Nature-based Classroom Ice Breakers
Who Am I?
For this activity tape or pin the name of a wildlife species on the back of each participant and make sure everyone has paper and a pencil. Each person tries to figure out what animal he or she is by walking up to other participants and getting clues from them. For example, Person A gives clues to Person B by briefly describing what Person B is in one to four words. Person B writes down this description and then briefly describes what Person A is in one to four words. Person A writes down this clue and both people move on to other participants for new clues. Be sure to set a time limit before the group begins the activity. Wrap up by asking for three to five volunteers to guess what they think they are, based on the clues they received.
Guess My Name
Ask the participants to make a list of ten words to describe an animal of their choice on a sheet of paper. They then tape the sheet of paper to themselves and move about the room, reading each other’s lists. They introduce themselves to each other and try to guess what animal each list describes.
Artistic Introductions
Ask participants to draw or model out of clay an animal they feel represents themselves. Divide the participants into groups and have each explain why (s)he chose the animal (s)he did. Or, put pictures of a variety of animals on a large table and have participants choose one they feel represents themselves. Divide into groups and have each participant explain why (s)he chose a particular animal.
Human Knot
Participants stand in a circle and introduce themselves one by one to two other people in the circle. As they introduce themselves, they grasp the hand of the other person and hold on. When everyone has introduced him/herself, each person should be holding hands with two other people. You have now created a human knot. Their task is to untangle the knot without letting anyone in the circle go!
Sound Off
Write out cards with the name of one animal on each. Make two cards for each animal. Hand out a card to each participant, making sure that pairs of animals are distributed. Arrange the participants in a circle. Explain that they are to make the sound of the animal on their card to find the other animal of their species. No talking is allowed. Once they find their partner, they are to stand by them. Participants can also be blind-folded and/or groups of more than two animals can be produced by making more cards for each animal.
Significant Stories
Ask each participant to relate a story about a significant experience involving nature, animals, trees, etc.
Human Scavenger Hunt
Have participants go on a “tree” or “wild” human scavenger hunt using one of the lists included here. The object is to find other students who fit the criteria and have them sign their names on the appropriate line. This is a good way for participants to find out interesting, and often little-known information about others in the group, relating to wildlife and forestry.
“Tree” People
Directions: Try to have at least one person sign their name after each statement. Each person cansign your sheet only once.
1.Has a treehouse___________________________________________________________
2.Has hugged a tree_________________________________________________________
3.Uses live Christmas trees____________________________________________________
4.Likes to sit by a fire________________________________________________________
5.Can name Iowa’s state tree__________________________________________________
6.Lives in a wood house______________________________________________________
7.Recycles paper, plastic and glass_______________________________________________
8.Ate a tree product today_____________________________________________________
9.Has a windbreak on his/her property___________________________________________
10.Can name three (3) kinds of trees that grow in Iowa________________________________
11.Can name three (3) products from Iowa forests__________________________________
12.Has been to a savannah_____________________________________________________
13.Planted a tree in the last year_________________________________________________
14.Has counted the rings on a tree_______________________________________________
“Wild” People
Directions: Try to have at least one person sign their name after each statement. Each person can sign your sheet only once.
1.Has a valid hunting or fishing license__________________________________________
2.Can identify two (2) species endangered in Iowa___________________________________
3.Recycles_________________________________________________________________
4.Has contacted a government official about a wildlife issue_________________________
5.Has held a snake__________________________________________________________
6.Has a bird banding license___________________________________________________
7.Enjoys wildlife photography_________________________________________________
8.Can name a wildlife book they have read_______________________________________
9.Has watched a squirrel conquer a “squirrel proof” bird feeder_______________________
10.Has seen a bald eagle nest___________________________________________________
11.Can identify at least two (2) animals by their tracks_______________________________
12.Has seen a live moose in the wild_____________________________________________
13.Landscapes their yard for wildlife_____________________________________________
14.Has watched a predator catch its prey__________________________________________
WILD or PLT Activities
Activities from the guides also can be modified to serve as ice breakers. The advantage to using an activity from one of the guides is that it gives participants more contact time with the materials. Some possible activities include: WILD - “Animal Charades” WILD Aquatic - “Are You Me?;” “Fashion a Fish” PLT -“Peppermint Beetles;” “We All Need Trees”
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Keeping Classroom Animals
Animals can be a wonderful resource to enhance learning and understanding in the classroom. Many children today have limited exposure to wildlife and animals. Having an animal in the classroom allows children to observe and study an animal first hand. It allows for the observation of animal life cycles and behaviors. Classroom animals also teach students responsibility as they care for the needs of the animal. It teaches students to treat animals with respect, understand their needs and meet those needs.
Classroom animals must be chosen with care. Considerations:
-Safety of your students is first and foremost, chose an animal that is appropriate for the age-level of your students.
-Consider the needs of the animal and whether or not you and your class will be able to provide for the animals basic needs and welfare.
-Keep in mind the logistics of keeping a classroom animal. Is it an animal that can be left at school during weekends? What is the plan for holidays? Who is going to provide vet care if the need arises?
-Is there a permit required to obtain and/or keep your chosen animal? What are the regulations of your school district? (For example, in Iowa, you may collect and keep tadpoles and frogs if you have a valid fishing license. Research your state laws and regulations before you obtain any animal.)
Fish, frogs, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and small mammals are common classroom pets. Also consider ant farms, worm farms, and insects. Consider having an “observation” tank or aquarium that can house various animals through the year on a revolving basis. For example, use it to observe grasshoppers for a week in the fall, spiders during the winter, and tadpoles in the spring.
Links
Animals in the Classroom: An On-line Guide for Teachers
http://petsinclass.com/
Pets in the Classroom (offers grants to help pay for pet supplies for classroom pets) http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/
Pet Smart: Teacher’s Guide to Classroom Pets
http://promotions.petsmart.com/landing/teachers-guide/
Animals can be a wonderful resource to enhance learning and understanding in the classroom. Many children today have limited exposure to wildlife and animals. Having an animal in the classroom allows children to observe and study an animal first hand. It allows for the observation of animal life cycles and behaviors. Classroom animals also teach students responsibility as they care for the needs of the animal. It teaches students to treat animals with respect, understand their needs and meet those needs.
Classroom animals must be chosen with care. Considerations:
-Safety of your students is first and foremost, chose an animal that is appropriate for the age-level of your students.
-Consider the needs of the animal and whether or not you and your class will be able to provide for the animals basic needs and welfare.
-Keep in mind the logistics of keeping a classroom animal. Is it an animal that can be left at school during weekends? What is the plan for holidays? Who is going to provide vet care if the need arises?
-Is there a permit required to obtain and/or keep your chosen animal? What are the regulations of your school district? (For example, in Iowa, you may collect and keep tadpoles and frogs if you have a valid fishing license. Research your state laws and regulations before you obtain any animal.)
