Ever Changing Landscape

School will begin soon, for many counties. A number of students might not return due to the natural disasters this summer. Students could feel the effects due to loss of home or friends. However, some students might not have had to deal with the natural disasters directly.

A grand total of 83 counties were declared disaster areas over the course of May and June this summer.

With this summer’s natural disasters a very troubling question has been asked.

Did we do this to ourselves?

To investigate this topic further we suggest using Project Learning Tree’s activity “Then and Now” modified to focus on the history of natural disasters effect on your community. Here are some questions to ask when researching this topic.

• Did your community expand in to a flood zone?
• How many natural disasters have affected your community?
• How has natural disasters damaged and/or changed the landscape?

Natural disasters have profound effects on the community. For a big picture use other natural disasters i.e. Alaska’s Great Tsunami/Earthquake of 1964 or Hurricane Katrina’s effect on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Closer to home is the devastating floods in Cedar Rapids and the catastrophic tornado in Parkersburg. Students can see the lasting effects of the devastating damage natural disasters can have on a community and the landscape from these well documented occurrences.

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Book List

Grades PreK-2

Boyce, N., Osborne, M. 2007. Tsunami and Other Natural Disasters: A Nonfiction Companion to High Tide in Hawaii. Random House Children’s Books.
McGuire, B., Quake, D. 2007. Natural Disaster. Kingfisher.

Grades 3-5

Boyce, N., Osborne, M. 2007. Tsunami and Other Natural Disasters: A Nonfiction Companion to High Tide in Hawaii. Random House Children’s Books.
Day, T. and C. Watts. 2006. Natural Disasters (DK Eyewitness Series). DK Publishing, Inc.
McGuire, B. and D. Quake. 2007. Natural Disaster. Kingfisher.

Grades 9-12

Barry, J. 1998. Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How it Changed America. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing.
Brinkley, D. 2007. The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Cost. HarperCollins Publishers.
Horne, J. 2006. Breach of Faith: Hurricane Katrina and the Near Death of a Great American City. Random House Publishing Group.
Larson, E., Cline, I. 2000. Issac’s Storm: A Man, A Time and the Deadliest Hurricane in History. Knopf Publishing Group.
McCullough, D. 1987. The Johnstown Flood. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing.
Miller, D., Rivera, J. 2008. Hurricane Katrina and the Redefinition of a Landscape. Lexington Books
Stern, G. 2008. The Buffalo Creek Disaster: The Story of Survivor’s Unprecedented Lawsuit. Knopf Publishing Group.

Do You See What I See?

To draw nature is to interpret what you see. How do you view your surroundings? Are they a simple blur as you drive past? Do you take a moment to “smell the roses”? Nature has inspired many famous artists over the centuries. If you were a wildlife artist what animals would inspire you?

Drawing on Nature, a Project WILD activity, explores how drawing can assist learning in nature. So pick up a pen and a pad, meander through a trail or field, and find some inspiration in nature.

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Carreiro, C. 1997. Hand-Print Animal Art. Ideals Publications.
Davies, J. 2004. Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Lakin, P. 2002. Harold and the Purple Crayon: The Giant Garden. HarperFestival.
LeRoux-Hugon, H. 2001. I Can Draw Wild Animals. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Ruurs, M. 2007. In My Backyard. Tundra.

Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 2002. Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Shore Walking. HarperCollins Publishers.
Arnosky, J. 1987. Sketching Outdoors in Spring. HarperCollins Publishers.
Arnosky, J. 1988. Sketching Outdoors in Summer. HarperCollins Publishers.
Bateman, R. 2005. Bateman's Guide to Backyard Birds. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Court, R. 2005. How to Draw Things In Nature. The Child’s World, Inc.
Hammond, L. 2000. Lee Hammonds Big Book of Drawing. North Light Books.
Harpster, S. 2006. Pencil, Paper, Draw!: Animals. Sterling Publishing.
Harpster, S. 2008. Pencil, Paper, Draw!: Flowers. Sterling Publishing.
Hultgren, K. 1993. The Art of Animal Drawing: Construction, Action, Analysis, Caricature. Dover Publications.
Kranz, L. 2002. My Nature Book: A Journal and Activity Book for Kids. T&N Children's Publishing.
Lasky, K. 1992. Think Like an Eagle: At Work with a Wildlife Photographer. Little, Brown & Company.
Levin, F. 2001. 1-2-3 Draw Wild Animals: A Step-by-Step Guide. Peel Productions, Inc.
Mason, M.E. 2005. John Audubon: Young Naturalist. Patria Press, Inc.
Raham, R.G. 1996. Explorations in Backyard Biology: Drawing on Nature in the Classroom. Libraries Unlimited.
Rines, F. 2006. Landscape Drawing in Pencil. Dover Publications.
Rines, F. 2007. How to Draw Trees. Dover Publications.
Ross, M.E. 1997. Wildlife Watching with Charles Eastman. Lerner Publishing Group.
Walsh, P. 2006. Wild Animals. Heinemann Raintree.

Grades 6-8
Anderson, P. 1995. John James Audubon: Wildlife Artist. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Court, R. 2005. How to Draw Things In Nature. The Child’s World, Inc.
Hammond, L. 2004. Lee Hammonds Big Book of Drawing. North Light Books.
Harding, J. 2005. On Drawing Trees and Nature: A Classic Victorian Manual with Lessons and Examples. Dover Publications.
Hultgren, K. 1993. The Art of Animal Drawing: Construction, Action, Analysis, Caricature. Dover Publications.
Huntley, M. 2008. Draw Nature. A&C Black Publishers, LTD.
Monroe, C. 2006. The Wonders of Nature Sketchbook: Learn about Nature and How to Draw It. Storytime Press, Inc.
Montgomery, R.G. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press.
Rines, F. 2007. How to Draw Trees. Dover Publications.
Temple, K. 2005. Drawing: The Only Drawing Book You’ll Ever Need to Be the Artist You’ve Always Wanted to Be. Sterling Publishing.

Grades 9-12
Hammond, L.2004. Lee Hammonds Big Book of Drawing. North Light Books.
Hultgren, K. 1993. The Art of Animal Drawing: Construction, Action, Analysis, Caricature. Dover Publications.
La Tourrette, J. 1997. Watching Wildlife: The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Observing Animals in the Wild. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Rines, F. (2007). How to Draw Trees. Dover Publications.

Sounds of Summer

Imagine you are camping, it is night time and everyone has finally gone to sleep. The camp is quiet. You strain your ears for sound. What summer night time noises would you hear? Chirp, Chirp. Chirp, Chirp. Crickets!

Did you know crickets are in the same genus as grasshoppers and only the male crickets sing? Air temperature also affects the speed of the chirping, the higher the temperature at night the faster they chirp. How do crickets protect themselves? What do they eat? Where do they live?

Discover Project WILD’s “Grasshopper Gravity” activity under the stars and explore the world of crickets.

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Allen, J. 2002. Are You a Grasshopper?. Kingfisher.
Archambault, J. 2006. The Leaping Grasshopper. Jitterbug Books.
Barkan, J. 2007. Little Cricket’s Song. Readers Digest Children’s Publishing, Incorporated.
Berger, M. 1999. Chirping Crickets. HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Bosca, F. 2006. The Three Grasshoppers. Purple Bear Books, Incorporated.
Carle, E. 1997. Very Quiet Cricket. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Caudill, R. 2004. Pocketful of Cricket. Holt, Henry Books for Young Readers.
Collins, B. Insect’s Body, Vol 1. HarperCollins Publishers.
Green, E. 2006. Crickets. Bellwether Media.
Hall, M. 2004. Crickets. Coughlan Publishing.
Howe, J. 1994. I Wish I Were a Butterfly. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Lobel, A. 1986. Grasshopper on the Road (I Can Read Book Series: Level 2). HarperCollins Publishers .
Loewen, N. 2005. Chirp, Chirp!: Crickets in Your Backyard. Coughlan Publishing
Loewen, N. 2003. Hungry Hoppers: Grasshoppers in Your Backyard. Coughlan Publishing.
Spinelli, E., Berger. M. 1998. Chirping Crickets, Vol. 2. Harper Collins Children’s Books.
Wheeler, Lisa. 2003. Old Cricket. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

Grades 3-5
Collins, B. Insect’s Body, Vol 1. HarperCollins Publishers.
Green, E. 2006. Crickets. Bellwether Media.
Goldish, M., Brown. B. 2008. Leaping Grasshoppers. Bearport Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Hall, M. 2004. Crickets. Coughlan Publishing.
Lobel, A. 1986. Grasshopper on the Road (I Can Read Book Series: Level 2). HarperCollins Publishers .
Lockwood, S. 2007. Grasshoppers. Child’s World, Incorporated, The.
Miller, S. 2001. Grasshoppers and Crickets of North America. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Ross, M. 2002. Cricketology. Lerner Publishing Group.
Scholl, E. 2004. Grasshopper (Bug Series). Gale Group.
Spinelli, E., Berger. M. 1998. Chirping Crickets, Vol. 2. Harper Collins Children’s Books.

