Fun in the Sun

Summer is here! A great way to keep the kids busy this summer is to take them outside. Spending quality time together is easy and fun. Following are some simple outdoor activities that are sure to create a lifetime of memories. Don’t forget the camera!

• Catch lightening bugs
  
• Fly a kite
  
• Go fishing
  
• Look for stars in the night sky
  
• Look for wildflowers
  
• Make leaf or bark rubbings
  
• Observe and count the animals that visit your backyard or neighborhood
  
• Pack a picnic lunch and spend an afternoon in your backyard or a local park.
  
• Pitch a tent in your backyard
  
• Put up a bird feeder
  
• Take a nature walk - keep a journal of what you see, hear, smell, and feel
  

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Bull, J. 2004. Sunny Day Book. DK Publishing, Inc.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Cole, H. 2003. On the Way to the Beach. HarperCollins Publishers.
Cronin, D. 2003. Diary of a Worm. Joanna Cotler.
Drake, J. and A. Love. 1998. Kids Campfire Book. Kids Can Press, Limited.
Drake, J. and A. Love. 1998. Kids Summer Games Book. Kids Can Press, Limited.
Eckart, E. 2003. I Can Go Camping. Children's Press.
Eckart, E. 2003. I Can Go Hiking. Children's Press.
Foley, C. 2001. Let's Go on a Picnic. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Good, E.W. 1996. It's Summertime! Good Books.
Love, D. 1997. Backyard Camp-out Book. HarperCollins Publishers.
Milord, S. 1996. The Kids' Nature Book: 365 Indoor/Outdoor Activities & Experiences. Ideals Publications.
Payne, N. 2005. Summertime Waltz. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log’s Life. Simon Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Romanova, N. 1999. Once There Was a Tree. Rebound by Sagebrush.
Rotner, S. 1992. Nature Spy. Atheneum.
Ruurs, M. 2004. When We Go Camping. Tundra.
Tresselt, R. 1992. The Gift of a Tree. Harpers Collins Publishers.
Weisner, C. 2003. Let's Get Going: The Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Outings with Children. Red Deer Press.
Wood, A. J. 2003. Beetles and Bugs: A Nature Trail Book. Silver Dolphin Books.

Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 2002. Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Shore Walking. HarperCollins Publishers.
Art, H.W. and M.W. Robbins. 2003. Woods Walk: Peepers, Porcupines and Exploding Puffballs! What You'll See, Hear and Smell When Exploring the Woods. Storey Books.
Bishop, N. 2002. Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close. Scholastic, Inc.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Brenner, B. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Publishers.
Burnie, D. 2005. Bug Hunter. DK Publishing, Inc.
Burns, D.L. 1996. Berries Nuts and Seeds. T&N Children's Publishing.
Burton, J. and K. Taylor. 1999. Nature and Science of Spring. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Carlson, L.M. and J. Dammel. 1995. Kids Camp!: Activities for the Backyard or Wilderness. Chicago Review Press, Incorporated.
Cherkerzian, D. 1993. Outdoor Fun: Great Things to Make and Do on Sunny Days. Boyds Mills Press.
Ching, J. 2000. Camping: Have Fun, Be Smart. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Criswell, S.G. 1994. Nature through Science and Art. TAB Books.
Hamerstrom, F. 1985. Walk When the Moon Is Full. Crossing Press, Inc.
Kemp, J. and C. Walters. 2007. Outdoor Fun and Games for Kids: Over 100 Activities for 3 - 11 Year Olds. Hamlyn.
Kirkland, J. 2001. Take a Backyard Bird Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Kirkland, J. 2006. Take a City Nature Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Tree Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Kranz, L. 2002. My Nature Book: A Journal and Activity Book for Kids. T&N Children's Publishing.
Larson, G. 1999. There’s a Hair in my Dirt. Tandem Library.
Loy, J. 2003. Follow the Trail: A Young Persons Guide to the Great Outdoors. Holt, Henry Books for Young Readers.
Maas, D.R. 2001. Kids Gone Fishin': The Young Angler's Guide to Catching More and Bigger Fish. Northword Press.
Rhatigan, J. 2005. Run, Jump, Hide, Slide, Splash: The 200 Best Games Ever. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Rhatigan, J. 2003. The Kids' Guide to Nature Adventures: 80 Great Activities for Exploring the Outdoors. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Ross, M.E. 1993. World of Small: Nature Explorations with a Hand Lens. Yosemite Association.
Silver, D.M. 1997. One Small Square: Backyard. McGraw-Hill Companies.
Walker, R. 2006. Nature Ranger. DK Publishing, Inc.
Warshaw, H. and J. Brown. 2003. Get out!: Outdoor Activities Kids Can Enjoy Anywhere. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
White, K.L. 2006. Cooking in a Can. Gibbs Smith.
Williams, J. 2002. Creative Kids: Nature Crafts. North Light Books.
Wilson, J. 2006. Hiking for Fun! Coughlan Publishing.
Winner, C. 2006. Kids Gone Campin': The Young Camper's Guide to Having More Fun Outdoors. Creative Publishing International, Incorporated.

Grades 6-8
Atkins, J. 2000. Girls Who Looked under Rocks. Dawn Publications.
Cornell, J. 1994. Journey to the Heart of Nature. Crystal Clarity Publishers.
Fletcher, R.J. 1997. Ordinary Things: Poems from a Walk in Early Spring. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Backwill, F, Rolph, M., Darley-Usmar, V. 1995. Microbes, Bugs, and Wonder Drugs. Portland Press.
Edsall, M.S. 1985. Roadside Plants and Flowers. The University of Wisconsin Press.
Milne, L.J, L. Milne, M. Milne, and M. Lorus. 1980. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. Knopf Publishing Group.

Searching for Wildlife in Your Backyard

Many times urban areas are overlooked in the search for wildlife. In urban areas, students must look closely at their daily routines to find habitats. Project Learning Tree’s “Are Vacant Lots Vacant?” takes students to a bit of wildness in the city limits.

As an extension, look for other areas in your town/city where wildlife can be found. These places may include stream beds and un-mowed areas in parks. Nature is all around us!

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Bunting, E. 1996. Secret Place. Clarion Books.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Cooper, A.C. 2000. In the City. Rinehart P.
Davis, W. 1998. City Park. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Di Salvo-Ryan, D. 1994. City Green. HarperCollins Publishers.
Eclare, M. 2002. Harvest of Color: Growing a Vegetable Garden. Handprint Books.
Edwards, N. 2000. Glenna's Seeds. Child & Family Press.
Ehlert, L. 2004. Nuts to You! Harcourt.
Epstein, S. 1989. Bugs for Dinner?: The Eating Habits of Neighborhood Creatures. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Fife, D.H. 1996. The Empty Lot. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Fleming, D. 1995. In the Tall, Tall Grass. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Fleming, D. 2000. Where Once There Was a Wood. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Giogas, V. 2007. In My Backyard. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Herberman, E. 1989. The City Kid's Field Guide. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Hester, N. 2004. The Living Town. Watts Pub Group.
Huelbig, C. 1996. City Kids and City Critters! McGraw-Hill Companies.
Koontz, R.M. 1998. The Complete Backyard Nature Activity Book: Fun Projects for Kids to Learn About the Wonders of Wildlife and Nature. McGraw-Hill.
Lunis, N. 1996. Life in Your Backyard. Newbridge Educational Publishing.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Raintree Steck-Vaughn. 1987. Animals in Cities and Parks. Steck-Vaughn.
Rammell, S.K. 2006. City Beats: A Hip-Hoppy Pigeon Poem. Dawn Publications.
Rockwell, A. 2006. Backyard Bear. Walker & Company.
Ruurs, M. 2007. In My Backyard. Tundra.
Schwartz, D.M. 1997. In the Park. Creative Teaching Press, Incorporated.
Thornhill, J. 1996. Wild in the City. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Wheeler, J.C. 1993. Beastly Neighbors. ABDO Publishing Company.

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

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

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

Web of Life

Project Learning Tree’s “Web of Life” lets students investigate relationships between producers, consumers, and decomposers by acting as organisms connected by string in a food web. Want to make this lively activity have more energy? A fun musical variation to this activity is to assign a different sound to each plant. The consumers must say the respective sound when they feel the tug. Each organism must repeat the sounds that the previous organism said. (For example, hazelnut trees say “da,” oak trees say “dee,” raspberries say “mo,” grass says “tie.” The deer eats acorns and hazelnut trees so it will say “da, dee.” Rabbits eat raspberries and grass, so it will say “mo, tie.” Coyotes eat deer and rabbits, they will say “da, dee, mo, tie”) The top consumers will likely have so many sounds to say that they will have a difficult time remembering them.