Fish, frogs, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and small mammals are common classroom pets. Also consider ant farms, worm farms, and insects. Consider having an “observation” tank or aquarium that can house various animals through the year on a revolving basis. For example, use it to observe grasshoppers for a week in the fall, spiders during the winter, and tadpoles in the spring.
Links
Animals in the Classroom: An On-line Guide for Teachers
http://petsinclass.com/
Pets in the Classroom (offers grants to help pay for pet supplies for classroom pets) http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/
Pet Smart: Teacher’s Guide to Classroom Pets
http://promotions.petsmart.com/landing/teachers-guide/
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Back to School with Nature
It is that time of year again – back to school time! As children are picking out new backpacks and sneakers; teachers are preparing themselves and their classrooms for another year filled with growing and learning.
This year, as you are preparing your classroom for the new school year, try to incorporate nature into the overall design and layout of your room. There are multitudes of ways that you can create a nature-themed classroom. Here are just a few starting points:
Classroom Design
Choose a nature-theme for your classroom and incorporate in throughout. Your theme can change as the seasons change. Or your theme can simply be “nature” and incorporate nature in various forms throughout your classroom. Use it for bulletin boards, newsletters home, nametags for students, and cubby spaces.
Create a “nature table” where you can display natural objects that you and your students have found. Encourage students to contribute to the table regularly. Cool looking sticks, rocks, feathers, old bird nests, etc…are great things to bring in to share. Create a “brag board” for pictures of students outside and participating in outdoor activities.
Fill your classroom with living things such as plants, fish tanks, ant farms, worm farms etc… Set up bird feeders outside your classroom windows for students to observe daily.
Out the Door
Take students outside as much as possible. Studies have shown that even a few minutes of outdoor time during the school day can lower stress levels in children. Plan outdoor time into your day and/or week as time allows. Think of your school grounds and the surrounding community as an extension of your classroom.
County Conservation Boards
As you are preparing your school year remember what a wonderful resource you have in your local County Conservation Board. CCB Naturalists are usually more than happy to come into your classroom and present programs on various subjects. They often also have access to wildlife that have been injured, rehabilitated and are used for education purposes, such as snakes, salamanders, and owls. They can also bring in animals furs, owl pellets, animal bones, and many other nature and wildlife items.
It is that time of year again – back to school time! As children are picking out new backpacks and sneakers; teachers are preparing themselves and their classrooms for another year filled with growing and learning.
This year, as you are preparing your classroom for the new school year, try to incorporate nature into the overall design and layout of your room. There are multitudes of ways that you can create a nature-themed classroom. Here are just a few starting points:
Classroom Design
Choose a nature-theme for your classroom and incorporate in throughout. Your theme can change as the seasons change. Or your theme can simply be “nature” and incorporate nature in various forms throughout your classroom. Use it for bulletin boards, newsletters home, nametags for students, and cubby spaces.
Create a “nature table” where you can display natural objects that you and your students have found. Encourage students to contribute to the table regularly. Cool looking sticks, rocks, feathers, old bird nests, etc…are great things to bring in to share. Create a “brag board” for pictures of students outside and participating in outdoor activities.
Fill your classroom with living things such as plants, fish tanks, ant farms, worm farms etc… Set up bird feeders outside your classroom windows for students to observe daily.
Out the Door
Take students outside as much as possible. Studies have shown that even a few minutes of outdoor time during the school day can lower stress levels in children. Plan outdoor time into your day and/or week as time allows. Think of your school grounds and the surrounding community as an extension of your classroom.
County Conservation Boards
As you are preparing your school year remember what a wonderful resource you have in your local County Conservation Board. CCB Naturalists are usually more than happy to come into your classroom and present programs on various subjects. They often also have access to wildlife that have been injured, rehabilitated and are used for education purposes, such as snakes, salamanders, and owls. They can also bring in animals furs, owl pellets, animal bones, and many other nature and wildlife items.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Our Exploring Iowa’s Natural Resources blog is getting a makeover! Starting in August we will be rolling out a new format for our blog postings. We will be posting weekly blogs based on a theme for the month.
Augusts’ theme is “Back to School with Nature”, every week we will have a new tip and/or activity for incorporating nature in your classroom. Check back for nature-based ice breaker games for the first days of school, ways to involve your local County Conservation Board in the classroom, and more!
In September look for ways to develop your students observations skills with nature hikes, scavenger hunts, journaling, and other observation activities.
We are excited about the changes coming and hope that you will join us on this new blogging journey!
Augusts’ theme is “Back to School with Nature”, every week we will have a new tip and/or activity for incorporating nature in your classroom. Check back for nature-based ice breaker games for the first days of school, ways to involve your local County Conservation Board in the classroom, and more!
In September look for ways to develop your students observations skills with nature hikes, scavenger hunts, journaling, and other observation activities.
We are excited about the changes coming and hope that you will join us on this new blogging journey!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Wildlife Garden
A wildlife garden is a garden that has been created to attract wildlife. Wildlife gardens contain the essential elements of habitat – food, water, space, and shelter. Wildlife gardens can attract birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and even small mammals. Wildlife gardens are wonderful places for students to observe plants and wildlife. They are valuable tools for the classroom all year long.
You can create a wildlife garden in your schoolyard, backyard or even community. Wildlife gardens can be large, involving an entire community, or they can be small, encompassing no more than pots and planters on a patio. The key is to provide wildlife with the things that they need for survival.
As a class discuss and decide what animals and plants need for survival – let students lead the discussion. Make charts and/or lists of the elements that you will need to include in your wildlife garden plan. Next take a walk around your schoolyard, backyard or community and look for an area that will be suitable for your wildlife garden. Map it out. Research native plants and plants that will best provide shelter and food for wildlife. Be sure to research the requirements of the plants as well – do they grow best in full sun, shade etc? Utilize professionals in your community. Visit with a nursery professional, wildlife biologist, master gardener or anyone else that is able and willing to advise you on plants and wildlife.
Draw up your plan including your map, research, essential elements, and other pertinent information. Implement your plan! Look for volunteers in the community both for time, as well as supplies. Make a plan for garden maintenance throughout the school year and summer. Enjoy your new wildlife garden!
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
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.
Burnie, D. 2005. Plant. DK Publishing, Inc.
Butterfield, M. 1999. Animals on Plains and Prairies. Raintree Publishers.
Canizares, S. 1997. Who Lives in a Tree? Scholastic, Inc.
Carle, E. 1991. The Tiny Seed. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Charman, A. 2003. I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves and Other Questions about Plants. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Christensen, B. 1994. Edible Alphabet. Dial Books for Young Readers.
Cole, J. 1995. The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow. Scholastic, Inc.
Costian, M. 2001. Life in a Tree: Focus, Habitat. Tandem Library.
Cox, M., and DK Publishing Staff. 2009. Wildlife Gardening. DK Publishing, Inc.
Dixon, M. 1998. Plants around Us. Smart Apple Media.
Downden, A.O. 1984. From Flower to Fruit. Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
Ehlert, L. 1992. Planting a Rainbow. Harcourt Children's Books.