Grades 6-8
Jacobs, L. 2003. Wild Wild World: Crickets. Gale Group.
Perry, P. 1995. Fiddlehoppers: Crickets, Katydids, and Locust. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Ants on a Twig

Imagine that you are an ant! What would it be like to carry ten times your weight? What would your adventure be? Would you meet new friends while you collect leaves or would you save the day by protecting ant pupa from invading insect armies?

Project WILD’s activity “Ants on a Twig” is a great activity for kids of all ages, even the kids at heart. Ants have fascinated kids through the years. Observing insects in their natural habitat can be great experiences. Have kids sit on a log and watch the insects interact. Ask what they learned from watching the insects react to the change in their environment. You can also do an insect scavenger hunt by finding the type of food certain ants would eat or by finding different species of ants. Please remember to respect the insects’ habitat and take care to avoid harmful insects.

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Ashley, S., Nations, S. 2003. Ants. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Beech, L. 1996. Magic School Bus Gets Ants in Its Pants. Perma-Bound Books.
Brenner, B. 1996. Thinking About Ants. Mondo Publishing.
Hoose, P. and H Hoose. 1998. Hey, Little Ant. Ten Speed Press.
Humphries, T. 2004. Are You an Ant? Kingfisher.
Micucci, C. 2006. The Life and Times of the Ant. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Pinczes, E. 1999. One Hundred Hungry Ants. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Rockwell, A. 2001. Bugs Are Insects. Harper Collins Publishers.
Seuss, Dr. 1999. On Beyond Bugs: All About Insects. Random House Children’s Books.
Stockdale, S. 1999. Nature’s Paintbrush: The Patterns and Colors Around You. Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing.

Grades 3-5
Ashley, S. and S. Nations. 2003. Ants. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Dorros, A. 1988. Ant Cities. Harper Collins Publishers.
Fowler, A. 1998. Inside an Ant Colony. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Hodge, D. 2004. Ants. Kids Can Press, Limited.
Holldobler, B. 1998. Journey to the Ants: A Story of Scientific Exploration. Harvard University Press.
Hoose, P., Hoose, H. 1998. Hey, Little Ant. Ten Speed Press.
Micucci, C. 2006. The Life and Times of the Ant. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Parramon, J.M. and M.A. Julivert. 1991. Fascinating World of Ants. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Pinczes, E. 1999. One Hundred Hungry Ants. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Poole, A. 2000. Ant and the Grasshopper. Holiday House, Inc.
Tschinkel, W. 2006. The Fire Ants. Harvard University Press.
Winner, C. 2004. Everything Bug: What Kids Really Want to Know About Insects and Spiders. T&N Children’s Publishing.
Grades 6-8
Tschinkel, W. 2006. The Fire Ants. Harvard University Press.

Grades 6-8
Holldobler, B. 1998. Journey to the Ants: A Story of Scientific Exploration. Harvard University Press.
Tschinkel, W. 2006. The Fire Ants. Harvard University Press.

Grades 9-12
Holldobler, B. 1998. Journey to the Ants: A Story of Scientific Exploration. Harvard University Press.

Independence Day – July 4th

When the 4th of July is mentioned what are the first things that come to mind? Flags, parades, fireworks, and picnics are probably it. What about nature? Does wildlife come to mind? Wildlife is not as showy as fireworks but the animals can be just as majestic. Animals have been featured on national flags, family crests, and nicknames for famous people for centuries. Project WILD’s activity “Wildlife in National Symbols” encourages kids to conduct investigations on this topic. Bald Eagles are the most well known American national symbol but can you find other symbols in nature? To make this activity more challenging look for state animal symbols. You can also imagine a mythical country and create your own animal symbol. Independence Day is a great time to step in to nature. Take your celebration outside and look for national symbols in wildlife.

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Banting, E. 2004. Flags and Seals. Weigl Publishers, Incorporated.
Cohen, J. 2003. Bald Eagle. Lerner Publishing Group.
Dalgliesh, A. 1995. Fourth of July Story. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
DeGezelle, T. 2004. American Symbols: The Great Seal of the United States. Coughlan Publishing.
Dell, P. 2004. The Bald Eagle. Capstone Press.
Douglas, L.G. 2003. The Bald Eagle. Children's Press.
Gibbons, G. 1998. Souring with the Wind: The Bald Eagle. HarperCollins Publishers.
Gieck, C. 1991. Eagles for Kids. Northword Pr.
Hodge, D. 2000. Eagles. Kids Can Press, Limited.
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.
James, K 2001. Soaring Bald Eagles. Tandem Library Books.
Morrison, G. 1998. Bald Eagle. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Minshull, E. 2002. Eaglet’s World. Albert Whitman.
Osborne, M.P. 2008. Happy Birthday America. Square Fish.
Pearl, N. 2007. Bald Eagle. Coughlan Publishing.
Sis, P. 2004. The Train of States. HarperCollins Publishers.
Soresen, 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.
Arndt, U. 2001. Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags: The Story of the Fourth of July Symbols. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Bair, D. 1999. Eagle Watching. Capstone Press.
Bateman, T. 2003. Red, White, Blue and Uncle Who?: The Story behind Some of America's Patriotic Symbols. Holiday House, Inc.
Colman, C. 2006. The Bald Eagles View of American History. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Evert, L. 2001. Eagles. T&N Children's Publishing.
Gerholdt, J. 1997. Bald Eagles. ABDO Publishing Company.
Hempstead, A. 2005. Bald Eagle. Raintree Publishers.
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.
Munoz, W. 2000. The Bald Eagle Returns. Houghton Mifflin Company.
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. 2003. Bald Eagles. Lerner Publishing Group.
Thames, S. 2006. Our American Symbols. Rourke Publishing, LLC.
Wechsler, D. 2003. Bald Eagles. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
West, D.C. and J.M. West. 2000. Uncle Sam and Old Glory. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Wilson, J. 1998. American Eagle: The Symbol of America. Child's World, Incorporated.
Worsley, A. 2001. Bald Eagles. Weigl Publishers, Incorporated.

Grades 6-8
Birenbaum, B. 1999. Amazing Bald Eaglet. Peartree.
Defries, C.L. 2003. Bald Eagle. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Dudley, K. 2000. Bald Eagle. Sagebrush Education Resources.
Goldish, M., Hatcher, B. 2007. Bald Eagles: A Chemical Nightmare. Bearport Publishing Company, Incorporated.
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.

Great American Backyard Campout – June 28, 2008

Create some great memories this summer – take your kids camping. Pitch a tent, roast some marshmallows, and reconnect with your family. A fun way to preserve your camping memories is to compose a family campfire song. Ask each family member to write a verse. To help younger family members, suggest a “theme” for their verse such as wildlife, trees, insects, etc. For more information about environmental song lyrics, check out Project WILD’s “The Power of a Song.”

