laan, N. 2000. A Tree for Me. Random House.
Worth, B. 2006. I Can Name 50 Trees Today!: All about Trees. Random House Publishing Group.

Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing the Trees. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Bernard, R. 2001. A Tree for All Seasons. National Geographic Children’s Books.
Bourgoing, P. 1992. The Tree. Scholastic First Discovery Books.
Brenner, B. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. Morrow/Avon.
Burns, D.L. and L. Garrow. 1998. Trees, Leaves and Bark. T&N Children’s Publishing.
Burns, D. 1996. Berries, Nuts, and Seeds. Northwood Press.
Canizares, S. 1997. Look at This Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
Dorros, A. 1997. A Tree is Growing.
Dundy, M.R., and K. Richardson. 2010. Forests For All. MDCT Publishing.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
George, K. 1998. Old Elm Speaks. Clarion Books.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Green, J. 1999. A Dead Log. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Hiscock, B. 1991. The Big Tree. Atheneum Books-MacMillan.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America. Dawn Publications.
Kalman, B.1996. How a Plant Grows. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Locker, T. 1995. Sky Tree. Harper Collins Publishers.
Lyons, D. 2002. The Tree. Illumination Arts Publishing.
Miller, D. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker Books for Young Readers.
Morrison, G. 2005. Oak Tree. Houghton Mifflin Co.
Oppenheim, J. 1967. Have You Seen Trees. Addison Wesley Longman Publishing Company.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Staub, F.J. 1998. America's Forests. Lerner Publishing Group.
Tresselt, A. 1992. The Gift of a Tree. Lothrop, Lee & Shephard Books.
Wong, H & Vessel, M. 1969. Our Tree. Addison-Wesley.

Grades 6-8
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing the Trees. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Bates, J.W. 1991. Seeds to Plants: Projects with Biology. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.

Grades 9-12
Heinrich, B. 1998. The Trees in My Forest. HarperCollins Publishers.
Kershner, B., et al. 2008. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. Sterling Publishing.
Stone, L.M. 2004. Forests. Rourke Publishing, LLC.

Web of Life

Life is dependent on life. Without sunlight there would be no plants, without plants there would be no animals. Learn how plants and animals are connected to each other with Project Learning Tree’s “Web of Life”. Then head out to your schoolyard, backyard or local park and study the ecosystem and food webs right outside your door.

Young Child Extension
Ask children if they have eaten any sunshine today. Share with children various food items, such as apples, whole-grain bagels and orange juice. Serve the snack and talk about where food comes from. Talk about how the food we eat gives us energy to play and grow. For more information and for snack and craft ideas use Growing Up WILD’s “Show Me the Energy” activity!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Bradley, K. B. Energy Makes Things Happen (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2).
Godkin, C. 2006. Wolf Island. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Limited.
Jenkins, S. 2001. What Do You Do When Something Wants To Eat You? Houghton Mifflin Company.
Hickman, P. 1997. Hungry Animals: My First Look at a Foodchain. Kids Can Press Ltd.
Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Kitchen, B. 1994. When Hunger Calls. Candlewick Press.
Lauber, P. 1995. Who Eats What?: Food Chains and Food Webs. HarperCollins Publishers.
Maestro, B. and G. Maestro. 1993. How Do Apples Grow? HarperCollins Publishers.
Mckinney, B.S. 2000. Pass the Energy, Please! Dawn Publications.
Relf, P. 1996. Magic School Bus Gets Eaten: A Book about Food Chains. Scholastic, Inc.
Rosenfeld, D. and R. Lyampe. 2002. Where Does Food Come From? Hachai Publishing.
Sayre, A.P. and K. Endle. 2008. Trout Are Made of Trees. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.

Grades 3-5
Cole, J. 1996. The Magic School Bus Gets Eaten. A Book About Food Chains. Scholastic Inc.
Ellis, B.F. 2006. Web at Dragonfly Pond. Dawn Publications.
Greenaway, T. 2001. Cycles in Nature Food Chain. Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers.
Heinz, B.J. 2006. Butternut Hollow Pond. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kalman, B. and J. Langille. 1998. What Are Food Chains and Webs? Crabtree.
Mason, C. 2003. Everybody's Somebody's Lunch: The Role of Predator and Prey in Nature. Tilbury House Publishers.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Pond Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Nadeau, I. 2002. Food Chains in a Meadow Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Norsgaard, E.J. 1990. Nature's Great Balancing Act: In Our Own Backyard. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Penny, M. 1998. The Foodchain. The Bookwright Press.
Pringle, L.P. 1975. Chains, Webs and Pyramids: The Flow of Energy in Nature. HarperCollins Publishers.
Riley, P. 2002. Food Chains. Franklin Watts.

Grades 6-8
Capeci, A. 2003. Food Chain Frenzy (The Magic School Bus Chapter Book). Scholastic Inc.
Hemsley, W. 1992. Feeding to Digestion: Projects with Biology. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Silverstein, A. 1998. Food Chains. Lerner Publishing Group.

Grades 9-12
Ballard, C. 2010. Food Webs. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Gray, S. H. 2008. Food Webs: Interconnecting Food Chains. Coughlan Publishing.

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.

Bird Song Survey

Inventorying wildlife populations is a technique that is used by wildlife professionals to gather information about the number and kinds of wildlife in a given area. People who are interested in wildlife can assist conservation professionals by helping to inventory wildlife populations. Use Project WILD’s “Bird Song Survey” to inventory a local bird population. Use this activity in conjunction with the annual Great Backyard Bird Count February 18-21 and make your survey really count! Visit the GBBC website at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ for more information.

