Storybook seasons on the Net: reading & Internet activities

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READING ACTIVITIES

Storybook Seasons on the Net Reading & Internet Activities

Ru Story-Huffman

Storybook Seasons on the Net Reading & Internet Activities Second Edition Ru Story-Huffman

Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

Published by UpstartBooks W5527 Highway 106 P.O. Box 800 Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538-0800 1-800-448-4887 © Copyright by Ru Story-Huffman, 2002 Cover design: Heidi Green; Cover illustration: Margo DePaulis The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Science — Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Material. ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. The purchase of this book entitles the individual librarian or teacher to reproduce copies for use in the library or classroom. The reproduction of any part for an entire school system or for commercial use is strictly prohibited. No form of this work may be reproduced or transmitted or recorded without written permission from the publisher.

Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 The Purpose of This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 WebQuests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Using LearningQuests in the Library, Classroom, and Home . . .8 Working with New Computer Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Fall 1

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf Fall Leaves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

2

Pumpkin, Pumpkin Pumpkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

3

School School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

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Frederick Hibernation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

5

The Autumn Equinox: Celebrating the Harvest Autumn Customs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Winter 6

The Patchwork Quilt Quilts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

7

Snowy Flowy Blowy: A Twelve Months Rhyme Poetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

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Mooncake Rockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

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First Snow Snow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

10 Owl Moon Owls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 11 The Snowman Storytelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

12 The Mitten: A Ukrainian Folktale Animal Habitats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Spring 13 It Looked Like Spilt Milk Clouds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 14 A Letter to Amy Rain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 15 The Wind Blew Wind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 16 Hide and Seek Fog Fog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 17 The Storm Book Lightning, Thunder, and Storms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Summer 18 Time of Wonder Hurricanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 19 Bigmama’s Vacations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 20 Picnic Summer Picnics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 21 Tar Beach Ocean Beaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 22 The Relatives Came Cars and Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 Weather 23 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 24 Spot Looks at the Weather Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 Appendices A

Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

B

LearningQuest Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

4

Storybook Seasons on the Net

Introduction The Internet has greatly changed the world. Our thoughts, actions, and interpretation of the world have become more global and small. New experiences are commonplace and the ability to visit foreign lands, people, and cultural events is as simple as a keystroke. Technology is an important part of our lives and the World Wide Web is here to stay. At the same time, many have longed for a return to the simple life, the life that includes the warm memories of reading books with young children. Storybook Seasons on the Net is a combination of the power of technology and the lure of picture books. Storybook Seasons on the Net is a resource for teachers, librarians, and parents who wish to use literature as an aid in exploration of the wonders that can be found on the Internet. Children, parents, and educators have long read quality children’s literature. Most elementary classrooms and libraries have numerous picture books in their collections. Many homes have a collection of books for children. A good book is a tradition in the lives of many children and adults, a tradition that pays respect to literature and to those who love literature and books. Adults who were read to as children will often share books with their own children or young friends. Books not only provide enjoyment, they can instill companionship, education, adventure, information, and fun. Quality children’s books are often included in the primary and elementary school curriculum. The books are chosen with care to supplement the curriculum and enhance the educational process. Attention is paid to illustrations and content. Educators incorporate picture books into the learning process for their educational merit and may use some books on a regular basis. The use of literature in the Whole Language and the Balanced Reading Program methods of teaching offer learners the opportunity to learn a concept through the use of literature. Children’s books have been used to reinforce childhood experiences, thoughts, feelings, and education. Libraries use children’s picture books in programs for preschool and elementary-aged children. Often, as with other genres, adults enjoy reading and discussing children’s picture books in library book discussion programs. Storybook Seasons on the Net is an effort to enhance the appreciation, study, and enjoyment of quality children’s literature through the use of the Internet. The Internet has changed and will continue to change our educational system. The Internet can be viewed as a web; at the center of the web is the learner. The learner travels different paths or links to discover specific information. As the learner travels those routes, they are exposed to many other pieces of information, which are often related to the subject at hand.

5

Introduction

The Purpose of This Book Storybook Seasons on the Net provides the teacher, librarian, and parent the opportunity to expose children to the Internet through the use of quality children’s books. Selected picture books have been used to develop an education concept that is labeled a LearningQuest. LearningQuests are based on WebQuests, which were developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University. In short, a WebQuest is an educational activity that uses the Internet to teach children. A WebQuest is an actual mounted web page that contains specific tasks, questions, processes, and links. Children are provided a scenario and have stated educational activities to complete their goals. Storybook Seasons on the Net is designed as a time-saving tool for educators, librarians, and parents. The questions, learning goals, websites, extended activities, and resources have already been developed and are presented here. Supplementary print and Internet resources are included for use by the educator to extend the learning experience. The LearningQuest concept of Storybook Seasons on the Net expands the WebQuest theme for use by a wide audience. LearningQuests are similar to a WebQuest, with a LearningQuest based upon and enhanced by, children’s literature. Educators who do not have the time or resources to mount a web page can use this volume. Schools or libraries who do not have the necessary computer hardware to satisfy a group learning experience can use the LearningQuests in paper format. The LearningQuests included in Storybook Seasons on the Net are designed so that students can read from the pages of this book and do the World Wide Web searching using the recommended Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) or links. Links chosen for inclusion in Storybook Seasons on the Net have been chosen to best comply with educational standards for children. Acclimating students with Internet browsers is necessary before attempting a LearningQuest. Establishing the level of computer efficiency of students will also aid in the utilization of this volume. A section on Working with New Computer Users is presented on page 10. In addition, a template for the LearningQuests is included in Appendix B on page 92, which can be adapted to meet specific educational goals and activities. For those wishing to develop a WebQuest, templates and activities can be found on the World Wide Web. For further information on the use of WebQuests, visit the Internet addresses, many of which contain additional Internet links, listed on page 7. As with all things “Internet,” web pages disappear, addresses are relocated and information can change. If you notice an outdated or missing web link, please email the author at [email protected]. It is hoped that Storybook Seasons on the Net will become a practical model for using the Internet in the education of children. The combination of classic literature for children, and the world of the Internet is a mixture that should provide hours of educational and entertaining situations for children and adults.

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Introduction

WebQuests WebQuests were developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University. For more information, you might try the web page created by him for WebQuests at: The WebQuest Page http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/webquest.html

There are many additional sites with further information: WebQuests: What Are They? http://education.nmsu.edu/webquest/index.html

WebQuests in Our Future: The Teacher’s Role in Cyberspace http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/webquest/wqsl1.html

A WebQuest About WebQuests http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/webquestwebquest.html

Some Thoughts About WebQuests http://edweb.sdsu.edu/EdWeb_Folder/courses/EDTEC596/About_WebQuests. html

Using WebQuests in Your Classroom http://pd.l2l.org/linktuts/inteweb.htm

WebQuests Handout http://gilligan.esu7.k12.ne.us/~esu7web/resources/webqhand.html

WebQuest Resources http://gilligan.esu7.k12.ne.us/~esu7web/resources/webq.html

WebQuests and Resources for Teachers http://www.davison.k12.mi.us/academic/hewitt14.htm

WebQuests http://www.spa3.k12.sc.us/WebQuests.html

Many websites have WebQuests which have been developed by educators. To access available WebQuests on the Net, use the keyword “webquests” in your preferred Internet search engine.


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Introduction

Using LearningQuests in the Library, Classroom, and Home Storybook Seasons on the Net contains 24 LearningQuests. These are intended to be mounted on a school or library website or personal computer using any standard HTML editing software. Two templates can be found in Appendix B on pages 92 and 93. One is the text version to illustrate the recommended standard format for the LearningQuests. This template identifies where all the information contained in a LearningQuest should be inserted. The second template contains HTML (HyperText Markup Language) codes that you can use for hand coding a LearningQuest. The HTML template is also available on the web page created for Storybook Seasons on the Net and can be downloaded from www.hpress.highsmith.com/rshupa.htm. The templates can be used for additional LearningQuests you may wish to develop. If you lack equipment or time, you may also reproduce the LearningQuest directly from this book for library, classroom, or home use through the use of a standard photocopying machine. Each LearningQuest is a complete and ready-to-use instructional resource that works well with individual or group situations. Each LearningQuest is suitable for classroom, library, or home use. The LearningQuests contain an introduction of the chosen book, an assignment written in terms understandable by the intended age group, Internet resources that can be used to complete the stated activities, and fun things to do which extend the learning process and add to the enjoyment of the entire learning activity. The conclusion provides a wrap-up to the LearningQuest activity and is designed to reinforce gained knowledge. Additional websites and literature are provided for the educator, librarian, or parent. The LearningQuests in Storybook Seasons on the Net are designed for primary-age children. Many of the Internet activities were chosen, not only for their educational content, but to provide young children practice with keyboarding skills and mouse manipulation. The theme of Storybook Seasons on the Net is as the title suggests, seasons. The books were chosen for their readability, educational value, illustrations, and use in small or large group situations. The themes presented in Storybook Seasons on the Net were developed from each book and in one way or another can be associated with the various seasons of the year. Children are exposed to computers at a very young age. Many preschool children can grasp the concepts of simple computer games and activities. Storybook Seasons on the Net is designed to introduce computer skills, increase awareness of information, and entertain young children. At the same time, children will be exposed to quality children’s literature, which can aid in the development of necessary reading skills. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Education Communications and Technology (AECT) have developed the Information Literary Standards for Student Learning, which provides a framework and stated goals for 1 improving student use of computers, the Internet, and other educational technology.