Fleming, D. 1993. In the Small, Small Pond. Henry Holt and Co.
Fowler, A. 1999. Our Living Forests. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Fredericks, A.D. 2005. Near One Cattail: Turtles, Logs and Leaping Frogs. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2003. Around One Cactus: Owls, Bats and Leaping Rats. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2006. On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks. Dawn Publications.
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.
Hirschi,R. 1989. Who Lives On The Prairie? Putnam Publishing Group.
Hirschi, R. 1987. Who lives in the forest? Dodd, Mead.
Hunter, A. 1999. What's Under the Log? Houghton Mifflin Company.
Jordan, H.J. 1992. How a Seed Grows. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Lavies, B. 1989. Tree Trunk Traffic. Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
MacDonald, M.R. and P. Cummings. 1998. Pickin' Peas. HarperCollins Publishers.
Manning, M. and B. Granstrom. 2003. The Seed I Planted (Wonderwise Readers). Franklin Watts, Ltd.
Morgan, S. 2004. Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Thameside Press.
Murphy, P.J. 2004. Peeking at Plants with a Scientist. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of an Apple Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Grassy Field. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Stream. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Richards, J. and A. Hariton. 2006. A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds. Lerner Publishing Group.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Silver, D.M. and P.J. Wynne. 1997. One Small Square Backyard. The McGraw-Hill Companies.
Trumbauer, L. 2002. Who Needs Plants?. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Ball, J.A. 2002. Plants. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Brenner, B. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. Morrow/Avon.
Burnie, D. 2004. Plant. DK Publishing, Inc.
Burton, J. and K. Taylor. 1999. Nature and Science of Seeds. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Farndon, J. 2006. Seeds. Thomson Gale.
Fernald, M.L. 1996. Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America. Dover Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2005. Near One Cattail: Turtles, Logs and Leaping Frogs. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2003. Around One Cactus: Owls, Bats and Leaping Rats. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2006. On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks. Dawn Publications.
Goodman, S.E. 2001. Seeds, Stems, and Stamens: The Ways Plants Fit into Their World. Lerner Publishing Group.
Hirschi,R. 1989. Who Lives On The Prairie? Putnam Publishing Group.
Hirschi, R. 1987. Who lives in the forest? Dodd, Mead.
Hood, S. 1998. Wildflowers (Audubon Society First Field Guides). Scholastic, Inc.
Jennings, T.J. 1989. Pond Life. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jennings, T.J. 1989. Seeds and Seedlings. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Johnson, S.A. 1976. Animals of the Grasslands. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kalman, B.1996. How a Plant Grows. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Levy, J. 2003. What Lives on a Prairie? Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Forest Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Parker, S. 1999. It's a Frog's Life: My Story of Life in a Pond. Reader's Digest Children's Publishing, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of an Apple Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Grassy Field. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Stream. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Rushing, F. 2004. Dig, Plant, Grow. Cool Springs Press.
Silver, D.M. 1994. One Small Square: Pond. W.H. Freeman and Co.
Spilsbury, L.A. 2002. Plant Habitats. Heinemann.
Stewart, M. 2003. Plants. Capstone Press.
Grades 6-8
Bates, J.W. 1991. Seeds to Plants: Projects with Biology. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
DK Publishing. 1992. Plants. DK CHILDREN.
Hirschi,R. 1989. Who Lives On The Prairie? Putnam Publishing Group.
Hirschi, R. 1987. Who lives in the forest? Dodd, Mead.
Hood, S. 1998. Wildflowers (Audubon Society First Field Guides). Scholastic, Inc.
Massa, R. 1997. Breathing Earth. Steck-Vaughn.
Pascoe, E. 1996. Seeds and Seedlings. Thomson Gale.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of an Apple Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Grassy Field. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Stream. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Runkel, S. and A.F. Bull. 1987. Wildflowers of the Iowa Woodlands. Ames: Iowa State University Press.
Winckler, S. 2002. Planting the Seed: A Guide to Gardening. Lerner Publishing Group.
Grades 9-12
Collard, S. B. 2005. The Prairie Builders : Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company Trade & Reference Division.
Farndon, J. 2002. 1000 Things You Should Know about Plants. Mason Crest Publishers.
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.
Educator Book List
Bradley, F. M. and the Editors of Yankee Magazine. 2004. Projects for the Birder’s Garden: Over 100 Easy Things That You Can Make to Turn Your Yard and Garden into a Bird-Friendly Haven. Rodale Press, Inc.
Condon, M. A. 2006. The Nature-Friendly Garden: Creating a Backyard Haven for Plants, Wildlife, and People, Too. Stackpole Books.
Henderson, C. L., and C. W. Schwartz. 1995. Landscaping for Widlife. DIANE Publishing Company.
Hendy, J. 2012. Gardening Projects for Kids: Fantastic ideas for making things, growing plants and flowers, and attracting wildlife to the garden. Anness Publishing, Ltd.
Lavelle, C., and M. Lavelle. The Best Plants to Attract and Keep Wildlife in Your Garden: Making a backyard home for animals, birds, & insects. Anness Publishing, Ltd.
Lovejoy, S. 1999. 2011. Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children. Workman Publishing Company.
Johnson, C. J., S. McDiarmid, E. R. Turner. 2004. Welcoming Wildlife to the Garden: Creating Backyard and Balcony Habitats for Wildlife. Hartley and Marks Publishers.
Merilees, B. 2001. New Gardening for Wildlife: A Guide for Nature Lovers. Whitecap Books, Limited.
Smith, J. R., and Smith, B. S. 1980. A Prairie Garden : Seventy Native Plants You Can Grow in Town or Country. New York: University of Wisconsin P.
Tait, M. 2006. Wildlife Gardening for Everyone: Your Questions Answered by the RHS and the Wildlife Trust. Sterling Publishing.
Tallamy, D. W., and R. Darke. 2009. Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants. Timber Press, Inc.
Tufts, C., and P. H. Loewer. 1995. National Wildlife Federation Guide to Gardening for Wildlife: How to Create a Beautiful Backyard Habitat for Birds, Butterflies, and other Wildlife. Rodale Press, Inc.
Links
Junior Master Gardener
http://www.jmgkids.us/
NWF: Schoolyard Habitat
http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Schoolyard-Habitats.aspx
NWF: Create a Schoolyard Habitat
http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Schoolyard-Habitats/Create.aspx
Gardening for Wildlife
http://www.gardening-for-wildlife.com/
A wildlife garden is a garden that has been created to attract wildlife. Wildlife gardens contain the essential elements of habitat – food, water, space, and shelter. Wildlife gardens can attract birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and even small mammals. Wildlife gardens are wonderful places for students to observe plants and wildlife. They are valuable tools for the classroom all year long.
You can create a wildlife garden in your schoolyard, backyard or even community. Wildlife gardens can be large, involving an entire community, or they can be small, encompassing no more than pots and planters on a patio. The key is to provide wildlife with the things that they need for survival.