Young Child Extension
Young children can participate in the GBBC too! Plan a hike around the school yard to inventory the local bird population. Setting up a bird feeder close to your classroom windows would be a wonderful opportunity to observe and inventory birds. As a class you could create your own bird feeders and set up a bird feeding station that the students can enjoy every day!

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. 1998. Bird, Nests, and Eggs. T&N Children's Publishing.
Bushnell, J. 1996. Sky Dancer. HarperCollins Publishers.
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.
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.
Pascoe, E., et al. 2000. How and Why Birds Use Their Bills (How and Why Series). Creative Teching Press, 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.
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.
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.
Mania, C. 2000. Woodpecker in the Backyard. Scholastic Library Publishing.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Tracks!

Animal tracks are a wonderful way to learn about wildlife. By observing wildlife tracks you can learn what kind of animal species live in a certain area, how many there may be and what they are doing. Other signs of wildlife such as burrows, droppings, nests and food litter can also tell us many things about wildlife. Animal tracks are easily found in mud and snow. Take advantage of all of our Iowa snow and get outside to look for animal tracks! Use Project WILD’s “Tracks!” to delve into the wonder of animal tracks!

Young Child Extension
Young children can look for animal tracks too! Take children on a walk through the snow to observe animal tracks. Encourage them to make observations about what they see. How big are the tracks? What kind of animal do they think they are from? Do they themselves also make tracks in the snow? Upon returning to the classroom allow children to make their own track pictures using tracks stencils or rubber tracks stamp, or remove their shoes and let them make their own tracks with their own bare feet! For more fun ideas with young children use Project WILD’s Growing Up WILD “Tracks!”.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1998. Animal Tracker. Random House Value Publishing, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1979. Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 1995. I See Animals Hiding. Scholastic.
Arnosky, J. 1994. Crinkleroot's Twenty-Five Mammals Every Child Should Know. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Arnosky, J. 2008. Wild Tracks! A Guide to Nature's Footprints. Sterling Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Garrow. 1996. Rabbits, Squirrels, and Chimpmunks (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Dingwall, L. 1994. Deer (Getting to Know Nature's Children Series). Grolier Academic Reference.
Dorros, A. 1991. Animal Tracks. Scholastic, Inc
George, L. B. 1999. In the Snow: Who's Been Here?. HarperCollins Publishers.
Giogas, V. 2007. In My Backyard. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard. Dawn Publications.
MacLulich, C. 1996. Animal Feet. Scholastic, Inc.
Nail, J.D. and H. Skudder. 1994. Whose Tracks Are These? A Clue Book for Familiar Forest Animals. Rinehart Publishing.
Ricci, C. and S. Hall. 2003. Follow Those Feet! (Dora the Explorer Ready-to-Read, Level 1). Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart.
Rockwell, A. 1992. Our Yard is Full of Birds. Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishers.
Ruurs, M. 2007. In My Backyard. Tundra.
Sams, C.R. and J. Stoick. 2000. Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Carl R. Sams II Photography.
Selsam, M. E. and M.D. Hill. 1999. Big Tracks, Little Tracks: Following Animal Prints. HarperCollins Publishers.
Selsam, M.E. and J. Hunt. 1991. Keep Looking! Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Sill, C. 1997. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Wiesmuller, D. 2003. In the Blink of an Eye. Walker & Company.
Wolff, A. 2006. Stella and Roy Go Camping. Yosemite Association.
Yee, W.H. 2007. Tracks in the Snow. Square Fish.

Grades 3-5
Amato, C.A. 2002. Backyard Pets: Activities for Exploring Wildlife Close to Home. Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.
Arnosky, J. 1998. Animal Tracker. Random House Value Publishing, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1979. Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 2002. Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Shore Walking. HarperCollins.
Arnosky, J. 1995. I See Animals Hiding. Scholastic.
Arnosky, J. 1983. Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher. HarperCollins Publishers.
Arnosky, J. 2008. Wild Tracks! A Guide to Nature's Footprints. Sterling Publishing.
Bair, D. and P. Wright. 1999. Deer Watching. Capstone Press.
Bateman, R. 2005. Bateman's Guide to Backyard Birds. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Bishop, N. 2002. Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close. Scholastic, Inc.
Green, J. 2002. In a Backyard. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Loates, G. and B. Kalman. 1988. Birds at My Feeder. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Norsgaard, E.J. 1990. Nature's Great Balancing Act: In Our Own Backyard. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Pine, J. 1993. Backyard Birds (HarperCollins Nature Study Book). Harper Collins.
Ross, M.E. 1997. Wildlife Watching with Charles Eastman. Lerner Publishing Group.
Russo, M. 1998. Watching Nature: A Beginner's Field Guide. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Shedd, W. 2002. Kids' Wildlife Book. Williamson Kids Can Series.
Squire, A.O. 1996. 101 Questions and Answers about Backyard Wildlife. Walker & Company.
Sterry, P. 2005. Nature Explorer. Running Press Book Publishers.