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Introduction Storybook Seasons on the Net addresses these issues and presents them in a clear, understandable, and enjoyable format. Though Storybook Seasons on the Net stresses the Internet and educational technology, literature is a vital aspect of this volume. The Internet exposes children to new ideas, thoughts, and information, as do books. Through books, children and adults have been educated, entertained, enlightened, and enriched. We use books in a variety of situations, and the selected books in Storybook Seasons on the Net represent children’s books held in high esteem by children and adults. Those who use Storybook Seasons on the Net in the classroom, library, and home have the opportunity to continue the time-honored tradition of quality literature, accompanied with the resources of the electronic frontier. Notes 1. American Association of School Librarians/Association for Educational Communications and Technology. Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning. Chicago, ALA, 1998.


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Introduction

Working with New Computer Users If children are unfamiliar with computers and the Internet, the following steps are recommended: Introduce the students to the following basic computer skills, either individually or in small groups. Demonstrate each step, and then ask each student to repeat them. Stress the importance of seeking the assistance of a teacher or librarian if they forget these procedures or they experience any problems. • How to turn on the computer. • If the computer is password protected, review the use of the password and the reason for security, as well as the computer log-on procedure. • Explain the computer’s menu, and what the icons represent. • Demonstrate how to use the computer’s mouse to access specific programs. • Demonstrate how to exit a program, log-out, and turn off the computer. The next day, ask the students to repeat these procedures. Continue to repeat this process until each student has mastered these basic steps. After the students have mastered the basic computer skills, introduce them to the Internet and the World Wide Web, using the following steps: • Explain that the Internet is a network of computers, and that the World Wide Web provides access to a “library” of information resources. Note that a browser permits a computer user to locate and access specific “sites” or pages on the Web, and that each of these pages has an “address” called a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). • Show the students how to use the computer’s modem to access the Internet. Explain that a modem is required to access the Internet using telephone lines. If a password and specific log-on procedure is required, demonstrate how that is done. • Once you have connected to the library’s or school’s Internet Provider using the computer modem, demonstrate how to locate a specific website using the computer’s browser. • Be very careful to explain that not every website on the Internet is appropriate for children, and they should only use URLs that have been recommended for them, such as the websites included in this book. • Let them search for specific sites using sample URLs contained in this book. Explain the importance of using the exact URL, and demonstrate what happens when the URL is incorrectly keyed. • Demonstrate how to log out of the Internet and exit the modem. If your school or library does not have unlimited access to the Internet, explain the importance of logging in and out as soon as the search has been completed. Repeat this procedure on the following day, and on succeeding days until all students have mastered these basic steps.

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LQ1 Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf Lois Ehlert Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1991 Introduction A tree changes with the seasons. In the winter, a tree loses its leaves, only to have new ones reappear in the spring. In fall, tree leaves, especially the red and yellow leaves of the red maple trees, are colorful, bright, and exciting as they greet the cooler weather.

Assignment One of the first signs of fall is when tree leaves begin to change colors. During this activity you will learn about why leaves change colors and perhaps see some photographs of trees in the fall.

Internet Resources Why Do Leaves Change Color? http://www.yahooligans.com/content/ask_earl/20010326.html Activities 1 & 2

Online Autumn Cloze http://comsewogue.k12.ny.us/~ssilverman/autumn/cloze/cloze1.htm Activity 3

Red Maple http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/maple/Youth%20Activities/TREEQUIZ/redmaple.htm Activities 4 & 5

Activities 1. Why do leaves change color in the fall? 2. What is this process called? 3. Complete the story using the words at the bottom of the page. Print your story and share it with a friend. 4. What are two names the red maple is also known by? 5. Why is a red maple called a red maple?

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LearningQuest 1 : Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf

Fun Things to Do http://kidsdomain.com/holiday/fall/games/con.html

Using the above web page, match the pictures to find a fall scene.

Conclusion When we see leaves on the trees begin to change colors, we know fall is quickly approaching. No matter where you live, fall leaves mean cooler weather, shorter days and the beginning of the school year.

Educator Notes The following websites and books can provide the educator with additional information, activities, and curriculum extenders.

Websites Autumn Leaf Scrapbook http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/temp/leaves/index.htm Choose a tree and learn all about the tree, the leaves of that tree, how it looks in the fall, and see photographs of the leaf and tree. Also included is a tree finder guide, which can extend a unit on leaves and fall. Fall Crafts http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/_fall.html A nice collection of fall crafts is presented on this web page. Some of the crafts may need more adult assistance than others, but with some investigation, educators are certain to find suitable activities for the classroom. Online Autumn http://comsewogue.k12.ny.us/~ssilverman/autumn/index.html Numerous primary classrooms have contributed to this web page, which features fall and autumn as its theme. Included are activities, crafts, learning projects, coloring pages, and other classroom units from around the world. This collaborative effort nicely illustrates one of the advantages of the Internet, which is the capability to share information and educational materials. Printable Worksheet http://comsewogue.k12.ny.us/~ssilverman/autumn/search1.html A word search worksheet that can be printed using the print button on a web browser. The hidden words are simple enough for primary children with some command of the reading process to complete. The words are all associated with fall and autumn, which will increase vocabulary and strengthen reading. Why Do Leaves Change Color in the Fall? http://photoscience.la.asu.edu/photosyn/education/colorchange.html Emphasizing the science aspect of changing colors in the fall, this web page fits well with the elementary classroom. For the younger readers, the scientific information is also presented at their reading level, and the projects are easy and fun to construct. This page is presented by “Science Made Simple,” and is dedicated to bringing science to the lives of children.

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LearningQuest 1 : Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf Books Fowler, Allan. How Do You Know It’s Fall? Children’s Press, 1992. This “Rookie ReadAbout Science” book presents many aspects of fall. Leaves, cooler weather, and birds migrating south are all presented in a good instructional way. Children will learn about the nature of fall and the educator will appreciate the educational value. Hall, Zoe. Fall Leaves Fall! Scholastic Trade, 2000. One of the great things to do in the fall is play in a pile of leaves. The two children in this book do just that and express all the joy, laughter and fun of such an experience. The illustrations are large enough to make this a good book for a large group sharing time. A nice leaf guide is included in the book that will aid in the identification of fall leaves. Maestro, Betsy. Why Do Leaves Change Color? HarperCollins, 1994. This “Let’s Read and Find Out Science Book” will be perfect for the primary classroom. The information tells children why leaves change color in the fall, and is presented at a reading level suitable for the younger reader. The detailed pictures of leaves and craft activities add to the usability of the book in the classroom. Packard, Mary. Fall Leaves. Scholastic, 1999. There are many fun and educational activities that can be done with leaves. In Fall Leaves, Packard has presented some enjoyable activities that can be done in the classroom. To extend the educational use of the book, six pages of fall game cards are included in the back. Robbins, Ken. Autumn Leaves. Scholastic Trade, 1998. The rich photographs in this book add to the identification of autumn leaves. The leaves are shown in their actual size, which aids in the identification and learning process. Children ages five and up should be able to read and comprehend the information presented.


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LQ2 Pumpkin, Pumpkin Jeanne Titherington William Morrow, 1986 Introduction Jamie plants a pumpkin seed in the spring and watches it grow until suddenly it is large enough to carve for Halloween. To get ready for next year, Jamie saves a seed to plant in the spring so he can grow more pumpkins.

Assignment Pumpkins are interesting, as you can grow them, carve them, and use them to make pumpkin pie. What fun you will have as you get ready for pumpkin carving time!

Internet Resources Pumpkin Facts http://www.thepumpkinfarm.com/faq/#3 Activity 1

Pumpkin History http://www.pumpkineaters.com/index2.html Activities 2 & 3

Pumpkin Patch http://www.benjerry.com/halloween/color-pumpkin1.tmpl Activity 4

Pumpkin Puzzle http://www.Searsportrait.com/ShockwaveGames/Games_index.asp? Activity 5

Activities 1. Are pumpkins a vegetable or fruit? 2. What does the word “pumpkin” mean? 3. How was the very first pumpkin pie cooked? 4. Make your very own pumpkins and color them when you are finished. Tell your class what your finished picture looked like.

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LearningQuest 2 : Pumpkin, Pumpkin 5. From the drop-down menu, choose “Pumpkin Patch.” Make a face for your pumpkin and choose colors. You need Shockwave on your computer for this activity.

Fun Things to Do Carve your own pumpkin at this Internet address: http://www.thepumpkinfarm.com/jack/jackboard.html

Have fun and see how many kinds of jack-o’-lanterns you can make!

Conclusion A pumpkin is a great reminder of fall. When you start to see pumpkins growing in the pumpkin patch or arriving at the local store, you know fall is just around the corner.


Websites Everything You Wanted to Know About Pumpkins http://home.inreach.com/kfarrell/pumpkin.html The pages contained on this site feature scientific information about pumpkins, planting information, recipes, crafts, and activities. While a lot of scrolling is necessary to find the links, with a little patience, educators can find them. Harvest/Pumpkin Songs and Poems http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/202.html Hosted by teachers.net, the songs and poems on this page are designed for the primary child. The language is simple and rhythmic, and some of the shorter poems could be transformed into a finger play with a little creative dramatics. These poems would make great “fillers” or transition activities. Jack-O-Lantern.com http://www.jack-o-lantern.com Presented with a large pumpkin graphic on the first page, this site provides the history, carving techniques, tools, longevity, and other fun and interesting facts about pumpkins and jack-olanterns. For the educator or librarian wishing to use pumpkins as a theme, this page provides a lot of background information for classroom use. The Pumpkin Nook http://pumpkinnook.com Provides history, facts, fun, games, activities, and biological information about pumpkins. Children can learn how to grow pumpkins and find pumpkin recipes, nutrition facts, and additional pumpkin links. The educator who wishes to use pumpkins in a literature assignment or other curriculum area will appreciate the information and activities on this page.


