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.

Earth Manners

Children are naturally curious about nature and their environment. Take a child outdoors and chances are they will start exploring under rocks and leaves, picking up sticks and searching for bugs.. The desire to explore and learn should be nurtured while also teaching children about respect for all living things and their environment. Use Project Learning Tree's “Earth Manners” to help children develop their own guidelines for exploring and enjoying nature. Then try out your new set of outside “rules” and go outside to play and explore!

Young Child Extension
Take young children on a walk through your backyard, neighborhood, or local park. Talk about what the animals and plants there need to live. Talk about what they themselves need to live (food, water, shelter) and how they are the same things that animals need. Ask them what they think they can do when they are out walking to keep the area healthy for the plants and animals. Draw pictures and tell stories about where they live or where animals live. Read Why Should I Protect Nature? by Jen Green.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Barraclough, S. 2007. Respecting Our World. Black Rabbit Books.
Bruchac, J. 1991. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Bruchac, J. 1997. Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants through Native American Stories and Earth Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Gile, J. and T. Heflin. 1989. The First Forest. JGC/United Publishing Corps.
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Protect Nature? Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
Madden, D. 1986. 1993. The Wartville Wizard. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Tafuri, N. 1987. 1987. Do Not Disturb. HarperCollins Publishers.

Grades 3-5
Bruchac, J. 1991. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Bruchac, J. 1997. Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants through Native American Stories and Earth Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Gile, J. and T. Heflin. 1989. The First Forest. JGC/United Publishing Corps.
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Protect Nature? Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
Madden, D. 1986. 1993. The Wartville Wizard. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Kalman, B. 1993. The Colors of Nature. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Montgomery, R.G., and C. Grant. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press.

Grades 6-8
Bruchac, J. 1991. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Bruchac, J. 1997. Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants through Native American Stories and Earth Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Gile, J. and T. Heflin. 1989. The First Forest. JGC/United Publishing Corps.
Montgomery, R.G., and C. Grant. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press.

Grades 9-12
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Montgomery, R.G., and C. Grant. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press

Sounds Around

Stop what you are doing for a minute – now close your eyes and listen. What do you hear? Our ears are constantly being bombarded with sound, most of which we “tune out”. Our modern way of life produces a large amount of sound or noise - so much so that it is often referred to as “noise pollution”. Use Project Learning Tree’s “Sounds Around” to explore sound. Learn to “tune in” to the sounds of your environment, whether you’re on a crowded city street or a quite woodland trail. Then apply what you have learned to help identify and lessen local noise pollution problems.

Young Child Extension
Take young children outside to the schoolyard, backyard or local park. Have them close their eyes and listen. What do they hear? Talk about what they hear. Talk about how we use our ears to hear. When you get back to classroom draw pictures of the different things that they heard, or tell each other stories about what they heard.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Baylor, B. and P. Parnall. 1997. The Other Way to Listen. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Becker, B. and B. Huang. 1995. The Quiet Way Home. Holt, Henry, and Company
Bentley, D., H. Cahoon, and M. Gerth. 2004. Buzz-Buzz, Busy Bees. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Brown, M.W. and L. McCue. 2002. Bunny’s Noisy Book. Hyperion Books for Children.
Carle, E. and Jr. Martin, B. 1997. Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? Henry Holt and Co.
Graff, N.P. and G.B. Karas. 1998. In the Hush of the Evening. HarperCollins Publishers.
Martin, Jr., B. and J. Endicott. 1988. Listen to the Rain. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Pledger, M. 2007. Sounds of the Wild: Nightime. Silver Dolphin Books.
Seuss, Dr. 1954. Horton Hears a Who. Random House Children's Books.
Showers, P. and Aliki. 1993. The Listening Walk. HarperCollins Children's Books.

Grades 3-5
Baylor, B. and P. Parnall. 1997. The Other Way to Listen. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Becker, B. and B. Huang. 1995. The Quiet Way Home. Holt, Henry, and Company
Graff, N.P. and G.B. Karas. 1998. In the Hush of the Evening. HarperCollins Publishers.
Inseth, Z. 1998. Noise Pollution. Child’s World, Inc.
Martin, Jr., B. and J. Endicott. 1988. Listen to the Rain. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Showers, P. and Aliki. 1993. The Listening Walk. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Seuss, Dr. 1954. Horton Hears a Who. Random House Children's Books.

Grades 6-8
Baylor, B. and P. Parnall. 1997. The Other Way to Listen. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Finney, S. 1984. Noise Pollution. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Grey, J. 1975. Noise, Noise, Noise. Westminster John Knox Press.
Inseth, Z. 1998. Noise Pollution. Child’s World, Inc.

Grades 9-12
Bijsterveld, K. 2008. Mechanical Sound: Technology, Culture, and Public Problems of Noise in the Twentieth Century. MIT Press.
Hughes, HC. 1999. Sensory Exotica: A World Beyond Human Experience. MIT Press.
Keizer, G. 2010. The Unwanted Sound of Everything We Want: A Book About Noise. PublicAffairs.
Kosko, B. 2006. Noise. Penguin Group Inc (USA).
Prochnik, G. 2010. In Pursuit of Silence: Listening for Meaning in a World of Noise. Knopf Doubleday Publishing.

The Global Climate

The Earth’s climate system is complex. It is affected by what happens in the atmosphere, the oceans, glaciers, and land. The interaction of these variables and the changes that result from both natural and human-made variables are difficult to predict. This Earth Day, April 22, marks the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day - in celebration of this milestone explore our Earth’s climate and learn ways that you can reduce your “carbon footprint”. Use Project Learning Tree’s “The Global Climate” to learn about the Earth’s climate system and the amount of CO2 you generate. Find out what can you do to reduce CO2 emissions at home and at school!