Grades 6-8
Dinsmore, S. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Grassy, J. 1998. Mammals (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
La Tourrette, J. 1997. Watching Wildlife: The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Observing Animals in the Wild. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Peterson, R. T., R. P. Grossenheider, and O. J. Murie. 1996. Peterson Flash Guides: Animal Tracks. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Grades 9-12
Bang, P., P. Dahlstrom, and R. Mears. 2006. Animal Tracks and Signs. Oxford University Press, USA.
Dinsmore, S. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Kavanagh, J., and R. Leung. 2000. Animal Tracks. Waterford Press, Ltd.
La Tourrette, J. 1997. Watching Wildlife: The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Observing Animals in the Wild. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Peterson, R. T., O. J. Murie, and M. Elbroch. 2005. Peterson Field Guide to Animals Tracks. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Adopt a Tree We All Need
Get out those mittens, hats, boots and coats; it’s time to go outside! It is the heart of winter and time to explore the great outdoors in the snow. Use Project Learning Tree’s “Adopt a Tree” and “We All Need Trees” to explore the wonder of trees in the winter. Take a winter walk around the schoolyard or backyard and have each student choose a tree to “adopt”. Have students make observations about their tree and/or take measurements of height, girth etc. Take a picture of each student with their tree. Make plans to visit the trees during the spring. Then, have each student learn more about their tree. Can they figure out what kind of tree it is? What animals use their tree for food or shelter? Do we use their tree for food or what products do we get from this kind of tree? Explore and learn more!

Young Child Extension
Take young children out to explore the schoolyard and let them “adopt” a tree! Encourage them to learn all they can about their tree. What does it feel like? Smell like? What animals do they think might use their tree? Once back in the classroom have children draw pictures or write stories about their tree. Discuss different ways in which we use trees. Eat fruit or nuts from trees or make hot cocoa which comes from trees!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Barasch, L. 1993. A Winter Walk. Ticknor & Fields.
Behn, H. and J. Endicott. 1994. Trees. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Berger, M. 1995. What Do Animals Do in Winter?: How Animals Survive the Cold. Ideals Publications.
Bunting, E. 1994. The Night Tree. Voyager Books.
Burns, D. and L. Garrow. 1998. Leaves, Trees and Bark (Take-Along Guide). NorthWord Books for Young Readers.
Canizares, S. and P. Chanko. 1997. Look At This Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Canizares, S., D. Moreton and B. Chessen. 1997. Who Lives in a Tree? Scholastic, Inc.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
Charman, A. 2003. I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves and Other Questions about Plants. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Costian, M. 2001. Life in a Tree: Focus, Habitat. Tandem Library.
DePalma, M.N. 2005. A Grand Old Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Evans, L. 2002. Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Finnegan, M.P. 2002. Winter: Signs of the Season around North America. Capstone Press.
Freedman, R. 1981. When Winter Comes. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Gackenbach, D. 1996. Mighty Tree. Harcourt Children's Books.
Gaff, J. 2005. I Wonder Why Pine Trees Have Needles and Other Questions about Forests. Roaring Brook Press.
George, J.C. 2001. Winter Moon. HarperCollins Publishers.
Gibbons, G. 1984. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree. Voyager Books.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Gove, D. and M. H. Mallory. My Mother Talks to Trees. Peachtree Publishers.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America. Dawn Publications.
Jones, J.B. 2001. Who Lives in the Snow? Rinehart P.
Lavies, B. 1989. Tree Trunk Traffic. Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
Lawlor, E.P. 1998. Discover Nature in Winter: Things to Know and Things to Do. Stackpole Books.
Llewellyn, C. 2004. Tree. T&N Children's Publishing.
Miller, D.S. and S. Schuett. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker & Company.
Sams, C.R. 2000. Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Sams, Carl, R. II, Photography.
Thomson, R. 1989. Winter. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Van Laan, N. 2000. A Tree for Me. Random House.
Wildsmith, B. 1991. Animal Seasons. Oxford University Press.
Worth, B. 2006. I Can Name 50 Trees Today!: All about Trees. Random House Publishing Group.
Yolen, J. 2005. Snow, Snow: Winter Poems for Children. Boyds Mills Press.

Grades 3-5
Albert, T. 1998. A Kid's Winter EcoJournal: With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season. Trickle Creek Books.
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing the Trees. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Bernard, R. 2001. A Tree for All Seasons. National Geographic Children’s Books.
Bourgoing, P. 1992. The Tree. Scholastic First Discovery Books.
Burns, D.L. and L. Garrow. 1998. Trees, Leaves and Bark. T&N Children’s Publishing.
Burton, J. and K. Taylor. 1999. Nature and Science of Winter. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Canizares, S. 1997. Look at This Tree. Scholastic, Inc.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
Dowden, A. The Blossom on the Bough: A Book of Trees. Thomas Y. Crowell.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
George, K. 1998. Old Elm Speaks. Clarion Books.
Gibbons, G. 1984. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree. Voyager Books.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Hiscock, B. 1991. The Big Tree. Atheneum Books-MacMillan.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America.. Dawn Publications.
Meyer, M.L. 2002. Winter. Smart Apple Media.
Miller, D. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker Books for Young Readers.
Oppenheim, J. 1967. Have You Seen Trees. Addison Wesley Longman Publishing Company.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Tresselt, A. 1992. The Gift of a Tree. Lothrop, Lee & Shephard Books.
Wong, H & Vessel, M. 1969. Our Tree. Addison-Wesley.
Yolen, J. 2005. Snow, Snow: Winter Poems for Children. Boyds Mills Press.

Grades 6-8
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing the Trees. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
Jones, A. 2006. Four Seasons: Uncovering Nature. Firefly Books, Limited.
Santrey, L. 1982. Winter. Troll Communications L.L.C.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Watts, M.T. 1970. Winter Tree Finder. Nature Study Guild.

Grades 9-12
Arnosky, J. 1988. Sketching Outdoors in Winter. HarperCollins Publishers.
Bastedo, J. 2003. Falling for Snow: A Naturalist's Journey Into the World of Winter. Red Deer Press.
Heinrich, B. 1998. The Trees in My Forest. HarperCollins Publishers.
Kershner, B., et al. 2008. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. Sterling Publishing.
Marchand, P.J. 1987. Life in the Cold: An Introduction to Winter Ecology. University Press of New England.
Stokes, D.W. 1979. Stokes Guide to Nature in Winter. Little, Brown & Company.
Trelease, W. 1967. Winter Botany: An Identification Guide to Native Trees and Shrubs. Dover Publications.