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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.
Baltuck, N. 1993. Crazy Gibberish and Other Story Hour Stretches from a Storyteller's Bag of Tricks. Shoe String Press, Incorporated.
Bauer, M.D. 1996. When I Go Camping With Grandma. Troll Communications.
Brillhart, J. 1997. When Daddy Took Us Camping. Albert Whitman & Company.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Carle, E. 2007. My Very First Book of Animal Homes. Penguin Group.
DK Publishing. 2007. Backyard Bugs. DK Publishing, Inc.
Drake, J. and A. Love. 1998. Kids Campfire Book. Kids Can Press, Limited.
Eckart, E. 2003. I Can Go Camping. Children's Press.
Eastman, P. 2005. Fred and Ted Go Camping. Random House Children's Books.
Fleming, D. 1998. In the Small, Small Pond. Henry Holt & Company Incorporated.
Fonte, I. 2007. Animals of the Forest. Barnes and Noble.
Frazee, M. 2008. A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever. Harcourt.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
George, K. 2001. Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems. Clarion Books.
Giogas, V. 2007. In My Backyard. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Holm, J, L. and M. Holm. 2007. Camp Babymouse. Random House Children's Books.
Hundal, N. 2002. Camping. Fitzhenry and Whiteside.
Hunter, A. 1999. What’s In the Pond. Houghton Mifflin Company.
James, H.F. 2007. S Is for S'mores: A Camping Alphabet. Sleeping Bear Press.
James, S. 1996. Wild Woods. Tandem Library Books.
Jones, C.C. 2005. Camping in Green. Picture Window Books.
Kalman, B. and T. Everts. 1994. Animal Homes. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Lansky, B. 2006. Oh My Darling, Porcupine: And Other Silly Sing-along Songs. Meadowbrook Press.
London, J. 2008. Froggy Goes to Camp. Viking Children's Books.
Mayer, M. 2001. Camping Out. School Specialty Publishing.
Rey, M. 1999. Curious George Goes Camping. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart P.
Rotner, S. 1992. Nature Spy. Atheneum.
Ruurs, M. 2007. In My Backyard. Tundra.
Ruurs, M. 2004. When We Go Camping. Tundra.
Ryder, J. 2000. Each Living Thing. Harcourt Children's Books.
Rylant, C. 1999. Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Selsam, M.E. and J. Hunt. 1991. Keep Looking! Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Seeberg, T.J. 2004. Camping. Child's World, Incorporated.
Selsam, M.E. 1999. Big Tracks, Little Tracks: Following Animal Prints. HarperCollins Publishers.
Shapiro, I. 1976. Smokey Bear's Camping Book. Golden Press.
Stern, M. 1998. Acorn Magic. Greenwillow.
Stewart, M. 2008. When Rain Falls. Peachtree Publishers.
Van Dusen, C. 2003. A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee. Chronicle Books, LLC.
Ward, L. 1993. A Walk in the Wild: Exploring a Wildlife Refuge. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Warren, J. 1995. Huff and Puff Go to Camp. Frank Schaffer Publications.
Wiesmuller, D. 2003. In the Blink of an Eye. Walker & Company.
Willow Creek Press. 2006. What Camping Can Teach Us: Life's Lessons Learned From The Great Outdoors.
Williams, V.B. 1984. Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe. HarperCollins Publishers.
Wood, A. J. 2003. Beetles and Bugs: A Nature Trail Book. Silver Dolphin Books.

Grades 3-5
Amato, C.A. 2002. Backyard Pets: Activities for Exploring Wildlife Close to Home. Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.
Arnosky, J. 2002. Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Shore Walking. HarperCollins Publishers.
Arnosky, J. 1983. Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher. 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.
Bateman, R. 2005. Bateman's Guide to Backyard Birds. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Bishop, N. 2002. Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close. Scholastic, Inc.
Bishop, N. 2004. Forest Explorer: A Life Size Field Guide. Scholastic, Inc.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Brenner, B. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Publishers.
Brunelle, L. 2007. Camp Out!: The Ultimate Kids' Guide. Workman Publishing Company, Inc.
Burnie, D. 2005. Bug Hunter. DK Publishing, Inc.
Burns, D.L. 1996. Berries Nuts and Seeds. T&N Children's Publishing.
Cole, J. 1995. Magic School Bus Hops Home: A Book About Animal Habitats. Scholastic, Inc.
Doolittle, B. 2001. Reading the Wild. Greenwich Workshop Press.
Encarnacion, E. 2008. The Girls' Guide to Campfire Activities. Cider Mill Press.
Green, J. 2002. In a Backyard. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Keller, K.T. 2007. Camping: The Great Outdoors. Edge Books.
Klein, A.G. 2008. Camping. Checkerboard Books.
Kranz, L. 2002. My Nature Book: A Journal and Activity Book for Kids. T&N Children's Publishing.
Montgomery, R.G. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Norsgaard, E.J. 1990. Nature's Great Balancing Act: In Our Own Backyard. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Paul, T. 1997. In Woods and Forests. Crabtree Publishing Company.
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.
Roy, R. 2006. Detective Camp. Random House Children’s Books.
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.
Studelska, J.V. 2008. Camping for Fun! Compass Point Books.
Swinburne, S. 2003. The Woods Scientist. Houghton Mifflin Company.
White, L. 1998. Sleeping in a Sack: Camping Activities for Kids. Gibbs Smith.
White, L. 1996. Cooking on a Stick: Campfire Recipes for Kids. Gibbs Smith.
Whitehouse, P. 2003. Hiding in a Forest. Heinemann Library.

Grades 6-8
Brunelle, L. 2007. Camp Out!: The Ultimate Kids’ Guide. Workman Publishing Company, Inc.
Forgey, W. 1998. Campfire Stories: Things That Go Bump in the Night. Globe Pequot.
Griffin, S.A. 1994. Camping for Kids: A Family Camping Guide. Northword Pr.
Kusz, M. 2004. Fun with Scavenger Hunts. Publish America.
Maddox, I. 1998. Campfire Songs. Globe Pequot.

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.

National Get Outdoors Day

June 14, 2008 is National Get Outdoors Day. Join in on the celebration and encourage your kids to explore the great outdoors. Many local or state parks are hosting special outdoor recreation programs this weekend.

Project Learning Tree’s “Get in Touch with Trees” is a great activity for kids to discover nature through their sense of touch. This activity can be done in a group setting or individually. Incorporate other senses by asking, “What does the object smell like?” and “What does the object sound like when you scratch it with your fingernail?”

For additional ideas on introducing nature with children, refer to the book Sharing Nature With Children by Joseph Cornell.

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Baker, J. 2004. Home. Greenwillow.
Baylor, B. 1978. The Other Way to Listen. Charles Scribner’s Sons.
Baylor, B. 1979. Your Own Best Secret Place. Charles Scribner’s Sons.
Baylor, B. 1985. Everybody Needs a Rock. Aladdin.
Brandenberg, A.1991. My Five Senses. HarperCollins Publishers.
Brenner, B. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. Morrow Avon.
Bunting, E. 1996. Secret Place. Clarion Books.
Cappetta, C. 2001. Animal Patterns. Innovative Kids.
Carlstrom, N. 1987. Wild, Wild, Sunflower Child Anna. MacMillan.
Davis, C. 1993. Creatures at My Feet. Northland Publishing.
Fife, D. 1996. The Empty Lot. Sagebrush Education Resources.
George, K. 2007. Old Elm Speaks. Clarion.
Graff, N. 1998. In the Hush of the Evening. HarperCollins.
Greenaway, T. 1992. Tree Life. DK Children.
Hammerstrom, F. 1975. Walk When the Moon is Full. Crossing Press.
Hoban, T. 1985. Is it Rough? Is it Smooth? Is It Shiny?. Greenwillow Books.
La Marche, J. 2002. A Story for Bear. Harcourt, Inc.,
Lionni, L. 2004. A Busy Year. David McKay Company.
MacLachlan, P. 1994. All the Places to Love. Joanna Cotler.
Manson, C. 1993. The Tree in the Wood. North-South.
Manushkin, F. 1994. Peeping and Sleeping. Clarion Books.
Martin, B. and Archambault, J. 1988. Listen to the Rain. Henry Holt and Co.
Miller, D. 2002. Are Trees Alive?. Walker Books for Young Readers.
Miller, M. 1998. My Five Senses. Simon & Schuster.
Morrison, G. 2008. Nature in the Neighborhood. Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin Company.
Muller, G. 1994. Around the Oak. Dutton Juvenile.
Oppenheim, J. 1967. Have You Seen Trees?. William R. Scott Publishers.
Ryder, J. 1991. Hello Tree! Lodestar Publishers.
Ryder, J. 1998. Step into the Night. Four Winds Press.
Rylant, C. 1991. Night in the Country. Aladdin.
Sanders, S. 1997. Meeting Trees. National Geographic Children’s Books.
Stockdale, S. 1999. Nature’s Paintbrush: The Patterns and Colors Around You. Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing.

Grades 3-5
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Aladdin.
Baylor, B. 1978. The Other Way to Listen. Charles Scribner’s Sons.
Baylor, B. 1979. Your Own Best Secret Place. Charles Scribner’s Sons.
Berger, M. 1995. Animal Senses. Newbridge.
Brenner, B. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. Morrow Avon.
Bouchard, D. 1996. Voices From the Wild-An Animal Sensagoria. Chronicle Books.
Burns, D. 1998. Trees, Leaves, and Bark. Northwoods Press.
DiSalvo-Ryan, D. 1994. City Green. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fife, D. 1996. The Empty Lot. Sierra Club Books for Children.
George, K. 1998. Old Elm Speaks. Clarion.
Graff, N. 1998. In the Hush of the Evening. HarperCollins.
Greenaway, T. 1992. Tree Life. DK Publishing.
Manson, C. 1993. The Tree in the Wood. North South Books.
Manushkin, F. 1994. Peeping and Sleeping. Clarion Books.
Miller, D. 2002. Are Trees Alive?. Walker Books for Young Readers.
Morrison, G. 2008. Nature in the Neighborhood. Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin Company.
Muller, G. 1994. Around the Oak. Dutton Juvenile.
Nayer, J. 1994. My Five Senses: A Lion’s Tale. Sundance
Oppenheim, J. 1967. Have You Seen Trees? William R. Scott Publishers.
Ryder, J. 1998. Step into the Night. Four Winds Press.
Rylant, C. 1991. Night in the Country. Aladdin.
Sanders, S. 1997. Meeting Trees. National Geographic Children’s Books.
Silverstein, S. 1964. The Giving Tree. Harper Collins.
Stockdale, S. 1999. Nature’s Paintbrush: The Patterns and Colors Around You. Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing.