Young Child Extension
Ask children about what they think people need to live? What do other animals need to live? What about plants and other living things? Where do all living things get what they need to live? Show them, through going outside, playing with a globe, or looking at pictures, how the Earth provides us, and all living things, with everything that we need to live. Discuss ways you, as a class, can use less so that there is more to share for all living things. Start a classroom recycle bin, turn off lights that aren’t being used, start a scrap paper bin for art projects or have the kids come up with their own ideas!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Albert, T. 2000. I Heard the Willow Weep. Trickle Creek Books.
Asch, F. 1994. The Earth and I. Gulliver Green.
Baker, J. 2004. Home. Greenwillow.
Beard, D.B. and H. Maione. 2009. Annie Glover Is Not a Tree Lover. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Berenstain, S. 1991. Berenstain Bears Don't Pollute (Anymore). Random House Children's Books.
Brown, P. 2009. The Curious Garden. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Douglas, L.G. 2003. Let's Get Ready for Earth Day. Children's Press.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House, Incorporated.
Earthworks Group. 1990. 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth. Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Fife, D. 1996. Empty Lot. Sagebrush Education Resources.
Gibbons, G. 1996. Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Glaser, L. 1996. Compost!: Growing Gardens from Your Garbage. Millbrook Press, Inc.
Glaser, L. and E. Kleven. 2000. Our Big Home: An Earth Poem. Lerner Publishing Group
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Protect Nature? Barron’s Educational Series.
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Recycle? Barron’s Educational Series.
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Save Energy? Barron’s Educational Series.
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Save Water? Barron’s Educational Series.
Harlow, R. 2001. The Environment. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Inches, A. and V. Garofoli. 2008. I Can Save the Earth!: One Little Monster Learns to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Little Simon.
Jennings, S. 2001. Franklin Plants a Tree. Scholastic.
Lowery, L. 2003. Earth Day. Carolrhoda Books.
Martin, B. Jr. 2006. I Love Our Earth. Charlesbridge Publishing.
Marx, D.F. 2000. Earth Day. Scholastic Library Publishing.
McDonnell, J. 1994. Celebrating Earth Day. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Paolilli, P. and D. Brewer. 2001. Silver Seeds: A Book of Nature Poems. Viking.
Roca, N. 2007. Three R's: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Salvo-Ryan, D.D. 1994. City Green. HarperCollins Publishers.
Schimmel, S. 2002. Children of the Earth…Remember. T&N Children's Publishing.
Schimmel, S. 1994. Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home. T&N Children's Publishing.
Taback, S. 2000. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. Penguin Group.

Grades 3-5
Arthus-Bertrand, Y., et al. 2004. Future of the Earth: An Introduction to Sustainable Development for Young Readers. HNA Books.
Ball, J. 2003. Conservation and Natural Resources. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Bang, M. 1997. Common Ground: The Water, Earth and Air We Share. Scholastic, Inc.
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.
Blackbirch Graphics.1997. Alternate Energy Sources. Twenty-first Century Books.
Brenner, B. 2000. Earth Is Painted Green: A Garden of Poems about Our Planet. Scholastic, Inc.
Collard, S.B. 2000. Acting for Nature: What Young People around the World Have Done to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
David, L. and C. Gordon. 2007. The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming. Scholastic, Inc.
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.
Gardner, R. 1992. Celebrating Earth Day: A Source Book of Activities and Experiments. Lerner Publishing Group.
Harlow, R. 2002. Pollution and Waste. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Holmes, A. 1993. I Can Save the Earth: A Kid's Handbook for Keeping Earth Healthy and Green. Silver Burdett Press.
Howell, L. 2004. Introduction to Weather and Climate Change. Usborne Publishing Limited.
Landau, E. 2002. Earth Day: Keeping Our Planet Clean. Enslow Elementary.
Morgan, S. 2007. Changing Climate. Sea to Sea Publications.
Morris, N. and R. Bowden. 2007. Global Warming. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Oxlade, C. 2002. Global Warming. Coughlan Publishing.
Petersen, C. 2004. Alternative Energy. Children’s Press (CT).
Raum, E. 2008. Fossil Fuels and Biofuels. Heinemann Library
Romanek, T. 2005. Switched on, Flushed Down, Tossed out: Investigating the Hidden Workings of Your Home. Annick Press, Limited.
Ross, K. 1995. Every Day Is Earth Day. Millbrook Press.
Rowland-Entwistle, T. 1991. Weather and Climate. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Schimmel, S. 2002. Children of the Earth…Remember. T&N Children's Publishing.
Schimmel, S. 1994. Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home. T&N Children's Publishing.
Schwartz, L. and B. Armstrong. 1990. Earth Book for Kids: Activities to Help Heal the Environment. Creative Teaching Press, Inc.
Silverstein, S. 2004. The Giving Tree. HarpersCollins Children’s Books Group.
Taylor, B. 2001. How to Save the Planet. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Thornhill, J. 2007. This Is My Planet: The Kid's Guide to Global Warming. Maple Tree Press.
Van Allsburg, C. 1990. Just a Dream. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Varilla, M. 2004. Scholastic Atlas of Weather. Scholastic, Inc.