Bird Song Survey


It is time once again for the annual Christmas Bird Count! This year marks the 111th National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count which thousands of Americans participate in annually. 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!

Christmas Bird Count http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count

And don’t forget about the upcoming Great Backyard Bird Count in February! 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.

Let’s Talk Turkey

Thanksgiving is next week and as everyone knows we often refer to this day of giving thanks as “Turkey Day”. This year before “Turkey Day” gather your students and talk about turkeys. Ask them what they think of when they hear the word “turkey”. Are their thoughts about domestic or wild turkeys? What is the difference? Use Project WILD’s “Let’s Talk Turkey” to explore the history of Wild Turkeys.

For information on the history of Wild Turkeys in Iowa visit:
Iowa DNR Wildlife Wild Turkey Restoration http://www.iowadnr.gov/wildlife/files/files/turkey_restoration.pdf

Young Child Extension

Ask young children if they have ever seen a turkey. Where was it? What did it look like? Talk about what turkeys look like and where they live and the difference between wild and domestic turkeys. For more ideas and for snacks and crafts use Growing Up WILD’s “Terrific Turkeys”

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 2008. All About Turkeys. Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 2009. I'm A Turkey! Scholastic, Inc.
Balian, L. 2003. Sometimes It's Turkey, Sometimes It's Feathers. Star Bright Books, Inc.
Bateman, T. 2004. A Plump and Perky Turkey. Marshall Cavendish, Inc.
Bloxam, F. and J. Sollers. 2005. Little Tom Turkey. Down East Books.
Johnston, T. and R.F. Deas. 2004. 10 Fat Turkeys. Scholastic, Inc.
May, J. and J. Hamberger. 1973. Wild Turkeys. Holiday House, Inc.
Patent, D.H. and W. Munoz. 1989. Wild Turkeys,Tame Turkey. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Spirn, M.S. and R.W. Alley. 2000. The Know-Nothings Talk Turkey (I Can Read Book 2). HarperCollins Children's Books.
Stemple, D. and T. Lewin. 2001. High Ridge Gobbler: A Story of the American Wild Turkey. Boyds Mills Press.
Steinberg, D. and L. Conrad. 2005. The Turkey Ball. Penguin Group (USA).

Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 2008. All About Turkeys. Scholastic, Inc.
Balian, L. 2003. Sometimes It's Turkey, Sometimes It's Feathers. Star Bright Books, Inc.
Bateman, T. 2004. A Plump and Perky Turkey. Marshall Cavendish, Inc.
Bloxam, F. and J. Sollers. 2005. Little Tom Turkey. Down East Books.
May, J. and J. Hamberger. 1973. Wild Turkeys. Holiday House, Inc.
Spirn, M.S. and R.W. Alley. 2000. The Know-Nothings Talk Turkey (I Can Read Book 2). HarperCollins Children's Books.
Stemple, D. and T. Lewin. 2001. High Ridge Gobbler: A Story of the American Wild Turkey. Boyds Mills Press.
Steinberg, D. and L. Conrad. 2005. The Turkey Ball. Penguin Group (USA).

Grades 6-8
May, J. and J. Hamberger. 1973. Wild Turkeys. Holiday House, Inc.
Patent, D. H. and W. Munoz. 1992. Wild Turkey: Tame Turkey. Sandpiper.
Stemple, D. and T. Lewin. 2001. High Ridge Gobbler: A Story of the American Wild Turkey. Boyds Mills Press.

Grades 9-12
Dickson, J. G. 1992. The Wild Turkey: Biology and Management. Stackpole Books.
Eiche, S. 2006. Presenting the Turkey: The Fabulous Story of a Flamboyant and Flavorful Bird. Centro Di.
Williams, L. E. and G. W. Griffen. 1993. Wild Turkey Country. Northword Press.

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!

Young Child Extension
Use Growing Up WILD’s “Seed Need” to explore the fascinating world of plant seeds with young children. Take the children on a “seed walk” to collect seeds and then let them examine the seeds. They can sort them by size, shape, or color. Or use the seeds to create seed collages!

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.

Deer Crossing

Every year wildlife biologists and other wildlife professionals must make important decisions that impact wildlife and people. There are many factors that can impact these decisions. Use Project WILD’s “Deer Crossing” to put students in the wildlife management seat and let them decide what should be done with a deer herd in Idaho (or Iowa!).

Young Child Extension
Use Growing Up WILD’s “Oh, Deer!” activity to explore wildlife habitat. Make deer antler headbands and take the kids outside to the schoolyard to pretend they are deer. What would real deer do if they were in the schoolyard? Is there water for them to drink? Is there food for them to eat? Try reading Jim Arnosky’s “All About Deer” and then make deer shaped sandwiches with pretzel antlers!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Deer. Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Bailey, J. 1988. Discovering Deer (Discovering Nature). Scholastic Library Publishing.
Ballard, C. 2008. Watching Wildlife: Animal Habitats. Heinemann.
Biel, T. L. 1996. The Deer Family (Zoobooks Series). Wildlife Education, Limited.
Bruchac, J. 1991. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Carle, E. 2007. My Very First Book of Animal Homes. Penguin Group (USA).
Dingwall, L. 1994. Deer (Getting to Know Nature's Children Series). Grolier Academic Reference.
Galko, F. 2002. Forest Animals (Animals in Their Habitats). Heinemann Library.
Hoberman, M. A. and B. Fraser. 2007. A House is a House for Me. Penguin Group (USA).
Hodge, D. and P. Stephens. 1999. Deer, Moose, Elk, and Caribou (Kids Can Press Wildlife Series). Kids Can Press, Limited.
Jenkins, S. and R. Page. I See a Kookaburra!: Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Magellan, M. 1990. Home At Last. Humanics Children's House.
Press, J. and B. Day. 2005. Animal Habitats! Ideals Publications.
Squire, A.O. 2002. Animal Homes. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Deer. Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon & Schuster Children's 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.
Chinery, M. 2004. Animal Habitats. Southwater.
DK Publishing. 2009. Animal Habitats. DK Publishing, Inc.
Kalman, B. 2007. The ABC’s of Habitats. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Press, J. and B. Day. 2005. Animal Habitats! Ideals Publications.

