“From Bison to Bread: The American Prairie”

Prairie is the French word for meadow. Prairie originally covered vast areas of North America, from Canada to Texas and from Indiana to the Rocky Mountains. Today, little original prairie is left in North America. Of the 30 million acres of prairie that once covered Iowa it is estimated that only 0.1% remains. Prairies are a diverse pool of plants species, are habitat for many wildlife species and are a protective buffer for ground and surface water supplies. Use Project WILD’s “From Bison to Bread: The American Prairie” to explore Iowa’s prairies.

Book List
Grades 3-5
Arnold, C. 1993. Through the Year with - Prairie Dogs. Scholastic, Inc.
Bannatyne-Cugnet, J. 2002. Heartland: A Prairie Sampler. Tundra.
Bouchard, D. 1998. If You're Not from the Prairie. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Chinery, M. 1992. Grassland Animals. Random House Books for Young Readers.
Christiansen, P. and M. Muller. 1999. An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
Cole, M.S. 2003. Prairies. Thomson Gale.
Cook, K.J. 1993. Disappearing Grasslands. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Dvorak Jr., D. 1994. A Sea of Grass. New York: Macmillan.
Erlic, L. 2005. Grasslands. Weigl Publishers, Incorporated.
George, M. 1994. Prairie. Creative Company.
Gray, S.H. 2000. Grasslands. Capstone Press.
Horton, C. 1982. Grasslands and People. Silver Burdett Press.
Horton, C. 1985. Grasslands. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jackson, K. and S. Mather. 2006. Explore the Grasslands. Capstone Press.
Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johnson, R.L., P.V. Saroff and G. Braasch. 2000. A Walk in the Prairie. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, S.A. 1976. Animals of the Grasslands. Lerner Publishing Group.
Khanduri, K. 1994. Grassland Wildlife. EDC Publishing.
Kirt, R.R. 1995. Prairie Plants of the Midwest: Identification and Ecology. Stipes Publishing, L.L.C.
Ladd, D. 2005. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the Common Wildflowers and Plants of the Prairie Midwest. Globe Pequot Press.
Lambert, D. 1988. Grasslands. Silver Burdett Press.
Langley, A. 1993. Grasslands. Reader's Digest Children's Publishing, Incorporated.
Levy, J. 2003. What Lives on a Prairie? Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Lynch, W. and A. Lang. 2006. Prairie Grasslands. T&N Children's Publishing.
Patent, D.H. 1996. Prairies. Holiday House.
Patent, D.H. 1998. Fire: Friend or Foe. Clarion Books.
Patent, D.H. 2003. Life in a Grassland. Lerner Publishing Group.
Pattison, D., and K. Rietz. 2011. Prairie Storms. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Pipes, R. 1998. Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.
Savage, S. 1997. Animals of the Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.
St. Antoine, S. 2001. Stories from Where We Live -- The Great North American Prairie. Milkweed Editions.
Staub, F. 1993. America's Prairies. Lerner Publishing Group.
Steele, P. 1997. Grasslands. Lerner Publishing Group.
Stille, D.R. 1998. Grasslands. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Stone, L.M. 2004. Grasslands. Rourke Publishing, LLC.
Thompson, L. 2004. People of the Plains and Prairies. Rourke Publishing, LLC.
Wallace, M.D. 2001. America's Prairies and Grasslands: Guide to Plants and Animals. Fulcrum Publishing.
Wilder, L. I., and R. Graef. 1900. Prairie Day (My First Little House Books Series). HarperCollins Publishers.
Winner, C. 2004. Prairie Animals. T&N Children's Publishing.

Grades 6-8
Busch, P.S. 1977. Wildflowers and the Stories Behind Their Names. Charles Scribner & Sons.
Christiansen, P. and M. Muller. 1999. An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
Collard, S.B. 2005. Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America’s Lost Grasslands. Houghton Mifflin.
Hoare, B. 2003. Temperate Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.
Kirt, R.R. 1995. Prairie Plants of the Midwest: Identification and Ecology. Stipes Publishing, L.L.C.
Ladd, D. 2005. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the Common Wildflowers and Plants of the Prairie Midwest. Globe Pequot Press.
Lerner, C. 1980. Seasons of the Tallgrass Prairie. New York: William Morrow and Company.
Murray, P. 1997. Prairies: Biomes of Nature. The Child' World Inc.
Ricciuti, E.R. 1996. Grassland. Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Rotter, C. 2002. The Prairie. Creative Company.
Runkel, S. and D.M. Roosa. 1989. Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie. Ames: Iowa State University Press.
Schwarm, L. 2003. On Fire. Duke Un Mentary.
Scullin, W.M. 2005. Young Person's Guide to the Prairie. South River Press.
Siy, A. 1991. Native Grasslands. Silver Burdett Press.
Stone, L.M. 1989. Prairies. Rourke Enterprises, Incorporated.
Tarbox, A. D. 2011. A Prairie Food Chain. The Creative Company.
Toupin, L.P. 2005. Life in the Temperate Grasslands. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Vyn, K. 1978. The Prairie Community. New York: Julian Messener.