Grades 6-8
Archer, J. 1998. To Save the Earth. Penguin Group (USA).
Bang, M. 2001. Common Ground: The Water, Earth and Air We Share. Spoken Arts.
Blashfield, J.F. and W.B. Black. 1991. Global Warming. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Bowden, R. 2002. Waste, Recycling and Reuse: Our Impact on the Planet. Raintree Publishers.
Brown, P. 1998. Energy and Resources. Scholastic.
Calhoun, Y. 2007. Environment in the News. Chelsea House Publishers.
Cherry, L. 2008. How we know what we know about our Changing Climate: Scientists and kids Explore Global Warming. Dawn Publications.
Clare, P. 2009. Living Green: Saving Our Earth. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Elwin, R. & Paulse, M. 1992. The Moonlight Hide and Seek Club in the Pollution Solution. Canadian Scholars Press.
The Earthworks Group. 1990. 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth. Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Fleischman, P. 1999. Seedfolks. HarperCollins Publishers.
Foster, J. 1991. Cartons, Cans, and Orange Peels: Where Does Our Garbage Go? Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gay, K. 1993. Caretakers of the Earth. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Giono, J. 2003. Man Who Planted Trees. Random House UK Distribution.
Graham, K. 1996. Contemporary Environmentalists. Facts on File, Inc.
Graham, K. and G. Chandler. 1996. Environmental Hereos: Success Stories of People at Work for the Earth. Pruett Publishing Company.
Grant, P & Haswell, A. 2000. Air and Energy. Thameside Press.
Halpin, M. 2004. It's Your World - If You Don't Like It, Change It: Activism for Teens. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Jakobson, C. 1992. Think About: The Environment. Walker & Company.
Lambert, D. 1986. Pollution and Conservation. Bookwright Press.
Lourie, P. 2007. Arctic Thaw: The People of the Whale in a Changing Climate. Boyds Mills Press.
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.
Miller, C. 1986. Wastes. Franklin Watts.
Miller, C.G. and L.A. Berry. 1996. Air Alert: Rescuing the Earth's Atmosphere. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Nardo, D. 2005. Ozone. Thomson Gale.
Newton, D. 1990. Taking A Stand Against Environmental Pollution (Taking a Stand Series). Franklin Watts.
Orme, H. 2008. Living Green. Bearport Publishing Company, Inc.
Parks, P.J. 2003. Global Warming. Thomson Gale.
Passero, B. 2006. Energy Alternatives. Cengage Gale.
Peckham, A. 1991. Global Warming. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Pringle, L.P. 2001. Global Warming: The Threat of Earth's Changing Climate. Seastar Books.
Rock, M. 1992. The Automobile and the Environment. Chelsea House
Schwartz, L. and B. Armstrong. 1990. Earth Book for Kids: Activities to Help Heal the Environment. Creative Teaching Press, Inc.
Scoones, S. 2002. Climate Change: Our Impact on the Planet. Raintree Publishers.
Silverstein, A. 2003. Global Warming. Lerner Publishing Group.
Smith, T. 2004. Earth's Changing Climate. Smart Apple Media.
Sonneborn, L. 2007. The Environmental Movement: Protecting Our Natural Resources. Facts on File.
Stein, P. 2001. Forecasting the Climate of the Future. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Tanaka, S. 2007. Climate Change. Groundwood Books.
Vogel, C.G. 2003. Human Impact. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Watson, S. 2003. Protecting Global Environments. Smart Apple Media.
Wheeler, J. 1991. Earth Moves: Get There With Energy to Spare. ABDO.
Whitman, S. 1994. This Land is Your Land: The American Conservation Movement. Lerner Publishing Group.
Wines, J. and S. Horne. 2008. You Can Save the Planet: 50 Ways You Can Make a Difference. Scholastic, Inc
World Almanac. 2002. Climate and the Environment. Gareth Stevens Audio.

Grades 9-12
Archer, J. 1998. To Save the Earth. Penguin Group (USA).
Bilger, B. 1992. Global Warming. Chelsea House Publishers.
Collard III, S. 2000. Acting For Nature: What Young People Around the World Are Doing to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
Doherty, B. 2002. Ideas and Actions in the Green Movement. Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Evans, K. 2007. Weird Weather: Everything You Didn't Want to Know about Climate Change but Probably Should Find Out. Groundwood Books.
Fitzpatrick, T. 1992. Signals from the Heartland. Walker & Company.
Gay, K. 1994. Pollution and the Powerless: The Movement for Environmental Justice. Scholastic Library Publishing.
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.
Hayes, D. 2000. Official Earth Day Guide to Planet Repair. Island Press.
Imhoff, D. and R. Carra. 2005. Paper or Plastic?: Searching for Solutions to an Overpackaged World. Sierra Club Books.
Leggett, J. 2001. The Carbon War: Global Warming and the End of the Oil Era. Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Middleton, J. 1989. Atlas of Environmental Issues. Facts on File, Incorporated.
Polesetsky, M. and C.P. Cozic. 1991. Energy Alternatives. Cengage Gale.
Povey, K.D. 2007. Energy Alternatives. Cengage Gale.
Riley, T. 2007. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Living. Alpha Books.
Sailer, J. 1993. A Vogt for the Environment. The Book Publishing Company.
Sivertsen, L. and T. Sivertsen. 2008. Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
Smith, A.M. 2008. 50 Plus One Tips for Going Green. Gale Cengage Learning.
Stevens, W.K. 2001. Change in the Weather: People, Weather, and the Science of Climate. Dell Publishing.
Stille, D.R. 2005. Natural Resources: Using and Protecting Earth’s Supplies. Capstone Press, Inc.
Tesar, J. 2002. Global Warming. Replica Books.
Whitman, S. 1994. This Land is Your Land: The American Conservation Movement. Lerner Publishing Group.

Water Wonders

Water is essential for all life on Earth. It covers 71% of our planet and makes up 50-70% of the weight of all plants and animals. There is a fixed amount of water on Earth that is constantly being cycled through our environment to living things and back to our environment. This process is known as the water cycle. Use Project Learning Tree’s “Water Wonders” to explore the wonder of our Earth’s water!

Young Child Extension
Take advantage of the spring rain and take children outdoors to splash in water puddles! Discuss how the puddles were formed--the rain fell from the clouds to the Earth and pooled to make puddles. The water from the puddles will make its way into streams and rivers which will eventually flow into the ocean. The water will evaporate back into the clouds and then fall as rain once more. When you get back to the classroom draw pictures of rain, puddles or other water, then read books about water, try “A Drop Around the World” by Barbara Shaw McKinney.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Branley, F.M. 1997. Down Comes the Rain. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Brimner, L.D. 1999. Raindrops. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Curry, D.L. 1999. The Water Cycle. Capstone Press.
DK Publishing. 2007. Water Everywhere. DK Publishing, Inc.
Fourment, T. 2004. My Water Comes from the Mountains. Roberts Rinehart Publishers.
Fraiser, D. 2004. The Incredible Water Show. Harcourt.
Greenaway, T. 2000. Water Cycle. Raintree 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).
Kalman, B. 2006. Water Cycle. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Locker, T. 2002. Water Dance. Harcourt Children's Books.
Mckinney, B.S. 1998. A Drop around the World. Dawn Publications.
Morrison, G. 2006. A Drop of Water. Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
Salas, L.P., and S. De Giorgi. 2010. There Goes the Water: A Song About the Water Cycle. Picture Window Books.
Schmid, E. 1994. The Water's Journey. North-South.
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.

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. Water Cycle. Capstone Press.
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.

Grades 6-8
Bailey, G. and S. Way. 2009. Water. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Day, T. 2007. Water. DK Publishing, Inc.
Harman. 2005. The Water Cycle: Evaporation, Condensation & Erosion. Heinemann-Raintree.
Markert, J. 1992. Water. The Creative Company.
Morgan, S. 2009. The Water Cycle. Rosen Publishing Group.
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.
Swanson, D. 2005. Wonder in Water. Annick Press, Limited.