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LearningQuest 2 : Pumpkin, Pumpkin World Class Giant Pumpkins http://www.backyardgardener.com/wcgp/index.html A huge collection of Internet links devoted to the pumpkin is gathered in this one location. Included is information about giant pumpkins, pumpkin organizations and statistics, seed sources, growing techniques, and books. For those interested in pumpkins that are very large, this page should be the first stop on the Internet.

Books Hall, Zoe. It’s Pumpkin Time! Scholastic, 1999. For some, the celebration of Halloween begins in the summer when the pumpkin seeds are planted. Using very simple and direct instructions, children will be taught step-by-step how a pumpkin grows. The text is simple enough for a preschool child to comprehend, while older primary children will appreciate the fact they will be able to read the story. King, Elizabeth. The Pumpkin Patch. Puffin, 1996. Filled with beautiful color photographs, this book is a visual feast. The informative text is written at a reading level for young children and will entice them to learn about the pumpkin. For anyone who has visited a pumpkin patch, or for the wishful traveler, The Pumpkin Patch is a lovely book. Kroll, Steven. The Biggest Pumpkin Ever! Scholastic, 1993. Two young mice are tending their pumpkin and it grows to the biggest pumpkin ever! Children will see, in nice illustrations, how a pumpkin grows and how caring for something can aid in its development. The lessons learned from this book can be used in science class, reading class by building vocabulary, or personal development. Rockwell, Anne. Apples and Pumpkins. Simon and Schuster, 1989. It is fall and that means a trip to the farm for a little girl and her parents. They pick apples and the best pumpkin of them all. With bold illustrations done in warm tones and simple text, this book will delight readers and make an excellent choice for a group read-aloud session. White, Linda. Too Many Pumpkins. Holiday House, 1996. As a young girl, Rebecca ate pumpkins all day long, every day. Now, as an adult, Rebecca does not like pumpkins at all. One day, a giant pumpkin falls into her yard and in order to get rid of the pumpkin, Rebecca plants it. But the following year, a pumpkin grows in her yard! This fun story tells of growth, both of the pumpkin and Rebecca, who learns to set aside her judgment of pumpkins and others.

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LQ3 School Emily Arnold McCully HarperCollins, 1987 Introduction With every fall comes the first day of school! The Mouse family is busy preparing for the eight older mice to go to school. After everyone leaves, it is too quiet in the house, so the youngest mouse heads to school for some fun!

Assignment School is something that happens every fall. When we go to school, we learn, make new friends, and have fun. During this Internet activity, perhaps you can do the same thing!

Internet Resources Off to School Checklist http://www.nickjr.com/grownups/home/printables/dora/dora_pa_kleenex_chklst.gif Activity 1

All About Me http://www.nickjr.com/grownups/home/printables/originals/orig_pa_allaboutme.gif Activity 2

Learn the Alphabet http://www.learningplanet.com/act/abcorder.asp Activity 3

Circuit Board Alphabet http://www.thinkalphabits.com/shock/circuit/circuit.html Activity 4

I Spy http://www.kidspsych.org/ispy.html Activity 5

Activities 1. What items on this list did you take on the first day of school? 2. It is neat telling the teacher all about you. With the help of an adult, print this page and fill in the information.

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LearningQuest 3 : School 3. Learn the alphabet while you play this fun game. You need Shockwave on your computer for this activity. 4. Look for the hidden letters. You need Shockwave on your computer for this activity. 5. Using your eyes to learn, play “I Spy” at this fun website.

Fun Things to Do Buzzing with Shapes http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/buzz/buzz.html

This is a fun game that you can play with a friend or by yourself. First one to get the shapes wins! You need Shockwave on your computer for this activity.

Conclusion At school we study math, science, geography, reading, history, and lots of other subjects. Not only is school a place we go in the fall, it is a place to learn, have fun, and play.


Websites Children’s Fun Sites http://w3.gorge.net/cannon/fun.html A web page filled with numerous activities that can be used in the home, classroom, or library, the games and activities are designed to teach and entertain children. Also included are activities that can be done in the classroom that are separate from the computer; however, the information on using the activities is available here. Fun and Games http://shrike.depaul.edu/~skeller2/activities.html This page is an instructional page for educators that provides ways the Internet can be fun and increase learning. Anyone who actively uses the Internet in the classroom, or those who are beginning to think along those lines, should read this article. Also included is a short list of educational sites that offer games and activities to enhance classroom time. Just For Kids http://www.pcstrader.com/kids/index.shtml This web page hosts links for educational games and activities for young children. Topics include learning centers, fun and games, preschool, and parent links. Educators will find interactive games or activities that teach about money, self, history, or phonics.

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LearningQuest 3 : School Kids Sites: Activities and Games http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/kidsgames.htm Activities and games that are interactive and found on the Internet are a wonderful way to extend learning. This page, developed by Irene Ramsey at James Madison University, features many links for children’s Internet activity pages. Yahooligans http://yahooligans.com Yahooligans is a search engine designed for children. When in school, children may wish to use the Internet for homework help or research. Yahooligans is a good starting point for Internet information presented at the reading level of a child. As with all websites, it may be necessary for adults to assist young children with information.

Books Carlson, Nancy. Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! Viking Children’s Books, 1999. Henry is excited about kindergarten and has been looking forward to it all year long. But when he gets there, he realizes the school is bigger than he thought, and so are the other kids. A story about realizations, expectations and school, many of which are experienced together. Corey, Shana. First Graders From Mars: Episode 1: Horis’s Horrible Day. Scholastic Trade, 2001. Even Martians go to school in this funny book, the first of a projected series. Earth children will soon learn that Martian children experience many of the same things in school, except that their teachers really do have eyes in the back of their heads! Creech, Sharon. A Fine, Fine School. Joanna Cotler, 2001. Young Tillie goes to school, where her principal is very excited about school and learning. So excited that he decides that such a fine, fine school should be in session on Saturday! Not everyone is as excited as the principal, especially when he decides that school should be held during summer vacation and winter holidays as well. For any child (or educator) that looks forward to the end of the school year. dePaola, Tomie. Meet the Barkers: Morgan and Moffat Go to School. Putnam, 2001. Morgan and Moffat are very excited about the first day of school. They soon learn that school is more than learning and sitting in class. School is a place to make new friends and have fun. Tomie dePaola is a gifted author/illustrator and anyone who has read some of his other titles (Strega Nona, 26 Fairmont Avenue, Oliver Button Is a Sissy) will enjoy the Barkers. Poydar, Nancy. First Day, Hooray! Holiday House, 1999. Ivy is getting ready for kindergarten and she is a bit nervous. But what she doesn’t realize is that everyone else is nervous also: Her teachers, bus driver, even the principal! A nice story that illustrates the fact that everyone gets anxious at one time or another.


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LQ4 Frederick Leo Lionni Knopf, 1967 Introduction Frederick is a small mouse who does not use the fall weather to prepare for winter like his friends. Instead, Frederick is more concerned with art and poetry, and he ends up entertaining his friends during the long winter with his poems. This book was awarded the Caldecott Honor for its illustrations in 1968.

Assignment Frederick is a mouse who begins to hibernate in the fall. During this activity you will learn about hibernation and the animals that take a “long nap” during winter.

Internet Resources White Footed Mouse http://www.alienexplorer.com/ecology/m136.html Activities 1 & 2

Why Do Bear Hibernate? http://www.pa.msu.edu/sci_theatre/ask_st/021898.html Activities 3 & 4

Hibernation http://encarta.msn.com/index/conciseindex/05/005DB000.htm?z=1&pg=2&br=1#s2 Activity 5

Activities 1. Instead of hibernating, what do white-footed mice do during the fall and winter? 2. Where does the white-footed mouse hide his food during the winter months? 3. What happens when an animal hibernates? 4. How much body fat per week will a bear gain in order to survive hibernation? 5. Name four animals that hibernate during the winter months.

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LearningQuest 4 : Frederick

Fun Things to Do Mouse Coloring Page http://www.dltk-kids.com/alphabuddies/t/bm-mouse.html

Print the picture of the mouse and color. Our mouse is busy gathering food for when he becomes dormant for the winter, just like Frederick did!

Conclusion Not all animals hibernate during the cold winter months. Some, like Frederick, stay in their burrows or homes and gather enough food to survive the winter. No matter if the animals hibernate or not, they have learned how to survive the harsh conditions of winter.


Websites The Groundhog Hibernates http://www.yakscorner.com/animal/groundhog.html When the groundhog looks for its shadow on February 2nd, it is awakening from a winter of hibernating. This web page provides information on the groundhog and explains hibernation in terms young children can comprehend. Hibernation http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/preschool_themes/hibernation/hibernation.htm Although designed for preschool children, the activities, games, art projects, and music on this page could very well be adapted for use with primary-age children. Hibernation Activities http://shade.grove.iup.edu/~njyost/khi/hbtnac.html Two activities designed to illustrate hibernation for young children. Through the use of these hands-on activities, students will have the concept of hibernation illustrated on their cognitive level. Hibernation Activities for Children http://www.childfun.com/themes/hibernate.shtml This web page provides a list of books related to hibernating animals, an art activity, and a game that can be played to reinforce the theme of hibernation. Although the page has some advertising and pop-up windows, the information may be useful to the teacher or librarian. Hibernating Animals Printout http://www.zoomschool.com/coloring/Hibernate.shtml This nice web page contains a list of animals that hibernate during the cold winter months. By clicking each animal with your mouse, you will be directed to another page that provides details about the animal and a picture children can label and color.