Grades 6-8
DK Publishing. 2009. Animal Habitats. DK Publishing, Inc.
Ganeri, A. 2005. Animal Homes (Nature Files Series). Chelsea House Publishers.
Benvus, J.M., and G. Wolff. 1989. The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
Brasch, N. 2010. Why Do Spiders Live in Webs?: All About Animal Habitats. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Press, J. and B. Day. 2005. Animal Habitats! Ideals Publications.
Zwaschka, M. and M. Hansen. 1999. The White-Tailed Deer. Coughlan Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Benvus, J.M., and G. Wolff. 1989. The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
Bang. M. 1997. Common Ground: The Earth We Share. Blue Sky Press.
Dinsmore, J. 1994. A Country So Full of Game: The Story of Wildlife in Iowa. University of Iowa Press.
Dinsmore, S. and J. Moore. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Francis, M. H. 2006. The Whitetail Fieldbook: The Visual guide to Deer. Nova Vista Publishing.

Signs of Fall

The air is crisp and autumn winds are starting to blow. That can mean only one thing – it’s time to go on a fall leaf hunt! Use Project Learning Tree’s “Signs of Fall” and take students outside to observe nature’s leaf show! Learn why and how leaves change color as the temperature outside drops.

Young Child Extension
Use Project Learning Tree: Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood’s “Signs of Fall”. Take little kids on a leaf hunt on your school grounds or backyard and look for different colored leaves. Then read stories about autumn leaves and make leaf art!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1999. Crinkleroot's Nature Almanac. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Arnosky, J. 1977. I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees. Penguin Group (USA).
Bridwell, N. 1997. Clifford's First Autumn. San Val.
Carle, E. 1991. The Tiny Seed. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Colandro, L. 2010. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves. Scholastic, Inc.
Curry, D. L. L. and A. Janinski. 2004. Fall Leaves. Scholastic Library Publishing.
DePalma, M. 2005. A Grand Old Tree. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Desjardens, D. 2005. The Autumn Marathon. Artistic Ventures LLC.
Ehlert, L. 2005. Leaf Man. Harcourt Trade Publishers.
Ehlert, L. 1991. Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf. Harcourt Children's Books
Evans, L. 1997. Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gamlin, L. 1997. Trees. DK Publishing, Inc.
Gerber, C. 2006. Leaf Jumpers. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Good, E.W. 1994. Fall Is Here! I Love It! Good Books.
Hall, Z. 2000. Fall Leaves Fall! Scholastic Press.
Lynn, M. 2008. Fall Leaves. Publish America.
Maestro, B. 1994. Why Do Leaves Change Color? HarperCollins Children's Books.
Marzollo, J. 1999. I Am a Leaf. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Muller, G. 2004. Autumn. Floris Books.
Nidey, K. 2004. When Autumn Falls. Albert Whitman.
Rawlinson, J., and T. Beeke. 2008. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves. HarperCollins Publishers.
Roca, N., and R. M. Curto. 2004. Fall. Barron’s Educational Series Incorporated.
Ryder, J. 1991. Hello Tree! Lodestar Publishers.
Schweninger, A. 1991. Autumn Days: Let's Look at the Seasons. Viking Children's Books.
Turner, B. J., J. Schultz, and J. Dunlap. 2002. Autumn: Signs of the Season Around North America. Coughlan Publishing.
Woodworth, V. 1997. Do Cows Turn Colors in the Fall? Child's World.

Grades 3-5
Albert, T. 1997. A Kid's Fall EcoJournal: With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season. Trickle Creek Books.
Arnosky, J. 1999. Crinkleroot's Nature Almanac. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Arnosky, J. 1977. I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing the Trees. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Burns, D. 1998. Trees, Leaves and Bark. Northwoods Press.
Gibbons, G. 1988. Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree. Globe Pequot Press.
Johnson, S. 1986. How Leaves Change. Learner Publications.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Tree Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Lerner, C. 1987. A Forest Year. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc.
Lyon, G. 1996. ABCedar: An Alphabet of Trees. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Morrison, G. 2000. Oak Tree. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Robbins, K. 1998. Autumn Leaves. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Simon, S. 1993. Autumn across America. Hyperion Books for Children.
Svedberg, U. 1988. Nicky the Nature Detective. R & S Books.

Grades 6-8
Albert, T. 1997. A Kid's Fall EcoJournal: With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season. Trickle Creek Books.
Johnson, S. 1986. How Leaves Change. Learner Publications.
Leslie, C. 1991. Nature All Year Long. HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Wiggers, R. 1991. Picture Guide to Tree Leaves. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Zim, H.S. and A.C. Martin. 1956. A Golden Guide to Trees. New York: Golden Pres

Grades 9-12
Leslie, C.W. 2003. Keeping a Nature Journal. Storey Publishing, LLC.
Smith, C.W. 2005. Fall Foliage: The Mystery, Science, and Folklore of Autumn Leaves. Globe Pequot Press.