Grades 9-12
Boon, W. and H. Groe. 1990. Nature's Heartland: Native Plant Communities of the Great Plains. Ames:
Brown, L. 1979. Grasses: An Identification Guide. Houghton Mifflin Co.
Christiansen, P. and M. Muller. 1999. An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
Collard, S. B. 2005. The Prairie Builders : Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company Trade & Reference Division.
Edsall, M.S. 1985. Roadside Plants and Flowers. Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press.
Forey, P. and C. Fitzsimons. 1992. Instant Guide to Wildflowers. Random House Value Publishing, Incorporated.
Johnsgard, P.A. 2001. Prairie Birds: Fragile Splendor in the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas.
Johnsgard, P.A. 2005. Prairie Dog Empire: A Saga of the Shortgrass Prairie. University of Nebraska Press.
Kindscher, K. 1992. Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie: An Ethnobotanical Guide. University Press of Kansas.
Kirt, R.R. 1995. Prairie Plants of the Midwest: Identification and Ecology. Stipes Publishing, L.L.C.
Kurtz, C. 1996. Iowa's Wild Places. Ames: Iowa State University Press.
Ladd, D. 2005. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the Common Wildflowers and Plants of the Prairie Midwest. Globe Pequot Press.
Madson, J. 1994. Where the Sky Began: Land of the Tallgrass Prairie. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
Madson, J. 2005. The Elemental Prairie: Sixty Tallgrass Plants. University of Iowa Press.
Manning, R. 1997. Grassland: The History, Biology, Politics, and Promise of the American Prairie. Penguin Group.
Moul, F. 2006. The National Grasslands: A Guide to America's Undiscovered Treasures. University of Nebraska Press.
Muller, M. 2000. Prairie in Your Pocket: A Guide to Plants of the Tallgrass Prairie. University of Iowa Press.
Packard, S. 2005. Tallgrass Restoration Handbook: For Prairies, Savannas, and Woodlands. Island Press.
Peterson, R.T. and M. McKenny.1968. A Field Guide to the Wildflowers: Northeastern and North-Central North America. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Sherow, J.E. 2007. The Grasslands of the United States: An Environmental History. ABC-CLIO, Incorporated.
Shirley, S.1994. Restoring the Tallgrass Prairie : An Illustrated Manual for Iowa and the Upper Midwest. New York: University of Iowa P.
Smith, J. R., and Smith, B. S. 1980. A Prairie Garden : Seventy Native Plants You Can Grow in Town or Country. New York: University of Wisconsin P.
Thompson, J.R. 1992. Prairies, Forests and Wetlands: The Restoration of Natural Landscape Communities in Iowa. University of Iowa Press.
Waterlow, J. 1996. Grasslands. Raintree Publishers.

Links
ISU Extension: Iowa Prairies
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/IAN203.pdf

What is a Prairie?
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/nature/habitat/whatprai.htm

Iowa Prairie Network
http://www.iowaprairienetwork.org/

Have Seeds Will Travel

It’s time to take a “seed walk”! Autumn is the best time of year for collecting seeds. Take kids out to collect seeds from plants along a trail, in the schoolyard or have them collect seeds from home to bring to school. Then use Project Learning Tree’s “Have Seeds Will Travel” to examine and explore the wonder of seeds!

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Aston, D. 2007. A Seed Is Sleepy. Chronicle Books LLC.
Berger, M. 1994. All about Seeds: A Hands-on Science Book. Scholastic, Inc.
Brown, R. 2001. Ten Seeds. Knopf Publishing Group.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Carle, E. 1991. The Tiny Seed. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Cole, J. 1995. The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow. Scholastic, Inc.
Downden, A.O. 1984. From Flower to Fruit. Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
Doyle, M. and J. Allibone. 2002. Jody's Beans. Candlewick Press.
Ehlert, L. 1992. Planting a Rainbow. Harcourt Children's Books.
Fowler, A. 2001. From Seed to Plant. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 1991. From Seed to Plant. Holiday House.
Hickman, P. 1996. A Seed Grows: My First Look at a Plant's Life Cycle. Kids Can Press, Ltd.
Jennings, T.J. 1988. Seeds. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jordan, H.J. 1992. How a Seed Grows. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Kuchalla, S. 1990. All About Seeds. Troll Communications L.L.C.
Krauss, R. 1993. The Carrot Seed. HarperCollins Publishers.
Lauber, P. 1981. Seeds Pop-Stick-Glide. Crown Publishers, Inc.
Lovejoy, S. 1999. Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children. Workman Publishing Company.
Manning, M. and B. Granstrom. 2003. The Seed I Planted (Wonderwise Readers). Franklin Watts, Ltd.
Marzollo, J. 1996. I'm a Seed. Scholastic, Inc.
Moncure, J.B. 1990. How Seeds Travel: Popguns and Parachutes. Child's World, Incorporated.
Morgan, S. 2004. Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Thameside Press.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2002. How and Why Seeds Travel. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Pascoe, E. 2003. Plants with Seeds. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Richards, J. and A. Hariton. 2006. A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds. Lerner Publishing Group.
Robbins, K. 2005. Seeds. Atheneum.
Rockwell, A. 1999. One Bean. Walker Books for Young Readers.
Roemer, H.B. 2006. What Kinds of Seeds Are These? T&N Children's Publishing.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1998. Seeds. Capstone Press.
Schaefer, L.M. 2003. Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Scrace, C. 2002. Growing Things. Franklin Watts.
Wexler, J. 1988. Flowers, Fruits Seeds. Prentice Hall Books.
Whitehouse, P. 2002. Seeds. Heinemann.
Worth, B. 2001. Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants. Random House, Incorporated.