Grades 6-8
Beard, D.C. 2001. The Field and Forest Handy Book: New Ideas for Out of Doors. Godine, David R.

Fashion a Fish

Today’s aquatic animals look the way they do because of countless adaptations that have occurred over a very long period of time. These adaptations (typically) are features that increase the animal’s likelihood of surviving in their habitat. Through Project WILD Aquatic’s activity “Fashion a Fish”, students design fish that are adapted to live in different habitats.

Use information from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' webpage and the Fish Iowa! card game to supplement this activity and make it more Iowa related. Show students various pictures of Iowa fish, and have them figure out where they may live based upon their looks.

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Book List
PreK – 2
Cook, B. 2005. The Little Fish that Got Away. HarperCollins.
Gallimard, J. 1998. Fish. Scholastic.
Harris, T. 2000. Pattern Fish. Millbrook Press.
Heinrichs, A.R. 2003. Fish. Coughlan Publishing.
Knudson, M. 2005. Fish and Frog. Candlewick.
Lionni, L. 1974. Fish is Fish. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Pfeffer, W. 1996. What Its Like to be a Fish. Harper Trophy.
Sayre, P. 2007. Trout, Trout, Trout: A Fish Chant. Northword Books for Young Readers.
Stockdale, S. 2008. Fabulous Fishes. Peachtree Publishers.
Yoo, T. 2007. The Little Red Fish. Dial.

Grades 3-5
Brewster, B. 1988. Discovering Freshwater Fish. The Bookwright Press.
Burger, C. 1960. All About Fish. Random House.
Carney, M. 2002. The Biggest Fish in the Lake. Kids Can Press Ltd.
Fitzsimons, C. 1988. My First Fishes & Other Water Life. Harper & Row Publishers, Inc.
Fletcher, A.M. 1971. Fishes That Travel. Addison-Wesley.
National Audubon Society. 1983. National Audubon Society Field Guide to Fishes, Whales and Dolphins. Knopf.
Parker, S. 2005. Fish. DK Publishing, Inc.
Sill, C. 2005. About Fish: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.

Grades 6-8
Fletcher, A.M. 1971. Fishes That Travel. Addison-Wesley.
Smith, C.L. 2000. National Audubon Society First Field Guide: Fishes. Scholastic.

Fishy Who’s Who?
With Project WILD Aquatic’s activity “Fishy Who’s Who?,” students look at local fish habitats, species that occur in these habitats, and locate the fish species on a map. To help students locate and research Iowa fish, be sure to use the “Biodiversity” CD. This CD is available from the Aquatic Education Program's office.

As an extension to this activity, contact your local fisheries office or experienced angler and ask where good fish habitat is that is close to your school/nature center. Take your students to the location, and point out what makes it a good fish habitat, and look for the fish that live there.

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Book List
PreK – 2
Cook, B. 2005. The Little Fish that Got Away. HarperCollins.
DK Publishing. 2006. Duck Pond Dip. DK Publishing, Inc.
Heinrichs, A.R. 2003. Fish. Coughlan Publishing.
Knudson, M. 2005. Fish and Frog. Candlewick.
Lionni, L. 1974. Fish is Fish. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Long, E. 1987. Gone Fishing. Houghton Mifflin.
Pfeffer, W. 1996. What its Like to be a Fish. Harper Trophy.
Prosek, J. 2004. A Good Day’s Fishing. Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Quigley, M. 2007. Granddad’s Fishing Buddy. Dial.
Sayre, P. 2007. Trout, Trout, Trout: A Fish Chant. Northword Books for Young Readers.
Wells, E. 2006. Wishing I was Fishing. Beaver’s Pond Press.
Yoo, T. 2007. The Little Red Fish. Dial.

Grades 3-5
Amdahl, P. 2000. The Barefoot Fisherman: A Fishing Book for Kids. Clearwater Publishing.
Brewster, B. 1988. Discovering Freshwater Fish. The Bookwright Press.
Burger, C. 1960. All About Fish. Random House.
Carney, M. 2002. The Biggest Fish in the Lake. Kids Can Press Ltd.
Fitzsimons, C. 1988. My First Fishes & Other Water Life. Harper & Row Publishers, Inc.
Fletcher, A.M. 1971. Fishes That Travel. Addison-Wesley.
Goetz, D. 1973. Lakes. William Morrow and Company.
Heinz, B. 2000. Butternut Hollow Pond. Millbrook Press.
Lionni, L. 1974. Fish is Fish. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Morrison, G. 2002. Pond. Houghton Miffllin.
Parker, S. 2005. Fish. DK Publishing, Inc.
Pfeffer, W. 1996. What its Like to be a Fish. Harper Trophy.
Rinehart, S. 2004. Eliza and the Dragonfly. Dawn Publications.
Sanders, S. 2002. Crawdad Creek. National Geographic.
Sill, C. 2005. About Fish: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Silver, D. 1994. One Small Square: Pond. W.H. Freeman and Co.

Grades 6-8
Fletcher, A.M. 1971. Fishes That Travel. Addison-Wesley.
Heinz, B. 2000. Butternut Hollow Pond. Millbrook Press.
Morrison, G. 2002. Pond. Houghton Miffllin.
Pratt-Serafini, K. 2001. Salamander Rain: A Lake & Pond Journal. Dawn Publications.
Rinehart, S. 2004. Eliza and the Dragonfly. Dawn Publications.

Aquatic Habitats

People sometimes feel helpless when a problem arises in their community. Yet many times an individual’s actions can start the process of resolving community issues. Students, especially, have initiated many community projects that have improved the way of life for people, wildlife, and plants.

Project WILD Aquatic’s activity “Something’s Fishy Here” enables students to make a difference in their own communities. Be sure to refer to the “Taking Action” section in your Project WILD Aquatic guide for additional information and ideas regarding action projects. Don’t forget to make connections with community organizations in your area for ideas or help with service learning projects.

Book List
Grades 6-8
Amov, B., Jr. 1965. Secrets of Inland Waters. Little, Brown & Company.
Atkins, J. 2000. Girls Who Looked Under Rocks: The Lives of Six Pioneering Naturalists. Dawn Publications.
Cochrane, J. 1987. Water Ecology. The Bookwright Press.
Collard, S. 1999. Acting For Nature: What Young People Around the World are Doing to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
Cone, M. 1996. Squishy, Misty, Damp & Muddy: The In-between World of Wetlands. Sierra Club.
Elliot, S.M. 1975. Our Dirty Water. Julian Messner.
Gibbons, G. 1998. Marshes & Swamps. Holiday House.
Giesel, T. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Goetz, D. 1973. Lakes. William Morrow and Company.
Greenaway, F and Taylor, B. 1992. Look Closer: Pond Life. Econo-Clad Books.
Heinz, B. 2000. Butternut Hollow Pond. Millbrook Press.
Hidetoma, O. 1986. Insect in the Pond. Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers.
Lelooksa. 1997. Echoes of the Elders: The Stories and Paintings of Chief Lelooksa.. DK Inc.
Lepthien, E. and Kalbacken, J. 1993. A New True Book: Wetlands. Childrens Pr.
Miller, D. 2000. River of Life. Clarion Books.
Morrison, G. 2002. Pond. Houghton Miffllin.
Parker, S. 2000. Pond and River. Dorling Kindersly Publishers.
Pratt-Serafini, K. 2001. Salamander Rain: A Lake & Pond Journal. Dawn Publications.
Rinehart, S. 2004. Eliza and the Dragonfly. Dawn Publications.
Sanders, S. 2002. Crawdad Creek. National Geographic.

Endangered Species

May 16, 2008 is the third annual Endangered Species Day. Project WILD’s activity “Back from the Brink” takes a look at extinction by letting high school students analyze the complex human and environmental issues involved in reintroducing a species in an area. In addition to (or in place of) the three animals listed in the guide, students can research the recovery of peregrine falcons and bald eagles in Iowa.

Check out the Iowa Supplement to Project WILD for additional information on endangered species in Iowa.