Want to expand this activity? Try incorporating the following Project Learning Tree activities:

• Are Vacant Lots Vacant?
  
• Dynamic Duos
  
• Field, Forest and Stream
  
• Planet Diveristy
  
• School Yard Safari
  

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Book List
Grades PrK-2
Hickman, P. 1997. Hungry Animals: My First Look at a Foodchain. Kids Can Press Ltd.
Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Kitchen, B. 1994. When Hunger Calls. Candlewick Press.
Lauber, P. 1995. Who Eats What?: Food Chains and Food Webs. HarperCollins Publishers.
Mckinney, B.S. 2000. Pass the Energy, Please! Dawn Publications.
Relf, P. 1996. Magic School Bus Gets Eaten: A Book about Food Chains. Scholastic, Inc.

Grades 3-5
Cole, J. 1996. The Magic School Bus Gets Eaten. A Book About Food Chains. Scholastic Inc.
Crenson, V. and R. Gurevich. 2003. Horseshoe Crabs and Shorebirds: The Story of a Food Web. Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Ellis, B. 2006. The Web at Dragonfly Pond. Dawn Publications.
Greenaway, T. 2001. Cycles in Nature Food Chain. Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers.
Heinz, B.J. 2006. Butternut Hollow Pond. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kalman, B. and J. Langille. 1998. What Are Food Chains and Webs? Crabtree.
Mason, C. 2003. Everybody's Somebody's Lunch: The Role of Predator and Prey in Nature. Tilbury House Publishers.
Nadeau, I. 2002. Food Chains in a Backyard Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Forest Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Nadeau, I. 2002. Food Chains in a Meadow Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Pond Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Norsgaard, E.J. 1990. Nature's Great Balancing Act: In Our Own Backyard. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Penny, M. 1998. The Foodchain. The Bookwright Press.
Pringle, L.P. 1975. Chains, Webs and Pyramids: The Flow of Energy in Nature. HarperCollins Publishers.
Rice, D.L. 1997. Lifetimes. Dawn Publications.
Riley, P. 2002. Food Chains. Franklin Watts.
Spilsbury, L., Spilsbury R. 2004. Food Chains and Food Webs: From Producers to Decomposers. Heinemann Library.
Staub, F. 2004. World of Wonder; The Food Chain. Creative Education.

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

Animal Communities

How many animals live by the stream near your school? WILD Aquatic’s activity “Blue Ribbon Niche” takes a look at the biodiversity of riparian areas, and incorporates art to visualize different niches where animals play. Don’t have a stream near your school? Try investigating other habitats (such as a forest or grassland) in your local surroundings.

Need help identifying critters? Request a free copy of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’s Biodiversity of Iowa: Aquatic Habitats CD by contacting the Aquatic Education Program

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Harlow, R. 2002. Nature in Danger. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Holland, B. 1990. Caring for Planet Earth: The World Around Us. Lion Publishing Corporation.
Ryder, J. 1994.Dancers in the Garden. Sagebrush Education Resources.

Grades 3-5
Davis, B.J. 2007. Biomes and Ecosystems. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Fullick, A. 1999. Ecosystems and Environment. Heinemann.
Hogan, P.Z. and S. Seidenberg. 1990. Ecology: Our Living Planet. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Lane, B. and L. Buller. 2005. Ecology. DK Publishing, Inc.
Pringle, L.P. 1991. Living Treasure: Saving Earth's Threatened Biodiversity. HarperCollins Publishers.
Pringle, L.P 1977. Animals and their niches: How species share resources. Morrow.
Robson, P. 2004. Ecosystems. Stargazer Books.
Seidenberg, S. 1990. Ecology and Conservation. Gareth Stevens Audio.

Grades 6-8
Gallant, R.A. 2002. The Wonders of Biodiversity. Benchmark Books.
Smith, Jr., H.E. 1987. Small Worlds: Communities of Living Things. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Patent, D.H. 2003. Biodiversity. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Strauss, R. 2004. Tree of Life: The Incredible Biodiversity of Life on Earth. Kids Can Press, Limited.
Whyman, K. 1999. Animal Kingdom: A Guide to Vertebrate Classification and Biodiversity. Raintree Publishers.

Grades 9-12
Dudley, W. 2001. Current Controversies - Biodiversity. Greenhaven Press.
Patent, D. 2003. Biodiversity. Clarion Books.
Solbring, O., Emben, H., and H, Oordt. 1996. Biodiversity and Global Change. CABI Publishing.

Nature’s Recyclers

Why aren’t forests full of fallen leaves and trees? Take a look at animals that live off dead organic material through Project Learning Tree’s “Nature’s Recyclers.” This activity is a great way to introduce composting to students. As a service learning project, start composting in your school. Click on the following link for more information:
A Guide to Composting in School

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Cole, J. 1995. The Magic School Bus Meets the Rot Squad: A Book About Decomposition. Scholastic Inc.
Glaser, L. 1996. Compost!: Growing Gardens from Your Garbage. Millbrook Press, Inc.
Glaser, L. 1994. Wonderful Worms. Millbrook Press.
Hunter, A. 1999. What's Under the Log? Houghton Mifflin Company.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log's Life. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
Portman, M.E. 2002. Compost, By Gosh! Flower Press.
Ross, M.E. 2003. Re-Cycles. Millbrook Press.

Grades 3-5
Appelhof, M. 1997. Worms Eat My Garbage. Flowerfield Enterprises.
Appelhof, M. 2003. Worms Eat Our Garbage: Classroom Activities for a Better Environment. Flowerfield Enterprises.
Green, J. 1999. A Dead Log. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Hughey, P. 1984. Scavengers and Decomposers: The Cleanup Crew. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Kalman, B. and J. Schaub. 1992. Squirmy Wormy Composters. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Lavies, B. 1993. Compost Critters. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Ring, E. 1996. What Rot! Nature's Mighty Recycler. The Millbrook Press.

Grades 6-8
McLaughlin, M. 1986. Earthworms, Dirt and Rotten Leaves. Avon Books.

Grades 9-12
Campbell, S. 1998. Let it Rot!: The Gardener's Guide to Composting. Storey Publishing, LLC.
Martin, D.L. 1992. Rodale Book of Composting: Easy Methods for Every Gardner. Rodale Press, Incorporated.

Do Your Part - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The “three R’s” of environmental education; reduce, reuse, and recycle. PLT’s activity Reduce, Reuse, Recycle takes a closer look at the solid waste students generate, and how to reduce the amount in their family and community. Connect the knowledge and skills gained by this activity by linking the following PLT activities:

• Pollution Search
  
• Every Drop Counts
  
• Energy Sleuths
  
• Then and Now
  

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Asimov, I. 1992. Where Does Garbage Go? Gareth Stevens Audio.
Bailey, D. 1991. What We Can Do about Recycling Garbage. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Brimner, L.D. 2003. Trash Trouble. Children's Press.
Fuzellier, M. 1994. Rufus Recycles Paper. Child's World, Incorporated.
Galko, F. 2004. Ecology at Home. Heinemann.
Galko, F. 2004. Ecology on the Playground. Heinemann.
Galko, F. 2004. Earth Friends at Home. Heinemann.
Gibbons, G. 1996. Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Green, J. 2005. Why Should I Recycle? Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Hare, T. 1991. Recycling. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Harlow, R. 2002. Garbage and Recycling. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Harlow, R. 2001. The Environment. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Jacobs, F. 1996. Follow That Trash: All about Recycling. Penguin Group.
Leedy, L. 2005. The Great Trash Bash. Holiday House.
Leeper, A. 2004. To a Garbage Dump. Heinemann.
Lepthien, E.U. 1991. Recycling. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Madden, D. 1993. The Wartville Wizard. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
McQueen, K. and D. Fassler. 1991. Let's Talk Trash: The Kids' Book about Recycling. Waterfront Books.
Murphy, S.J. 2004. Earth Day--Hooray! HarperTrophy.
Roca, N. 2007. Three R's: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Root, P. 1992. The Old Red Rocking Chair. Arcade Publishing.
Sensel, J. 2003. Garbage Monster. Dream Factory Books.
Shanks, A.Z. 1973. About Garbage and Stuff. Viking Juvenile.
Showers, P.1994. Where Does the Garbage Go? HarperTrophy.
Stecker, R. 2002. Recycled! Capstone Press.
Testa, F. 2001. Too Much Garbage. North-South Books.
Wallace, N.E. 2003. Recycle Every Day! Marshall Cavendish Corporation.
Weber, R. 2002. Waste Not: Time to Recycle. Capstone Press.