Grades 3-5
Anthony, J.A. 1997. Dandelion Seed. California: Dawn Publications.
Berger, M. 1994. All about Seeds: A Hands-on Science Book. Scholastic, Inc.
Bix, C.O. 1982. How Seeds Travel. Lerner Publishing Group.
Branigan, C. 2005. Flowers and Seeds. Smart Apple Media.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Burton, J. and K. Taylor. 1999. Nature and Science of Seeds. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Cole, J. 1995. The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow. Scholastic, Inc.
Farndon, J. 2006. Seeds. Thomson Gale.
Fowler, A. 2001. From Seed to Plant. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 1991. From Seed to Plant. Holiday House.
Goodman, S.E. 2001. Seeds, Stems, and Stamens: The Ways Plants Fit into Their World. Lerner Publishing Group.
Hickman, P. 1996. A Seed Grows: My First Look at a Plant's Life Cycle. Kids Can Press, Ltd.
Hoff, M.K. 2004. Pollination. The Creative Company.
Jennings, T.J. 1988. Seeds. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jennings, T.J. 1989. Seeds and Seedlings. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Jordan, H.J. 1992. How a Seed Grows. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Kalman, B.1996. How a Plant Grows. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Kirkpatrick, R.K. 1990. Look at Seeds and Weeds. Raintree Publishers.
Lauber, P. 1991. Seeds: Pop Stick Glide. Crown Books for Young Readers.
Moncure, J.B. 1990. How Seeds Travel: Popguns and Parachutes. Child's World, Incorporated.
Morgan, S. 2004. Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Thameside Press.
Overbeck, C. 1982. How Seeds Travel. Minneapolis: Lerner.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2002. How and Why Seeds Travel. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Pascoe, E. 2003. Plants with Seeds. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Richards, J. and A. Hariton. 2006. A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds. Lerner Publishing Group.
Robbins, K. 2004. Seeds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Roemer, H.B. 2006. What Kinds of Seeds Are These? T&N Children's Publishing.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Rushing, F. 2004. Dig, Plant, Grow. Cool Springs Press.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1998. Seeds. Capstone Press.
Schaefer, L.M. 2003. Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Scrace, C. 2002. Growing Things. Franklin Watts.
Wexler, J. 1988. Flowers, Fruits Seeds. Prentice Hall Books.
Whitehouse, P. 2002. Seeds. Heinemann.
Worth, B. 2001. Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants. Random House, Incorporated.

Grades 6-8
Bates, J.W. 1991. Seeds to Plants: Projects with Biology. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Goodman, S.E. 2001. Seeds, Stems, and Stamens: The Ways Plants Fit into Their World. Lerner Publishing Group.
Lauber, P. 1991. Seeds: Pop Stick Glide. Crown Books for Young Readers.
Moncure, J.B. 1990. How Seeds Travel: Popguns and Parachutes. Child's World, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2002. How and Why Seeds Travel. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Pascoe, E. 1996. Seeds and Seedlings. Thomson Gale.
Robbins, K. 2004. Seeds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Royston, A. 2001. Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. Heinemann.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1998. Seeds. Capstone Press.
Schaefer, L.M. 2003. Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Winckler, S. 2002. Planting the Seed: A Guide to Gardening. Lerner Publishing Group.

Grades 9-12
Bates, J.W. 1991. Seeds to Plants: Projects with Biology. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Burns, D.L. and J.F. McGee. 1996. Berries, Nuts,and Seeds (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Kershner, B., et al. 2008. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. Sterling Publishing.
Kesseler, R., and W. Stuppy. 2009. Seeds: Time Capsules of Life. Firefly Books, Limited.
Martin, A. C. 2000. Seed Identification Manual. The Blackburn Press.
Robbins, K. 2004. Seeds. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Thoreau, H. D. 1996. Faith in a Seed: The Dispersion of Seeds and Other Late Natural Natural Writings. Island Press.
Young, J. A. 2009. Seeds of Woody Plants in North America. Timber Press, Inc.

Halloween “Scary” Animals
People respond differently to different animals. Our reaction towards certain animals depends on a number of factors, such as, our innate feelings, past experiences, and our culture. Accurate information and pleasant experiences have the power to change our views towards wildlife. For example, learning that spiders are beneficial may help to dispel initial fear.