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Book List
Grades 6-8
Benson, S. 2003. Endangered Species. Gale Research, Incorporated.
Burnie, D. 2004. Endangered Planet. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Caduto, M. and Bruchar, J. 1997. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Defries, C.L. 2003. Bald Eagle. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
De Koster, K. 1998. Endangered Species. Thomson Gale.
Dudley, K. 1999. Bald Eagles. Steck-Vaughn.
Escoto, D. 2006. Going, Going, Gone Volume One: A Collection of Poems on Endangered Species of the Western Hemisphere. Xlibris Corporation.
Ehrlich, A, and Ehlich, P. 1981. Extinction: The Causes and Consequences of the Disappearance of Species. Random House.
Ehrlich, A. 2008. Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson. Silver Whistle.
Facklam, M. 1993. And Then There Was One: Mysteries of Extinction . Little, Brown.
Fleming, D. 1996. Where Once There Was a Wood. Henry Hold and Co.
George, J. 1997. There’s an Owl in the Shower. HarperTrophy.
Gibbons, G. 1998. Bald Eagles: Soaring With the Wind. Morrow Junior.
Giesel, T. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Hamilton, G. 2004. Frog Rescue: Changing the Future for Endangered Wildlife. Firefly Books Limited.
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.
Jenkins, P. 1996. Falcons Nest on Skyscrapers . HarperTrophy.
Johnson, S. 1995. Raptor Rescue: An Eagle Flies Free. Dutton Juvenile.
Kalman, B. 2006. Endangered Bats. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Lasky, K. 1999. She’s Wearing a Dead Bird on her Head. Hyperion.
Lewis, J. 2003. Swan Song: Poems of Extinction. Creative Editions.
Marcovitz, H. 2002. Bald Eagle. Mason Crest Publishers.
McClung, R.M. 1994. Lost Wild America: The Story of Our Extinct and Vanishing Wildlife. Linnet Books.
Munoz, W. 2000. The Bald Eagle Returns. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Penny, M. 2002. Endangered Species: Our Impact on the Planet. Raintree Publishers.
Pollock, S.T. 1993. Atlas of Endangered Animals. Facts on File, Incorporated.
Salmansohn, P. 2005. Saving Birds: Heroes Around the World. Tilbury House.
Swinburn, S. 2001. Once A Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring the Gray Wolf. Houghton Mifflin.
Tremblay, E.A. 2003. Rachel Carson: Author, Ecologist. Chelsea House.

Grades 9-12
Breining, G. 1994. Return of the Eagle: How America Saved Its National Symbol. Falcon.
Burton, J.A. 1998. Atlas of Endangered Species. Macmillan Library Reference.
Carson, R. 2002. Silent Spring. Sagebrush Educational Resources.
Fleming, D. 1996. Where Once There Was a Wood. Henry Hold and Co.
Gaughen, S. 2005. Endangered Species. Thomson Gale.
Gessner, D. 2002. Return of the Osprey: A Season of Flight and Wonder. Random House Publishing Group.
Giesel, T. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Hoose, P. 2004. The Race to Save the Lord God Bird. Melanie Kroupa Books.
Lewis, J. 2003. Swan Song: Poems of Extinction. Creative Editions.
McClung, R. 1993. Lost Wild America: The Story of Our Extinct and Vanishing Wildlife. Linnet Books.
Minnich, M. 1993. Vanishing Species: The Wildlife Art of Laura Regan. CEDCO Publishing.
Raup, D. 1991. Extinction: Bad Genes, or Bad Luck. W.W. Norton and Co.
Reading, R.P. 2000. Endangered Animals: A Reference Guide to Conflicting Issues. Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Roberts, R. 1998. Endangered Species. Thomson Gale.
Salmonsohn, P. 2005. Saving Birds: Heroes Around the World. Tilbury House.
Stermer, D. 1995. Vanishing Flora. Harry N Abrams Inc.
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.

International Migratory Bird Day

Saturday, May 10, 2008 is Migratory Bird Day (visit www.birdday.org for more information). With the following extension to Project Learning Tree’s activity Habitat Pen Pals, students can gain a sense of the many different habitats migratory birds live in.

After completing the activity as instructed in the PLT guide, show students pictures of migratory birds that use the same habitats as the animals they just discussed. For example, a scarlet tanager lives in the tropical rain forests of South America during the winter, but lives in the deciduous forests of southeast Canada, and eastern United State in the summer. Show students a map of North and South America, and have them trace the paths of the major flyways. What types of habitats do birds see as they travel to their destinations? Using the example, the scarlet tanager travels through ocean, saltwater marsh, alpine forests, and prairie habitats. What animals does this bird see in each of the habitats?

Promote the following International Migratory Bird Day events in Iowa, and see if there are more in your community.

• De Soto National Wildlife Refuge
  
• Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
  

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Allen, K. 2006. Why Do Geese Fly South in Winter?: A Book About Migration. Capstone Press.
Collard, S. 2002. Beaks!. Charlesbridge Publishing.
Cherry, L. 1997. Flute’s Journey: The Life of a Wood Thrush. Harcourt Brace.
Crossingham, J. 1997. What Is Migration. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Goodall, J. and Reichstein, A. 2002. Eagle and the Wren: A Fable. Michael Neugebauer (North South Books).
Kiesler, K. 2002. Wings on the Wind: Bird Poems. Clarion Books.
Maslowski, S. 2001. Birds in Fall. Smart Apple Media.
Owens, M. 1993. Counting Cranes. Little Brown and Company.
Ryder, J. 1989. Catching the Wind. Mulberry Books.
Rockwell, A. 1992. Our Yard is Full of Birds. Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Sayre, A. 1998. Home At Last – A Song of Migration. Henry Holt & Company.
Sill, C. 1997. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Wood, D. 2001. Rabbit and the Moon. Aladdin.

Grades 3 – 5
Bredeson, C. 2002. Animals That Migrate. Franklin Watts.
Cherry, L. 1997. Flute's Journey: The Life of a Wood Thrush. Harcourt Brace.
Collard, S. 2002. Beaks!. Charlesbridge Publishing.
Davies, J. 2004. The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon. Houghton Mifflin Company
Kiesler, K. 2002. Wings on the Wind: Bird Poems. Clarion Books.
Knight, T. 2003. Marvelous Migrators. Heinemann.
Lerner, C. 2001. On the Wing: American Birds in Migration. HarperCollins.
Spinelli, E. 2000. Song for the Whooping Crane. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Willis, C. 2006. Red Knot: A Shorebird’s Incredible Journey. Birdsong Books.

Grades 6 – 8
Arnold, C. 1997. Hawk Highway in the Sky: Watching Raptor Migration. Gulliver Green.
Arnold, C. 2003. Birds: Nature’s Magnificent Flying Machines. Charlesbridge Publishing.
Bishop, N. 1997. The Secrets of Animal Flight. Houghton Mifflin.
Blassingame, W. 1982. Wonders of Egrets, Bitterns, and Herons. Penguin Group (USA).
Featherly, J. 1986. Ko-Hoh: The Call of the Trumpeter Swan. Carolrhoda Books.
Gans, R, Mirocha, P. 1996. How Do Birds Find Their Way?. HarperTrophy.
Kiesler, K. 2002. Wings on the Wind: Bird Poems. Clarion Books.
Nielsen, N.J. 1991. Animal Migration. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Rylant, C. 2006. The Journey: Stories of Migration. Blue Sky Press.
Spinelli, E. 2000. Song for the Whooping Crane. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Frog Calls
Students may recognize lions, bears, and whales are wildlife. However, do they know wildlife lives in Iowa? In their schoolyard? In their classroom? Project WILD’s activity “Wildlife is Everywhere” lets students look for signs of animals indoors and outdoors. This simple exploratory activity lets students think about the term “wildlife” in a new way, and shows that wildlife is all around them.

Extend this activity by joining the National Wildlife Federation’s new event, “Record the Ribbit” (visit www.nwf.org/ribbit for more information). On Saturday May 3rd, 2008, take a group of students out, or encourage them and parents to go outside to look for frogs. The previously mentioned website contains downloadable flyers and links to learning about frogs and toads. On May 3rd, the same website will become the data entry point for all Record the Ribbit data. This website will be easy to navigate for young people.