As a class discuss and decide what animals and plants need for survival – let students lead the discussion. Make charts and/or lists of the elements that you will need to include in your wildlife garden plan. Next take a walk around your schoolyard, backyard or community and look for an area that will be suitable for your wildlife garden. Map it out. Research native plants and plants that will best provide shelter and food for wildlife. Be sure to research the requirements of the plants as well – do they grow best in full sun, shade etc? Utilize professionals in your community. Visit with a nursery professional, wildlife biologist, master gardener or anyone else that is able and willing to advise you on plants and wildlife.
Draw up your plan including your map, research, essential elements, and other pertinent information. Implement your plan! Look for volunteers in the community both for time, as well as supplies. Make a plan for garden maintenance throughout the school year and summer. Enjoy your new wildlife garden!
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
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.
Burnie, D. 2005. Plant. DK Publishing, Inc.
Butterfield, M. 1999. Animals on Plains and Prairies. Raintree Publishers.
Canizares, S. 1997. Who Lives in a Tree? Scholastic, Inc.
Carle, E. 1991. The Tiny Seed. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Charman, A. 2003. I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves and Other Questions about Plants. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Christensen, B. 1994. Edible Alphabet. Dial Books for Young Readers.
Cole, J. 1995. The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow. Scholastic, Inc.
Costian, M. 2001. Life in a Tree: Focus, Habitat. Tandem Library.
Cox, M., and DK Publishing Staff. 2009. Wildlife Gardening. DK Publishing, Inc.
Dixon, M. 1998. Plants around Us. Smart Apple Media.
Downden, A.O. 1984. From Flower to Fruit. Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
Ehlert, L. 1992. Planting a Rainbow. Harcourt Children's Books.
Fleming, D. 1993. In the Small, Small Pond. Henry Holt and Co.
Fowler, A. 1999. Our Living Forests. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Fredericks, A.D. 2005. Near One Cattail: Turtles, Logs and Leaping Frogs. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2003. Around One Cactus: Owls, Bats and Leaping Rats. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2006. On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks. Dawn Publications.
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.
Hirschi,R. 1989. Who Lives On The Prairie? Putnam Publishing Group.
Hirschi, R. 1987. Who lives in the forest? Dodd, Mead.
Hunter, A. 1999. What's Under the Log? Houghton Mifflin Company.
Jordan, H.J. 1992. How a Seed Grows. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Lavies, B. 1989. Tree Trunk Traffic. Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
MacDonald, M.R. and P. Cummings. 1998. Pickin' Peas. HarperCollins Publishers.
Manning, M. and B. Granstrom. 2003. The Seed I Planted (Wonderwise Readers). Franklin Watts, Ltd.
Morgan, S. 2004. Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Thameside Press.
Murphy, P.J. 2004. Peeking at Plants with a Scientist. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of an Apple Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Grassy Field. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Stream. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Richards, J. and A. Hariton. 2006. A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds. Lerner Publishing Group.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Silver, D.M. and P.J. Wynne. 1997. One Small Square Backyard. The McGraw-Hill Companies.
Trumbauer, L. 2002. Who Needs Plants?. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Ball, J.A. 2002. Plants. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Brenner, B. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. Morrow/Avon.
Burnie, D. 2004. Plant. DK Publishing, Inc.
Burton, J. and K. Taylor. 1999. Nature and Science of Seeds. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Farndon, J. 2006. Seeds. Thomson Gale.
Fernald, M.L. 1996. Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America. Dover Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2005. Near One Cattail: Turtles, Logs and Leaping Frogs. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2003. Around One Cactus: Owls, Bats and Leaping Rats. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2006. On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks. Dawn Publications.
Goodman, S.E. 2001. Seeds, Stems, and Stamens: The Ways Plants Fit into Their World. Lerner Publishing Group.
Hirschi,R. 1989. Who Lives On The Prairie? Putnam Publishing Group.
Hirschi, R. 1987. Who lives in the forest? Dodd, Mead.
Hood, S. 1998. Wildflowers (Audubon Society First Field Guides). Scholastic, Inc.
Jennings, T.J. 1989. Pond Life. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jennings, T.J. 1989. Seeds and Seedlings. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Johnson, S.A. 1976. Animals of the Grasslands. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kalman, B.1996. How a Plant Grows. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Levy, J. 2003. What Lives on a Prairie? Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Forest Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Parker, S. 1999. It's a Frog's Life: My Story of Life in a Pond. Reader's Digest Children's Publishing, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of an Apple Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Grassy Field. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Stream. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Rushing, F. 2004. Dig, Plant, Grow. Cool Springs Press.
Silver, D.M. 1994. One Small Square: Pond. W.H. Freeman and Co.
Spilsbury, L.A. 2002. Plant Habitats. Heinemann.
Stewart, M. 2003. Plants. Capstone Press.
Grades 6-8
Bates, J.W. 1991. Seeds to Plants: Projects with Biology. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Cassie, B. and M. Burns. 1999. Trees. Scholastic, Inc.
DK Publishing. 1992. Plants. DK CHILDREN.
Hirschi,R. 1989. Who Lives On The Prairie? Putnam Publishing Group.
Hirschi, R. 1987. Who lives in the forest? Dodd, Mead.
Hood, S. 1998. Wildflowers (Audubon Society First Field Guides). Scholastic, Inc.
Massa, R. 1997. Breathing Earth. Steck-Vaughn.
Pascoe, E. 1996. Seeds and Seedlings. Thomson Gale.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of an Apple Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Grassy Field. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Stream. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Runkel, S. and A.F. Bull. 1987. Wildflowers of the Iowa Woodlands. Ames: Iowa State University Press.
Winckler, S. 2002. Planting the Seed: A Guide to Gardening. Lerner Publishing Group.
Grades 9-12
Collard, S. B. 2005. The Prairie Builders : Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company Trade & Reference Division.
Farndon, J. 2002. 1000 Things You Should Know about Plants. Mason Crest Publishers.
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.
Educator Book List
Bradley, F. M. and the Editors of Yankee Magazine. 2004. Projects for the Birder’s Garden: Over 100 Easy Things That You Can Make to Turn Your Yard and Garden into a Bird-Friendly Haven. Rodale Press, Inc.
Condon, M. A. 2006. The Nature-Friendly Garden: Creating a Backyard Haven for Plants, Wildlife, and People, Too. Stackpole Books.
Henderson, C. L., and C. W. Schwartz. 1995. Landscaping for Widlife. DIANE Publishing Company.
Hendy, J. 2012. Gardening Projects for Kids: Fantastic ideas for making things, growing plants and flowers, and attracting wildlife to the garden. Anness Publishing, Ltd.
Lavelle, C., and M. Lavelle. The Best Plants to Attract and Keep Wildlife in Your Garden: Making a backyard home for animals, birds, & insects. Anness Publishing, Ltd.
Lovejoy, S. 1999. 2011. Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children. Workman Publishing Company.
Johnson, C. J., S. McDiarmid, E. R. Turner. 2004. Welcoming Wildlife to the Garden: Creating Backyard and Balcony Habitats for Wildlife. Hartley and Marks Publishers.