Grades 3-5
Amos, J. 1995. Waste and Recycling. Steck-Vaughn.
Anderson, R. and J. Buggey. 1991. Garbage: Understanding Words in Context. Thomson Gale.
Dorion, C. 2007. Earth's Garbage Crisis. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Handelsman, J.F. 1993. Gardens from Garbage: How to Grow Indoor Plants from Recycled Kitchen Scraps. Lerner Publishing Group.
Heilman, J.R. 1992. Tons of Trash: Why You Should Recycle and What Happens when You Do. HarperCollins Publishers.
Kalman, B.D. and J. Schaub. 1991. Buried in Garbage. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Kalman, B.D. 1991. Reducing, Reusing and Recycling. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Llewellyn, C. 2003. Let's Recycle. Thameside Press.
Love, A. and J. Drake. 2006. Trash Action: A Fresh Look at Garbage. Tundra.
Mandel, L. and H.M. Mandel. 1993. Treasure of Trash: A Recycling Story. Avery Publishing Group, Inc.
McQueen, K. 1991. Let's Talk Trash: The Kids' Book about Recycling. Waterfront Books.
Mitchell, J.S. 2005. Crashed, Smashed, and Mashed: A Trip to Junkyard Heaven. Ten Speed Press.
Nelson, S.E. 2006. Let's Reduce Garbage! Capstone Press.
Nielsen, S. 1993. Trash! Trash! Trash! ABDO Publishing Company.
Ostopowich, M. 2003. Science of Waste: Refuse, Misuse, and Reuse. Raintree Publishers.
Romanek, T. 2005. Switched on, Flushed Down, Tossed out: Investigating the Hidden Workings of Your Home. Annick Press, Limited.
Saunders-Smith, G. and K.M. Krebs. 2006. Let's Recycle! Capstone Press.
Skidmore, S. 1991. What a Load of Trash!: Rescue Your Household Waste. Lerner Publishing Group.
Ward, H. 2001. Tin Forest. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Wilcox, C. 1989. Trash! Sagebrush Education Resources.
Woods, S.G. and T.L. Stone. 2000. Recycled Paper: From Start to Finish. Thomson Gale.

Grades 6-8
Becklake, S. 1991. Waste Disposal and Recycling. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Blashfield, J.F. 1991. Recycling. Children's Press.
Boekhoff, P.M. 2004. Recycling. Thomson Gale.
Bowden, R. 2002. Waste, Recycling and Reuse: Our Impact on the Planet. Raintree Publishers.
Foster, J. 1991. Cartons, Cans, and Orange Peels: Where Does Our Garbage Go? Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gutnik, M.J. 1993. Recycling: Learning the Four R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Hadingham, E. 1990. Garbage!: Where It Comes from, Where It Goes. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Hall, E.J. 1997. Garbage. Gale Group.
Nardo, D. 1992. Recycling. Thomson Gale.
O'Connor, K. 1989. Garbage. Thomson Gale.
Silverstein, A. 1992. Recycling: Meeting the Challenge of the Trash Crisis. Penguin Group.
Smith, H. and J. Rhatigan. 2002. Earth-Friendly Crafts for Kids: 50 Awesome Things to Make with Recycled Stuff. Lark Books.
Stefoff, R. 1991. Recycling. Chelsea House Publishers.
Woodburn, J. 1993. Garbage and Recycling. Gareth Stevens Audio.

Grades 9-12
Cozic, C.P. 1997. Garbage and Waste. Thomson Gale.
Gay, K. 1991. Garbage and Recycling. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Kimball, D. 1992. Recycling in America: A Reference Handbook. ABC-CLIO, Incorporated.
Rogers, H. 2006. Gone Tomorrow: The Hidden Life of Garbage. New Press.
Stein, K. 1997. Beyond Recycling: A Re-user's Guide. Clear Light Publishers.
Strong, D.L. 1997. Recycling in America: A Reference Book. ABC-CLIO, Incorporated.

Celebrate Earth Day - Plant a Tree

A simple, beneficial service project to celebrate Earth Day is planting a tree. PLT’s activity “Plant a Tree” will guide your students through this process, while promoting stewardship by allowing students to be involved in the decision making process. Urge students to choose native species when they select the type of tree to plant. Check out the Iowa DNR Forestry web site for reasons why to Iowa plant native trees.

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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.
Berenstain, S. 1991. Berenstain Bears Don't Pollute (Anymore). Random House Children's Books.
Burnie, D. 2005. Tree. DK Publishing, Inc.
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.
Glaser, L. 2002. Our Big Home: An Earth Poem. Lerner Publishing Group.
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.
Roop, P. 2001. Lets Celebrate Earth Day. Millbrook Press.
Salvo-Ryan, D.D. 1994. City Green. HarperCollins Publishers.
Schnetzler, P. 2004. Earth Day Birthday. Dawn Publications.
Worth, B. 2006. I Can Name 50 Trees Today!: All about Trees. Random House Publishing Group.

Grades 3-5
Arthus-Bertrand, Y. 2004. The 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.
Brenner, B. 2000. Earth Is Painted Green: A Garden of Poems about Our Planet. Scholastic, Inc.
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.
Holmes, A. 1993. I Can Save the Earth: A Kid's Handbook for Keeping Earth Healthy and Green. Silver Burdett Press.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree. Dawn Publications.
Landau, E. 2002. Earth Day: Keeping Our Planet Clean. Enslow Elementary.
Petersen, C. 2004. Conservation. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Ross, K. 1995. Every Day Is Earth Day. Millbrook Press.
Savan, B. 1992. EarthWatch: Earthcycles and Ecosystems. Addison-Wesley.
Suzuki, D. 1992. Looking at the Environment. Jossey-Bass.
Van Allsburg, C. 1990. Just a Dream. Houghton Mifflin Company.

Grades 6-8
The Earthworks Group. 1990. 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth. Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Fleischman, P. 1999. Seedfolks. HarperCollins Publishers.
Gay, K. 1993. Caretakers of the Earth. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Giono, J. 2003. Man Who Planted Trees. Random House UK Distribution.
Stille, D.R. 2005. Natural Resources: Using and Protecting Earth's Supplies. Capstone Press.
Watson, S. 2003. Protecting Global Environments. Smart Apple Media.

Grades 9-12
Fitzpatrick, T. 1992. Signals from the Heartland. Walker & Company.
Hayes, D. 2000. Official Earth Day Guide to Planet Repair. Island Press.
Middleton, J. 1989. Atlas of Environmental Issues. Facts on File, Incorporated.

Unexpected Guests

Are non-native species beneficial or harmful? WILD Aquatic’s activity “Aquatic Roots” explores this question by looking at local non-native plants and animals. Check out a short list of exotic species found in Iowa.

Extend this activity into a service learning project by contacting a local public area and asking if they need help removing exotic invasive plants (garlic mustard, Japanese bamboo, etc.) from their boundaries. Chances are your call will be more than welcomed!

Want to see the positive effects from exotic species? Contact a local fish hatchery and ask for information about the DNR’s stocking program; specifically the species of trout the State stocks. For more information visit the hatcheries page on the DNR's website.

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Book List
Grades 3-5
Batten, M. 2003. Aliens from Earth: When Animals and Plants Invade Other Ecosystems. Peachtree Publishers.
Guiberson, B. 1999. Exotic Species: Invaders in Paradise. Lerner Publishing Group.
Lesinski, J.M. 1996. Exotic Invaders: Killer Bees, Fire Ants, and Other Alien Species are Infesting America! Walker & Company.
Roth, C.E. 1973. Walking Catfish and Other Aliens. Addison-Wesley.
Souza, D.M. 2003. Plant Invaders. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Grades 6-8
Collard, S.B. 1996. Alien Invaders: The Continuing Threat of Exotic Species. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Leland, J. 2005. Aliens in the Backyard: Plant and Animal Imports into America. University of South Carolina Press.
Lockwood, J.L., M. Marchetti and M. Hoopes. 2006. Invasion Ecology. Blackwell Publishers.
Weber, E. 2003. Invasive Plant Species of the World: A Reference Guide to Environmental Weeds. Oxford University Press.