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Berger, M. 2003. Spinning Spiders. HarperCollins.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Cole, H. 1998. I Took a Walk. Greenwillow Books.
Cronin, D. 2003. Diary of a Worm. Joanna Cotler.
Dexter, R. 1996. Frogs. Troll Communications.
Fredericks, A. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs, and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Froman, N. 2001. What’s That Bug?: Everyday Insects and Their Really Cool Cousins. Madison Press Book.
Giogas, V. 2007. In My Backyard. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Glaser, L. 1994. Wonderful Worms. Millbrook Press.
Heller, R. 1995. How to Hide a Meadow Frog and Other Amphibians. Groslett & Dunlap.
Himmelman, J. 2000. A Pillbug’s Life. Children’s Press/Grolier.
Hunter, A. 1999. What’s Under the Log. Houghton Mifflin.
Jordan, S. 2002. Frog Hunt. Roaring Book Press.
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.
Lionni, L. 1995. Inch by Inch. HarperTrophy.
Lionni, L. 1998. An Extraordinary Egg. Dragonfly Books.
Moignot, D. 1998. Frogs: A First Discovery Book. Moonlight Publishing.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Walter Loraine Books/Houghton Mifflin.
Posada, M. 2002. Ladybugs: Red, Fiery, and Bright. Carlrhorda.
Raintree Steck-Vaughn. 1987. Animals in Cities and Parks. Steck-Vaughn.
Ryder, J. 1988. The Snail’s Spell. Puffin.
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.
Berger, M. 2003. Spinning Spiders. HarperCollins.
Bernard, R. 2002. Insects. National Geographic Society.
Bial, R. 2000. A Handful of Dirt. Walker.
Brenner, B. 1997. Thinking About Ants. Mondo Publishing.
Brenner, B. 2004. One Small Space in a Tree. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fisher, A. 1986. When it Comes to Bugs. HarperCollins Publishers.
Florian, D. 2002. Insectlopedia: Poems and Paintings. Voyager Books.
Florian, D. 2005. Lizards, Frogs, and Polliwogs. Voyager Books.
Fredericks, A. 2000. Slugs. Lerner Publications.
Glaser, L. 1999. Spectacular Spiders. Millbrook.
Green, J. 2002. In a Backyard. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Hodgkins, F. 2000. Animals among Us: Living with Suburban Wildlife. Shoe String Press, Incorporated.
Kirkland, J. 2006. Take a City Nature Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Murawski, D. 2000. Bug Faces. National Geographic Children’s Books.
Murawski, D. 2004. Spiders and Their Webs. National Geographic Society.
Porte, B. 1999. Tale of a Tadpole. Scholastic.
Rockwell, A. 2001. Bugs are Insects. HarperTrophy.

Grades 6-8
Chinery, M. 1997. Ants. Troll Communications.
Jackson, D. 2004. The Bug Scientists. Houghton Mifflin.
Johnson, J. 1997. Simon and Schuster – Children’s Guide to Insects and Spiders. Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Murawski, D. 2004. Spiders and Their Webs. National Geographic Society.

National Wildlife Week

National Wildlife Week (April 19 – 27, 2008) is great time to take your kids outside and discover Iowa’s abundant wildlife. Use the following Project WILD activities with your pre-school and early elementary students. Have fun exploring the world they share with wildlife of all sizes.

• Learning to Look, Looking to See – sharpen observation skills; familiarizes with outdoors
  
• What’s Wild? – distinguishes between wild and domestic animals; recognize wildlife occurs in variety of forms
  
• Animal Charades – continues exploration of wild and domestic animals; allows students to use imagination
  
• Beautiful Basics – students see similarities between humans and animals
  
• Wildlife is Everywhere! – animals live all around
  

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Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1995. I See Animals Hiding. Scholastic.
Baker, K. 2001. Little Green. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Carle, E. 1999. Eric Carle’s Animals, Animals. Putnam Juvenile.
Cronin, D. 2003. Diary of a Worm. Joanna Cotler.
Fisher, A. 1986. When it Comes to Bugs. HarperCollins.
Fisher, A. 2001. You Don’t Look Like Your Mother. Economics Pr.
Florian, D. 2004. Mammalabilia. Voyager Books.
Hausman, G. 1995. How Chipmunk Got Tiny Feet: Native American Animal Origin Series. HarperCollins Publishers.
Horenstein, H. 1999. A is For…? A Photographer’s Alphabet of Animals. Gulliver Books.
Jenkins, S. 1996. Big and Little. Haughton Mifflin.
Jordan, S. 2002. Frog Hunt. Roaring Brook Press.
Lionni, L. 1974. Fish is Fish. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Mazer, A. 1991. The Salamander Room. Dragonfly Books.
Posada, Mia. 2002. Ladybugs: Red, Fiery and Bright. Carolrhorda.
Prelutsky, J. 1997. The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Prelutsky, J. 2002. Scranimals. Greenwillow.
Prelutsky, J. 2004. If Not for the Cat. Greenwillow.
Rockwell, A. 1992. Our Yard is Full of Birds. Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishers.
Ryder, J. 1989. Catching the Wind. Mulberry Books.
Schoenherr, J. 1968. The Barn. Little Brown and Company.
Sill, C. 1997. About Mammals: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Sill, C. 1997. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Sill, C. 2003. About Arachnids: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.
Taylor, H. 1996. Brother Wolf: A Seneca Tale. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Wood, A. 2001. Birdsong. Harcourt Children’s Books.

Grades 3-5
Arnold, C. 2003. Birds: Magnificent Flying Machines. Charlesbridge Publishing.
Arnosky, J. 1993. Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher. Mulberry Books.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats (Crinkleroot Series). Aladin.
Bial, R. 2000. A Handful of Dirt. Walker Books for Young Readers.
Bernard, R. 2001. Insects. National Geographic Society.
Hausman, G. 1995. How Chipmunk Got Tiny Feet: Native American Animal Origin Series. HarperCollins Publishers.
Miller, D. 2000. River of Life. Clarion Books.
Murawski, D. 2004. Spiders and Their Webs. National Geographic Society.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Animal Architects. National Geographic Society.
National Geographic Society. 1998. Book of Mammals. National Geographic Society.
Pine, J. 1993. Backyard Birds. Harper Collins.
Posada, Mia. 2002. Ladybugs: Red, Fiery and Bright. Carolhorda.
Prelutsky, J. 1997. The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Prelutsky, J. 2002. Scranimals. Greenwillow.
Rockwell, A. 2001. Bugs are Insects. Harper Collins Children’s Books.
Tagholm, S. 2003. The Barn Owl. Kingfisher.

Grades 6-8
Froman, N. 2001. What’s That Bug. Madison Press Book.
Laubach, C & Laubach,R. 2002. Raptors: A Kid’s Guide to Birds of Prey. Storey Kids.
Patent, D. 2003. Slinky, Scaley, Slithering Snakes. Walker.
Prelutsky, J. 1997. The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Pringle, L. 2004. Snakes! Strange and Wonderful. Boyds Mills Press.
Tagholm, S. 2003. The Barn Owl. Kingfisher.


Grades 9-12
Crump, M. 2002. Amphibians, Reptiles, and Their Conservation. Linnet Books.
Dinsmore, S. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Froman, N. 2001. What’s That Bug. Madison Press Book.
Laubach, C & Laubach,R. 2002. Raptors: A Kid’s Guide to Birds of Prey. Storey Kids.
Mattison, C. 2006. Snake. DK Publishing.

National Environmental Education Week (April 13-19, 2008)

A great feature of Project Learning Tree is their creation of storylines (found in the appendix of your PLT guide). As PLT states, “Storylines provide connectedness and continuity to activities, and can serve as the “instructional glue” that holds many areas of knowledge and skills together.”

National Environmental Education (EE) Week is a great time to use a storyline. The following storyline is geared for middle school students, and promotes stewardship behaviors by showings students they can make a difference.

Storyline: People can improve their relationship with the environment through their actions and behavior.