Grades 9-12
Harman. 2005. The Water Cycle: Evaporation, Condensation & Erosion. Heinemann-Raintree.
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.

National Wildlife Week

March 15-19 is National Wildlife Week! Get wild this week by going on a nature hike to look for signs of wildlife. Watch for animal tracks and keep your eyes open for birds, squirrels, deer and other wildlife. Then study the decline and recovery of animal species with Project WILD’s “Back from the Brink”. Follow Project WILD’s fact sheets about the North American Alligator, the Black-Footed Ferret and the Gray Wolf. Then extend the activity and study the decline and recovery of several Iowa species:
Trumpeter Swan Restoration
Peregrine Falcon Restoration
Osprey Restoration
Deer in Iowa: A Historic Perspective
River Otters
Wild Turkeys

Get out, get wild and have fun!

Young Child Extension
Go on a nature walk in your schoolyard, neighborhood or local park, bring along Jim Arnosky’s “Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs” and look for wildlife or signs of wildlife. What do you see? Record your observations, draw pictures of the animals or animal tracks, nests or burrows, and the places where you found them. When you get back to the classroom read books about wildlife found in Iowa, try ”Swans” by Lynn Stone, “Deer” by JoAnn Macken or “Saving the Peregrine Falcon” by Caroline Arnold.

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnold, C. 1985. Saving the Peregrine Falcon. Lerner Classroom.
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Deer. Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1979. Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs. Penguin Group (USA).
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.
Bailey, J. 1988. Discovering Deer (Discovering Nature). Scholastic Library Publishing.
Cooper, J. 1997. Trumpeter Swan (Giants Among Us). Rourke Publishing.
Dingwall, L. 1994. Deer (Getting to Know Nature's Children Series). Grolier Academic Reference.
Dorros, A. 1991. Animal Tracks. Scholastic, Inc
Galko, F. 2002. Forest Animals (Animals in Their Habitats). Heinemann Library.
Galvin, L.G., and C. Leeper. 2002. River Otter at Autumn Lane (Smithsonian’s Backyard). Soundprints.
Giogas, V. 2007. In My Backyard. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Grassy, J. 1998. Mammals (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
James, S. 1996. Wild Woods. Tandem Library Books.
Macken, J. 2009. Deer (Animals That Live in the Foerst). Weekly Reader Learning Library.
Marston, H.I., and M.M. Brown. 2003. My Little Book of River Otters. Windward Publishing Company.
Mason, P., and C. Bateman. 1999. Return of the Osprey. Harbour Publishing Company, Limited.
Stone, L.M. 1997. Swans (Early Bird Nature Books). Lerner Publications.
Nail, J.D. and H. Skudder. 1994. Whose Tracks Are These? A Clue Book for Familiar Forest Animals. Rinehart Publishing.
Reece, P.J. 2001. Tilly: A River Otter. Perfection Learning Corporation.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart P.
Ruurs, M. 2007. In My Backyard. Tundra.
Ryder, J. 2000. Each Living Thing. Harcourt Children's Books.
Wechsler, D. 2001. Peregrine Falcons. PowerKids Press.

Grades 3-5
Amato, C.A. 2002. Backyard Pets: Activities for Exploring Wildlife Close to Home. Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Deer. Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1998. Animal Tracker. Random House Value Publishing, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1999. Arnosky's Ark. National Geographic Society.
Arnosky, J. 1979. Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 1992. Long Spikes. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Arnosky, J. 1999. Otters Under Water. Penguin Group (USA).
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.
Bishop, N. 2002. Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close. Scholastic, Inc.
Cooper, J. 1997. Trumpeter Swan (Giants Among Us). Rourke Publishing.
Doolittle, B. and E. M. 2001. Reading the Wild. Greewich Workshop Press.
Galvin, L.G., and C. Leeper. 2002. River Otter at Autumn Lane (Smithsonian’s Backyard). Soundprints.
Grassy, J. 1998. Mammals (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Green, J. 2002. In a Backyard. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Mason, P., and C. Bateman. 1999. Return of the Osprey. Harbour Publishing Company, Limited.
Montgomery, R.G. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press.
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.
Pringle, L.P. 1990. Saving Our Wildlife. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Reece, P.J. 2001. Tilly: A River Otter. Perfection Learning Corporation.
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.
Swinburne, S. 2003. The Woods Scientist. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Swinburne, S.R. and J. Brandenburg. 2001. Once a Wolf: How Biologists Brought Back the Gray Wolf. San Val.
Wechsler, D. 2001. Peregrine Falcons. PowerKids Press.

Grades 6-8
Crump, D.J. 1987. Wildlife: Making a Comeback. National Geographic Society.
Esbensen, B.J., and M.B. Brown. 1993. Playful Slider: The North American River Otter. Little Brown & Company.
Goodnough, D. 2001. Endangered Animals of North America. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Grassy, J. 1998. Mammals (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Love, D., and J.M. Turley. 2005. Awesome Osprey: Fishing Birds of the World. Mountain Press Publishing Company.
Osborn, E. 2002. Project UltraSwan. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.
Reading, R.P. 2000. Endangered Animals: A Reference Guide to Conflicting Issues. Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Savage, C. 1993. Peregrine Falcons. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Swinburne, S.R. and J. Brandenburg. 2001. Once a Wolf: How Biologists Brought Back the Gray Wolf. San Val.
Taylor, B.H. 2001. Daphne: A Trumpeter Swan. Perfection Learning Corporation.

Grades 9-12
Banko, W.E. 1980. Trumpeter Swan: It’s History, Habits, and Population in the United States. University of Nebraska Press.
Dennis, R.H.2008. A Life of Ospreys. Whittles.
Dinsmore, S. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Franz, B.S. 2006. The Wildlife Habitat Journal-Restoring and Exploring Wildlife Habitat in Your Own Backyard. Lulu.com.
Gaughen, S. 2005. Endangered Species. Gale Group.
Harrison, G. and K. Harrison. 1987. America's Favorite Backyard Wildlife. Fireside.
Hoyt, E. 1991. Extinction A-Z. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Kruk, H. 2006. Otters: Ecology, Behavior and Conservation. Oxford University Press, USA.
La Tourrette, J. 1997. Watching Wildlife: The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Observing Animals in the Wild. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
McClung, R.M. 1993. Lost Wild America: The Story of Our Extinct and Vanishing Wildlife. Shoe String Press, Incorporated.
Roberts, R. 1998. Endangered Species. Gale Group.
Savage, C. 1993. Peregrine Falcons. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Swinburne, S.R. and J. Brandenburg. 2001. Once a Wolf: How Biologists Brought Back the Gray Wolf. San Val.