Improve Your Place

Explore your school’s water “footprint”! Use Project Learning Tree’s “Improve Your Place” to explore your school’s water footprint and design a service learning project to improve your school’s water runoff and pollutant loading. Planting trees, shrubs and grasses, as well as installing rain gardens help prevent runoff of possible pollutants.
Go to Rain Water Audit and start your a rain water audit today!

Need a plan for improvement?
Visit Build Beautiful Rain Gardens to Purify Water for ideas and designs for rain gardens, which prevent runoff by “capturing” rainwater.
Does your school need more trees and shrubs? Try visiting Trees Forever to learn what trees, shrubs and grass you can plant to help “improve your place”!


Young Child Extension
Explore water this week! Give children cups or bowls of water to drink, play with and explore. Use Project WILD’s Growing Up WILD “Aqua Charades” for more fun ideas to get kids excited about water!

Is another grade in your school doing the Project Learning Tree “Improve Your Place” activity? Be sure to get the little kids involved! Even small children can help plant trees and shrubs!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Arnold, T. 2002. No More Water in the Tub! Penguin Group (USA).
Asch, F. and D. Halverson. 2000. Water. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
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.
DK Publishing. 2007. Water Everywhere. DK Publishing, Inc.
Donnelly, A. 1998. Water Pollution. Child's World, Incorporated.
Edom, H. 2007. Science with Water. EDC Publishing.
Fourment, T. 2004. My Water Comes from the Mountains. Roberts Rinehart Publishers.
Fraiser, D. 2004. The Incredible Water Show. Harcourt.
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.
Kerley, B. 2006. A Cool Drink of Water. National Geographic Society.
London, J., T. Widener, and G. Couch. 2001. Sun Dance, Water Dance. Penguin Group (USA).
Morrison, G. 2006. A Drop of Water. Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
Rauzon, M.J. 1995. Water, Water Everywhere. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Relf, P. 1996. The Magic School Bus Wet All Over: A Book About The Water Cycle. Scholastic Paperbacks.
Rosinsky, N.M. 2002. Water: Up, Down, and All Around. Capstone Press.
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.
Weininger, B. and A. Moller. 2003. Precious Water. North-South Books.
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 3-5
Berger, M. 1995. Water, Water Everywhere. Ideals Publications.
Berry, J.W. 2001. Every Kid's Guide to Saving the Earth. Warehousing & Fulfillment Specialists, LLC.
Binns, T.B. 2005. Clean Planet: Stopping Litter and Pollution. Heinemann Library.
Canizares, S. and P. Chanko. 1998. Water. June 1998.
Cobb, V. 1986. Trip of a Drip. Little, Brown & Company.
Collard, S.B. 2000. Acting for Nature: What Young People around the World Have Done to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
Ditchfield, C. 2001. Water. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Earthworks Group. 1990. 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth. Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House, Incorporated.
Elkington, J., D. Hill, J. Hailes, and J. Mekower.1990. Going Green: A Kid's Handbook to Saving the Planet. Viking Children's Books.
Flanagan, A.K. 2000. Water. Capstone Press.
Goodrich, R.S. 2004. Hydro's Adventure Through the Water Cycle. Geoquest Pubns.
Holmes, A. 1993. I Can Save the Earth: A Kid's Handbook for Keeping Earth Healthy and Green. Silver Burdett Press.
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. 2006. Water Cycle. Capstone Press.
Petersen, C. 2004. Water Power. Children's Press (CT).
Roberts, P. 2002. Kids taking Action: Community Service Learning Projects, K-8. Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc.
Royston, A. 2006. The Life And Times of a Drop of Water: The Water Cycle. Raintree.
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.
Braus, J. 1991. Pollution: Problems and Solutions (Ranger Rick’s Naturescope Series). National Wildlife Federation.
Clare, P. 2009. Living Green: Saving Our Earth. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Day, T. 2007. Water. DK Publishing, Inc.
Giono, J. 2003. Man Who Planted Trees. Random House UK Distribution.
Halpin, M. 2004. It's Your World - If You Don't Like It, Change It: Activism for Teens. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Harman. 2005. The Water Cycle: Evaporation, Condensation & Erosion. Heinemann-Raintree.
Jervis, P. 1997. How Science Works: Water. Barns and Noble Books.
Lewis, B. A. 2009. The Kid’s Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference. Free Spirit Publishing.
Markert, J. 1992. Water. The Creative Company.
McKay, K., J. Bonnin, and D. de Rothschild. 2008. True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet. Natl Geographic Soc Childrens Boks.
McKinney, B.S. and M.S. Maydak. 1998. A Drop Around the World. Dawn Publications.
McLeish, E. 1998. Keeping Water Clean, Vol. 4 Raintree Publishers.
Morgan, S. 2009. The Water Cycle. Rosen Publishing Group.
Rice, W.B., and M. Sullivan. 2010. Inside the Water Cycle. Compass Point Books.
Roberts, P. 2002. Kids taking Action: Community Service Learning Projects, K-8. Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc.
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.
The Earthworks Group. 1990. 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth. Andrews McMeel Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Barss, K.J. 1992. Clean Water. Chelsea House Publishers.
Collard III, S. 2000. Acting For Nature: What Young People Around the World Are Doing to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
Cossi, O. 1993. Water Wars. Silver Burdett Press.
Dobson, C. 1999. Watersheds: A Practical Handbook for Healthy Water. Firefly Books, Limited.
Gardner, R. 2004. Experimenting with Water. Dover Publications.
Graham, K. and G. Chandler. 1996. Environmental Hereos: Success Stories of People at Work for the Earth. Pruett Publishing Company.
Halpin, M. 2004. It's Your World - If You Don't Like It, Change It: Activism for Teens. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Harman. 2005. The Water Cycle: Evaporation, Condensation & Erosion. Heinemann-Raintree.
Lewis, B. A. 2009. The Kid’s Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference. Free Spirit Publishing.
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.
Riley, T. 2007. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Living. Alpha 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.
Sivertsen, L. and T. Sivertsen. 2008. Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
Stille, D.R. 2005. Natural Resources: Using and Protecting Earth’s Supplies. Capstone Press, Inc.