Activities:
Pollution Search – understanding the various forms of pollution
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – management of solid waste
Every Drop Counts – conserving water
Energy Sleuths – conserving energy
Then and Now – comparing paste and present environmental behavior

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Book List
Grades 3-5
Amos, J. 1995. Waste and Recycling. Steck-Vaughn.
Anderson, R. and J. Buggey. 1991. Garbage: Understanding Words in Context. Thomson Gale.
Bang, M. 2001. Common Ground: The Water, Earth and Air We Share. Spoken Arts.
Binns, T. 2004. Clean Planet: Stopping Litter and Pollution. Heinemann Library.
Blackbirch Graphics. 1997. Alternate Energy Sources. Twenty-first Century Books.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild. Voyager Books.
Dorion, C. 2007. Earth's Garbage Crisis. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Giesel, T. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Handelsman, J.F. 1993. Gardens from Garbage: How to Grow Indoor Plants from Recycled Kitchen Scraps. Lerner Publishing Group.
Harlow, R. 2002. Pollution and Waste. Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
Mitchell, J. 2001. Crashed, Smashed and Mashed: A Trip to Junkyard Heaven. Tricycle Press.
Nelson, S.E. 2006. Let's Reduce Garbage! Capstone Press.
Nielsen, S. 1993. Trash! Trash! Trash! ABDO Publishing Company.
Norton, P. 1997. Earth Watch: A BBC Fact Finders Book. Parkwest Publications, Incorporated.
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.
Santrey, L. 1985. Conservation and Pollution. Troll Communications L.L.C.
Saunders-Smith, G. and K.M. Krebs. 2006. Let's Recycle! Capstone Press.
Silverstein, S. 2004. The Giving Tree. HarpersCollins Children’s Books Group.
Snodgrass, M.E. 1991. Environmental Awareness: Land Pollution. Finney Company, Incorporated.
Stotksy, S. 1997. Pollution: Problems and Solutions. Chelsea House Publishers.
Van Allsburg, C. 1990. Just a Dream. Houghton Mifflin.
Walker, J. 2004. Atmosphere in Danger. Stargazer Books.
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
Baker, J. 1991. Window. Green Willow.
Bang, M. 2001. Common Ground: The Water, Earth and Air We Share. Spoken Arts.
Becklake, S. 1991. Waste Disposal and Recycling. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Binns, T. 2004. Clean Planet: Stopping Litter and Pollution. Heinemann Library.
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.
Brown, P. 1998. Energy and Resources. Scholastic.
Brown, P. 2003. Global Pollution. Raintree Publishers.
Braus, J. 1991. Pollution: Problems and Solutions. National Wildlife Federation.
Burns, L.G. 2007. Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Dalgleish, S. 2002. Saving Water. Chelsea House.
Elwin, R. & Paulse, M. 1992. The Moonlight Hide and Seek Club in the Pollution Solution. Canadian Scholars Press.
Foster, J. 1991. Cartons, Cans, and Orange Peels: Where Does Our Garbage Go?Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gifford, C. 2006. Pollution. Heinemann Library.
Giono, J. 1985. The Man Who Planted Trees. Chelsea Green Publishing Co.
Grant, P & Haswell, A. 2000. Air and Energy. Thameside Press.
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.
Hurd, E. 1994. Wilson’s World. Trophy Press.
Jervis, P. 1997. How Science Works: Water. Barns and Noble Books.
Kamma, A. 2003. If You Were a Pioneer on the Prairie. Scholastic, Inc.
Lambert, D. 1986. Pollution and Conservation. Bookwright Press.
Logan, B. 1999. The Land Remembers: A Story of a Farm and its People. NorthWood Press.
Mckinney, B. 1998. A Drop Around the World. Dawn.
McLeish, E. 1998. Keeping Water Clean. Vol. 4. Raintree Publishers.
McQueen, K. & Fassler, D. 1991. Let’s Talk Trash: The Kid’s Book About Recycling. Waterfront Books.
Miller, C. 1986. Wastes. Franklin Watts.
Nardo, D. 2005. Ozone. Thomson Gale.
Nardo, D. 1992. Recycling. Thomson Gale.
Newton, D. 1990. Taking A Stand Against Environmental Pollution. Franklin Watts.
O’Connor, K. 1989. Garbage. Lucent Books.
Ocko, S. 1995. Water Almost Enough for Everyone. Atheneum.
Showers, P. 1994. Where Does the Garbage Go?. Thomas Crowell.
Silverstein, A. 1992. Recycling: Meeting the Challenge of the Trash Crisis. Penguin Group.
Skidmore, S. 1991. What a Load of Trash!: Rescue Your Household Waste. The Milford Press, Inc.
Smith, H. and J. Rhatigan. 2002. Earth-Friendly Crafts for Kids: 50 Awesome Things to Make with Recycled Stuff. Lark Books.
Snodgrass, M. 1991. Environmental Awareness: Solid Waste. Bancroft-Sage Publishing Inc.
Stille, D. 2005. Natural Resources: Using and Protecting Earth’s Supplies. Compass Point Books.
Stefoff, R. 1991. Recycling. Chelsea House Publishers.
Stenstrup, A. 1991. Hazardous Waste. Children’s Press Inc.
Wallace, N. 2003. Recycle Every Day. Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books.
Wheeler, J. 1991. Earth Moves: Get There With Energy to Spare. ABDO.
Woelfle, G. 1997. The Wind at Work: An Activity Guide to Windmills. Chicago Review Press, Inc.
Woodburn, J. 1993. Garbage and Recycling. Gareth Stevens Audio.
World Almanac. 2002. Climate and the Environment. Gareth Stevens Audio.

Grades 9-12
Collard III, S. 2000. Acting For Nature: What Young People Around the World Are Doing to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
Cozic, C.P. 1997. Garbage and Waste. Thomson Gale.
Gay, K. 1991. Garbage and Recycling. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Haley, J. 2002. Pollution. Thomson Gale.
Hayes, D. 2000. Official Earth Day Guide to Planet Repair. Island Press.
Kimball, D. 1992. Recycling in America: A Reference Handbook. ABC-CLIO, Incorporated.
Miller, E. W. and R.M. Miller. 1998. Indoor Pollution: A Reference Handbook. ABC-CLIO, Incorporated.
Rogers, H. 2006. Gone Tomorrow: The Hidden Life of Garbage. New Press.
Roleff, T.L. 1999. Pollution. Gale Group.
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.

Where Does Your Garbage Go?

Project Learning Tree’s Secondary Module “Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste” has eight great activities to use with high school students or adults. The activity “Where Does Your Garbage Go?” familiarizes students with municipal solid waste at the community level.

As an aquatic extension, look at how your community deals with household hazardous wastes. Research the following questions.

• What type of cleaners and/or toxins are in students’ homes?
  
• How should these be disposed of properly?
  
• Where does this hazardous waste go when it is dumped down drains?
  
• Does it impact aquatic life? If so, how?
  
• Are there alternative methods to these cleaning products? If so, name some.
  

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Books
Grades 9 – 12
Andersen, T., Kennedy, R. 2002. This Fine Piece of Water : An Environmental History of Long Island Sound. Yale University Press.
DIANE Publishing Company. 1994. Household Hazardous Waste Management: A Manual for One-Day Community Collection Programs. DIANE Publishing Company.
Dolin, J. 2004. Political Waters: The Long, Dirty, Contentious, Incredibly Expensive, but Eventually Triumphant History of Boston Harbor : A Unique Environmental Success Story. University of Massachusetts Press.
Haar, C. 2005. Mastering Boston Harbor: Courts, Dolphins, and Imperiled Waters. Harvard University Press.
Tammemagi, H.Y. 1999. Waste Crisis: Landfills, Incinerators, and the Search for a Sustainable Future. Oxford University Press.

Know Your Legislation: What’s in It for Wildlife?

With the arrival of spring, comes the arrival of new legislation in the state. State representatives and senators have been in session since January 13. Have students explore the role legislation has on wildlife. Project WILD’s “Know Your Legislation: What’s in It for Wildlife?” lets students actively participate in the legislative process.

Contact your state representative and senator to voice students’ opinions. Visit the State of Iowa's legislative website for contact information..

Current Hot Topics in Iowa
Sustainable Funding
Bottle Bill
Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council

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Book List
Grades 3-5
Binns, T.B. 2002. EPA: Environmental Protection Agency. Heinemann Library.
Priebe, M. 2000. Bald Eagle: Endangered No More. Mindfull Publishing.
Pringle, L.P. 1990. Saving Our Wildlife. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.

Grades 6-8
Crump, D.J. 1987. Wildlife: Making a Comeback. National Geographic Society.
Geisel, T. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Books for Young Readers.
Goodnough, D. 2001. Endangered Animals of North America. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Jenkins, P. 1996. Falcons Nest on Skyscrapers. HarperTrophy.
Lasky, K. 1999. She’s Wearing a Dead Bird on Her Head. Hyperion.
Law, K.J. 1988. Environmental Protection Agency. Chelsea House Publishers.
Netzley, P.D. 1997. Issues in the Environment. Gale Group.
Reading, R.P. 2000. Endangered Animals: A Reference Guide to Conflicting Issues. Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Sonneborn, L. 2007. Environmental Movement: Protecting Our Natural Resources. Chelsea House Publishers.
Stanley, P. 1996. American Environmental Heroes. Enslow Publishers.