Animal Poetry

Friday marks the start of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count! It’s time once again to get out your binoculars and bird books and observe the birds that you see in your own backyard (or schoolyard!). This year, as you are recording the birds that you see, take a moment to feel the inspirational power of birds and bird flight. Watch the fantastic flight of a hawk overhead; observe the wonderful colors of the cardinal; note the perfect form of a chickadee’s beak; listen to the “wha-wha-wha” of a nuthatch as it crawls down a tree. When you return from your walk write a poem about your experience. Let Project WILD’s “Animal Poetry” guide you as you create your own nature poetry. Nature and wildlife have inspired countless artists and poets – let them inspire you!

Young Child Extension
Even the littlest of kids can help watch and count birds! Take little kids for a short walk in your backyard or schoolyard and help them count and record the birds that they see. Ask them to share what they see, feel and hear. When you return to the classroom have them draw pictures about their walk or write (or dictate to a teacher) a poem about their experience. Finish by reading poems about birds and nature.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
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.
Garelick, M. 1995. What Makes a Bird a Bird? Mondo Publishing.
Harrison, M., and C. Stuart-Clark. 1992. The Oxford Book of Animal Poems. Oxford University Press.
Heard, G., and J.O. Dewey. 1997. Creatures of the Earth, Sea, and Sky: Poems. Boyds Mills Press.
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.
Paladino, C. 1993. Land, Sea, and Sky: Poems to Celebrate the Earth. Little, Brown & Company.
Rockwell, A.F. 1992. Our Yard Is Full of Birds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Ryder, J., and D. Nolan. 1990. Under Your Feet. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Sidman, J., and B. Prange. 2005. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
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.
Worth, V., and S. Jenkins. 2007. Animal Poems. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Yolen, J. and J. Stemple. Color Me a Rhyme: Nature Poems for Young People. Boyds Mills Press.
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.
Bradman, S., and S. Wintringham. 2002. Wild and Wonderful: Poems about the Natural World. Hodder Headline.
Burnie, D. 2005. Birdwatcher. DK Publishing, Inc.
Cortright, S. 1995. Birding Basics. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Dawe, N. 1988. Bird Book and the Bird Feeder. Workman Publishing Company, Inc.
Fitcher, G.S. 1982. Birds of North America. Random House, Incorporated.
Fleischman, P., and E. Beddows. 1992. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices. HarperCollins Publishers.
Hamerstrom, F. 1985. Walk When the Moon Is Full. Crossing Press, Inc
Harrison, M., and C. Stuart-Clark. 1992. The Oxford Book of Animal Poems. Oxford University Press.
Heard, G., and J.O. Dewey. 1997. Creatures of the Earth, Sea, and Sky: Poems. Boyds Mills Press.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard. Dawn Publications.
Hoberman, M.A., L. Winston, and B. Fortin. 2009. The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination. Sourcebooks, Incorporated.
Hume, R. 1993. Birdwatching. Random House, Incorporated.
Kalman, B., C. Curtis, and M. Jupp. 1982. Animals in Danger: Poems from No Man’s Valley. Random House Children’s Books.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Backyard Bird Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
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.
Maslowski, S. 2001. Birds in Winter. Smart Apple Media.
Nicholls, J. 1998. Earthways, Earthwise: Poems on Conservation. Oxford University Press, USA.
Peterson, R.T. 1999. Backyard Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Pine, J. 1993. Backyard Birds. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Rockwell, A.F. 1992. Our Yard Is Full of Birds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Sidman, J., and B. Prange. 2005. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Sill, C.P. 1997. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Vanderhorst, M.J. 2007. Pictures and Poems: Introducing young people to NATURE in a poetic way!. Authorhouse.
Weidensaul, S. and T. Taylor. 1998. Birds (Audubon Society First Field Guide Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Zim, H.S. 1989. Birds. St. Martin's Press.

Grades 6-8
Bradman, S., and S. Wintringham. 2002. Wild and Wonderful: Poems about the Natural World. Hodder Headline.
Burgess, T.W. 2003. Burgess Bird Book for Children. Dover Publications.
Burnie, D. 2004. Bird. DK Publishing, Inc.
Fleischman, P., and E. Beddows. 1992. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fletcher, R.J. 1997. Ordinary Things: Poems from a Walk in Early Spring. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Ganeri, A. 1993. Birds. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Harrison, M., and C. Stuart-Clark. 1992. The Oxford Book of Animal Poems. Oxford University Press.
Hass, R. and P. Michael. 2008. River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things. Milkweed Editions.
Hoberman, M.A., L. Winston, and B. Fortin. 2009. The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination. Sourcebooks, Incorporated.
Kalman, B., C. Curtis, and M. Jupp. 1982. Animals in Danger: Poems from No Man’s Valley. Random House Children’s Books.
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.
Nicholls, J. 1998. Earthways, Earthwise: Poems on Conservation. Oxford University Press, USA.
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.
Yolen, J. and J. Stemple. Color Me a Rhyme: Nature Poems for Young People. Boyds Mills Press.

Grades 9-12
Bosselaar, L., and E. Hiestand. 2000. Urban Nature: Poems About Wildlife in the City. Milkweed Editions.
Collins, B., and D. Sibley. 2009. Bright Wings: An Illustrated Anthology of Poems about Birds. Columbia University Press.
Dobson, C. 1981. Feeding Wild Birds in Winter. Firefly Books.
Felstiner, J. 2009. Can Poetry Save the Earth?: A Field Guide to Nature Poems. Yale University Press.
Furlow, E.S., et al. 1990. Joy of Songbirds. National Wildlife Federation.
Gardner, D. and N. Overcott. 2003. Birds at Your Feeder: A Guide to Winter Birds of the Great Plains. University of Iowa Press.
Harrison, M., and C. Stuart-Clark. 1992. The Oxford Book of Animal Poems. Oxford University Press.
Hollander, J. 1994. Animal Poems (Everyman’s Library). Knopf Doubleday Publishing.
Hyett, B.H. 1996. The Tracks We Leave: Poems on Endangered Wildlife of North America. University of Illinois Press.
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.
Roth, S. 2000. Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible. Rodale Press, Incorporated.
Tekiela, S. 2001. Birds of Iowa: Field Guide. Adventure Publications.