Many of the symbols of Halloween are animals - creepy, crawly spiders, swopping bats, owls in trees, and crows on rooftops. People may have negative reactions to these animals based on myths and misinformation. Below are some facts about these sometimes mysterious but always fascinating “scary” animals! To learn more about each animal (or other “scary” animals) divide students into groups to research an animal and report back to the group with a multi-media presentation.

Spiders

Spiders belong to a group of animals called “arachnids”.  Scorpions, mites, and ticks are also part of the arachnid family.  Arachnids are creatures with two body segments, eight legs, no wings or antennae and are not able to chew. Many people think that spiders are insects but they are mistaken since insects have six legs and three main body parts.

There are more than 3,000 species of spiders in North America. These interesting arachnids eat insects and other small prey. They are beneficial to humans because they help keep insect populations under control.

Spider Book List

Bishop, N. 2012. Spiders. Scholastic, Inc.
Bradley, R. A., and S. Buchanon. 2012. Common Spiders of North America. University of California Press.
Simon, S. 2007. Spiders. HarperCollins Publishers.
Sterry, P. 2013. Spiders: A Portrait of the Animal World. New Line Books.

Bats
Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight and one of the most misunderstood animals in the world. Contrary to popular belief, bats do not dive at your hair, they don’t suck your blood, and they are not blind! Bats find their way using a sonar-like system called echolocation. Iowa’s bats are insect eaters and have no more desire for your blood than a fluffy bunny does.

Bats are beneficial to humans in a BIG way – by eating insects!  A single bat can eat up to 2,000 mosquitoes in a single night. That’s 2,000 mosquitoes gone from your yard in one night by just one bat! There are nine species of bats found in Iowa, one of which, the Indiana bat, is federally endangered.

Bat Books

Harvey, M. J., J. S. Altenbach, and T. L. Best. 2011. Bats of the United States and Canada. John Hopkins University Press.
Richardson, P. 2010. Bats. Firefly Books, Limited.
Tuttle, M. D. 2005.  America’s Neighborhood Bats. University of Texas Press.

Owls

These nocturnal hunters of Iowa’s woodlands and fields have been regarded with apprehension for centuries. With their silent wings, large eyes, and heads that appear to turn all the way around, these fascinating birds of prey have gotten a bad rap. Owls are distinctive birds that are found throughout the world in habitats ranging from arid deserts to Arctic tundra. There are eight species of owls that are regularly found in Iowa and four species that are occasional visitors.

Owl Books

Burton, R. 1990. Discovering Owls. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Duncan, J.R. 2003. Owls of the World: Their Lives, Behavior and Survival. Firefly Books, Limited.
Kalman, B.D. 1987. Owls. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Stidworthy, J. 1987. Year in the Life of an Owl. Silver Burdett 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.

Crows

Maybe it is the fact that crows are large and ominous looking, or maybe it’s their hoarse, throaty calls, whatever the cause, crows have a long history of being feared and loathed. However, crows are highly intelligent and social birds who display great care for one another. These gregarious members of the same family as ravens, magpies, and blue jays are actually among the smartest animals on the planet!

Crow Books

Kilham, L., and J. Waltermire. 1989. American Crow and the Common Raven. Texas A&M University Press.
Savage, C. 2004. Bird Brains: The Intelligence of Crows, Ravens, Magpies and Jays. D&M Publishers Incorporated.
Singer, M., and L. Saport. 2002. The Company of Crows: A Book of Poems. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

 

 

Category IV "Best Use of Color" 2013 Winner

Melissa Molloy, Knoxville Schools

 

Take It Outside Art Contest 2014

Welcome Teachers!

The Department of Natural Resources invites you to enroll your class in our third annual “Take It Outside” Art Contest — win prizes that will get you and your students involved in outdoor activities.

This year's contest will focus on natural places - from prairies and forests to lake and streams. Natural places can be public - like national wildlife refuges; state, county and city parks and recreation areas; school grounds. They can be smaller and private - back yards, vacant lots. Regardless of size or location, special places connect us to the outdoors. Where is your favorite place to "take it outside?" How do you enjoy your special natural area? Do you hike? Fish? Paddle? Turn over logs? Stare at the sky?
Use your artistic skills to create an image that shows you “Taking it Outside” in your favorite natural place (prairie, timber, pond, lake stream, river, marsh - even your backyard or a vacant lot). Be sure to show what make the place special for you. For more information about Iowa's habitats, visit our website (scroll down to the bottom of the page to the “document library” and click on “Natural Resources”).

Winning entries will receive prizes and will be used for upcoming promotions and displayed at the DNR building during the Iowa State Fair.

Participating schools will be entered in a drawing to receive a grant (total of 4 awarded) for a natural resources-based recreation experience at a local outdoor recreation area.

For more information visit: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Education/ForTeachers/EducationCompetitions.aspx

 

2014 Take It Outside Art Contest Rules
2014 Take It Outside Art Contest Teacher Registration Form
2014 Take It Outside Art Contest Student Entry Form

Mark your calendars because October 9, 2013 is a BIG, HEALTHY day!!
October 9 marks three great events aimed at getting kids outside and moving to promote a healthy lifestyle. It is International Walk to School Day, Live Healthy Iowa Kids: Fall Fitness Day, and Iowa’s Healthiest State Walk. See below for more information about these great events!