Merilees, B. 2001. New Gardening for Wildlife: A Guide for Nature Lovers. Whitecap Books, Limited.
Smith, J. R., and Smith, B. S. 1980. A Prairie Garden : Seventy Native Plants You Can Grow in Town or Country. New York: University of Wisconsin P.
Tait, M. 2006. Wildlife Gardening for Everyone: Your Questions Answered by the RHS and the Wildlife Trust. Sterling Publishing.
Tallamy, D. W., and R. Darke. 2009. Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants. Timber Press, Inc.
Tufts, C., and P. H. Loewer. 1995. National Wildlife Federation Guide to Gardening for Wildlife: How to Create a Beautiful Backyard Habitat for Birds, Butterflies, and other Wildlife. Rodale Press, Inc.
Links
Junior Master Gardener
http://www.jmgkids.us/
NWF: Schoolyard Habitat
http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Schoolyard-Habitats.aspx
NWF: Create a Schoolyard Habitat
http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Schoolyard-Habitats/Create.aspx
Gardening for Wildlife
http://www.gardening-for-wildlife.com/
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
Power of Print
Bang! Boom! Zing!
There are fireworks, parades and picnics – it must be the 4th
of July! Every year we celebrate our nation’s
independence on the 4th of July, the day that we, as a nation,
adopted the Declaration of Independence. We celebrate the freedom that we
fought for and won. One aspect of that
freedom is the freedom of the press. The
freedom of the press protects our right to the published word. Today in the United States , this freedom is used
and enjoyed by everyone. Explore this
freedom with Project Learning Tree’s “Power
of Print”. Read opposing viewpoints on
environmental issues, write your own opinion and celebrate the freedom to
express yourself!
Family Fun:
After the fireworks have ended and the sparklers all gone
search your yard for fireflies - natures own sparklers! Put a few in a jar to observe for the evening
and watch them light up the night.
Before you go to bed, give them their freedom!
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Lakin, P., B. Dacey and D. Bandelin. 2006. Abigail Adams: First Lady of the American
Revolution. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Maestro, B. and G. Maestro. 2005. Liberty
Moore, K. and D. O’Leary. 1998. If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution. Scholastic,
Inc.
Osborne, M.P. and S. Murdocca. 2000. Revolutionary War on Wednesday (Magic Tree House Series #22). Random
House Children’s Books.
Osborne, M.P., N.P. Boyce, and S. Murdocca. 2004. American Revolution: A Nonfiction Companion
to Revolutionary War on Wednesday. Random House Children’s Books.
Grades 3-5
Davis, B. and E.W. Brooke. 1992. Black Heroes of the American Revolution. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Hakin, J. 2007. History
of the US Oxford University
Herbert, J. 2002. The
American Revolution for Kids: A History with 21 Activities. Chicago Review
Press, Inc.
Maestro, B. and G. Maestro. 2005. Liberty
Micklos, J. 2008. African
Americans and American Indians Fighting in the Revolutionary War. Enslow
Publishers, Inc.
Moore, K. and D. O’Leary. 1998. If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution. Scholastic,
Inc.
Osborne, M.P. and S. Murdocca. 2000. Revolutionary War on Wednesday (Magic Tree House Series #22). Random
House Children’s Books.
Osborne, M.P., N.P. Boyce, and S. Murdocca. 2004. American Revolution: A Nonfiction Companion
to Revolutionary War on Wednesday. Random House Children’s Books.
Grades 6-8
Brown Reference Group. 2009. Revolutionary War. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Friedman, I.C. 2005. Freedom
of Speech and the Press. Facts on File, Inc.
Davis, B. and E.W. Brooke. 1992. Black Heroes of the American Revolution. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Hakin, J. 2007. History
of the US Oxford University
Herbert, J. 2002. The
American Revolution for Kids: A History with 21 Activities. Chicago Review
Press, Inc
Maestro, B. and G. Maestro. 2005. Liberty
Micklos, J. 2008. African
Americans and American Indians Fighting in the Revolutionary War. Enslow
Publishers, Inc.
Sheinkin, S. and T. Robinson. 2008. King George: What Was His Problem? Everything Your Textbooks Didn’t
Tell You About the American Revolution. Roaring Brook Press.
Grades 9-12
Hebert, D.L. 2005. Freedom
of the Press. Cengage Gale.
Schomp, V. 2003. The
Revolutionary War. Marshall Cavendish, Inc.
Sheinkin, S. and T. Robinson. 2008. King George: What Was His Problem? Everything Your Textbooks Didn’t
Tell You About the American Revolution. Roaring Brook Press.
Links
Fact Monster: History of the Freedom of the Press
Wikipedia: Freedom of the Press
History Channel: Fourth of July
The Declaration of Independence
History Central: Revolutionary War
The American Revolution
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Stormy Weather
Come
take a simulated field trip through a storm! People and animals coexist and
experience the same natural phenomena such as weather. During storms people and
animals both seek shelter. Use Project WILD's "Stormy Weather" to
visualize what kind of animal you will be and what you will do during the
storm. Will you be a turkey in the woods? A meadowlark on the prairie? A cricket
frog on a stream bank? Or a bluegill in a pond? Experience a storm through
another animal’s eyes!
Iowa Connection
Research your local
community: What is the average rainfall? Snowfall? How many thunderstorms are
there per year on average? What is the average temp? Winter? Summer? Humidity?
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Grades PreK-2
Barrett,
J. and R. Barrett. 1978. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
Simon & Schuster.
Barrett,
J. and R. Barrett. 1997. Pickles to Pittsburgh: A Sequel to Cloudy
with a Chance of Meatballs. Simon
& Schuster.
Branley,
F.M. and J.G. Hale. 1997. Down Comes the Rain.
HarperCollins Publishers.
DePaola,
T. 1985. The Cloud Book. Holiday
House, Inc.
DeWitt,
L. and C. Croll. 1993. What Will the Weather Be? HarperCollins Publishers.
DK
Publishing, Inc. 2004. Weather (Eye Wonder Series).
DK Publishing, Inc.
Frost,
H. 2004. Weather: Fog. Coughlan Publishing.
Frost,
H. 2004. Weather: Ice. Coughlan
Publishing.
Frost,
H. 2004. Weather: Snow. Pebble Books.
Frost,
H. 2004. Weather: Wind. Coughlan
Publishing.
Gibbons,
G. 1993. Weather Forecasting. Simon
& Schuster.
Gibbons,
G. 1992. Weather Words and What They Mean.
Holiday House, Inc.
Locker,
T. 2003. Cloud Dance. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Martin,
J.B. and M. Azarian. 1998. Snowflake Bentley. Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt.
National
Geographic Society, R. Cremins, and T.B. Griswold. 2001. My
First Pocket Guide: Weather. National
Geographic Society.
Pinwheel,
and J. Moon. 2008. What’s the Weather? Scholastic, Inc.
Polacco,
P. 1997. Thunder Cake. Penguin Group
(USA).