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.

Make a Coat!

Winter has officially begun! The winter solstice last week marked the official start of winter and the shortest day of the year. The cold season is upon us. The freezing winds are blowing and the sunshine is weak in the cold winter sky but many of us still venture out to explore and enjoy nature’s splendor. We pile on coats, snow pants, mittens, hats and scarves to get out the door and into nature. But where do we get our warm clothing? Where does the material for your coat come from? Explore the answer to these questions and learn how people throughout history have kept themselves warm with Project WILD’s “Make a Coat!”

Young Child Extension
Help young children make their own coat too and let them decorate the coats when you are done. Discuss how many of the materials we use to keep ourselves warm come from plants and animals. Look at books and pictures of animals in their winter “coats”. Then put on your coats (your real ones of course) and take a nature walk or just go out and play in the snow!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
DePaola, T. 1982. Charlie Needs a Cloak. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Langley, A. 2008. Wool. Crabtree Publishing Company.
L’Hommedieu, A.J. 1998. From Plant to Blue Jeans: A Photo Essay. Children’s Press (CT).
Mitgutsch, A., A. Fuchshuber, M. Reidel, and F. Hogner. 1983. From Cotton to Pants. Lerner Publishing Group.
Mitgutsch, A. 1981. From Cow to Shoe. Lerner Publishing Group.
Mitgutsch, A. 1983. From Sheep to Scarf. Lerner Publishing Group.
Nelson, R. 2003. From Cotton to T-Shirt. Lerner Publishing Group.

Grades 3-5
Keeler, P.A. and F.X. McCall. 1995. Unraveling Fibers. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Langley, A. 2008. Wool. Crabtree Publishing Company.
L’Hommedieu, A.J. 1998. From Plant to Blue Jeans: A Photo Essay. Children’s Press (CT).
Mitgutsch, A., A. Fuchshuber, M. Reidel, and F. Hogner. 1983. From Cotton to Pants. Lerner Publishing Group.
Mitgutsch, A. 1981. From Cow to Shoe. Lerner Publishing Group.
Mitgutsch, A. 1983. From Sheep to Scarf. Lerner Publishing Group.
Nelson, R. 2003. From Cotton to T-Shirt. Lerner Publishing Group.
Parker, S. 2002. Textiles. Gareth Stevens Publishing.

Grades 6-8
Gleason, C. 2007. The Biography of Wool. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Keeler, P.A. and F.X. McCall. 1995. Unraveling Fibers. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Parker, S. 2002. Textiles. Gareth Stevens Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Albright, B. and A. Grablewski. 2007. The Natural Knitter: How to Choose, Use, and Knit Natural Fibers from Alpaca to Yak. Crown Publishing Group.
Anawalt, P.R. 2007. The Worldwide History of Dress. Thames & Hudson.
Casselman, K.L. 1993. Craft of the Dyer: Colour from Plants and Lichens. Dover Publications.

Bird Song Survey

This week marks the beginning of the 110th Christmas Bird Count! It’s time once again to bundle up, grab your binoculars and head out to count birds for science! Every year tens of thousands of volunteers brave the cold to help biologists track and study bird populations. Use Project WILD’s “Bird Song Survey” to learn about inventorying wildlife populations, then apply what you have learned by participating in the Christmas Bird Count. The Christmas Bird Count runs December 14 through January 5th.

Want to do more? Join Project FeederWatch! Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders in backyards. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Great Backyard Bird Count February 12th-15th.

Young Child Extension
Get out the snowsuits and take the little kids along to count birds too! Make them their own “binoculars” by taping or gluing to empty toilet paper rolls together (let them decorate their own binoculars with crayons or markers). Then bundle up and head out to watch and count birds. After your walk, read stories about birds, try Bird Watcher by Jim Arnosky, make bird pictures and make up fun bird songs!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Allen, K. 2006. Why Do Birds Fly South in the Winter?: A Book About Migration. Capstone Press.
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 Guideto 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.
Bushnell, J. 1996. Sky Dancer. HarperCollins Publishers.
Collard, S.B. 2002. Beaks! Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
de. SairignGe, C. 1989. Animals in Winter. Young Discovery Library.
Frost, R. 2001. Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening. Dutton Juvenile.
Gans, R. 1996. How Do Birds Find their Way? (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2). Harper Trophy.
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.
National Geographic Society. 1997. Animals in Winter. National Geographic Society.
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.
Ray, M. 2004. Welcome Brown Bird. Harcourt Children’s Books.
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.
Zim, H.S. 1989. Birds. St. Martin's Press.

Grades 3-5
Arnold, C. 2003. Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines. Charlesbridge 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.
Bredeson, C. 2002. Animals That Migrate. Franklin Watts.
Burnie, D. 2005. Birdwatcher. DK Publishing, Inc.
Cherry, L. 1997. Flute's Journey: The Life of a Wood Thrush. Harcourt Brace.
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.
Hume, R. 1993. Birdwatching. Random House, Incorporated.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Backyard Bird Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Knight, T. 2003. Marvelous Migrators. Heinemann.
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.
Lerner, C. 2001. On the Wing: American Birds in Migration. HarperCollins.
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.
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.


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.
Gans, R, Mirocha, P. 1996. How Do Birds Find Their Way? HarperTrophy.
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.
Rylant, C. 2006. The Journey: Stories of Migration. Blue Sky 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
Chu, Miyoko. 2007. Songbird Journeys: Four Seasons in the Lives of Migratory Birds. Walker & Company.
DeGraaf, R.M. 1995. Neotropical Migratory Birds: Natural History, Distribution, and Population Change. Cornell University Press.
Dobson, C. 1981. Feeding Wild Birds in Winter. Firefly Books.
Faaborg, J.R. 2002. Saving Migrant Birds: Developing Strategies for the Future. University of Texas Press.
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.
Roth, S. 2000. Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible. Rodale Press, Incorporated.
Tekiela, S. 2001. Birds of Iowa: Field Guide. Adventure Publications.