Live Healthy Iowa Kids: Fall Fitness Day

http://www.livehealthyiowakids.org/aspx/Public/Page.aspx?pid=13677
Fall Fitness Day is a one-day event encouraging Iowa schools to engage their students in 30 minutes of continuous activity. It shows kids that physical activity is fun and healthy! Visit the above link to register your school and for more information.

Activity ideas:

• Walk  
• Obstacle course
• Fitness stations
• Relay races
• Aerobics
• Dancing
• Nature hike
• Community cleanup

Healthiest State Walk

http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/healthiest-state-walk
Iowans across the state have shown their support for the Healthiest State Initiative by the thousands. By the hundreds of thousands, actually – in both 2011 and 2012, nearly 300,000 Iowans participated in 1-kilometer walks to show that we’re ready for a healthier Iowa.

They are striving to keep that momentum going to make this year’s walk on October 9 the biggest one yet. Be part of the movement by walking 1-kilometer (0.62 miles) on October 9.

International Walk to School Day

http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/
International Walk to School Day is October 9, 2013! International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. Over time, this event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school and a celebration – with record breaking participation – each October. Today, thousands of schools across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico – participate every October.

Three Ways to Participate

• Walk or bike from home
• Designated starting points (for students/families that live too far from school to walk or ride a bike)
• Walk or bike AT school

Just 15 minutes outdoors makes children happier and more relaxed!

 Tips for planning outdoor time into your day during the school year

For parents:

• Do homework outside
• Schedule outdoor time into your schedule
• Visit a local park after dinner
• Backyard picnic once a week
• Visit local apple orchard or farmer’s market
• Outdoor reflection time. Sit. Breathe. Observe.
• Keep a family nature journal
• Any activity that gets you outside as a family!
• Create a family “nature table” in your home to display nature finds (rocks, leaves, feathers, etc…)
• Bring potted plants indoors to “green” up your indoor space

For educators:

• Plan outdoor time into your school day
• Take reading time outdoors
• Plan outdoor walks in your day (can be worked into a multitude of subjects – art inspiration, social studies observation, science nature studies, math statistics, etc…)
• Bring nature into your classroom with potted plants, fish aquariums, nature table, etc…

Why outdoor time is so important

• Children who play outside are healthier and happier
• Outdoor time increases academic success
• Playing outside leads to more active imaginations and lowered aggression
• People who play outside as children grow up to be better stewards of the environment

Links

Iowa Department of Natural Resources: Benefits and considerations of taking kids outside
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/education/kidsoutside.pdf

National Wildlife Federation: Why Be Out There

http://www.nwf.org/Be-Out-There/Why-Be-Out-There.aspx

Children & Nature Network: GROW OUTSIDE! Richard Louv’s Keynote address to the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference

http://blog.childrenandnature.org/2010/10/04/grow-outside-keynote-address-to-the-american-academy-of-pediatrics-national-conference/

National Wildlife Federation: Health Benefits

http://www.nwf.org/Be-Out-There/Why-Be-Out-There/Health-Benefits.aspx

National Wildlife Federation: Special Reports about Children and Nature

http://www.nwf.org/Be-Out-There/Why-Be-Out-There/Special-Reports.aspx

Books for Parents and Educators

Broda, H. W. 2011. Moving the Classroom Outdoors. Stenhouse Publishers.
Chalufour, I., and K. Worth. 2003. Discovering Nature with Young Children.Redleaf Press.
Cohen, R. P. 2011. 15 Minutes Outside: 365 ways to get out of the house and connect with your kids. Sourcebooks, Inc.
Cornell, J. B. 1998. Sharing Nature with Children (20th Anniversary Edition). Dawn Publications.
Leslie, C. W. 2010. The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms.Storey Publishing.
Louv, R. 2008. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder. Algonquin Books.
Ross, C., and T. Gladfelter. 1995. Kids in the Wild: A Family Guide to Outdoor Recreation. Mountaineer Books.
Sobel, D. 2004. Place-Based Education: Connecting Classrooms & Communities. The Orion Society.
Sobel, D. 1998. Mapmaking with Children: Sense of Place Education for the Elementary Years. Heinemann.
Smith, G. A., and D. Sobel. 2010. Place-And Community-Based Education in Schools. Routledge.
Stein, S. 2001. Noah's Children: Restoring the Ecology of Childhood. North Point Press.
Van Tilburg, C. 2005. Introducing Your Kids to the Outdoors. Stackpole Books.

 

Nature walks

The benefits of spending time outside are many and varied. Studies show that children who spend time outdoors get better grades in school, have less behavior problems, and are healthier over all. Nature walks are great way to introduce your students to spending time outdoors during the school day.

Sit Spots

Sit spots are a place for students (and adults!) to regularly sit and observe the natural world around them. They should be close to home or school and easily accessible. They teach students to relax, slow down and observe. It is amazing what you can notice about the natural world when you are sitting on the ground quietly looking and listening.