Endangered and Threatened Species

Scientists estimate there are 10 to 30 million plant and animal species on the planet, most of them unidentified. Each year as many as 50,000 species disappear.* Project WILD’s activity “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” looks at extinction by exploring endangered species. To make this activity more Iowa related, use the list of animals and plants that are classified as endangered, threatened, or rare in Iowa.

* Source Minnesota Public Radio

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Amos, J. 1995. Animals in Danger. Steck-Vaughn.
Charman, A. 1996. I Wonder Why the Dodo Is Dead and Other Questions about Extinct and Endangered Animals. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Dobson, D. 1997. Can We Save Them? Endangered Species. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Fowler, A. 2000. It Could Still Be Endangered. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Herschell, M. 1995. Animals in Danger. Steck-Vaughn.
Jenkins, S. 2006. Almost Gone: The World's Rarest Animals. HarperCollins Publishers.
Martin, Jr., B. 2006. Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Mason, P. 1999. Return of the Osprey. Harbour Publishing Company, Limited.
Mastin, C.O. 1997. North American Endangered Species. Grasshopper Books.
McLimans, D. 2006. Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet. Walker & Company.
McNulty, F. 1996. Endangered Animals. Scholastic, Inc.
Reading, R.P. 2000. Endangered Animals: A Reference Guide to Conflicting Issues. Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Taylor, D. 1992. Endangered Grassland Animals. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Taylor, D. 1992. Endangered Wetland Animals. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Wright, A. 1993. Will We Miss Them? Endangered Species. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.

Grades 3-5
Arnold, C. 1985. Saving the Peregrine Falcon. Lerner Publishing Group.
Bright, M. 2002. Endangered and Extinct Animals of the Mountains, Deserts, and Grasslands. Millbrook Press, Inc.
Chinery, M. 2004. Animals in Danger. Anness Publishing, Ltd.
DK Publishing. 2005. Animals Like Us. DK Publishing, Inc.
Facklam, M. 1990. And Then There Was One: The Mysteries of Extinction. Little, Brown & Company.
Field, N. 1990. Discovering Endangered Species. Dog-Eared Publications.
Horton, C. 1995. Endangered Bears. Benchmark Books.
Jackson, D.M. 2000. The Wildlife Detectives: How Forensic Scientists Fight Crimes Against Nature. Houghton Mifflin Company.
McKay, G. and K. McGhee. 2006. National Geographic Encyclopedia of Animals. National Geographic Society.
Priebe, M. 2000. The Peregrine Falcon: Endangered No More. Mindfull Publishing.
Radley, G. and J. Sherlock. 2001. Grasslands and Deserts. Lerner Publishing Group.
Somervill, B.A. 2004. Animal Survivors of the Wetlands. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Ward, A. 2004. Pocket Factfiles: Endangered Animals. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Wolkomir, J.R. 1992. Junkyard Bandicoots and Other Tales of the World's Endangered Species. John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Grades 6-8
Benson, S. 2003. Endangered Species. Gale Research, Incorporated.
Escoto, D. 2006. Going, Going, Gone Volume One: A Collection of Poems on Endangered Species of the Western Hemisphere. Xlibris Corporation.
Greive, B.T. and M. Iwago. 2003. Priceless: The Vanishing Beauty of A Fragile Planet. Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Hickman, P. 2006. Birds of Prey Rescue: Changing the Future for Endangered Wildlife. Firefly Books, Limited.
Hoose, P. 2004. The Race to Save the Lord God Bird. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Kalman, B. 2006. Endangered Bats. Crabtree Publishing Company.
McClung, R.M. 1994. Lost Wild America: The Story of Our Extinct and Vanishing Wildlife. Linnet Books.
Penny, M. 2002. Endangered Species: Our Impact on the Planet. Raintree Publishers.
Pollock, S.T. 1993. Atlas of Endangered Animals. Facts on File, Incorporated.
Souza, D.M. 2003. Endangered Plants. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Swinburne, S.R. 2001. Once A Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf. Houghton Mifflin Company.

Grades 9-12
Burton, J.A. 1998. Atlas of Endangered Species. Macmillan Library Reference.
Gaughen, S. 2005. Endangered Species. Thomson Gale.
Gessner, D. 2002. Return of the Osprey: A Season of Flight and Wonder. Random House Publishing Group.
Minnich, M. 1993. Vanishing Species: The Wildlife Art of Laura Regan. CEDCO Publishing.
Reading, R.P. 2000. Endangered Animals: A Reference Guide to Conflicting Issues. Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Roberts, R. 1998. Endangered Species. Thomson Gale.
Tate, M. 2006. Going, Going, Gone: Animals on the Brink of Extinction and How to Turn the Tide. Think Books.
Vergoth, K. 1999. Endangered Species. Scholastic Library Publishing.

For Your Eyes Only

Wildlife watching has become the fastest growing form of outdoor recreation in the United States. WILD’s activity “For Your Eyes Only” allows students to observe nature, and then follow up on their and other’s viewpoints on the environment. A hands-on extension to this activity is to have students enhance or restore the natural environment for plants and animals. See the following websites for more “Taking Action” information and ideas.

• Iowa Action Involvement Programs
  
• Iowa Living Roadway Trust Fund grant for outdoor classrooms
  
• Iowa Conservation Education Council list of grants
  
• PLT GreenWorks Grants
  
• Youth Service America
  

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 2002. Watching Water Birds. National Geographic Children's Books.
Giogas, V. 2007. In My Backyard. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Kelly, I. 2003. It's a Hummingbird's Life. Holiday House, Inc.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart P.
Selsam, M.E. and J. Hunt. 1991. Keep Looking! Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Ward, L. 1993. A Walk in the Wild: Exploring a Wildlife Refuge. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.

Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 2002. Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Shore Walking. HarperCollins.
Arnosky, J. 1983. Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher. HarperCollins Publishers.
Bair, D. and P. Wright. 1999. Deer Watching. Capstone Press.
Bair, D. and P. Wright. 1999. Eagle Watching. Capstone Press.
Bateman, R. 2005. Bateman's Guide to Backyard Birds. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Bernhard, D. 2000. Earth, Sky, Wet, Dry: A Book of Opposites. Scholastic, Inc.
Doolittle, B. and E. M. 2001. Reading the Wild. Greewich Workshop Press.
Green, J. 2002. In a Backyard. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Loates, G. and B. Kalman. 1988. Birds at My Feeder. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Montgomery, R.G. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press.
Ross, M.E. 1997. Wildlife Watching with Charles Eastman. Lerner Publishing Group.
Russo, M. 1998. Watching Nature: A Beginner's Field Guide. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Shattil, W. 2000. On the Trail of Colorado Critters: Wildlife Watching for Kids. Westcliffe Publishers, 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.
Wilkinson, T. 1999. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks: Wildlife Watcher's Guide. T&N Children's Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Dinsmore, S.J. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Harrison, G. and K. Harrison. 1987. America's Favorite Backyard Wildlife. Fireside.
La Tourrette, J. 1997. Watching Wildlife: The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Observing Animals in the Wild. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.

Exploring Nature

Now is the time to take a walk outside and enjoy the seasonal warming of the earth, otherwise known as SPRING! Students may know what larger animals, such as bears, birds and deer, do in spring, but what do smaller creatures like bugs, spiders, and worms do? Use “Microtek Treasure Hunt” from Project WILD as an avenue to explore these little creatures!

Use the following activities to continue your exploration!
Project Learning Tree
Trees as Habitats
The Fallen Log
Nature’s Recyclers

Project WILD Aquatic
MicroOdysey
The Glass Menagerie

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Cole, H. 2003. On the Way to the Beach. HarperCollins Publishers.
Cronin, D. 2003. Diary of a Worm. Joanna Cotler.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log’s Life. Simon Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Romanova, N. 1999. Once There Was a Tree. Rebound by Sagebrush.
Rotner, S. 1992. Nature Spy. Atheneum.
Tresselt, R. 1992. The Gift of a Tree. Harpers Collins Publishers.
Wood, A. J. 2003. Beetles and Bugs: A Nature Trail Book. Silver Dolphin Books.

Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 2002. Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Shore Walking. HarperCollins Publishers.
Art, H.W. and M.W. Robbins. 2003. Woods Walk: Peepers, Porcupines and Exploding Puffballs! What You'll See, Hear and Smell When Exploring the Woods. Storey Books.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Brenner, B. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Publishers.
Burnie, D. 2005. DK Smithsonian Bug Hunter. DK Publishing, Inc.
Burns, D.L. 1996. Berries Nuts and Seeds. T&N Children's Publishing.
Burton, J. and K. Taylor. 1999. Nature and Science of Spring. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Criswell, S.G. 1994. Nature through Science and Art. TAB Books.
Hamerstrom, F. 1985. Walk When the Moon Is Full. Crossing Press, Inc.
Kirkland, J. 2006. Take a City Nature Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Tree Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Kranz, L. 2002. My Nature Book: A Journal and Activity Book for Kids. T&N Children's Publishing.
Larson, G. 1999. There’s a Hair in my Dirt. Tandem Library.
Ross, M.E. 1993. World of Small: Nature Explorations with a Hand Lens. Yosemite Association.
Walker, R. 2006. Nature Ranger. DK Publishing, Inc.

Grades 6-8
Atkins, J. 2000. Girls Who Looked under Rocks. Dawn Publications.
Fletcher, R.J. 1997. Ordinary Things: Poems from a Walk in Early Spring. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Backwill, F, Rolph, M., Darley-Usmar, V. 1995. Microbes, Bugs, and Wonder Drugs. Portland Press.
Edsall, M.S. 1985. Roadside Plants and Flowers. The University of Wisconsin Press.
Milne, L.J, L. Milne, M. Milne, and M. Lorus. 1980. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. Knopf Publishing Group.

Tree Factory

Have you ever heard of a photosynthesis lesson that your students will want to do again and again? PLT’s “Tree Factory” is a fun activity that allows students to act out parts of a tree while learning about its structure and function. Try one of these variations* after your students have done the activity once or twice.

Have more than 30 students, or want to do this activity during a school or grade outing? Incorporate animals that live on or use trees, such as ants, birds, raccoons, squirrels, deer, etc. The list is endless!

For older students, ask them to name some area factories. What do they produce? What do factories use to make their product? Do they release anything in the air? What do trees produce? (sugar for the tree) What do trees use to make their product? (carbon dioxide and water) What do trees release in the air? (oxygen) What are the similarities between a tree and a factory?

A fun way to end this activity is to pretend a strong wind blows the tree down.

*The activity lists eight additional variations. Don’t forget to try those as well!

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Dorres, A.1997. A Tree is Growing. Scholastic.
Goldish, M. 1990. How Plants Get Food. Steck-Vaughn.
Worth, B. 2001. Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants. Random House, Incorporated.

Grades 3 – 5
Asimov, I. 1989. How Did We Find Out About Photosynthesis? Walker & Company.
Juettner, B. 2005. Photosynthesis. KidHaven Press.
Notkin, L. 1997. The Magic School Bus Gets Planted: A Book About Photosynthesis. Scholastic Paperbacks.

Grades 6-8
Juettner, B. 2005. Photosynethesis. Thomson Gale.
Massa, R. 1997. Breathing Earth. Steck-Vaughn.
Ross, B. 1995. Straight from the Bear's Mouth: The Story of Photosynthesis. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Silverstein, A. 1998. Photosynthesis. Lerner Publishing Group.
Staub, F.J. 2004. Photosynthesis. Creative Company.
Walker, Alan. 1999. A Leaf in Time. Portland Press.

How Plants Grow

There’s no need to wait until snow melts and warmer weather comes to see some “spring green”! Project Learning Tree’s activity “How Plants Grow” is a great way to encourage positive thinking AND discuss how plants grow. As an extension to this activity, invite a local greenhouse owner to talk about how he/she grows plants for sale, or an area gardener on how and why they grow plants. A field trip to a nursery or area garden is a great way for students to see how plants grow outside of a controlled experiment. Don’t have the funds for a field trip? Take your students on a tour of your school’s grounds to look for evidence of plant growth.

Start an outdoor classroom at your school. Apply for a grant from the Living Roadway Trust Fund.

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Aston, D. 2007. A Seed Is Sleepy. Chronicle Books LLC.
Berger, M. 1994. All about Seeds: A Hands-on Science Book. Scholastic, Inc.
Brown, R. 2001. Ten Seeds. Knopf Publishing Group.
Burnie, D. 2005. Plant. DK Publishing, Inc.
Carle, E. 1991. Tiny Seed. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Charman, A. 2003. I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves and Other Questions about Plants. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Claybourne, A. 2002. Plants. Raintree Publishers.
Cole, J. 1995. The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow. Scholastic, Inc.
Dixon, M. 1998. Plants around Us. Smart Apple Media.
Ehlert, L. 1992. Planting a Rainbow. Harcourt Children's Books.
Fowler, A. 2001. From Seed to Plant. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 1991. From Seed to Plant. Holiday House.
Hewitt, S. 1999. Plants and Flowers. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Hickman, P. 1996. A Seed Grows : My First Look at a Plant's Life Cycle. Kids Can Press, Ltd.
Jennings, T.J. 1988. Seeds. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jordan, H.J. 1992. How a Seed Grows. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Kuchalla, S. 1990. All About Seeds. Troll Communications L.L.C.
Lovejoy, S. 1999. Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children. Workman Publishing Company.
Marzollo, J. 1996. I'm a Seed. Scholastic, Inc.
Moncure, J.B. 1990. How Seeds Travel: Popguns and Parachutes. Child's World, Incorporated.
Morgan, S. 2004. Plants and People. Thameside Press.
Morgan, S. 2004. Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Thameside Press.
Murphy, P.J. 2004. Peeking at Plants with a Scientist. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. 2003. Plants with Seeds. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Riley, P. 2003. Plants. World Almanac Books.
Rockwell, A. 1999. One Bean. Walker Books for Young Readers.
Roemer, H.B. 2006. What Kinds of Seeds Are These? T&N Children's Publishing.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Rubel, N. 2002. No More Vegetables. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1998. Seeds. Capstone Press.
Scrace, C. 2002. Growing Things. Franklin Watts.
Schaefer, L.M. 2003. Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Time for Kids Magazine. 2006. Time For Kids: Plants! HarperCollins Children's Books.
Wexler, J. 1988. Flowers, Fruits ,Seeds. Prentice Hall Books.
Whitehouse, P. 2002. Seeds. Heinemann.
Worth, B. 2001. Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants. Random House, Incorporated.

Grades 3-5
Ball, J.A. 2002. Plants. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Bix, C.O. 1982. How Seeds Travel. Lerner Publishing Group.
Branigan, C. 2005. Flowers and Seeds. Smart Apple Media.
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.
Goodman, S.E. 2001. Seeds, Stems, and Stamens: The Ways Plants Fit into Their World. Lerner Publishing Group.
Greenaway, T. 2000. Plant Life. Raintree Publishers.
Jennings, T.J. 1989. Seeds and Seedlings. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Julivert, M.A. 1993. Life of Plants. Chelsea House Publishers.
Kalman, B.1996. How a Plant Grows. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Kalman, B. 2000. What Is a Plant? Crabtree Publishing Company.
Kirkpatrick, R.K. 1990. Look at Seeds and Weeds. Raintree Publishers.
Lauber, P. 1991. Seeds: Pop Stick Glide. Crown Books for Young Readers.
McEvoy, P. 2003. Plants. Chelsea House Publishers.
Meucci, A. 2002. Plants. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Robbins, K. 2004. Seeds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Spilsbury, L.A. 2002. Plant Habitats. Heinemann.
Spilsbury, L. 2002. Plant Parts. Heinemann Library.
Stewart, M. 2004. A Parade of Plants. Capstone Press.
Stewart, M. 2003. Plants. Capstone Press.
Wyatt, V. 2000. Wacky Plant Cycles. Mondo Publishing.

Grades 6-8
Capon, B. 2003. Plant Survival: Adapting to a Hostile World. Timber Press, Incorporated.
DK Publishing. 1992. Plants. DK CHILDREN.
Bates, J.W. 1991. Seeds to Plants: Projects with Biology. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Howell, L. 2002. World of Plants. E.D.C. Publishing.
Pascoe, E. 1996. Seeds and Seedlings. Thomson Gale.
Patent, D.H. 2003. Plants on the Trail with Lewis and Clark. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Winckler, S. 2002. Planting the Seed: A Guide to Gardening. Lerner Publishing Group.