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LearningQuest 4 : Frederick Books Arnosky, Jim. Every Autumn Comes the Bear. Putnam, 1993. It is autumn, and Mr. Bear is preparing for the coming winter months. As the story progresses, children will be exposed, in simple text and nice illustrations, to the steps the bear takes until he finds his winter den. Crossingham, John. What is Hibernation? Crabtree Publishers, 2002. This book from the Science of Living Things series provides factual information on hibernation on a level for children ages 4–8. The photographs and illustrations will add to the understanding of hibernation. Fleming, Denise. Time to Sleep. Henry Holt, 1997. The animals of the forest are getting ready for their winter nap. Each animal, from the Bear, to the Snail, to the Ladybug, senses the approach of winter and hibernation time. Children will gain a sense of hibernation from the view of the animals that participate. Grindley, Sally. What Will I Do Without You? Larousse Kingfisher Chambers, 1999. Jefferson Bear is preparing for his long winter’s nap, but his friend Figgy Twosocks is worried about losing a friend for the months of sleep. In addition to illustrating hibernation as a theme, this book touches on friendships and the special importance of having good friends. Wallace, Karen. A Bed for Winter. DK Publishing, 2000. A nice companion to the book, Frederick, this book features a door mouse searching for a place to hibernate during the cold months ahead. Along the way, he meets other animals that will be hibernating. This book is designed as an early reading text, which will allow beginning readers to read independently and have their learning reinforced.

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LQ LQ5 The Autumn Equinox Celebrating the Harvest Ellen B. Jackson Millbrook Press, 2000 Introduction Each autumn, farmers begin to gather their crops from the field. The time of harvest and the autumn equinox is a time for celebrations and festivals. Many countries and cultures celebrate the equinox and harvest as a time for giving thanks.

Assignment You will learn about autumn customs in many countries as you complete this Internet activity. You will also learn some new words and maybe learn about children who live in other parts of our world.

Internet Resources Chu-Suk http://web.pdx.edu/~i6my/f97/f97juun2.html Activities 1 & 2

Shavuot on the Net http://www.holidays.net/shavuot Activity 3

Ask Earl http://www.yahooligans.com/content/ask_earl/20001117.html Activities 4 & 5

Activities 1. In what country is Chu-Suk celebrated? 2. What do families do during Chu-Suk? 3. What does “Shavuot” mean? In what country is Shavuot celebrated? 4. When was the first Thanksgiving celebrated? 5. Who attended the first Thanksgiving?

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LearningQuest 5 : The Autumn Equinox

Fun Things to Do Turkey Slide Puzzle http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/thanksgiving/sliders/turkey.htm

When we think of harvest in America, we may think of Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving Day, families may gather together and give thanks for a good harvest. Often, we will eat turkey at Thanksgiving dinner. Use this web page to help the cook in your family find the turkey to prepare for dinner!

Conclusion No matter where you live, there is reason to celebrate the harvest during the fall. We celebrate our food, families, homes, and schools. There may even be a fall festival near your town. If so, take your family and go and have a great time celebrating fall and the harvest!


Websites An American Thanksgiving http://www.night.net/thanksgiving Part of the Not Just for Kids! website, “An American Thanksgiving” provides links to information on the first Thanksgiving, food, fun, and more. The illustrations used on the web page are nice and not overbearing. Children will enjoy the fun games and activities, while educators will appreciate the reading and comprehension level. Happy Thanksgiving http://www.benjerry.com/thanksgiving/body.tmpl Although sponsored by the Ben and Jerry ice cream company, this page does not provide links for ice cream, but rather, an exhaustive list of items associated with Thanksgiving. Links can be found for Native American information, food, and Thanksgiving. There is even a small section on clothing worn by the Pilgrims. Educators will appreciate the collection of resources that are located on this page. Once evaluated for content and educational goals, librarians, teachers, and parents are certain to find additional information at this site. Kids Domain Thanksgiving http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/thanks Kids Domain, www.kidsdomain.com, is a fun website geared toward children. On the Thanksgiving page, children will find crafts and recipes, online games, clip art, mazes, puzzles, lists of books, jokes, and Thanksgiving history. The activities and games will be especially useful in the classroom as they will extend learning activities and utilize technology in the classroom, strengthen computer skills of children, and provide independent learning.

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LearningQuest 5 : The Autumn Equinox Mid-Autumn Festival http://www.chinavista.com/experience/moon/moon.html Zhong Qui Jie is the Mid-Autumn Festival in the Orient, celebrated as a family time to enjoy the full moon, eat mooncakes, and drink tea. This web page provides information on the MidAutumn Festival in Taiwan, Singapore, and China, a recipe for mooncakes, and background information on the legends that surround the celebration. Sukkot http://www.cstone.net/~bry-back/holidayfun/sukkot.html Sukkot is a Jewish harvest festival that begins on the fifth day after Yom Kippur. Sukkot also commemorates the 40-year period the children of Israel were in the desert. Children will be provided information on how Sukkot is celebrated and the symbols of the celebration. Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day http://www.pch.gc.ca/ceremonial-symb/english/day_thank.html This web page gives a historical account of Remembrance Day or Thanksgiving in Canada. Children get a lesson in history and will learn names of Canadian leaders and political institutions such as Parliament. A link is included which provides information on the Armistice Day Act, which is Thanksgiving in Canada.

Books Gaines, Isabel. Pooh’s Fall Harvest. Disney, 2001. Who doesn’t love Winnie the Pooh and his antics? This time Pooh, Rabbit and all the friends of the Hundred Acre Wood are getting ready to harvest the crops found in Rabbit’s garden. With the inclusion of Tigger and the rest of the group, there is no telling what may happen! This book is a Disney First Reader book, designed for the beginning reader with easy vocabulary and cartoon-like illustrations. Hunter, Anne. Possum’s Harvest Moon. Houghton Mifflin, 1996. Possum decides to have a party to celebrate the harvest and fall. But, all his friends are busy getting ready for the long winter ahead. As the full moon begins to shine, Possum is alone until all his friends stop to look at the moon, and realize they wish to share the celebration at Possum’s party. This book is nicely illustrated and will offer children a nice view of harvest as they talk about the moon. Pennington, Daniel. Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival. Charlesbridge Publishing, 1994. Itse Selu, the Green Corn Festival, is depicted through the eyes of Little Wolf, a young Cherokee boy. Little Wolf and his family begin the celebration as the corn ripens with storytelling, food, and fun. Not only does this story represent a harvest festival, children will be exposed to Native American tradition, learn words of the Cherokee language through the pronunciation guide and definitions, and learn of the respect for the land held by Little Wolf and his family. An additional bonus is information on the Cherokee vocabulary that was developed by Sequoyah. It can be used in a unit on Native Americans or a study of the Native American, Sequoyah. Peterson, Cris. Harvest Year. Boyds Mills Press, 1996. Young children will enjoy the bright color photos that accompany each month of Harvest Year. Interesting facts about foods being harvested, photos of the food, and a map that pinpoints areas of the United States where the crop is grown all aid in the harvest and planting concept. Children will see pictures of watermelons, cranberries, maple syrup, and other common foods found in every grocery store. In addition to the harvest theme, this book can illustrate to young children that much of the food in the store originally comes from the ground.


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LearningQuest 5: The Autumn Equinox Storad, Conrad J. Ancient Harvest. Donna Atwood Design, 2000. Not only does this book talk of harvest from the land, it provides children with authentic illustrations of plants that can be colored by children. As the children color the plants, text provides information written at a primary reading level. Twenty-six plants used by Native Americans of the American Southwest are featured.

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LQ6 The Patchwork Quilt Valerie Flournoy Dial Books for Young Readers, 1985 Introduction Tanya and her grandmother spend time together making a patchwork quilt from colorful fabric. Their memory quilt is made from pieces of old clothing that have belonged to family members. When her grandmother becomes ill, Tanya works on the quilt to finish it for her grandmother.

Assignment We have all seen a quilt. You may even have one in your home or on your bed. This activity will allow you to learn about quilts and make a small quilt block of your own.

Internet Resources Quilt Words http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/qlthtml/qltgloss.html Activities 1 & 2

A Simple Nine-Patch Quilt http://hoover.nara.gov/kids/liw_kids/activities_9patchquilt.html Activities 3 & 4

Five-Patch Quilt Block Patterns http://ttsw.com/Blocks/FivePatchBlocks.html Activity 5

Activities 1. What is quilting? 2. What is a “block”? 3. What are the three layers of a quilt called? 4. What types of fabric were early quilt blocks made from? 5. Choose one of the patterns on the page. How many different shapes can you find in the quilt pattern? What are those shapes?

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LearningQuest 6 : The Patchwork Quilt

Fun Things to Do Print the Heart Block at the following web address: http://piecebynumber.com/pastbom/friendheart6.htm

Cut it out and color each section according to your wishes. Paste the heart on a heavy piece of paper and you will have your first quilt block.

Conclusion Not only do quilts keep us warm and look nice, they can provide us with a history. Sometimes people would tell stories in their quilts or make a quilt to show a special event. Whatever type of quilt you have or see, just remember that it is more than a blanket!

Educator Notes The following websites and books can provide the educator with addition information, activities, and curriculum extenders.

Websites Quilting With Children http://www.thecraftstudio.com/qwc Describes actual quilting projects, with illustrations and photographs, created by a classroom of students. Shape Up http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/lessons/398ShapeUp.htm A lesson plan that emphasizes shapes through the use of quilts in Colonial America. Developed for the third grade level, this lesson plan is easily adapted. A Special Classroom Quilt http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/gen_act/sharing/quilt.html A Social Studies/Art activity in which children share a special event from their lives via a quilt made from paper. Use this activity in a social studies or art lesson. Thanksgiving Quilt http://www.kinderart.com/seasons/thanksquilt.htm Presents a lesson for the youngest children on making a Thanksgiving Quilt. Teaches shape recognition, color, and texture. Also demonstrates a way of expressing thanks.