Take students on a walk to a quiet wooded area either close to your school or on a nature trail close to school. It should be a location within walking distance so that it can be accessed regularly. Instruct students to find a comfortable place to sit alone but within eyesight or hearing distance of teachers. Students should find a spot that appeals to them personally. Allow 10-20 minutes (depending on age of students) for students to sit quietly and observe and listen to what is around them. It is amazing the sights and sounds they will observe once everyone is still and quiet.

Return to your sit spots at least once a week. Observe the changes in your sit spot as the seasons change. Sit spots are a wonderful lead in to nature journaling. Look for more information on nature journaling coming next week!

Backyard/Schoolyard Nature Find

Nature is all around us - it is not someplace that we need to travel to find. Who lives near you? A colony of ants? A robin? Take students outside to your schoolyard. Instruct everyone to quietly observe, search, listen, look for wildlife, and plants. Make a list of what you find. As an assignment that evening have students do the same in their own backyards. Even if students do not know what they saw they can write down a description. Compare lists the next day. Investigate animals or plants that you did not know. How will the changing seasons change what you observe? Make predictions and check them throughout the school year.

Seed Hike

As the season slowly changes to fall nature prepares itself for the coming cold months. Plants produce seeds to carry on the next spring. Many seeds have hooks or barbs that get stuck in animal fur (or socks) and then get distributed. Some seeds get eaten by wildlife, others get dropped and grow in the spring.

Have each student bring an old pair of socks to school. Take a walk to a local prairie, pasture, meadow or other area with tall grasses and plants. Have students put the old socks on over their shoes. Walk through the grassed area. Observe as you walk. What seeds do you see? What plant are they growing on?

After you have walked though the area have students take off their socks and examine them carefully. Outdoors or once you have returned to the classroom have each student remove the seeds from their socks and sort them. Use a magnifying glass or microscope to observe the seeds. What do you see? What kind of barbs or hooks do the seeds have? How do this help with seed distribution? What animals, if any, do you think eats these seeds?

Book Lists

Grades 3-5
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.
Burns, D.L. 1996. Berries Nuts and Seeds. T&N Children's Publishing.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Tree Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Kirkland, J. 2006. Take a City Nature Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Ross, M.E. 1993. World of Small: Nature Explorations with a Hand Lens. Yosemite Association.

Grades 6-8
Lawlor, E.P. 1993. Discover Nature Close to Home: Things to Know and Things to Do. Stackpole Books.

Grades 9-12

Leslie, C. 2003. Keeping a Nature Journal. Storey Publishing.

 

 

Nature-based Classroom Ice Breakers

Who Am I?

For this activity tape or pin the name of a wildlife species on the back of each participant and make sure everyone has paper and a pencil. Each person tries to figure out what animal he or she is by walking up to other participants and getting clues from them. For example, Person A gives clues to Person B by briefly describing what Person B is in one to four words. Person B writes down this description and then briefly describes what Person A is in one to four words. Person A writes down this clue and both people move on to other participants for new clues. Be sure to set a time limit before the group begins the activity. Wrap up by asking for three to five volunteers to guess what they think they are, based on the clues they received.

Guess My Name

Ask the participants to make a list of ten words to describe an animal of their choice on a sheet of paper. They then tape the sheet of paper to themselves and move about the room, reading each other’s lists. They introduce themselves to each other and try to guess what animal each list describes.

Artistic Introductions

Ask participants to draw or model out of clay an animal they feel represents themselves. Divide the participants into groups and have each explain why (s)he chose the animal (s)he did. Or, put pictures of a variety of animals on a large table and have participants choose one they feel represents themselves. Divide into groups and have each participant explain why (s)he chose a particular animal.

Human Knot

Participants stand in a circle and introduce themselves one by one to two other people in the circle. As they introduce themselves, they grasp the hand of the other person and hold on. When everyone has introduced him/herself, each person should be holding hands with two other people. You have now created a human knot. Their task is to untangle the knot without letting anyone in the circle go!

Sound Off

Write out cards with the name of one animal on each. Make two cards for each animal. Hand out a card to each participant, making sure that pairs of animals are distributed. Arrange the participants in a circle. Explain that they are to make the sound of the animal on their card to find the other animal of their species. No talking is allowed. Once they find their partner, they are to stand by them. Participants can also be blind-folded and/or groups of more than two animals can be produced by making more cards for each animal.

Significant Stories
Ask each participant to relate a story about a significant experience involving nature, animals, trees, etc.

Human Scavenger Hunt

Have participants go on a “tree” or “wild” human scavenger hunt using one of the lists included here. The object is to find other students who fit the criteria and have them sign their names on the appropriate line. This is a good way for participants to find out interesting, and often little-known information about others in the group, relating to wildlife and forestry.

“Tree” People

Directions: Try to have at least one person sign their name after each statement. Each person cansign your sheet only once.