Rabe,
T. and A. Ruiz. 2004. Oh, Say, Can You Say, What’s the Weather
Today?: All About Weather. Random
House.
Rockwell,
A. and F. Lessac. 2008. Clouds (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science
Series). HarperCollins Publishers.
Rylant,
C. and L. Stringer. 2008. Snow. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Simon,
S. 2006. Weather. HarperCollins Publishers.
Singer,
M. and F. Lessac. 2002. On the Same Day in March: A Tour of the
World’s Weather. HarperCollins
Publishers.
White,
N., et al. Magic School Bus Kicks up a Storm: A Book
About Weather. Scholastic, Inc.
Grades 3-5
Barrett,
J. and R. Barrett. 1978. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
Simon & Schuster.
Barrett,
J. and R. Barrett. 1997. Pickles to Pittsburgh: A Sequel to Cloudy
with a Chance of Meatballs. Simon
& Schuster.
Berger,
M., G. Berger, and R. Sullivan. 1999. Can it Rain Cats and Dogs?: Questions
& Answers about Weather. Scholastic,
Inc.
Branley,
F.M. and J.G. Hale. 1997. Down Comes the Rain. HarperCollins Publishers.
Breen,
M., K. Friestad and M.P. Kline. 2000. The Kids’ Book of Weather Forecasting:
Build a Weather Station, “Read” the Sky & Make Predictions! Ideals Publications.
Capeci,
A., J. Stamper, and H. Gangloff. Electric Storm (Magic School Bus #14).
Scholastic, Inc.
Chanko,
P. and D. Moreton. 1997. Weather. Scholastic, Inc.
Cole,
J., C. Bracken, and B. Degen. 2006. Lost in the Snow (Magic School Bus
Series). Scholastic, Inc.
Cosgrove,
B. 2007. Eyewitness Weather. DK
Publishing, Inc.
DePaola,
T. 1985. The Cloud Book. Holiday House, Inc.
DeWitt,
L. and C. Croll. 1993. What Will the Weather Be? HarperCollins Publishers.
Dickstein,
L. and Editors of Time For Kids. 2006. Time for Kids: Storms! HarperCollins Publishers.
DK
Publishing, Inc. 2004. Weather (Eye Wonder Series).
DK Publishing, Inc.
Gibbons,
G. 1993. Weather Forecasting. Simon
& Schuster.
Gibbons,
G. 1992. Weather Words and What They Mean.
Holiday House, Inc.
Locker,
T. 2003. Cloud Dance. Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt.
Martin,
J.B. and M. Azarian. 1998. Snowflake Bentley. Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt.
Nankin,
F. and G.A. England. 1998. Wonders of Weather (Eyes on Nature
Series). Kids
Books, Inc.
National
Geographic Society, R. Cremins, and T.B. Griswold. 2001. My
First Pocket Guide: Weather. National
Geographic Society.
Polacco,
P. 1997. Thunder Cake. Penguin Group
(USA).
Rupp,
R., M. Sweet, and D. Nap. 2003. Weather. Storey Kids.
Rylant,
C. and L. Stringer. 2008. Snow. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Simon,
S. 2006. Lightning. HarperCollins
Publishers.
Simon,
S. 1992. Storms. HarperCollins Publishers.
Simon,
S. 2006. Weather. HarperCollins Publishers.
Singer,
M. and F. Lessac. 2002. On the Same Day in March: A Tour of the
World’s Weather. HarperCollins
Publishers.
Spilsbury,
R. and L.A. Spilsbury. 2006. Weather. Chelsea House.
Wallace,
K. 1999. DK Readers: Whatever the Weather (Level
1: Beginning to Read). DK
Publishing, Inc.
White,
N., et al. Magic School Bus Kicks up a Storm: A Book
About Weather. Scholastic, Inc.
Grades 6-8
Breen,
M., K. Friestad and M.P. Kline. 2000. The Kids’ Book of Weather Forecasting:
Build a Weather Station, “Read” the Sky & Make Predictions! Ideals Publications.
Challoner,
J. 2004. Hurricane and Tornado (Eyewitness Books
Series). DK Publishing.
Cosgrove,
B. 2007. Eyewitness Weather. DK
Publishing, Inc.
Juettner,
B. 2004. Weather. Cengage Gale.
Nankin,
F. and G.A. England. 1998. Wonders of Weather (Eyes on Nature
Series). Kids
Books, Inc.
Parker,
J. 2008. Weather. Weigl Publishers.
Rupp,
R., M. Sweet, and D. Nap. 2003. Weather. Storey Kids.
Spilsbury,
R. and L.A. Spilsbury. 2006. Weather. Chelsea House.
Grades 9-12
Ahrens,
C.D. 2008. Meteorology Today: An Introduction to
Weather, Climate, and the Environment. Cengage Learning.
Bologna,
J. and C.K. Passante. 2006. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Extreme
Weather. Penguin Group (USA).
Challoner,
J. 2004. Hurricane and Tornado (Eyewitness Books
Series). DK Publishing.
Cosgrove,
B. 2007. Eyewitness Weather. DK
Publishing, Inc.
Juettner,
B. 2004. Weather. Cengage Gale.
Ludlum,
D.M. 1991. The National Audubon Society Field Guide
to North American Weather. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
Parker,
J. 2008. Weather. Weigl Publishers.
Williams,
J., et al. 2009. The AMS Weather Book: The Ultimate Guide
to America’s Weather. University
of Chicago Press.
Links
Iowa
Climate
Climate of
Iowa
Wikipedia:
Thunderstorm
Wikipedia:
Winter Storms
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Field,
Forest, and Stream
Ecosystems are not “things” or simply “a place” in nature. Ecosystems are
communities of different species interacting with each other and with the
chemical and physical factors that make up the nonliving environment. Use Project
Learning Tree’s “Field, Forest, and Stream” to conduct a field study of
three different environments. Consider how the non-living elements (sunlight,
soil moisture, temperature, wind, water flow) influence the living elements
(plants, animals, microbes) in an ecosystem.
Iowa Extension
Visit three local ecosystems to conduct your field study. For example,
visit a local wetland, woodland, and prairie. Study the different ecosystems
within Iowa. Highlight some of the unique ecosystems in Iowa such as the Loess
Hills of western Iowa. Does your local area have a unique ecosystem? Find out
and study it further!
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon
& Schuster Children's Publishing.
Cefrey, H. 2003. Grasslands. Rosen Publishing Group,
Incorporated.
Dewey, J.O. 1987. At the Edge of the Pond. Little, Brown &
Company.
DK Publishing. 2004. Forest. DK Publishing, Inc.
Fleming, D. 1991. In the Tall, Tall Grass. Henry Holt and Co.
Fleming, D. 1993. In the Small, Small Pond. Henry Holt and Co.
Fowler, A. 1999. Our Living Forests. Scholastic
Library Publishing.
Fowler, A. 2000. Lands of Grass. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Howard, F. 2006. Grasslands. ABDO Publishing Company.