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.

Spider Web Geometry

Halloween is just around the corner and it’s time to celebrate all that is spooky, creepy, and crawly! Spiders are often at the top of the “creepy, crawly” list even though they are important contributors to ecological systems and are fascinating creatures. Celebrate Halloween this week by going on a spider “hunt”! Look around your classroom, schoolyard, backyard or home for evidence of spiders. Then use Project WILD’s “Spider Web Geometry” to investigate these wonderful creatures more closely!

Young Child Extension:
Take the little kids on a spider “hunt” too! Then read spider stories, try Miss Spider’s Tea Party, and talk about spiders. Finish by making spider pictures!

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Berger, G., M. Berger and R. Osti. 2000. Do All Spiders Spin Webs? (Scholastic Q & A). Scholastic, Inc.
Bishop, N. 2007. Spiders. Scholastic, Inc.
Carle, E. 1989. The Very Busy Spider. Penguin Group (USA).
Cole, J., G. Cole and R. Broda. 1995. Spider's Lunch: All About Garden Spiders. Penguin Group (USA).
Cronin, D. and H. Bliss. 2005. Diary of a Spider. HarperCollins Publishers.
Gibbons, G. 1994. Spiders. Holiday House, Inc.
Graham, M. B. 1967. Be Nice to Spiders. HarperCollins Publishers.
Holmes, K.J. 2000. Spiders. Coughlan Publishing.
Kelman, B.D. 1995. Web Weavers and Other Spiders. Crabtree Publishing Company.
London, J. and R. Baviera. 1998. Dream Weaver. Silver Whistle.
McDermott, G. 1987. Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Merrians, D. and G. McKeown. 1977. I Can Read About Spiders. Troll Communications, LLC.
Monks, L. 2007. Aaaarrgghh! Spider! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Parsons, A. and J. Young. 1990. Amazing Spiders (Eyewitness Junior).. Random House Children's Books.
Resnick, J.P. Spiders (Photo-Fact Collection Series). Kidsbooks, Inc.
Simon, S. 2007. Spiders. HarperCollins Publishers.
Spinelli, E. and J. Dyer. 2004. Sophie’s Masterpiece: A Spider’s Tale. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Trapani, I. 1998. Itsy Bitsy Spider. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Winer, Y. and K. Lloyd-Jones. 1998. Spiders Spin Webs. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.

Grades 3-5
Berger, G., M. Berger and R. Osti. 2000. Do All Spiders Spin Webs? (Scholastic Q & A). Scholastic, Inc.
Bishop, N. 2007. Spiders. Scholastic, Inc.
Cole, J., G. Cole and R. Broda. 1995. Spider's Lunch: All About Garden Spiders. Penguin Group (USA).
Gibbons, G. 1994. Spiders. Holiday House, Inc.
Holmes, K.J. 2000. Spiders. Coughlan Publishing.
Humphries, T. 2003. Are You a Spider? Kingfisher.
Kelman, B.D. 1995. Web Weavers and Other Spiders. Crabtree Publishing Company.
McDermott, G. 1987. Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Parsons, A. and J. Young. 1990. Amazing Spiders (Eyewitness Junior).. Random House Children's Books.
Platt, R. 2002. DK Readers: Spiders’ Secrets. DK Publishing.
Resnick, J.P. Spiders (Photo-Fact Collection Series). Kidsbooks, Inc.
Simon, S. 2007. Spiders. HarperCollins Publishers.
Spinelli, E. and J. Dyer. 2004. Sophie’s Masterpiece: A Spider’s Tale. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Winner, C. 2004. Everything Bug: What Kids Really Want to Know About Insects and Spiders. T&N Children’s Publishing.

Grades 6-8
Impey, R. 2009. Spiders. Oxford University Press.
Winner, C. 2004. Everything Bug: What Kids Really Want to Know About Insects and Spiders. T&N Children’s Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Evans, A.V. and C. Tufts. 2007. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders & Related Species of North America. Sterling Publishing.
Milne, L.J., M. Milne, and S. Rayfield. 1980. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. Knopf Doubleday Publishing.

Looking at Leaves

Fall is in full swing! The leaves on the trees have slowly changed before our eyes and where once there was a sea of green, we are now greeted with red, orange, yellow and brown. It is a glorious time of year to head out the door for a nature walk around your backyard, neighborhood, schoolyard or local park. As you walk, notice the different colors, shapes and textures of the leaves. Scoop them up and watch the wind carry them away, rake a pile of leaves and then jump in it, smell the earthy scent of crushed leaves and listen to them crunch when you walk. Enjoy the leaves of fall! Then collect a handful to take back to the classroom and use Project Learning Tree’s “Looking at Leaves” to explore leaves and learn how they can be used to identify the trees and plants that they came from.

Young Child Extension:
Go on a leaf scavenger hunt in your backyard! Find yellow leaves, red leaves, fuzzy leaves and leaves that have “teeth”. Then collect a handful of leaves to bring inside to explore with your five senses. When you’re done, use paper and crayons to make leaf rubbings or use different leaves to create animal shapes!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Anthony, J. and C. Arbo. 1999. In a Nutshell (Sharing Nature with Children Book Series). Dawn Publications.
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).
Bishop, N. 2004. Forest Explorer: A Life-Sized Field Guide. Scholastic, Inc.
Behn, H. and J. Endicott. 1994. Trees. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
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.
Buscagalia, L. 1982. The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages. SLACK, Inc.
Canizares, S., D. Moreton and B. Chessen. 1997. Who Lives in a Tree? Scholastic, Inc.
Charman, A. 2003. I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves and Other Questions about Plants. Houghton Mifflin Company.
DePalma, M. 2005. A Grand Old Tree. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Evans, L. 1997. Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gaff, J. 2005. I Wonder Why Pine Trees Have Needles and Other Questions about Forests. Roaring Brook Press.
Gerber, C. 2006. Leaf Jumpers. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Good, E.W. 1994. Fall Is Here! I Love It! Good Books.
Gove, D. and M. H. Mallory. My Mother Talks to Trees. Peachtree Publishers.
Hall, Z. 2000. Fall Leaves Fall! Scholastic Press.
Johnson, R. 2000. A Walk in the Deciduous Forest. Lerner Publishing Group.
Lavies, B. 1989. Tree Trunk Traffic. Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
Locker, T. 2001. Sky Tree: Seeing Science Through Art. HarperCollins Publishers.
Maestro, B. and L. Krupinski. 1996. Why Do Leaves Change Color?. HarperCollins Publishers.
Maass, R. 1992. When Autumn Comes. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Marzollo, J. 1999. I Am a Leaf. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Miller, D.S. and S. Schuett. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker & Company.
Nidey, K. 2004. When Autumn Falls. Albert Whitman.
Robbins, K. 1998. Autumn Leaves. Scholastic, Inc.
Ryder, J. 1991. Hello Tree! Lodestar Publishers.
Rylant, C. 2000. In November. Harcourt.
Schweninger, A. 1991. Autumn Days: Let's Look at the Seasons. Viking Children's Books.
Sohi, M.E. 1995. Look What I Did With a Leaf. San Val.
Spinelli, E. 2004. I Know It's Autumn. HarperCollins Publishers. (Kindergarten)