Books Guback, Georgia. Luka’s Quilt. Greenwillow Books, 1994. Luka’s TuTu, her Hawaiian Grandmother, makes her a special quilt. Luka was looking forward to a brightly colored quilt, and is disappointed in the quilt she receives, which hurts TuTu’s feelings. Soon Luka gains appreciation for all types of quilts and TuTu begins to understand Luka’s love of colors.

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LearningQuest 6 : The Patchwork Quilt Jonas, Ann. The Quilt. Puffin Books, 1994. A little African American girl has her quilt come to life one night. As with all Ann Jonas books, the illustrations in The Quilt are of high quality and add to the entire story. Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Bizzy Bones and the Lost Quilt. Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1988. Bizzy is a small mouse that really loves his quilt. Then one day he loses it and thus begins the making of a new quilt. With help from the orchard mice, Bizzy and his Uncle Ezra are able to make a new quilt, using pieces of the old. Paul, Ann Whitford. Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet. HarperCollins, 1991. The alphabet is presented using patchwork quilting patterns. With delightful colors and attention to detail, this book is a good alphabet book and a wonderful lesson in quilts. Tiffault, Benette W. A Quilt for Elizabeth. Centering Corporation, 1992. Elizabeth is angry and sad when her father dies. With the help of family, she begins to sew a quilt using clothing that belonged to her father. Her finished quilt becomes a loving memory of her father and a tribute to him and her new talent.


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LQ7 Snowy Flowy Blowy A Twelve Months Rhyme Nancy Tafuri Scholastic, 1999 Introduction The seasons are fun, especially when they rhyme! Enjoy this book and practice making your own poems as you do this LearningQuest!

Assignment Do you know what a poem is? Do you know how to write and read one? Have fun with this activity as you learn about poems and write one of your own.

Internet Resources Writing with Writers http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/jack_brainstorming.htm Activities 1 & 2

The Writing Process Steps http://users.loa.com/~gcaffert/Steps.htm Activities 3 & 4

A Poet’s Place http://www.kidauthors.com/view_poem.asp?id=2042483047&pagename=poem.asp Activity 5

Activities 1. As a way to learn to write poetry, do Activity 2 from this web page. Pick an object from your desk or room and follow the directions on the Internet page. 2. Now, take that object and do Activity 1. Think of all the rhyming words you can that rhyme with the object you chose in Activity 1. 3. According to this web page, what is the first step in the writing process? How can you do this? These steps can be used to write poetry also. Think of a subject and write down some ideas for a poem.

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LearningQuest 7 : Snowy Flowy Blowy 4. Now it is time for you to write a “rough draft” or “sloppy copy” of your poem. One idea is to write a poem using the first letters of your name. For example: M A R Y

ary lways eads ellow books!

5. Read the poem, “A Poet’s Place.” Rewrite this poem, using your own words.

Fun Things to Do Write a Poem http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/writers/poem_ideas.html

From the list at the above website, choose a subject and write your own poem. When you have your poem written, publish it to the Internet, with permission of a parent or teacher, using the following Internet address: http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/writers/submit_poem.html

Conclusion Having a poem tell the story of the seasons is a fun way to learn. Poetry can be of any type, just like the seasons can be rainy, snowy, or blowy.


Websites Children’s Haiku Garden http://www.tecnet.or.jp/~haiku Teach your children the art of haiku with this web page. The Children’s Haiku Garden contains numerous haiku poems written for and by children. Children’s Poetry in The Poetry Zone http://www.poetryzone.ndirect.co.uk/teacher.htm “The Teaching Zone” in The Poetry Zone features links of interest to educators who wish to encourage the use of poetry in the classroom. Included are classroom resources, ideas to help teach poetry, how to write poems and additional websites for teachers. An English poet who travels to United Kingdom schools to perform poetry and provide poetry and writing workshops maintains the Poetry Zone. Giggle Poetry http://www.gigglepoetry.com Lots of fun poetry activities can be found at this website. “School Poems,” “Learning to Write Poems,” “Poetry Contests,” “Favorite Poems of Children” and “Poetry for Teachers” are all links from the homepage. Some of the links, such as “Poetry Fun,” include interactive activities that would encourage creativity and strengthen computer skills in young children


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LearningQuest 7 : Snowy Flowy Blowy The Poetry Writing Project http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/poetry_tguide.htm From Scholastic.com, this page features information for the teacher on using poetry in the classroom. Provides lesson plan information, assessment/evaluation techniques, learning objectives, and cross-curricular extensions. ProTeacher http://www.proteacher.com/070034.shtml A collection of educational poetry links for use with children. Includes lesson plans, writing activities, online poetry pages and other useful ideas for the classroom.

Books The 20th Century Children’s Poetry Treasury. Compiled by Jack Prelutsky. Knopf, 1999. Jack Prelutsky is well known in the children’s literature field for his poetry. In this book he has gathered over 200 poems by 137 poets in one collection for children. Based on themes familiar to children, this book is full of ideas and fun for all. Koch, Kenneth. Wishes, Lies, and Dreams: Teaching Children to Write Poetry. HarperPerennial, 1999. Great for creative writing, introducing poetry into the classroom curriculum, or for those educators who want more understanding of poetry, this book may find its way onto the bookshelf of all teachers who enjoy literature. Contains exercises appropriate for the elementary classroom. Prelutsky, Jack. Illustrated by Petra Mathers. The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders. Greenwillow, 2002. Here are poems about people and animals, set in such far-flung places as Minot, Minneapolis, Tuscaloosa, Tucumcari, and the Grand Canyon. Impossible to read only once, these exuberant poems and irresistible pictures will be loved by children from Miami to Seattle. Seuss, Dr. Horton Hatches the Egg. Random House, 1968. Dr. Seuss, well known for his nonsense stories, has written a wonderful poem in the story of Horton. Horton, who promises to hatch the egg, not only provides a wonderful verse, but a story with deeper meaning for all who read it. A wonderful book that’s full of meaning, fun, and classroom possibilities. Silverstein, Shel. A Light in the Attic. HarperCollins, 1981. Winner of numerous awards, including Notable Children’s Books, 1981, and Best Books of 1981, this book is considered by many to be a classic in the world of children’s literature and poetry. Shel Silverstein is well known for his nonsensical rhymes, rhythms, and verse. The language is lyrical and well suited for adults and children of all ages. Steele, Lani. Primarily Poetry: Poetry Lessons for Grades K–3. Dandy Lion, 1989. Help your young scholars as they explore the world of poetry. This book contains lessons, exercises and activities to strengthen word play, poetry understanding, and cross-curricular experiences. Zolotow, Charlotte. Illustrated by Erik Blegvad. Seasons: A Book of Poems. HarperCollins, 2002. In Zolotow’s first offering for beginning readers, these seasonal poems evoke—with signature warmth and insight—the highlights and emotions of a child’s year. Erik Blegvad’s appealing pen and ink illustrations portray the scenes of nature, family, friendship, and solitude.

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LQ8 Mooncake Frank Asch Scholastic, 1983

Introduction Bear is busy wondering what the moon tastes like! So he decides to build a rocket ship and travel to the moon. But what Bear doesn’t think about is how long it takes to build a rocket and what happens to bears in the winter!

Assignment In Mooncake, Bear builds a rocket ship to travel to the moon. As you work on this LearningQuest, you will learn about rockets and perhaps see real pictures of the moon.

Internet Resources The Space Transportation System http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/Shuttle/About/sts.html Activities 1 & 2

3…2…1…Blastoff! http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/programs/g-scouts/space1.html Activities 3 & 4

Astronomy Picture of the Day http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html Activity 5

Activities 1. What does the word “shuttle” stand for? 2. How many people does the shuttle hold? 3. Who was the first person to fly a liquid propellant rocket? In what year did he fly this rocket? 4. Who was the first American woman to fly in space? 5. What is the picture of the day? Write two things about the picture to share with your class.

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LearningQuest 8 : Mooncake

Fun Things to Do Rocket Dot-to-Dot http://familyeducation.com/printables/piece/0,2357,2-7648-18,00.html

Using the printer connected to your computer, print out this web page and connect the dots. You can color the picture using colors or magic markers and share with your class.

Conclusion While we know we can’t “eat” the moon, it is fun to think of such things just like Bear did. Maybe someday, you will actually visit the moon on a rocket ship! When you do, be sure to look for our friend, Bear.


Websites Education Planet—Space http://www.educationplanet.com/articles/spaceday.html This web page features activities and games, lessons, external links, and useful information for the classroom. Education Planet is a web service of interest to educators, and claims to offer links to over 100,000 educational lessons and sites. Kennedy Space Center http://www.ksc.nasa.gov This website features a vast amount of information about the Kennedy Space Center, space shuttles, and missions. Especially useful for the teacher who is conducting a space mission in the classroom, as this site provides information on countdown procedures and technical facts. The Magic School Bus Lost in Space http://www.askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Science/Astronomy/ AST0002.html From “Ask Eric” Lesson Plans, this plan features the book by Joanna Cole, The Magic School Bus Lost in Space. Objectives, materials, concepts to be gained, and procedures to be followed are included in this lesson plan designed for the second and third grades, but adaptable for younger children. NASA Teacher’s Corner http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/Teachers This page features information for educators that can be incorporated into classroom curriculum. Includes directions for building a Word Finder, glossary, and index of terms and links to additional useful information.

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LearningQuest 8 : Mooncake Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum http://www.nasm.edu Provides information on exhibits, the Albert Einstein Planetarium and the collections housed at the Air and Space Museum. Educators may find links and useful information that can be incorporated into classroom projects. Space and Planets http://www.childfun.com/themes/space.shtml From childfun.com, this page is a themed area featuring a variety of space activities, food, crafts, songs, and fun for children. Many of the ideas are adaptable for use in the classroom and include items found in the classroom or home. Space Resources http://www.edhelper.com/cat280.htm A large resource from edHelper.com, this site features lesson plans, WebQuests, space resources, and numerous links. As with all web resources, it will be necessary to determine usability for each classroom situation, but everyone should be able to find useful information and classroom activities from this one resource.