Humphrey, P. 1995. In the Deep, Dark Forest. Steck-Vaughn.
Kosek, J.K. 2003. What's inside Lakes?
Rosen
Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree.
Rosen Publishing Group.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. Ecosystem of an Apple Tree. Rosen
Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Grassy Field.
Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Stream. Rosen
Publishing Group, Inc.
Salas, L.P. 2007. Temperate Deciduous Forests: Lands of Falling Leaves.
Coughlan Publishing.
Silver, D.M. and P.J. Wynne. 1997. One Small Square Backyard. The
McGraw-Hill Companies.
Silver, D.M. 1997. One Small Square: Woods. McGraw-Hill
Companies.
Grades 3-5
Beatty, R. 2003. Rivers, Lakes, Streams, and Ponds. Raintree
Publishers.
Biskup, A., and
T. Smith. 2007. Exploring Ecosystems with
Max Axiom, Super Scientist. Capstone Press.
Cole, M.S. 2003. Forest. Gale Group.
Cole, M.S. 2003. Prairies. Thomson Gale.
Erlic, L. 2005. Grasslands. Weigl Publishers, Incorporated.
George, M. 1994. Prairie. Creative Company.
Hawley, E. 2012.
Exploring Ecosystems. Rosen
Publishing Group, Inc.
Horton, C. 1985. Grasslands. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004.Journey into a
River. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a
Wetland. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kubesh, K. 2007. Forest Habitats. Hands of a Child.
Lynch, W. and A. Lang. 2006. Prairie Grasslands. T&N
Children's Publishing.
Patent, D.H. 1996. Prairies. Holiday House.
Paul, T. 1997. In Woods and Forests. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Staub, F. 1993. America's Prairies. Lerner Publishing Group.
Tagliaferro, L. 2006. Explore the Deciduous Forest. Coughlan
Publishing.
Grades 6-8
Biskup, A., and
T. Smith. 2007. Exploring Ecosystems with
Max Axiom, Super Scientist. Capstone Press.
Court, J. 1985. Ponds and Streams. Scholastic Library
Publishing.
Currie, S. 2009.
Ecosystems. Cherry Lake Publishing.
Hawley, E. 2012.
Exploring Ecosystems. Rosen
Publishing Group, Inc.
Hoare, B. 2003. Temperate Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.
MacMillan, D.M. 2003. Life in a Deciduous Forest. Lerner
Publishing Group.
Murray, P. 1997. Prairies: Biomes of Nature. The Child' World
Inc.
Novacek, M. J. 2007. Terra : Our 100-Million-Year-Old Ecosystem--and
the Threats That Now Put It at Risk. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Richardson, G. 2008. Ecosystems. Weigl
Publishers, Inc.
Rotter, C. 2002. The Prairie. Creative Company.
Vyn, K. 1978. The Prairie Community. New York: Julian Messener.
Grades 9-12
Biskup, A., and
T. Smith. 2007. Exploring Ecosystems with
Max Axiom, Super Scientist. Capstone Press.
Boon, W. and H. Groe. 1990. Nature's Heartland: Native Plant
Communities of the Great Plains. Ames:
Currie, S. 2009.
Ecosystems. Cherry Lake Publishing.
Kurtz, C. 1996. Iowa's Wild Places. Ames: Iowa State University
Press.
Madson, J. 1994. Where the Sky Began: Land of the Tallgrass Prairie.
Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
Manning, R. 1997. Grassland: The History, Biology, Politics, and Promise
of the American Prairie. Penguin Group.
Richardson, G. 2008. Ecosystems. Weigl
Publishers, Inc.
Thompson, J.R. 1992. Prairies, Forests and Wetlands: The Restoration
of Natural Landscape Communities in Iowa. University of Iowa Press.
Links
Wikipedia:
Ecosystem
IPTV: What Are
Ecosystems?
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Prairie
Memoirs
Close your eyes: Envision vast grasslands with thousands of bison
grazing, their dark brown fur glistens in the sunlight. Feel the sweet, spring
breeze blow across your face. Smell the damp grass and wildflowers. This is the
scene that would have met you if you had been a settler on the Great Plains of
North America in the 19th century. An estimated 60 million bison
once roamed the vast prairies that stretched from Canada to Texas west of the
Mississippi River. Native American tribes were dependent upon these vast herds
of bison for meat, shelter, and clothing. With the arrival of settlers from the
East the delicate balance of bison, prairie, and indigenous life was upset. Use
Project WILD’s “Prairie Memoirs” to
explore this event from several different viewpoints.
Iowa Extension
As a class, research settlers, bison, prairies, and native life in Iowa at
the time of European settlement - use journal entries, old photographs, and
other resources to paint a picture of what life would have been like for all
involved at that time in Iowa’s history. How did cultural factors influence
people’s relationship to the land, plants, and wildlife?
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 2006. Grandfather Buffalo. Penguin Group (USA).
Bannatyne-Cugnet, J. 1992. Prairie Alphabet. Tundra.
Butterfield, M. 1999. Animals on Plains and Prairies. Raintree
Publishers.
Cefrey, H. 2003. Grasslands. Rosen Publishing Group,
Incorporated.
Fleming, D. 1991. In the Tall, Tall Grass. Henry Holt and Co.
Fowler, A. 2000. Lands of Grass. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Geisert, A. 1998. Prairie Town. Walter Lorraine Books.
Hazelwood, D., and R. Dobbins. 2010. Bison
at Hollow Hill. Mirror Publishing.
Hirschi, R. 1992. Where Are My Prairie Dogs and Black-Footed Ferrets?
Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers.
Hirschi,R. 1989. Who Lives On The Prairie? Putnam Publishing
Group.
Howard, F. 2006. Grasslands. ABDO Publishing Company.
Jones, D.M. 2012. Bison Babies.
Farcountry Press.
Larson, J. S. 2006. Mighty Bison. Lerner
Publishing Group.
Lerner, C. 1980. Seasons of the Tallgrass Prairie. William Morrow
& Co Library.
Mader, J. 2004. Living on a Prairie. Scholastic Library
Publishing.
Magby, M. 2012. American Bison. The
Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
McGehee, C. 2004. A Tallgrass Prairie Alphabet. University of
Iowa Press.
McMillan, B. 1986. Counting Wildflowers. New York: Lothrop, Lee,
& Shepard Books.
Nichols, C. 2002. Grassy Lands. Benchmark Books.
Penny, M. 2003. Grasslands. Thameside Press.
Reynolds, M. 1999. Prairie Fire. Orca Book Publishers.
Rowan, J.P. 1983. Prairies and Grasslands. Scholastic Library
Publishing.
Grades 3-5
Arnold, C. 1993. Through the Year with - Prairie Dogs.
Scholastic, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 2006. Grandfather Buffalo. Penguin Group (USA).
Bannatyne-Cugnet, J. 2002. Heartland: A Prairie Sampler. Tundra.
Bouchard, D. 1998. If You're Not from the Prairie. Simon &
Schuster Children's Publishing.