Grades 3-5
Albert, T. 1997. A Kid's Fall 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.
Bunting, E. 1994. The Night Tree. Voyager Books.
Burns, D. 1998. Trees, Leaves and Bark. Northwoods Press.
Dowden, A. The Blossom on the Bough: A Book of Trees. Thomas Y. Crowell.
Ehlert, L. 2005. Leaf Man. Harcourt Trade 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 Young Readers.
Lyon, G. 1996. ABCedar: an Alphabet of Trees. Scholastic Inc..
Miller, D. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker Books for Young Readers.
Sohi, M.E. 1995. Look What I Did With a Leaf. San Val.

Grades 6-8
Albert, T. 1997. A Kid's Fall EcoJournal: With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season. Trickle Creek Books.
Arno, J. 2000. Trees: An Explore Your World Handbook. The Discovery Channel.
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
Arno, J. 2000. Trees: An Explore Your World Handbook. The Discovery Channel.
Kershner, B., et al. 2008. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. Sterling Publishing.

What’s in the Water?

September 18th is World Water Monitoring Day! On this day all around the world people are coming together to monitor the quality of the water in their communities. Use Project WILD Aquatic’s “What’s in the Water?” to monitor the water of a hypothetical river and analyze the pollutants that you find. Then use what you have learned about water quality and pollutants to monitor a real waterway in your community. Organize your school, youth group or family for a day of water testing, litter removal and wildlife watching at your local pond or stream.

Young Child Extension:
Set up a water table and let young children freely explore water with cups, colanders, strainers, and a water wheel. Ask them to think about the different ways that we use water (bathing, drinking, playing), and ways that plants and animals use water. Discuss how all living things need and use water. Draw pictures of lakes, streams, or rain, or play some music and create your own water dance!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Amos, W.H. 1981. Life in Ponds and Streams. National Geographic Society.
Bandes, H. 1993. Sleepy River. Philomel Books.
Base, G. 2001. The Water Hole. Harry N Abrams, Inc.
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.
Dolan, E.F. 1997. Our Poisoned Waters. Penguin Group Incorporated.
Donnelly, A. 1998. Water Pollution. Child's World, Incorporated.
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.
Fraiser, D. 2004. The Incredible Water Show. Harcourt.
Friedman, J.C. 1975. ABC of a Summer Pond. Johnny Reads, Incorporated.
Frost, H. 1999. Keeping Water Clean. Capstone Press.
Giesecke, E. and A. Royston. 2002. Pond Plants. Heinemann Library.
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.
Locker, T. 2002. Water Dance. Harcourt Children's Books.
Morrison, G. 2006. Drop of Water. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Nelson, S.A., G. Saunders-Smith, and K.M. Krebs. 2006. Let's Save Water!. Capstone Press, Inc.
Olien, R. 1999. Splish Splash Science, Grades 1-3: Learning about Water with Easy Fun-Filled Activities. Scholastic, Inc.
Rauzon, M.J. 1995. Water, Water Everywhere. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Rosinsky, N.M. 2002. Water: Up, Down, and All Around. Capstone Press.
Schmid, E. 1994. The Water's Journey. North-South.
Seuling, B. 2000. Drip! Drop!: How Water Gets to Your Tap. Holiday House, Inc.
Seuss, Dr. 1947. McElligot's Pool. San Val.
Sidman, J. and B. Prange. 2005. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Swanson, D. 2005. Wonder in Water. Annick Press, Limited.
Tresselt, A.R. 1990. Rain Drop Splash. HarperCollins Publishers.
Wells, R.E. 2006. Did a Dinosaur Drink This Water? Albert Whitman & Company.
Wyler, R. 1990. Puddles and Ponds: An Outdoor Book. Silver Burdett Press.

Grades 3-5
Beatty, R. 2003. Rivers, Lakes, Streams, and Ponds. Raintree Publishers.
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.
Donovan, S. 2003. Animals of Rivers, Lakes and Ponds. Raintree Publishers.
Dorros, A. 2000. Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean. HarperCollins.
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.
Kubo, H. 1990. Insects in the Pond. Steck-Vaughn.
Mckinney, B.S. 1998. A Drop around the World. Dawn Publications.
Olien, R. 2006. Making Water Clean. Capstone Press.
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.
Braun, E. and S. Donovan. 2001. River, Lakes, and Ponds. Raintree Publishers.
Day, T. 2007. Water. DK Publishing, Inc.
Loewer, P. 1996. Pond Water Zoo: An Introduction to Microscopic Life. Atheneum.
McKinney, B.S. and M.S. Maydak. 1998. A Drop Around the World. Dawn Publications.

Grades 9-12
Barss, K.J. 1992. Clean Water. Chelsea House Publishers.
Bartram, J. and R. Balance. 1996. Water Quality Monitoring: Practical Guide to the Design and Implementation of Freshwater Quality Studies and Monitoring Program. Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Cossi, O. 1993. Water Wars. Silver Burdett Press.
DeBarry, P.A. 2004. Watersheds: Processes, Assessment and Management. Wiley.
Dobson, C. 1999. Watersheds: A Practical Handbook for Healthy Water. Firefly Books, Limited.
Gardner, R. 2004. Experimenting with Water. Dover Publications.
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.
Ryerson, M. 2003. Water Music. University of Michigan Press.