Books Anderson, Joan. Richie’s Rocket. William Morrow, 1993. Richie is a young man who uses his imagination to build a cardboard spaceship and rocket to space. Illustrations show Richie in weightlessness, communicating with earth, and exploring space. Cole, Joanna. The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System. Scholastic, 1990. Ms. Frizzle and her class always have adventures! This time they hop the Magic School Bus for an adventure in the solar system. As with all Magic School Bus books, children are entertained and educated at the same time. Combs, Lisa. Rocket to the Moon: The Incredible Story of the First Lunar Landing. BridgeWater Books, 1999. Filled with great photos and illustrations, this book explores the Apollo 11 flight in terms the younger child can understand. Newell, Peter. The Rocket Book. Tuttle Publishing, 1995. Algernon Bracket and Orlando Pease are two young scientists who launch a rocket from the basement of their apartment building! It is not every day that a rocket blasts to space, especially from a basement! Rey, H. A. Curious George and the Rocket. Houghton Mifflin, 2001. From the book, Curious George Gets a Medal, this story features Curious George as the first monkey in space. For fans of Curious George, this book will entertain. For those who have not met Curious George, this will be a great introduction.


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LQ9 First Snow Emily Arnold McCully Harper & Row, 1985 Introduction It is the first snow of the season and the Mouse family is excited about sledding in the fresh, white snow. All except the littlest mouse, that is. Watch as Little Mouse shows you the fun of sledding down the big hill and going back to the top to do it again!

Assignment Winter brings a lot of changes. The temperature turns cold, the wind blows, and often snow will fall. During this activity, you will learn about snow and maybe even see different types of snowflakes. Have fun, and don’t forget to wear your winter coat!

Internet Resources Snow Science http://www.teelfamily.com/activities/snow/science.html Activity 1

Snow Flake Designer http://www.explorescience.com/activities/Activity_page.cfm?ActivityID=12 Activity 2

Questions and Answers About Snow http://nsidc.org/NSIDC/EDUCATION/SNOW/snow_FAQ.html Activities 3 & 4

Activities 1. How many sides does a snow crystal have? 2. Use your mouse to design your very own snowflake. When you get one you really like, print it out, and share with your class. (Macromedia Shockwave needs to be installed on the computer for this activity to work properly.) 3. Is it ever too cold to snow? 4. How big are most snowflakes?

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LearningQuest 9 : First Snow

Fun Things to Do Print the page at the following Internet address: http://www.benjerry.com/yule/snowflake-cone.html

Follow the directions, and with the help of an adult, cut out the snowflake and use it to decorate your classroom or library. You may even wish to make more than one copy of the snowflake pattern so you’ll have a blizzard in your room!

Conclusion Snow is great fun, aids our environment by adding moisture to the ground, and when it first falls, it can be clean and white. Each snowflake that falls is different; just as every person is different. So the next time you see snow falling, for each snowflake you see think of your friends, family members, and the many other people in the world.


Websites Blizzards and Snow Theme Page http://www.cln.org/themes/blizzards.html A webliography, or bibliography of web resources, this page is maintained by the Community Learning Network. It provides adults with a variety of educational links that can be used to supplement a unit on snow or blizzards. Some of the pages are for upper elementary or middle school use, but there are plenty of resources for use in the primary classroom. Snow Activities http://www.123child.com/winter/snow.html Packed with a lot of information and activities, educators will find this page worthwhile for its content and curriculum support. Included are literature, math and science activities and games and art projects for use in the elementary classroom. Some of the suggestions tie together more than one subject, such as a game that involves art and classifying patterns. The Teel Family Snow Pages http://www.teelfamily.com/activities/snow The Teel Family is a homeschooling family that lives in the cold, cold north. They have developed an excellent website with numerous activities, games, songs, art projects, science experiments, and information about snow and winter. The pages from the Teel Family are educational, entertaining, and well done. Thematic Units—Winter/Snow http://atozteacherstuff.com/themes/winter.shtml Another good site for educators, this web page offers links to science experiments, literature activities, thematic lessons, units and plans, and projects. A short description is provided for each link, many of which have been developed by educators.


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LearningQuest 9 : First Snow Winter Activities http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/winter.html This page is from the Carol Hurst Children’s Literature website, an excellent source for literature and curriculum extensions. Various books that use winter as a theme are presented, along with classroom use, ideas and ways the winter theme can be incorporated into each subject. Carol Hurst presents good information that is useful for educators, librarians, and parents. Winter Theme Activities for Young Children http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-winter.htm Although designed for use in a preschool setting, the activities on this web page are easily adaptable for use with primary children. Music, motor skill building activities, science experiments, and literature all featuring “winter” are presented in a useful manner.

Books Burton, Virginia Lee. Katy and the Big Snow. Houghton Mifflin, 1971. Katy is a snowplow in the winter and a caterpillar in the summer. She is the one who helps the people in Geoppolis each and every day. Virginia Lee Burton is known for her ability to bring inanimate objects to life, and the children will enjoy Katy as she works to save the day! Evans, Lezlie. Snow Dance. Houghton Mifflin, 1997. The rhyming text of this book reminds us of the fun that a snowstorm can offer. Playtime in the snow is different than at other times of the year, and this book is testament to that fact. Snowball battles, snowmen, snow forts, and sledding are all aspects of a day out of school due to a snowstorm. Anyone who has spent a snow day outside will enjoy this book. Gay, Marie-Louise. Stella, Queen of the Snow. Groundwood Books, 2000. Stella is a little girl who has a brother Sam who is always asking “Why?” And it is a good thing Sam has Stella, as Stella knows everything about snow because she is the Queen of the Snow! It is Sam’s first snow and he wants to know all he can about the snow. Stella patiently answers his questions and entertains the reader along the way. Keats, Ezra Jack. The Snowy Day. Viking Press, 1962. A Caldecott Medal Book, The Snowy Day is considered by many to be a classic in the world of children’s literature. Peter is a young boy who goes outside to experience the snow. He drags a stick in the snow, makes snow angels, and brings some of the snow inside to share with his parents. The collage illustrations are ultimate Keats and expressive of Peter and his adventures. Shulevitz, Uri. Snow. Farrar Straus and Giroux, 1998. Shulevitz, a Caldecott Medal artist, was awarded a Caldecott Honor for this book. Simple text highlights the beginning of the snowstorm, which most people in the book ignore. But the snow continues to fall and fall and fall. Suddenly the entire town is covered and the simple text has become more complex. The illustrations also lead to the snowstorm, as each page gradually becomes whiter, just as the sky does when the snow begins to fall harder and harder.

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LQ10 Owl Moon Jane Yolen Philomel Books, 1987 Introduction A young girl and her father set out one evening, past her bedtime, to walk through the quiet snowy countryside. Along the way, they meet an owl with which they form a special relationship. This book was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1988.

Assignment Owls are interesting creatures and may remind us of a quiet walk in the woods. During this activity, you will learn about owls, their homes, and their habitat.

Internet Resources Screech Owl http://www.wildwnc.org/af/screechowl.html Activity 1

Owls http://encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?ti=00CBB000 Activities 2 & 3

Snowy Owl http://www.lpzoo.com/tour/factsheets/birds/snowy_owl.html Activities 4 & 5

Activities 1. About how big are screech owls? 2. What are the two types of owls? 3. What one place on earth do owls not live? 4. How large can a snowy owl get? 5. How much will a snowy owl weigh?

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LearningQuest 10 : Owl Moon

Fun Things to Do Print out the coloring sheet at the following Internet address: http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/woodsy/cs_woodsy.html

Woodsy Owl tells children and adults about caring for the environment and tells us not to pollute. After you color the picture of Woodsy Owl, make up a short story about him and share with your class.

Conclusion Owls are nocturnal birds, which means they are awake at night. They hunt for mice and other small animals using their sharp claws. Their eyesight and hearing is very good. When you see an owl remember all that you learned about them here, and see if you can’t tell which kind of owl it is.


Websites Burrowing Owl http://bvsd.colorado.edu/schools/coalc/wildlife/burrowl.html Children are the contributors to this web page, which features text, photographs and drawings of burrowing owls in Colorado. This site is nice, as it will show students that children can contribute information to the Internet as well as adults. Owl Cam Homepage http://www.owlcam.com Follow the links to numerous photographs taken of owls. This page reports that it uses unobtrusive methods of photographing the owls. Children will enjoy the color photographs and educators can introduce the northern barred owl with the links. Follow the entire process, from building the nest box, to photographs from 1997, to present day. The Owl Pages http://www.owlpages.com An extensive collection of links related to owls. Included are Internet links for nesting, rehabilitation of injured owls, artwork, mythology, and culture. Each link will need to be evaluated for use in the classroom, but educators are certain to find useful information and interesting activities for use with children. Owls http://www.track0.com/canteach/links/linkowls.html Educators will find this page useful, as it offers a short webliography of links on owls that can be used with children. CanTeach presents this page, a Canadian Internet web resource intended to offer educational pages and lesson plans and units for use with children.

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LearningQuest 10 : Owl Moon Snowy Owl http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/owl.html This site provides good information on the snowy owl, which can be adapted for use with young children. The photograph of a snowy owl is very nice and provides a good visual for use in the classroom. Two Owls Jigsaw Puzzle http://www.shockwave.com/bin/shockwave/entry.jsp?content=twoowls For when the class has a lot of time to spend on the computer, this web page is a nice representation of an owl jigsaw puzzle. Move the puzzle pieces to complete the picture. Pull down the “Options” menu to get help or see the completed picture. Requires Shockwave to run.