Bright, M. 2002. Endangered and Extinct Animals of the Mountains,
Deserts, and Grasslands. Millbrook Press, Inc.
Chinery, M. 1992. Grassland Animals. Random House Books for Young
Readers.
Cole, M.S. 2003. Prairies. Thomson Gale.
Cook, K.J. 1993. Disappearing Grasslands. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Dvorak Jr., D. 1994. A Sea of Grass.
New York: Macmillan.
Erlic, L. 2005. Grasslands. Weigl Publishers, Incorporated.
George, M. 1994. Prairie. Creative Company.
Gray, S.H. 2000. Grasslands. Capstone Press.
Horton, C. 1982. Grasslands and People. Silver Burdett Press.
Horton, C. 1985. Grasslands. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jackson, K. and S. Mather. 2006. Explore the Grasslands. Capstone
Press.
Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow
Publishers, Incorporated.
Johnson, R.L., P.V. Saroff and G. Braasch. 2000. A Walk
in the Prairie. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, S.A. 1976. Animals of the Grasslands. Lerner Publishing
Group.
Khanduri, K. 1994. Grassland Wildlife. EDC Publishing.
Lambert, D. 1988. Grasslands. Silver Burdett Press.
Langley, A. 1993. Grasslands. Reader's Digest Children's
Publishing, Incorporated.
Langley, A. 1993. Grasslands. Reader's Digest Children's
Publishing, Incorporated.
Lynch, W. and A. Lang. 2006. Prairie Grasslands. T&N
Children's Publishing.
Patent, D.H. 1996. Prairies. Holiday House.
Patent, D.H. 1998. Fire: Friend or Foe. Clarion Books.
Patent, D.H. 2003. Life in a Grassland. Lerner Publishing Group.
Pipes, R. 1998. Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.
Savage, S. 1997. Animals of the Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.
St. Antoine, S. 2001. Stories from Where We Live -- The Great North
American Prairie. Milkweed Editions.
Staub, F. 1993. America's Prairies. Lerner Publishing Group.
Thompson, L. 2004. People of the Plains and Prairies. Rourke
Publishing, LLC.
Wallace, M.D. 2001. America's Prairies and Grasslands: Guide to
Plants and Animals. Fulcrum Publishing.
Winner, C, and J.F. McGee. 2001. Bison.
Cooper Square Publishing.
Winner, C. 2004. Prairie Animals. T&N Children's Publishing.
Grades 6-8
Busch, P.S. 1977. Wildflowers and the Stories Behind Their Names.
Charles Scribner & Sons.
Collard, S.B. 2005. Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America’s Lost
Grasslands. Houghton Mifflin.
Gish, M. 2012. Bison. The
Creative Company.
Hoare, B. 2003. Temperate Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.
Lerner, C. 1980. Seasons of the Tallgrass Prairie. New York:
William Morrow and Company.
Murray, P. 1997. Prairies: Biomes of Nature. The Child' World
Inc.
Ricciuti, E.R. 1996. Grassland. Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Rotter, C. 2002. The Prairie. Creative Company.
Runkel, S. and D.M. Roosa. 1989. Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie.
Ames: Iowa State University Press.
Scullin, W. M. 2005. Young Person's Guide to the Prairie. South
River Press.
Siy, A. 1991. Native Grasslands. Silver Burdett Press.
Stone, L.M. 1989. Prairies. Rourke Enterprises, Incorporated.
Toupin, L.P. 2005. Life in the Temperate Grasslands. Scholastic
Library Publishing.
Vyn, K. 1978. The Prairie Community. New York: Julian Messener.
Grades 9-12
Boon, W. and H. Groe. 1990. Nature's Heartland: Native Plant
Communities of the Great Plains. Ames:
Brown, L. 1979. Grasses: An Identification Guide. Houghton
Mifflin Co.
Christiansen, P. and M. Muller. 1999. An Illustrated Guide to Iowa
Prairie Plants. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
Collard, S. B. 2005. The Prairie Builders :
Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands. Boston: Edsall, M.S.
1985. Roadside Plants and Flowers. Madison: The University of Wisconsin
Press.
Fitzgerald, D., and L. M. Hasselstrom. 1998. Bison: Monarch of the Plains. Graphic Arts Ctr Pub Co.
Forey, P. and C. Fitzsimons. 1992. Instant Guide to Wildflowers.
Random House Value Publishing, Incorporated.
Gruenau, D., D. Peacock, and S. Fuller. 1995. Bison: Distant Thunder. Takarajima Books.
Isenberg, A.C., and D. Worster. 2001. The Destruction of the Bison: An Environmental History, 1750-1920. Cambridge
University Press.
Johnsgard, P.A. 2001. Prairie Birds: Fragile Splendor in the Great
Plains. University Press of Kansas.
Johnsgard, P.A. 2005. Prairie Dog Empire: A Saga of the Shortgrass
Prairie. University of Nebraska Press.
Kindscher, K. 1992. Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie: An
Ethnobotanical Guide. University Press of Kansas.
Kirt, R.R. 1995. Prairie Plants of the Midwest: Identification and
Ecology. Stipes Publishing, L.L.C.
Kurtz, C. 1996. Iowa's Wild Places. Ames: Iowa State University
Press.
Ladd, D. 2005. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the
Common Wildflowers and Plants of the Prairie Midwest. Globe Pequot Press.
Madson, J. 1994. Where the Sky Began: Land of the Tallgrass Prairie.
Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
Manning, R. 1997. Grassland: The History, Biology, Politics, and Promise
of the American Prairie. Penguin Group.
Moul, F. 2006. The National Grasslands: A Guide to America's
Undiscovered Treasures. University of Nebraska Press.
Muller, M. 2000. Prairie in Your Pocket: A Guide to Plants of the
Tallgrass Prairie. University of Iowa Press.
Packard, S. 2005. Tallgrass Restoration Handbook: For Prairies,
Savannas, and Woodlands. Island Press.
Sample, M. S. 1987. Bison: Symbol
of the American West. Globe Pequot Press.
Sherow, J.E. 2007. The Grasslands of the United States: An
Environmental History. ABC-CLIO, Incorporated.
Shirley, S.1994. Restoring the Tallgrass Prairie : An
Illustrated Manual for Iowa and the Upper Midwest. New York: University of
Iowa P.
Waterlow, J. 1996. Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.
Links
IDNR – Iowa’s Prairie
Resource Center
Iowa Prairie
Network
IAN Iowa’s
Biological Communities Series - Iowa Prairies
NPS – Iowa’s
Prairie Heritage on Display April 29 to May 28
IPTV Iowa
Pathways – The First Farmers
Iowa Official
Register – History of Iowa
IPTV Iowa Pathways
– Explore Iowa History
Explorations in
Iowa History Project
Access Genealogy – Iowa Indian Tribes
The Nature Conservancy – Reintroduction of Bison to Iowa:
Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve
A Brief Culture History of Iowa
Buffalo Tales: The Near-Extermination of the American Bison
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