Grades 9-12
Farndon, J. 2002. 1000 Things You Should Know about Plants. Mason Crest Publishers.
Greenaway, T. 1999. Plant Kingdom: A Guide to Plant Classification and Biodiversity. Raintree Publishers.
Parker, R. 2003. Introduction to Plant Science: Revised Edition. Thomson Delmar Learning.

Water Wonders

Project Learning Tree’s activity “Water Wonders” is a fun way for students to learn about the water cycle. To make this activity more Iowa related, use the information and worksheets from the Iowa Supplement to Project Learning Tree to direct students through the water cycle. Enrich this activity by involving students in monitoring or improving a local body of water. Visit the Iowa DNR website for a listing of programs and resources on action involvement programs.

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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.
Fowler, A. 1993. It Could Still Be Water. Children's Press.
Fraiser, D. 2004. The Incredible Water Show. Harcourt.
Godwin, S. 2004. The Drop Goes Plop: A First Look at the Water Cycle. Picture Window Books.
Greenaway, T. 2000. Water Cycle. Raintree 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.
Kalman, B. 2006. Water Cycle. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Locker, T. 2002. Water Dance. Harcourt Children's Books.
Morrison, G. 2006. A Drop of Water. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Nelson, R. 2003. Freezing and Melting. Lerner Publications.
Nelson, R. 2002. The Water Cycle. Lerner Publishing Group.
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.
Relf, P. 1996. The Magic School Bus Wet All Over: A Book About The Water Cycle. Scholastic Paperbacks.
Ross, M.E. 2003. Re-Cycles. Millbrook Press.
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.
Schmid, E. 1994. The Water's Journey. North-South.
Seuling, B. 2000. Drip! Drop!: How Water Gets to Your Tap. Holiday House, Inc.
Smith, D. 1993. The Water Cycle. Thomson Learning.
Waldman, N. 2003. The Snowflake: A Water Cycle Story. Millbrook Press.
Wells, R.E. 2006. Did a Dinosaur Drink This Water? Albert Whitman & Company.

Grades 3-5
Berger, M. 1995. Water, Water Everywhere. Ideals Publications.
Brandt, K. 1996. What Makes It Rain? : The Story of a Raindrop. Troll Communications.
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.
Hiscock, B. 1997. Big Rivers: The Missouri, the Mississippi, and the Ohio. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Hughes, M. 2004. Water Cycle. Heinemann Library.
Littlefield, C. 2004. Awesome Ocean Science: Investigating the Secrets of the Underwater World. Williamson Books.
Mckinney, B.S. 1998. A Drop around the World. Dawn Publications.
Moor, J.E. 1998. Water. Evan-Moor Educational Publishers.
Olien, R. 2006. The Water Cycle. Capstone Press.
Trueit, T.S. 2002. The Water Cycle. Franklin Watts.
Smith, D. 1993. The Water Cycle. Thomson Learning.
Walker, S.M. 1992. Water Up, Water Down: The Hydrologic Cycle. Carolrhoda Books.
Wick, W. 1997. Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder. Scholastic, Inc.

Grades 6-8
Royston, A. 2006. The Life And Times of a Drop of Water: The Water Cycle. Raintree.

Living in a Watershed

Do you live in a watershed? Ask this question to your students, and they may not be able to identify a watershed as a place that they live. The WILD Aquatic activity “Watershed” introduces students to the characteristics, and roles of watersheds, as well as provides examples of watershed conservation. Use this activity in combination with the activity “Putting Water in the Shed” from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Corridors of Exploration: Iowa’s Rivers activity booklet to bring in a historical viewpoint of Iowa.


Book List
Grades PreK-2
Fourment, T. 2004. My Water Comes from the Mountains. Roberts Rinehart Publishers.
Luenn, N. 1994. Squish!: A Wetland Walk. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Grades 3-5
Dorros, A. 2000. Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean. HarperCollins.
Hiscock, B. 1997. Big Rivers: The Missouri, the Mississippi, and the Ohio. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
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 9-12
DeBarry, P.A. 2004. Watersheds: Processes, Assessment and Management. Wiley.
Dobson, C. 1999. Watersheds: A Practical Handbook for Healthy Water. Firefly Books, Limited.
Newton, Lisa H., C.K. Dillingham and J.H. Choly. 2005. Watersheds 4: Ten Cases in Environmental Ethics. Wadsworth Publishing.

Romance is in the air!

During January and February, many types of owls mate to produce offspring in the spring. The forests of Iowa are often filled with sounds of owls hooting, and what some may consider “weird” noises. What better time to investigate owls, and what better way than Project WILD’s activity “Owl Pellets”?

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Bailey, J. 1990. Life Cycle of an Owl. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Browne, V. 1995. Animal Lore and Legend: Owl. Scholastic, Inc.
Burton, J. 1989. Buffy the Barn Owl. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Butterworth, C. 1990. Owls. Steck-Vaughn.
Frank, R. 2004. So What, Saw-Whet? Hummingbird Mountain Press.
George, M. 1998. Owls. Child's World, Incorporated.
Gibbons, G. 2006. Owls. Holiday House.
Gibson, D.C. 2001. Owls and Their Homes. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Holmes, K.J. 1998. Owls. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Johnston, T. 2001. Barn Owls. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Martin, P.A. 2003. Northern Spotted Owls. Children's Press.
McDonald, M. 1997. Whoo-oo Is It? Scholastic, Inc.
Price, A. 2002. Raptors: The Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Owls of North America. Rinehart P.
Reid, M.E. 2002. Owls and Other Birds of Prey. World Book, Incorporated.
Richardson, A.D. 2002. Owls: Flat-Faced Flyers. Capstone Press.
Riley, J. 2004. Quiet Owls. Lerner Publishing Group.
Scrace, C. 2001. Egg to Bird. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Silverstein, A. 1994. Eagles, Hawks, and Owls. Random House Children's Books.
Stone, L.M. 1989. Owls. Rourke Enterprises, Incorporated.
Storms, L. 1983. Owl Book. Lerner Publishing Group.
Swanson, D. 1998. Welcome to the World of Owls. Walrus Books.
Townsend, E.R. 2004. Woodland Animals: Owls. Capstone Press.
Whitehouse, P. 2002. Barn Owls. Heinemann.
Yolen, J. 1987. Owl Moon. Philomel.

Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Owls. Scholastic Paperbacks.
Biel, T.L. 2003. Owls. Wildlife Education, Ltd.
Brady, I. 1974. Owlet the Great Horned Owl. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Brown, F.G. 1991. Owls. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Coldrey, J. 1987. Owl in the Tree. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Epple, W. 1992. Barn Owls. Lerner Publishing Group.
Esbensen, B.J. 1991. Tiger with Wings: The Great Horned Owl. Scholastic, Inc.
Gerholdt, J.E. 1997. Spotted Owls. ABDO Publishing Company.
Hammerslough, J. 2004. Owl Puke: Book and Owl Pellet. Workman Publishing Company, Inc.
Holmes, K.J. 1998. Owls. Capstone Press.
Hunt, P. 1982. Snowy Owls. Penguin Group.
Jarvis, K. 1996. Owls: Whoo Are They? Mountain Press Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Kappeler, M. 1991. Owls. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Kops, D. 2000. Owls. Thomson Gale.
Lynch, W. 2005. Owls. T&N Children's Publishing.
Mason, A. 2004. Owls. Kids Can Press, Limited.
Markle, S. 2005. Owls. Lerner Publishing Group.
Mudd-Ruth, M. 2004. Owls. Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Niemuth, N.D. 1996. Owl Magic for Kids. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Sattler, H.R. 1995. The Book of North American Owls. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Swanson, D. 1998. Owls. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Tagholm, S. 2003. Barn Owl. Kingfisher.
Zallinger, J.D. 1995. The Book of North American Owls. Houghton Mifflin Company.