Books Arnosky, Jim. All About Owls. Scholastic, 1999. Nicely illustrated, this book provides children with a lot of information about owls, their habitat, feeding habits, and behavior. Part science book, part story, this book is a natural accompaniment to the primary curriculum. The illustrations are done in watercolor and present scientific accuracy and pleasing representation. Hutchins, Pat. Goodnight, Owl! Simon and Schuster, 1972. Little Owl is trying to sleep, but everyone is too noisy. All the other animals are awake and busy with their day. The rhythmic text encourages audience participation and is a great way to introduce the difference between nocturnal and diurnal creatures. Lobel, Arnold. Owl at Home. HarperCollins, 1982. Owl is just like you and me; he eats, wears clothes, and sees bumps in the night. This beginning-to-read book is great for reading aloud or independent readers. Although a bit longer than most picture books (60+ pages), Owl at Home has short chapters that can be read as an entire story. Waddell, Martin. Owl Babies. Candlewick Press, 1992. Three baby owls wake to find their mother gone. As time progresses, they become more worried, but of course mom soon returns. This story not only tells of the need for security, but the illustrations provide a good representation of baby owls in their natural habitat.


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LQ11 The Snowman Raymond Briggs Random House, 1978 Introduction In this story, a little boy makes friends with a snowman. This book has no words, but the story is told through the illustrations or pictures. Each picture tells a part of the story and it is up to the reader to “tell” the entire story. Great fun for everyone!

Assignment Storytelling is a great way to learn, teach, and have fun. It isn’t necessary to have words, as sometimes pictures can tell a story, just as in The Snowman. During this LearningQuest, you will learn about storytelling, practice your own stories, and maybe learn a new story to tell.

Internet Resources Write Your Own Fairy Tale http://www.storyteller.net/play/stories/tmas/tmas_ft.html Activity 1

Storytelling http://www.seanet.com/~eldrbarry/roos/psst.htm Activities 2 & 3

Info Please Dictionary http://www.factmonster.com/ipd/A0673281.html Activity 4

Activities 1. Fairy tales were probably told before they were written down. Make your choices from each box and write your own fairy tale. After you write it, practice it, and tell it to someone special. 2. Where can you find stories to tell? 3. What are the four things that make a story good? 4. What is a storyteller?

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LearningQuest 11 : The Snowman

Fun Things to Do Wake Up, Cat! http://www.meddybemps.com/9.701.html

It is now time for you to tell a story. Print this web page and finish the story. After you have finished, read it to your class.

Conclusion We all have stories that we can tell. It may be a story about your day at school, your pet or your favorite activity. Every day is a story and by telling stories to our parents, friends and classmates, we share our lives.


Websites Children’s Literature—Resources for Storytellers http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/rstory.html From the Children’s Literature Web Guide, this web page is a good list of a variety of storytelling techniques. Included are puppetry, folklore, library programming, and additional resources. The Children’s Literature Web Guide is an exemplary website for children’s literature. The resources are chosen carefully and the information is useful for educators, librarians, parents, and those interested in children and their books. Digital Storytelling http://tech-head.com/dstory.htm As with the rest of our lives, storytelling has been impacted by the digital age and technology. Digital Storytelling is a combination of family stories and technology. Through the articles and Internet links listed on this page, educators will have the opportunity to learn more about digital storytelling and find ways to incorporate it into the classroom experience. Story Arts Online http://www.storyarts.org A great resource for storytelling in the classroom. Included are lesson plans, curriculum connections, and stories that can be memorized and retold. The links provided include language arts and links for educators. All storytellers, and those who are interested in the subject, should find useful information at this Internet site. The Story Connection http://www.storyconnection.net/storytelling_links.htm An extensive list of storytelling links is presented on this web page, including storytelling organizations, discussion lists, and websites of professional storytellers. Through this collection, teachers, librarians, and parents are certain to find stories or “how-to” information on using storytelling in the classroom.


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LearningQuest 11 : The Snowman Storytelling On the Internet http://storynet.org/resources/links.htm This site is from StoryNet—an organization devoted to bringing together individuals and organizations that use and tell stories. The links feature a wide assortment of subject areas, including libraries, newsletters, magazines, and articles on storytelling, the use of storytelling as a healing art, and virtual storytelling sites. Educators are bound to find information that can be used in any classroom situation through the links on this page. Storytelling, Drama, Creative Dramatics, Puppetry, and Reader’s Theater for Children and Young Adults http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/drama.htm The storytelling links on this page are numerous and selected with care. The educational value of each site will be determined by personal goals and needs, but all have potential for exploration. An added bonus is the list of links for drama, creative dramatics, puppetry, and reader’s theater. This site is from the Internet School Library Media Center from James Madison University. Storytelling in the Elementary Classroom http://www.indiana.edu/~eric_rec/ieo/bibs/story.html Largely composed of ERIC citations, this webliography also contains a few external links that address storytelling in the elementary classroom. Information is provided on obtaining the ERIC documents listed, along with a short abstract of the document. ERIC is a quality database with an educational emphasis, so educators wishing to incorporate storytelling into the classroom will do well to investigate this resource.

Books Changar, Jerilynn. Storytelling Activities Kit: Ready-to-Use Techniques, Lessons, and Listening Cassettes for Early Childhood. Center for Applied Research in Education, 1992. Included with the two audiocassettes is a teacher’s manual that outlines techniques for using storytelling in the classroom curriculum. Stories that supplement early childhood themes are also included that can be easily learned and used in the classroom or library situation. Davis, Donald. Telling Your Own Stories: For Family and Classroom Storytelling, Public Speaking, and Personal Journaling. August House, 1993. We all have stories. Sometimes children may not realize their everyday experiences can be made into stories. With this book, Davis has presented simple and effective methods for using family stories. In the classroom, his ideas can be used to enhance the storytelling experience and encourage the development of oral expression. Egan, Kieran. Teaching as Story Telling: An Alternative Approach to Teaching and Curriculum in the Elementary School. University of Chicago Press, 1989. Using a variety of techniques, Teaching as Story Telling suggests an approach to using storytelling and stories across the curriculum. Instruction is provided for the teacher or librarian on ways to incorporate storytelling, various applications that can be used, and examples of actual units that can be presented.

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LearningQuest 11 : The Snowman MacDonald, Margaret Read. The Storyteller’s Start-up Book: Finding, Learning, Performing and Using Folktales. August House, 1993. A great book for the beginner, The Storyteller’s Start-up Book is a great tool for those who wish to use folktales in the classroom. MacDonald presents information on finding, learning, and telling the stories, plus she has included some stories to learn. Margaret Read MacDonald is also the author of Shake-it Up Tales! Stories to Sing, Dance, Drum and Act Out, a fun book that also provides stories suitable for classroom use. Paley, Vivian Gussin. The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter: The Uses of Storytelling in the Classroom. Harvard University Press, 1990. Paley presents a kindergarten classroom in which the children educate the educators through their natural ability to tell stories. Anyone who has wanted to understand the mind of a young child or use the creative aspects of young children as a springboard to education will enjoy this book.


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LQ12 The Mitten A Ukrainian Folktale Jan Brett Scholastic, 1989 Introduction A small boy from the Ukraine asks his grandmother to knit a white mitten for him. He drops his white mitten in the snow and the animals of the forest find it. Each makes the mitten its home until all the animals of the forest are crowded inside their mitten home.

Assignment Even though animals do not normally live in a mitten, they do live in some type of home. During this fun Internet activity, you will learn about the homes of some animals and enjoy seeing the different ways in which our animal friends live.

Internet Resources Habitat http://library.thinkquest.org/11922/habitats/habitats.htm?tqskip=1 Activities 1 & 2

Cheetah Spot http://www.cheetahspot.com/termitesf.html Activity 3

Interactive Swamp http://www.twingroves.district96.k12.il.us/wetlands/swamp/swampmap.html Activity 4

Activities 1. What does the word “habitat” mean? 2. What are two examples of a habitat? 3. Where will you find cheetahs? In order to survive, what do cheetahs need to have in their habitat?

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LearningQuest 12 : The Mitten 4. Enter the Interactive Swamp. Choose one animal, and find out about it. Where does it live, what does it eat, what is its name? Continue to look around the swamp and write down all the animals and plants you see.

Fun Things to Do Polar Pairs http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/game

Use the above Internet address to find a fun game about animals and their habitat. After finding an animal match, you will learn about that animal and where it lives.

Conclusion All animals live in some type of home; it may be a tree, the ocean, or your backyard. It is important to protect the homes of our wildlife animals and fish, and we can do our part to help. Be careful and respect the homes of our animal friends.


Websites 99 Ways to Help Save Wildlife Habitat http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/edu/enved/99things.htm This list presents a variety of ways humans can preserve the habitats of our wildlife animal friends. Based on cleaning and protecting natural resources, this list can generate discussion, community action, and thought in young children. Animal Mobile Homes http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/hmr/1/5/act1.html A lesson plan that presents directions for a science and art curriculum extension. After researching the habitat of a chosen animal, children will construct a mobile that gives evidence to their findings. Children can be creative and use a variety of resources to find their information and media to make their mobile. After completion, it would be fun for each child to share their mobile with the class and explain their findings. Education Guide http://www.zooatlanta.org/site/education The zoo in Atlanta, GA sponsors an education link on their website with activities and teacher resources. Curriculum guides and animal facts will enhance the educational experience. Forest Animals Word Scramble http://biology.usgs.gov/features/kidscorner/games/frstscramb.html Children in the upper primary grades will find this game fun, and educators will respect the educational outcomes. Simple forest animal names are scrambled and children are to unscramble them. A link is provided with the correct answers, so this activity is interactive as well as fun.