Are Vacant Lots Vacant?

Take a look at your schoolyard - it probably has a playground, maybe grass and a little gravel or concrete too. Now look closer. Where you run and play is also home to insects, birds and possibly a few mammals too. Take a schoolyard nature walk and see if you can find them! Use Project Learning Tree’s “Are Vacant Lots Vacant?” to explore your schoolyard or a nearby vacant lot for signs of wildlife.

Young Child Extension
Little kids love getting down on their hands and knees and exploring nature! Take them out to the schoolyard and let them explore as they search for signs of wildlife and insects. Have the children paint or draw a picture of an animal that they found or gather a variety of art and craft supplies and have them create wildlife sculptures. Then have everyone gather around and read “In the Tall, Tall Grass” by Denise Fleming.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
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.
Corwin, J. 2009. Your Backyard is Wild. Penguin Group (USA).
Davis, W. 1998. City Park. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Dinsmore, S. J. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Epstein, S. 1989. Bugs for Dinner?: The Eating Habits of Neighborhood Creatures. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Fife, D. H. and J. Arnosky. 1996. The Empty Lot. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Fleming, D. 1995. In the Tall, Tall Grass. Henry Holt and Co. (BYR).
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Giogas, V. 2007. In My Backyard. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Herberman, E. 1989. The City Kid's Field Guide. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Kavanagh, J. and R. Leung. 2001. Urban Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (North American Nature Guides). Waterford Press.
Kirkland, J. 2006. Take a City Nature Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Landry, S.B. and R.T. Peterson. 1998. Peterson First Guide to Urban Wildlife. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Lunis, N. 1996. Life in Your Backyard. Newbridge.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin Books.
Rotner, S. 1992. Nature Spy. Atheneum.
Silver, D.M. and P.J. Wynne. 1997. One Small Square Backyard. The McGraw-Hill Companies.
Wood, A. J. 2003. Beetles and Bugs: A Nature Trail Book. Silver Dolphin Books.

Grades 3-5
Barrons Educational Series. 2000. Urban Animal. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Bunting, E. 1996. Secret Place. Clarion Books.
Burnie, D. 2005. Bug Hunter. DK Publishing, Inc.
Corwin, J. 2009. Your Backyard is Wild. Penguin Group (USA).
Dinsmore, S. J. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Fife, D. H. and J. Arnosky. 1996. The Empty Lot. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Green, J. 2002. In a Backyard. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Hodgkins, F. 2000. Animals among Us: Living with Suburban Wildlife. Shoe String Press, Incorporated.
Kavanagh, J. and R. Leung. 2001. Urban Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (North American Nature Guides). Waterford Press.
Kirkland, J. 2006. Take a City Nature Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Kranz, L. 2002. My Nature Book: A Journal and Activity Book for Kids. T&N Children's Publishing.
Landry, S.B. and R.T. Peterson. 1998. Peterson First Guide to Urban Wildlife. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Lunis, N. 1996. Life in Your Backyard. Newbridge.
Maurer, R. 1989. City Kid's Field Guide. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin Books.
Ross, M.E. 1993. World of Small: Nature Explorations with a Hand Lens. Yosemite Association.
Silver, D.M. and P.J. Wynne. 1997. One Small Square Backyard. The McGraw-Hill Companies.
VanCleaves, J. 1997. Janice VanCleave's Play and Find Out About Nature: Easy Experiments for Young Children. Wiley.
Wood, A. J. 2003. Beetles and Bugs: A Nature Trail Book. Silver Dolphin Books.

Grades 6-8
Barrons Educational Series. 2000. Urban Animal. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Dinsmore, S. J. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Kavanagh, J. and R. Leung. 2001. Urban Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (North American Nature Guides). Waterford Press.
Landry, S.B. and R.T. Peterson. 1998. Peterson First Guide to Urban Wildlife. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.Lawlor, E.P. 1993. Discover Nature Close to Home: Things to Know and Things to Do. Stackpole Books.

Grades 9-12
Bosselaar, L.A. 2000. Urban Nature: Poems About Wildlife in the City. Milkweed Editions.
Dinsmore, S. J. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Kavanagh, J. and R. Leung. 2001. Urban Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (North American Nature Guides). Waterford Press.
Landry, S.B. and R.T. Peterson. 1998. Peterson First Guide to Urban Wildlife. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.Leslie, C. 2003. Keeping a Nature Journal. Storey Publishing.

Environmental Exchange Box

Do you know what makes your environment special? What is unique about where you live from other regions of the world? Well it’s time to find out! Use Project Learning Tree’s “Environmental Exchange Box” to explore your unique geographic region. Then exchange your “environmental box” with another school to learn about their unique environment. First step – find another group to exchange with! Follow this link and fill out the form to be matched with another “environmental exchange” group: PLT Environmental Exchange Box Sign-up
Then set out to learn all you can about your own environment and start collecting items to share!