Grades 6-8
Burton, R. 1990. Discovering Owls. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Catchpole, C. 1978. Owls. McGraw-Hill Companies.
Duncan, J.R. 2003. Owls of the World: Their Lives, Behavior and Survival. Firefly Books, Limited.
Fourie, D.K. 1994. Hawks, Owls and Other Birds of Prey. Silver Burdett Press.
Graham, K. 1997. Owls. Baxter, Colin Photography, Limited.
Kalman, B.D. 1987. Owls. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Livingston, M.C. 1990. If the Owl Calls Again: A Collection of Owl Poems. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Selsam, M.E. 1987. A First Look at Owls, Eagles, and Other Hunters of the Sky. Walker & Company.
Stefoff, R. 1997. Owl. Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Stidworthy, J. 1987. Year in the Life of an Owl. Silver Burdett Press.
Sutton, P. 1994. How to Spot an Owl. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Tyler, H.A. 1978. Owls By Day and Night. Naturegraph Publishers, Incorporated.
Wechsler, D. 2003. Great Horned Owls. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.

Grades 9-12
Earley, C.G. 2004. Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America. Firefly Books, Limited.
Heintzelman, D.S. 1984. Guide to Owl Watching in North America. New Win Publishing, Incorporated.
Johnsgard, P.A. 2002. North American Owls: Biology and Natural History. Smithsonian Institution Press.
Lawrence, R.D. 2003. Owls: The Silent Flyers. Firefly Books, Limited.
Long, K. 1998. Owls: A Wildlife Handbook. Johnson Books.
Parry-Jones, J. 2001. Understanding Owls: Biology, Management, Breeding, Training. F & W Publications, Incorporated.
Taylor, I. 2003. Barn Owls: Predator-Prey Relationships and Conservation. Cambridge University Press.

Winter Book List

Kids love winter. It’s so much fun to bundle up and play outside in the fluffy, white snow. When they are done playing, they go back inside their warm house. What about plants and animals during the winter? How do they keep warm?

Find the answers to these questions and discover the beauty of winter through these great books.

Grades PreK-2
Bancroft, H. 1997. Animals in Winter. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Barasch, L. 1993. A Winter Walk. Ticknor & Fields.
Bauer, M.D. 1997. Turtle Dreams. Holiday House, Inc.
Berger, M. 1995. What Do Animals Do in Winter?: How Animals Survive the Cold. Ideals Publications.
Brett, J. 1996. The Mitten. Penguin Group.
Butler, M.C. 2006. One Winter's Day. Good Books.
Cartwright, A. 1990. The Winter Hedgehog. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Cole, J. 1973. Plants in Winter. Harpercollins.
Cuyler, M. 2005. Groundhog Stays up Late. Walker & Company.
Denslow, S.P. 2005. In the Snow. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Dixon, A. 2002. Winter Is. Alaska Northwest Books.
Evans, L. 2002. Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Finnegan, M.P. 2002. Winter: Signs of the Season around North America. Capstone Press.
Fleming, D. 2001. Time to Sleep. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Florian, D. 1999. Winter Eyes. Greenwillow Books.
Freedman, C. 2003. Gooseberry Goose. Tiger Tales.
Freedman, R. 1981. When Winter Comes. Penguin Young Readers Group.
George, J.C. 1995. Dear Rebecca, Winter Is Here. HarperTrophy.
George, J.C. 2001. Winter Moon. HarperCollins Publishers.
Gershator, P. 2001. When It Starts to Snow. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Glaser, L. 2002. It's Winter. Millbrook Press.
Good, E.W. 1994. White Wonderful Winter!Good Books.
Hader, B. 2005. The Big Snow. Simon & Schuster Children's.
Hirschi, R. 1996. Winter. Penguin Group Incorporated.
Hiscock, B. 1995. When Will It Snow? Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Jones, J.B. 2001. Who Lives in the Snow?Rinehart P.
Kroll, L. 2003. Winter, Awake! SteinerBooks, Incorporated.
Lawlor, E.P. 1998. Discover Nature in Winter: Things to Know and Things to Do. Stackpole Books.
McDonnell, J. 1993. Winter: Tracks in the Snow. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Minor, W. 1996. Red Fox Running. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Moncure, J.B. 2000. In Winter. Child's World, Incorporated.
Moore, E. 2005. The Magic School Bus Sleeps for the Winter. Scholastic, Inc.
Moutran, J.S. 1987. Story of Punxsutawney Phil, "the Fearless Forecaster". Literary Publications.
Murray, M.D. 2003. Don't Wake Up The Bear. Marshall Cavendish Inc.
National Geographic Society. 1997. Animals In Winter. National Geographic Children's Books.
Partridge, E. 1992. Moon Glowing. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Pascoe, E. 2000. How and why Animals Prepare for Winter. Creative Teaching Press, Incorporated.
Pfeffer,W. 2003. The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice. Dutton Juvenile.
Prelutsky, J. 1984. It's Snowing! It's Snowing! Greenwillow Books.
Sabuda, R. 2005. Winter's Tale: An Original Pop-up Journey. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Sams, C.R. 2000. Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy. Sams, Carl, R. II, Photography.
Sayre, A.P. 1998. Home at Last: A Song of Migration. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Schnur, S. 2002. Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic. Clarion Books.
Sherrow, V. 1997. Chipmunk at Hollow Tree Lane. Soundprints.
Seuling, B. 2002. Winter Lullaby. Harcourt Children's Books.
Stewart, P. 1999. Little Bit of Winter. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Stojic, M. 2002. Snow. Crown Books for Young Readers.
Stringer, L. 2006. Winter Is the Warmest Season. Harcourt Children's Books.
Thayer, T. 2001. Winter. Lerner Publishing Group.
Thomson, R. 1989. Winter. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Van Laan, N. 2000. When Winter Comes: A Lullaby. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Wallace, K. 2000. A Bed for Winter. DK Publishing, Inc.
Wellington, M. 2000. Bunny's First Snowflake. Penguin Group Incorporated.
Wildsmith, B. 1991. Animal Seasons. Oxford University Press.
Wilson, K. 2002. Bear Snores On. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Grades 3-5
Albert, T. 1998. A Kid's Winter EcoJournal: With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season. Trickle Creek Books.
Berger, G. 2002. Do Bears Sleep All Winter? Sagebrush Education Resources.
Brimmer, L.D. 1991. Animals That Hibernate. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Burton, J. and K. Taylor. 1999. Nature and Science of Winter. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Drake, J. 2004. Snow Amazing: Cool Facts and Warm Tales. Tundra.
George, J.C. 2001. Winter Moon. HarperCollins Publishers.
HarperCollins Publishing. 1998. Birds in Winter. Zondervan.
Hull, R. 1991. Poems for Winter. Steck-Vaughn.
Jackson, E. 1997. The Winter Solstice. Millbrook Press.
Meyer, M.L. 2002. Winter. Smart Apple Media.
Penny, M. 2004. Hidden Hibernators. Heinemann.
Perry, P.J. 2001. Animals That Hibernate. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Simon, S. 1994. Winter across America. Hyperion Books for Children.
Stille, D.R. 2001. Winter. Capstone Press.
Webster, D. 1989. Winter: Activities, Projects, Science Facts. Silver Burdett Press.
Whipple, L. 2003. A Snowflake Fell: Poems About Winter. Barefoot Books.
Whitlock, R. 1987. Winter. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Yolen, J. 2005. Snow, Snow: Winter Poems for Children. Boyds Mills Press.

Grades 6-8
Jones, A. 2006. Four Seasons: Uncovering Nature. Firefly Books, Limited.
Santrey, L. 1982. Winter. Troll Communications L.L.C.
Watts, M.T. 1970. Winter Tree Finder. Nature Study Guild.

Grades 9-12
Arnosky, J. 1988. Sketching Outdoors in Winter. HarperCollins Publishers.
Bastedo, J. 2003. Falling for Snow: A Naturalist's Journey Into the World of Winter. Red Deer Press.
Brown, L. 1997. Wildflowers and Winter Weeds. Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Chu, Miyoko. 2006. Songbird Journeys: Four Seasons in the Lives of Migratory Birds. Walker & Company.
Gilliland, H. 1992. Mystery Tracks in the Snow. Naturegraph Publishers, Incorporated.
Harrison, K. 1990. Birds of Winter. Random House, Incorporated.
Heinrich, B. 2003. Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival. HarperCollins Publishers.
Marchand, P.J. 1987. Life in the Cold: An Introduction to Winter Ecology. University Press of New England.
Stokes, D.W. 1979. Stokes Guide to Nature in Winter. Little, Brown & Company.
Trelease, W. 1967. Winter Botany: An Identification Guide to Native Trees and Shrubs. Dover Publications.

Iowa Winter Birds

While most birds migrate south in the winter, Iowa has many birds that stay year round. WILD’s activity “Bird Song Survey” lets students identify birds in their area, while using bird-counting techniques. Now is a great time to extend this activity to include the results of the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count in Iowa. Choose from 14 different areas in Iowa where the count was performed. Be sure to compare and contrast your results!