1.Has a treehouse___________________________________________________________

2.Has hugged a tree_________________________________________________________

3.Uses live Christmas trees____________________________________________________

4.Likes to sit by a fire________________________________________________________

5.Can name Iowa’s state tree__________________________________________________

6.Lives in a wood house______________________________________________________

7.Recycles paper, plastic and glass_______________________________________________

8.Ate a tree product today_____________________________________________________

9.Has a windbreak on his/her property___________________________________________

10.Can name three (3) kinds of trees that grow in Iowa________________________________

11.Can name three (3) products from Iowa forests__________________________________

12.Has been to a savannah_____________________________________________________

13.Planted a tree in the last year_________________________________________________

14.Has counted the rings on a tree_______________________________________________

“Wild” People

Directions: Try to have at least one person sign their name after each statement. Each person can sign your sheet only once.

1.Has a valid hunting or fishing license__________________________________________

2.Can identify two (2) species endangered in Iowa___________________________________

3.Recycles_________________________________________________________________

4.Has contacted a government official about a wildlife issue_________________________

5.Has held a snake__________________________________________________________

6.Has a bird banding license___________________________________________________

7.Enjoys wildlife photography_________________________________________________

8.Can name a wildlife book they have read_______________________________________

9.Has watched a squirrel conquer a “squirrel proof” bird feeder_______________________

10.Has seen a bald eagle nest___________________________________________________

11.Can identify at least two (2) animals by their tracks_______________________________

12.Has seen a live moose in the wild_____________________________________________

13.Landscapes their yard for wildlife_____________________________________________

14.Has watched a predator catch its prey__________________________________________

WILD or PLT Activities

Activities from the guides also can be modified to serve as ice breakers. The advantage to using an activity from one of the guides is that it gives participants more contact time with the materials. Some possible activities include: WILD - “Animal Charades”   WILD Aquatic - “Are You Me?;” “Fashion a Fish”   PLT -“Peppermint Beetles;” “We All Need Trees”

Summer Vacation’s Last Stand

Another summer vacation is coming to a close; soon Iowa’s school children will be trading in swimsuits and flip-flops for backpacks and new sneakers. Make the most of the last few weeks of summer vacation by getting outside with your family!

Things to do outside:

• Hiking
• Fishing
• Take a picnic to a local park
• Stargazing in your backyard
• Camping
• Explore your local creek
• Bird watching on a bike trail

Take a Closer Look at Hiking with Children:

Make it fun!

• Bring a magnifying glass to examine interesting “finds” closely.
• Bring a notebook and pencil to record what you find and your experiences.
• Make nature bracelets - wrap clear packing tape (sticky side out) around everyone’s wrists.  Stick cool things you find to them as you walk (leaves, flower petals, etc).
• Create a scavenger hunt so your hike has a mission.
• Take turns being the “leader”.
• Bring along nature guides to look up things you find (birds, leaves, etc) and/or download a nature app on your phone.
• Take a “water hike” down a shallow stream, or take a “night hike” after dark – kids will love the unusual aspect of it!
• Bring a camera and record your trip!

Preparation

• Wear sturdy shoes and comfortable cotton socks.
• Wear layers.
• Bring a backpack with:

           o  First aid kit
           o  Water
           o  Snacks
           o  Bug spray & sun block
           o  Compass and flashlight

Considerations

• Consider elevation – a level elevation will be easier for younger children to hike.
• Distance – a child should be able to hike ½ mile per year of age. For example, a 12 year old should be able to hike 6 miles. However, keep in mind everyone’s fitness and normal activity level when planning a hike.
• Loop trails are more interesting than walking a trail and turning around and walking back.
• Have a destination in mind (a pond or other point of interest along the way).
• Keep it simple – check your local park or city for bike trails and walking trails.

Hit the Trail: Ideas for Family Hiking

http://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/hit-the-trail/#page=1

Book list

PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1998. Animal Tracker. Random House Value Publishing, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bird Watcher. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bug Hunter. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Cole, H. 1998. I Took A Walk. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Griffin, S. A. and E. M. Griffin. Hiking for Kids: A Family Hiking Guide. T&N Children's Publishing.
Hines, A. G. 1994. What Joe Saw. HarperCollins Publishers.
Quattlebaum, M. and L. J. Bryant. 2013. Jo MacDonald Hiked in the Woods. Dawn Publications.
Radlauer, R. S. and E. A. McCully. 2007. Molly Goes Hiking. Aladdin.
Rotner, S. and K. Kreisler. 1992. Nature Spy. Atheneum.
Woolf, C. M. 2008. My First Hike. Dawn Publications.

Grades 3-5

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.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Dorling Kindersley Publishing Staff. 2011. Let’s Go Hiking: Boys’ Life Series. DK Publishing, Inc.
Griffin, S. A. and E. M. Griffin. Hiking for Kids: A Family Hiking Guide. T&N Children's Publishing.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Tree Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Klein, A. G. 2008. Outdoor Adventure: Hiking. ABDO Publishing Company.
Kranz, L. 2002. My Nature Book: A Journal and Activity Book for Kids. T&N Children's Publishing.
Pastel, J. and K. Fitzsimmons. 2007. Anna Goes Hiking: Discover Hiking and Explore Nature. Farmer Hat Productions.
Ross, M.E. 1993. World of Small: Nature Explorations with a Hand Lens. Yosemite Association.
Tieck, S. 2013. Hiking. ABDO Publishing Company.
Walker, R. 2006. Nature Ranger. DK Publishing, Inc.