Grades 9-12
Bang. M. 1997. Common Ground: The Earth We Share. Blue Sky Press.
Bell, D. 1998. Political Ecology: Global and Local. Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Carson, R. 2002. Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Collard, S. 2000. Acting For Nature: What Young People Around the World Are Doing to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
Conrad, R. 1997. Places of Quiet Beauty: Parks, Preserves, and Environmentalism. University of Iowa Press.
Gaughen, S. 2005. Endangered Species. Gale Group.
Gore, A. 2006. An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About it. Rodale Books.
Hoyt, E. 1991. Extinction A-Z. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 2000. Iowa: Portrait of the Land. Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
McClung, R.M. 1993. Lost Wild America: The Story of Our Extinct and Vanishing Wildlife. Shoe String Press, Incorporated.
McConnell, R.L. 1998. Environmental Issues: Measuring Analyzing, and Evaluating. Prentice Hall Professional Technical.
Oleszek, W.J. 2000. Congressional Procedures and Policy Process. Congressional Procedures and Policy Process.
Pomerantz, C. 1971. The Day They Parachuted Cats on Borneo: A Drama of Ecology. Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers.
Roberts, R. 1998. Endangered Species. Gale Group.
Sanderson, J. and M. Moulton. 1998. Wildlife Issues in a Changing World. CRC Press.
Schwartz, M. 1993. Environment and the Law. Chelsea House Publishers.
Van Allsburg, C. 1990. Just a Dream. Houghton Miffin.
Wilkinson, D. 2002. Environment and Law. Taylor & Francis, Inc.

Spring Migration

Some birds’ spring migration takes place as early as February or March. Project WILD Aquatic’s activity “Migration Headache” takes a look at the obstacles birds face while making their journey. As an extension, have students set up a bird feeder outside a classroom window. Record the types of birds that visit the feeder. Note new arrivals, and dates they are first observed at the feeder.

For a detailed list of early arrivals and late departure dates for migrating Iowa birds, visit the Iowa Ornithologists' Union website.

Book List
PreK-2
Allen, K. 2006. Why Do Birds Fly South in the Winter?: A Book About Migration. Capstone Press.
Gans, R. 1996. How Do Birds Find their Way? (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2). Harper Trophy.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard(Sharing Nature With Children Book). Dawn Publications.
Lerner, C. 2001. On the Wing: American Birds in Migration. HarperCollins.
Ray, M. 2004. Welcome Brown Bird. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Williams, J. 1990. Life Cycle of a Swallow. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Grades 3-5
Ahlstrom, M.E. and H. Schroeder. 1984. Canada Goose. Silver Burdett Press.
Arnold, C. 2003. Birds: Nature’s Magnificent Flying Machines. Charles Bridge Publishing.
Goodall, J. & Reichstein, A. 2002. Eagle and the Wren: A Fable. North South Books.
Lerner, C. 2001. On the Wing: American Birds in Migration. HarperCollins.
Owens, M. 1993. Counting Cranes. Little Brown.
Penny, M. 1987. Animal Migration. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Ryder, J. 1994. Catching the Wind (A Just for a Day Book). Mulberry Books.
Spinelli, E. 2000. Song for the Whooping Crane. Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company.
Tagholm, S. 2003. The Barn Owl (Animal Lives series). Kingfisher.

Grades 6-8
Arnold, C. 1997. Hawk Highway in the Sky: Watching Raptor Migration. Gulliver Green.
Bishop, N. 2007. The Secrets of Animal Flight. Houghton Mifflin.
Blassingame, W. 1982. Wonders of Egrets, Bitterns, and Herons. Penguin Group (USA).
Cherry, L. 1997. Flute’s Journey: The Life of a Wood Thrush. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Kiesler, K. 2002. Wings on the Wind: Bird Poems. Clarion Books.
Owens, M. 1993. Counting Cranes. Little Brown.
Ryder, J. 1994. Catching the Wind (A Just for a Day Book). Mulberry Books.
Salmansohn, P. & Kress, S. 2005. Saving Birds: Heroes Around the World. Tilbury House.
Schaefer, L. 2004. Arrowhawk. Henry Holt and Co.
Tagholm, S. 2003. The Barn Owl (Animal Lives series). Kingfisher.

Grades 9-12
Arnold, C. 1997. Hawk Highway in the Sky: Watching Raptor Migration. Gulliver Green.
Bishop, N. 2007. The Secrets of Animal Flight. Houghton Mifflin.
Kiesler, K. 2002. Wings on the Wind: Bird Poems. Clarion Books.
Salmansohn, P. & Kress, S. 2005. Saving Birds: Heroes Around the World. Tilbury House.

Trees as Habitats

Winter is a great time to explore how trees provide homes for wildlife. Project Learning Tree’s activity “Trees as Habitats” allows students to take a look at the interrelationships between different organisms that use trees.

Use this activity in combination with “Adopt-a-Tree.” What animals are using the tree now? If they can’t find any, can they find their evidence (tracks, nests, holes, etc.)? Have students visit the same tree in the spring. Do the same animals use the tree? Are there more or less animals in the spring?

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Brenner, B. 2004. One Small Space in a Tree. HarperCollins.
Brett, J. 1989. The Mitten. G.P. Putnam Sons.
Bunting, E. 1994. The Night Tree. Voyager Books.
Costian, M. 2001. Life in a Tree: Focus, Habitat. Tandem Library.
Denver, J. 1990. Alfie the Christmas Tree. National Wildlife Federation.
Fisher, A. 1965. In the Woods, In the Meadow, In the Sky. Scribner.
Hutchins, P. 1972. Good-Night Owl!. MacMillan.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Teriffic Trees of North America. Dawn Publications.
Lavies, B. 1989. Tree Trunk Traffic. Dutton.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log’s Life. Simon & Schuster.
Ryder, J. 1989. A Chipmunk Song. Lodestar Books.
Seiffert, P. 1994. Exploring Tree Habitats (Exploring Habitats). Mondo Publishing.
Schwartz, D. 1999. In a Tree. Gareth Steven Publications.
Van Laan, N. 2000. A Tree for Me. Random House.

Grades 3-5
Brenner, B. 2004. One Small Space in a Tree. HarperCollins.
Bunting, E. 1994. The Night Tree. Voyager Books.
Denver, J. 1990. Alfie the Christmas Tree. National Wildlife Federation.
Hutchins, P. 1972. Good-Night Owl!. MacMillan.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log’s Life. Simon & Schuster.
Tresselt, A. 1992. The Gift of a Tree. Lothrop, Lee & Shephard Books.
Wong, H & Vessel, M. 1969. Our Tree. Addison-Wesley.

Spring Preparation

A common misconception is that the buds on trees form in the spring just before the leaves open up. However, by the time a tree’s leaves drop in the fall, its leaves for the next spring are already formed. Project Learning Tree’s activity “Bursting Buds” lets students investigate the stages leaf buds go through as leaves develop during the year. Adapt this activity by starting in the winter instead of the fall. For older students, have them work on identifying trees based upon the bud scars. This approach, sometimes in combination with bark, and tree shape, are ways people identify trees when they no longer have leaves.

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Bernard, R. 2001. A Tree for All Seasons. National Geographic Children’s Books.
Bourgoing, P. 1992. The Tree. Scholastic First Discovery Books.
Dorros, A. 1997. A Tree is Growing. Scholastic, Inc.
Ehlert, L. 2005. Leaf Man. Harcourt Trade Publishers.
Fontes, J.K. 2002. Signs of Spring. Mondo Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America.. Dawn Publications.
Lionni, L. 1992. A Busy Year. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Locker, T. 1995. Sky Tree. Harper Collins Publishers.
Lyon, G. 1996. ABCedar: an Alphabet of Trees. Scholastic Inc..
Miller, D. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker Books for Young Readers.
Morrison, G. 2005. Oak Tree. Houghton Mifflin Co.
Oppenheim, J. 1967. Have You Seen Trees. Addison Wesley Longman Publishing Company.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1997. From Bud to Blossom. Coughlan Publishing.
Schwartz, D.M. 2000. Plant Blossoms. Gareth Stevens Audio.

Grades 3-5
Burnie, D. 2005. Tree. DK Publishing, Inc.
Dowden, A. 1975. The Blossom on the Bough: A Book of Trees. Thomas Y. Crowell.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
George, K. 1998. Old Elm Speaks. Clarion Books.
Gibbons, G. 1984. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree. Voyager Books.
Hiscock, B. 1991. The Big Tree. Atheneum Books-MacMillan.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America. Dawn Publications.
Leslie, C. 1991. Nature All Year Long. Harper Collins Children Book Group.
Locker, T. 1995. Sky Tree. Harper Collins Publishers.
Lyons, D. 2002. The Tree. Illumination Arts Publishing.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.

Grades 6-8
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing the Trees. Bradbury Press-MacMillan.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Zim, H. S. 1989. Trees: A Guide to Familiar American Trees. St. Martin's Press.

Grades 9-12
Rushforth, K. 2004. The Easy Tree Guide: Common Native and Cultivated Trees of the United States and Canada. Globe Pequot Press.
Zim, H.S. 2001. Trees: A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press. Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press.