Click here to learn more about performing a Christmas Bird Count in your area.

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Winter Birds Book List
Grades PreK-2
Bailey, D. 1992. Birds: How to Watch and Understand the Fascinating World of Birds. DK Publishing, Inc.
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.
Garelick, M. 1995. What Makes a Bird a Bird? Mondo Publishing.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard. Dawn Publications.
National Geographic Society. 1997. Animals in Winter. National Geographic Society.
Rockwell, A.F. 1992. Our Yard Is Full of Birds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Sill, C.P. 1997. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
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.
Burnie, D. 2005. Birdwatcher. DK Publishing, Inc.
Cortright, S. 1995. Birding Basics. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Craighead, C. 1994. Eagle and the River. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
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.
Kress, S.W. 2001. Bird Life. Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press.
Lerner, C. 1994. Backyard Birds of Winter. HarperCollins Publishers.
Lindsey, T. 1999. Birding. Time-Life Custom Publishing.
Loates, G. and B. Kalman. 1988. Birds at My Feeder. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Maslowski, S. 2001. Birds in Winter. Smart Apple Media.
Peterson, R.T. 1999. Backyard Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Pine, J. 1993. Backyard Birds. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Yolen, J. 1999. Bird Watch: A Book of Poetry. Putnam Juvenile.
Zickefoose, J. 2006. Letters from Eden: A Year at Home, in the Woods. Houghton Mifflin Company.

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.
Lee, F. 2005. Backyard Birding for Kids: A Field Guide and Activities. Gibbs Smith.
Robbins, C.S. 2001. Birds of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press.
Spaulding, D.T. 1997. Watching Our Feathered Friends. Lerner Publishing Group.
Ward, A. 2004. Pocket Factfiles: Birds. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.

Grades 9-12
Dobson, C. 1981. Feeding Wild Birds in Winter. Firefly Books.
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.
Root, T.L. 1988. Atlas of Wintering North American Birds: An Analysis of Christmas Bird Count Data. University of Chicago Press.
Tekiela, S. 2001. Birds of Iowa: Field Guide. Adventure Publications.

Wildlife in National Symbols

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

Did you know? By 1996, the number of wintering bald eagles escalated to nearly 5,700, more than one-third of all bald eagles counted in the lower 48 states during winter. Usually, only 200 to 300 eagles winter in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Dell, P. 2004. The Bald Eagle. Capstone Press.
Douglas, L.G. 2003. The Bald Eagle. Children's Press.
Gibbons, G. 1998. Soaring with the Wind: The Bald Eagle. HarperCollins.
Gieck, C. 1991. Eagles for Kids. Northword Pr.
Keenan, S. 2004. O, Say Can You See? America's Symbols, Landmarks, And Important Words. Scholastic, Inc.
Kule, E.A. 2003. Iowa Facts and Symbols. Capstone Press.
Sis, P. 2004. The Train of States. HarperCollins Publishers.
Sorensen, L. 1994. The American Eagle. Rourke Publishing, LLC.
Yanuck, D.L. 2003. The Bald Eagle. Capstone Press.

Grades 3-5
Amato, C.A. 1996. Bald Eagle: Free Again! Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Bair, D. 1999. Eagle Watching. Capstone Press.
Colman. C. H. 2006. Bald Eagle's View of American History. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Evert, L. 2001. Eagles. T&N Children's Publishing.
Hodge, D. 2000. Eagles. Kids Can Press, Ltd.
Johnson, L.C. 1992. Our National Symbols. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, S.A. 1995. Raptor Rescue!: An Eagle Flies Free. Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated.
Laubach, C.M. 2002. Raptor!: A Kid's Guide to Birds of Prey. Storey Books.
Morrison, G. 1998. Bald Eagle. Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books.
Patent, D.H. 1995. Eagles of America. Holiday House, Inc.
Patent, D.H. 1984. Where the Bald Eagles Gather. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Potts, S. 2006. The Bald Eagle. Capstone Press.
Price, A. 2002. Raptors: The Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Owls of North America. Rinehart P.
Priebe, M. 2000. Bald Eagle: Endangered No More. Mindfull Publishing.
Quiri, P.R. 1998. Bald Eagle. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Raven, T.M. 2005. Challenger: America's Favorite Eagle. Sleeping Bear Press.
Ryden, H. 1985. America's Bald Eagle. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Stone, L.M. 2004. Bald Eagle. Rourke Publishing, LLC.
Thames, S. 2006. Our American Symbols. Rourke Publishing, LLC.
Wechsler, D. 2003. Bald Eagles. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Wilson, J. 1998. American Eagle: The Symbol of America. Child's World, Incorporated.

Grades 6-8
Defries, C.L. 2003. Bald Eagle. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Dudley, K. 1999. Bald Eagles. Steck-Vaughn.
Marcovitz, H. 2002. Bald Eagle. Mason Crest Publishers.
Munoz, W. 2000. The Bald Eagle Returns. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Parry-Jones, E. 2000. Eyewitness: Eagles and Birds of Prey. DK Publishing, Inc.
Patent, D.H. 2000. The Bald Eagle Returns. Clarion Books.

Grades 9-12
Breining, G. 1994. Return of the Eagle: How America Saved Its National Symbol. Falcon.

Animal Tracks

WILD’s activity Tracks! is a great way to introduce students to signs animals leave behind. A fun winter extension is to have students follow a set of tracks and figure out what animal it is.

After a snow fall, have students carefully follow a set of tracks as far as they can. To encourage animals to visit your location, leave some birdfeed on the ground before and after a snow fall. Students should try to guess where the animal is going, if it is running, walking, or jumping, and what it is doing at various locations. Finally, students should try to figure out the animal left the tracks. Be sure to use the track identifier in the Iowa Supplement to Project WILD.

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Book list
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1989. Book of Animal Tracking. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Benjamin, C. 1994. Footprints in the Snow. Scholastic, Inc.
Bowen, B. 1998. Tracks in the Wild. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Dorros, A. 1991. Animal Tracks. Scholastic Inc.
George, L.B. 1996. Around the Pond: Who's Been Here? Greenwillow Books.
George, L.B. 1999. In the Snow: Who's Been Here? HarperCollins Publishers.
George, L.B. 1998. In the Woods: Who's Been Here? HarperCollins Publishers.
Nail, J.D. 1994. Whose Tracks Are These?: A Clue Book of Familiar Forest Animals. Rinehart P.
Selsam, M.E. 1999. Big Tracks, Little Tracks: Following Animal Prints. HarperTrophy.
Selsam, M.E. 1991. Keep Looking! Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 2002. Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Shore Walking. HarperCollins.
Dendy, L.A. 1998. Tracks, Scats and Signs. T&N Children's Publishing.
Doolittle, B. 2001. Reading the Wild. Greewich Workshop Press.
Swinburne, S. 2003. The Woods Scientist. Houghton Mifflin Company.

Grades 6-8
Elbroch, M. 2001. Bird Tracks and Sign: A Guide to North American Species. Stackpole Books.
La Tourrette, J. 1997. Watching Wildlife: The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Observing Animals in the Wild. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Waterford Press. 2001. Animal Tracks. Waterford Press Ltd.

Grades 9-12
Elbroch, M., E. Marks, and C.D. Boretos. 2001. Bird Tracks & Sign: A Guide to North American Species. Stackpole Books.
Elbroch, M. and O.J. Murie. 2005. Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Farrand, J. 1993. Familiar Animal Tracks of North America. Knopf Publishing Group.
Halfpenny, J. 1986. A Field Guide to Mammal Tracking in North America. Johnson Books.
Halfpenny, J. 2006. Scats and Tracks of the Great Plains: A Field Guide to the Signs of Seventy Wildlife Species. Globe Pequot Press.
Jaeger, E. 2001. Tracks and Trailcraft. Lyons Press.
McDougall, L. 2004. The Encyclopedia of Tracks and Scats. Lyons Press.
Murie, O.J. 1998. A Field Guide to Animal Tracks. Houghton Mifflin.
Rezendes, P. 1999. Tracking and the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign. HarperCollins Publishers.
Smith, R.P. 1991. Animal Tracks and Signs of North America. Stackpole Books.
Young, J. 2007. Animal Tracking Basics. Stackpole Books.