Young Child Extension
Sign up for an environmental exchange group too! Then take small children on a walk around your schoolyard, yard or local park to observe the plants and animals that live there. Start your own exchange box and put the children in charge of gathering local leaves from trees or drawing pictures of birds they see.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Chesanow, N. and A. W. Iosa. 1995. Where Do I Live?. Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
Dorros, A. and S. M. Dorros. 1997. Radio Man: Don Radio. San Val.
Edwards, M. 1994. Eve and Smithy: An Iowa Tale. HarperCollins Publishers.
Holling, C. 1980. Paddle-to-the-Sea. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Hopkins, L. B. and S. Alcorn. 2000. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Kohl, M. and J. Potter. 1998. Global Art: Activities, Projects, and Inventions from Around the World. Gryphon House.
Petty, K. and J. Maizels. 2000. The Amazing Pop-Up Geography Book. Penguin Group (USA).
Pierce, P. and B. Langton. 2003. H is for Hawkeye: An Iowa Alphabet. Sleeping Bear Press.
Pierce, P. A. and D. Rohner. 2006. Numbers in a Row: An Iowa Number Book. Sleeping Bear Press.
Rocha, R. and O. Roth. 1990. Blue & Beautiful: Planet Earth, Our Home. United Nations Publications.
Rylant, C. and L. Desimini. 2002. Tulip Sees America. Scholastic, Inc.
Wagner, J. and E. P. Dawson. 2003. H is for Hawkeye. Trails Books.

Grades 3-5
Allaby, M. 2008. National Geographic Visual Encyclopedia of Earth: Wonders of Our Living Planet. National Geographic Society.
Alexander, H. and M. Hamilton. 2010. A Child’s Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and People – From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc.
Doherty, G., A. Claybourne, and S. Davidson. 2010. The Usborne Geography Encyclopedia with Complete World Atlas. EDC Publishing.
Dorros, A. and S. M. Dorros. 1997. Radio Man: Don Radio. San Val.
Edwards, M. 1994. Eve and Smithy: An Iowa Tale. HarperCollins Publishers.
Holling, C. 1980. Paddle-to-the-Sea. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Hopkins, L. B. and S. Alcorn. 2000. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Kohl, M. and J. Potter. 1998. Global Art: Activities, Projects, and Inventions from Around the World. Gryphon House.
Ladoux, R. 2002. Iowa. Lerner Publishing Group.
Moore, J. E. and G. Shipman. 1993. Beginning Geography, Vol 2: Land Forms & Bodies of Water. Evan-Moor Educational Publishers.
Moore, J. E. and G. Shipman. 1993. Beginning Geography, Vol 3: Continents And Oceans. Evan-Moor Educational Publishers.
Petty, K. and J. Maizels. 2000. The Amazing Pop-Up Geography Book. Penguin Group (USA).
Wagner, J. and E. P. Dawson. 2003. H is for Hawkeye. Trails Books.

Grades 6-8
Allaby, M. 2008. National Geographic Visual Encyclopedia of Earth: Wonders of Our Living Planet. National Geographic Society.
Doherty, G., A. Claybourne, and S. Davidson. 2010. The Usborne Geography Encyclopedia with Complete World Atlas. EDC Publishing.
Editors of Kingfisher. 2005. Concise Geography Encyclopedia. Kingfisher.
Hopkins, L. B. and S. Alcorn. 2000. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Kohl, M. and J. Potter. 1998. Global Art: Activities, Projects, and Inventions from Around the World. Gryphon House.
Ladoux, R. 2002. Iowa. Lerner Publishing Group.

Grades 9-12
Editors of Kingfisher. 2005. Concise Geography Encyclopedia. Kingfisher.
Hopkins, L. B. and S. Alcorn. 2000. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Morrice, P. A. and J. Hart. 2007. Iowa. Cavendish, Marshall Corporation.

A few of My Favorite Things

Here’s a fun way to break the ice the first week back in school – have a resource “show and tell”. Have each student bring in one of their favorite objects, such as a skateboard, book, toy or stuffed animal. Have the students share their object with the class and tell why it’s their favorite but also what it is made up of, such as metal, wood, cotton or plastic. Keep a class list of the materials in their favorite objects. Then follow Project Learning Tree’s “A Few of My Favorite Things” to discuss and trace the natural resources origin of all the materials.

Young Child Extension
Have young children bring one of their favorite objects too! Have them share their object with the class and then as a class try to guess what it is made of and where those materials came from (i.e. wood from trees, cotton from cotton plants). Discuss how we get materials to make things from plants and animals just like we get food from plants and animals.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Deedy, C.A. and L.L. Seeley. 1994. Agatha’s Feather Bed: Not Just Another Wild Goose Story. Peachtree Publishers.
Gifford, C. 2008. Materials. Roaring Brook Press.
Priceman, M. 2008. How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A. Random House Childrens Books.

Grades 3-5
Deedy, C.A. and L.L. Seeley. 1994. Agatha’s Feather Bed: Not Just Another Wild Goose Story. Peachtree Publishers.
Gifford, C. 2008. Materials. Roaring Brook Press.
Priceman, M. 2008. How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A. Random House Childrens Books.

Grades 6-8
Lindeen, C.K. 2007. Natural and Human-Made. Pebble Books.
Morgan, S. 2009. Natural Resources. Black Rabbit Books.
Spilsbury, R. and L.A. Spilsbury. 2006. Earth’s Resources. Chelsea House Publishers.
Stille, D.R. 2005. Natural Resources: Using and Protecting Earth’s Supplies. Capstone Press, Inc

Grades 9-12
Parks, P. 2004. Global Resources. Cengage Gale
Winters, A. 2006. Destruction of Earth’s Resources: The Need for Sustainable Development. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.