Grades 6-8

Bodden, V. 2009. Hiking. The Creative Company.
Foster, L. and M. Weston. 1990. Take a Hike! The Sierra Club Beginner's Guide to Hiking and Backpacking. Little, Brown & Company.
Green, S. 2012. Hiking. Bellwether Media.
Griffin, S. A. and E. M. Griffin. Hiking for Kids: A Family Hiking Guide. T&N Children's Publishing.
Slade, S. 2007. Let’s Go Hiking. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

Grades 9-12

Griffin, S. A. and E. M. Griffin. Hiking for Kids: A Family Hiking Guide. T&N Children's Publishing.
Leslie, C. 2003. Keeping a Nature Journal. Storey Publishing.
Thoreau, H. 2004. Walden. Houghton Mifflin Books.

 

MIDWEST ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 25-28, 2013

The Iowa Conservation Education Coalition and Iowa Association of Naturalists invite you to attend the Midwest Environmental Education Conference, September 25-28, 2013 at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Coralville, Iowa. This regional gathering is the largest environmental education conference in the Midwest, hosting nearly 300 teachers, naturalists and others who specialize in: wastewater, environmental health, natural resources, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), watershed, energy, solid waste & recycling education and regulation.

Themed “Seasons of Plenty,” the conference offers an abundance of educational opportunities including: two workshops, 10 field trips throughout the Eastern Iowa Corridor, three award-winning keynote presenters, 64 sessions on a variety of environmental topics, plus exhibits, entertainment and networking.

Scholarships and Iowa teacher renewal credit are available. For more information and registration, visit www.MEEConference.org.

Backyard Field Guide

Nature Photography for Kids

Create Your Own Backyard Field Guide
Kids love cameras and kids love nature. Combine the two and you have with a wonderful project to fill your summer days. We are going to create our own backyard field guides using nature photography. Check out the Outdoor Explorations for Early Learners blog post Backyard Exploration for ideas on exploring your backyard before you get started.

Allow children to be the lead on this project and follow their own interests. Do you have a child who is interested in insects? Help them create a backyard insect field guide. Other ideas are trees, wildflowers, birds, biodiversity, or even clouds and weather. Inventory and photograph the subjects you have chosen. Bring a notebook with you and have children record their observations of what they have photographed.

When children are done taking pictures download them to your computer. Go through the photographs with your children and let them decide which photos to include in their field guide.

With your children identify each subject that you are going to include in your backyard field guide. If you do not have field guides they can be checked out from your local library. There are also many on-line field guide resources. Allow children time to look through field guides to get an idea of what they look like, and what information is included in each. Decide what information you are going to include in your backyard field guide.

Create your field guides by printing pictures and descriptions and creating a journal. An old notebook or photo album will work. You could also create a photobook through a website such as Snapfish and have an actual book created and mailed to you. You now have a field guide for your own backyard!

Want to expand your field guide? Create a nature field guide for your neighborhood or community, your favorite camping site, local park, or even the nature on a vacation trip!

Camera Basics
Teach children the basics of operating a digital camera. Start with the basics and expand from there. For younger children keep it simple. Older children who have experience with cameras may be interested in learning more about shutter speeds, and lighting.

There are several kinds of children’s cameras available; however, they generally do not take quality photos. You can get a cheap “adult” camera that will take better photos for the same price. Base your decision on the age of the children and how much “rough and tumble” action the camera will see - kid’s cameras are built to withstand drops, and rougher handling. You can also allow children to use your camera with supervision or purchase disposable cameras for each child.

More Fun Nature Photography Ideas for Kids
Photography scavenger hunts: alphabet, botany, textures, shapes
Themed photography walks: butterflies, beetles, birds, trees, wildflowers
Personal photo book: allow each child to review their pictures and print off or create a personal photobook of their favorites
Nature Journal: Add your nature photos to your nature journal

Books
Castella, K., and B. Boyl. 2006. Discovering Nature's Alphabet. Heyday Books.
Criswell, S. G., et al. 1996. Nature Through Science and Art. McGraw-Hill Companies.
Hass, R. and P. Michael. 2008. River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things. Milkweed Editions.
Lepp, G., and K. V. Lepp. 2010. Wildlife Photography: Stories from the Field. Lark Books NC.
Sweet, T. 2010. Fine Art Nature Photography: Advanced Techniques and the Creative Process. Stackpole Books.

Links
11 Simple Tips for Kids: Nature Photography
http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/PhotoZone/Archives/2010/Kids-photo-tips.aspx

National Geographic Kids: Photography Tips for Kids
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/moreactivities/photography101/

Nature Mom: Kids ‘n Cameras: Five Tips for Introducing Children to Photography
http://anaturemom.com/2012/07/01/kids-n-cameras-five-tips-for-introducing-photography-to-children/