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LearningQuest 12 : The Mitten Thank a Tree http://www.nwf.org/kids/ From the National Wildlife Federation, this is a fun game that allows children to explore the habitat of a tree. Follow the link for “Thank a Tree” and the game will automatically be loaded on your computer. It is necessary to have Shockwave on your computer to participate, with a link for downloading provided. Once you have the tree on the computer screen, children can move their mouse to the highlighted pictures and see a bird or animal that uses a tree as its home. Polar Pairs http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/game/ A matching game that provides information on the habitat and habits of polar animals. Although the pictures of the animals are a bit small, the sound effects are nicely done. Children will enjoy playing the game and learning about the different animals. This game requires a Java enhanced browser. Ranger Rick’s Kids Zone http://www.nwf.org/kids/games.html# The Ranger Rick’s Kids Zone is a website of great games and activities for children. The games all require Shockwave Flash, but are worth the easy effort to download the application. Specific games that will enhance the theme of this LearningQuest are “Let’s Explore—A Cave,” “Let’s Explore—Grasslands,” and “Find the Owls.” After each activity, correct answers are reinforced. Having speakers with the computer greatly adds to the experience. Children will gain experience with manipulation of a computer mouse and knowledge about animals and their environments.

Books Arnosky, Jim. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Simon and Schuster, 1997. Crinkleroot is a woodsman who introduces children to a variety of habitats and animal species. Using a variety of transportation modes, Crinkleroot takes readers on an adventure full of fun and education. Cutler, Warren. Creepy Crawly Creatures (A National Geographic Action Book). National Geographic Society, 1995. This book features a map that shows where a variety of the Earth’s creatures live. Children will enjoy the animals, and educators will find the information useful in the classroom to reinforce learning goals. Hewitt, Sally. All Kinds of Habitats (It’s Science!). Children’s Press, 1999. Providing basic information, this book would be a good supplement to the curriculum. Examples are provided that encourage children to discover various habitats, animals, and plants. This book is appropriate for Kindergarten, first and second grade classrooms, due to reading level and illustrations. Relf, Patricia and Joanna Cole. Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus Hops Home. Scholastic, 1995. Written to accompany the PBS animated television program, The Magic School Bus Hops Home is an adventurous story of the children in Ms. Frizzle’s classroom as they follow a frog. The frog becomes the guide as it tells the children about different animals and their habitats. The Magic School Bus series of books are educational, fun, and encourage science knowledge.

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LearningQuest 12 : The Mitten Children enjoy the adventures of Ms. Frizzle and her class and they are certain to have fun on this Magic School Bus trip. Taylor, Barbara. Animal Hide and Seek. DK Publishing, 1998. Each double-paged spread features a selected habitat filled with animals. Children detect the animals and are encouraged to answer questions about each. The illustrations in this book are brightly colored, and the large format adds to the usefulness of the book.


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LQ13 It Looked Like Spilt Milk Charles G. Shaw Scholastic, 1947 Introduction Each picture of this book looks like something…a bird in the sky…an ice cream cone…a birthday cake. But it is not; it is just a cloud in the sky.

Assignment Clouds are interesting as they change shapes all the time. During this activity you will learn about clouds and perhaps make one of your own. How many different objects can you see when you are looking at the clouds in the sky?

Internet Resources Our Weather Book http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/weather/title.htm Activity 1

Hidden Animals http://www.weatherworks.com/monthly/activities/nephelococcygia.html Activity 2

Cirrus Clouds http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wcirrus.htm Activities 3 & 4

Observing Clouds http://inspire.ospi.wednet.edu:8001/curric/weather/pricloud/index.html Activity 5

Activities 1. Read the weather book by clicking the blue arrow in the upper right-hand corner of each page on this site. After you read the book, write three things you learned about clouds.

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LearningQuest 13 : It Looked Like Spilt Milk 2. There are five animals hidden in the cloud picture at the top of this web page. Can you find them all? After you write down your answers, click the answer link and see how well you did. 3. One type of cloud is a cirrus cloud. How high in the sky are these clouds? 4. What is a “mare’s tail”? 5. What are the three main types of clouds?

Fun Things to Do Buster the Water Cloud http://www.dltk-kids.com/t/earth/bcloud1.html

Print the cloud picture and decorate using cotton balls or colors. Be sure to give Buster his hat! These pictures can be used to help decorate your school room or library media center. Have fun!

Conclusion Clouds can be many shapes and sizes. Perhaps the next time you are looking at the clouds in the sky you will see one that looks like “Spilt Milk!”


Websites Cloud Activities http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/geography/clouds.htm Five separate activities are presented on this page that can be adapted for the primary classroom. Students can do cloud spotting outside or conduct a survey of the clouds in the sky. An extension of the cloud theme, ideas for activities on studying the water cycle are also included. Cloud in the Bottle http://www.chias.org/www/edu/activities/activity1/activity1.html A simple science activity that produces a cloud in a two-liter plastic bottle. Adult supervision is needed, as matches are required to complete the activity. Cloud in the Bottle would make a good classroom demonstration project for science class. Cloud Poems http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/rollman/98/clouds.htm Using this web page as an example, educators can assist children in making their own poems about clouds. Primary children wrote these poems with their “fourth grade reading buddies,” which would be a neat program to recreate in the school.


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: : It Looked Like Spilt Milk LearningQuest 13 It Looked Like Spilt Milk http://www.mcps.org/ces/ca/smilk/smilkac.html This web page, that uses fingerpaint as a means to extend the reading of It Looked Like Spilt Milk, presents educational objectives, materials, procedures, and evaluation techniques. The simple art project is one that can be done with the youngest child in the library, classroom, or home. It Looked Like Spilt Milk Web Text http://www.mcps.org/ces/ca/smilk/webtext.html A great way to use It Looked Like Spilt Milk across the curriculum. Ideas are presented for incorporating the book into math, science, music, technical education, language arts and health, to name a few. The suggestions are simple in text and thought, but educators will be able to expand and incorporate them. Using literature across the curriculum is a wonderful way to reinforce reading and extend educational goals. This web page does both. Little Cloud http://www.eduplace.com/tview/tviews/l/littlecloud.html As an extension to the book, Little Cloud, by Eric Carle, activities for science art and writing are presented for use in the classroom. Developed by a first grade teacher, the activities can be an extension of the cloud LearningQuest and enhance the learning experience. Weather Watchers http://itdc.sbcss.k12.ca.us/curriculum/weather.html A WebQuest that features clouds as part of the learning experience. Children can view various cloud types and learn about the weather in many regions of the world. Some adaptation for the younger children may be necessary, but the links and information will be useful in the primary classroom.

Books dePaola, Tomie. The Cloud Book. Holiday House, 1975. Tomie dePaola is a well-known children’s author who has written on numerous subjects. The Cloud Book is a neat book that incorporates scientific facts about clouds into the storyline. Children will learn about different types of clouds and gain the ability to recognize some common clouds in the sky. Fowler, Allan. What Do You See in a Cloud? Children’s Press, 1996. This is a scientific look at clouds and is intended for children ages 4–8. The information presented is on their level and features other types of weather as well. A good book for the science curriculum in the primary classroom. Greene, Carol. Hi, Clouds. Children’s Press, 1983. This book is from the “Rookie Reader” series of books for beginning readers. Two young children take a walk and identify the clouds they see in the sky. Not only will Hi, Clouds enhance the clouds LearningQuest, it will reinforce reading skills of children ages 4–8. Saunders-Smith, Gail. Clouds. Pebble Books, 1998. Different types of clouds are featured in this book. Included are nice illustrations to accompany the text. Clouds will aid in the exploration of various types of clouds. Wiesner, David. Sector 7. Clarion, 1999. Winner of the Caldecott Honor Medal in 2000, Sector 7 is the story of a class trip to the Empire State Building in New York City. Once the class arrives, they find the top of the Empire State Building covered in clouds.

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LQ14 A Letter to Amy Ezra Jack Keats Harper, 1968 Introduction Peter is having a birthday and wants to invite his friend Amy. First Peter worries that all the other boys will laugh because he invited a girl. Then he worries because the rain and wind take his letter away on a trip through the town.

Assignment There are many different types of rain. From a soft, gentle rain, to a hard downpour during a thunderstorm. During this activity, you will learn about rain and perhaps even have some fun. Don’t get wet!

Internet Resources Glossary http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/3805/glossary/gloss.htm Activity 1

What Causes Precipitation? http://www.wildwildweather.com/precipitation.htm Activity 2

Will You Have Rain Today? http://www.earthwatch.com/SKYWATCH/RDUS2D.html Activity 3

Weather Facts http://home.nycap.rr.com/teachertown/weathfac.html#Precipitation Activities 4 & 5

Activities 1. What does the word “drizzle” mean? How about “drought”? 2. What causes rain? 3. Click your state to see the rain forecast for today. Will you have rain? Will it be heavy or light, or no rain at all? 4. Click the link for precipitation and answer the following questions.

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LearningQuest 14 : A Letter to Amy 5. What is the amount of the most rain that’s ever fallen in one day? How many cloud droplets does it take to make one raindrop?

Fun Things to Do Billy, Maria and the Thunderstorm http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/bm/bm02_title.html

Using the Internet address above, print out the entire “Billy, Maria, and the Thunderstorm” coloring book using the link provided. Your teacher will need to make certain the computer has Adobe Acrobat installed. Once you have the coloring book printed, read the story and color the pictures. Have fun as you learn about rain and thunderstorms.

Conclusion Rain is necessary, as it helps our plants grow and our rivers flow, and it nourishes animals in the wild. Rain can be fun when it is a light sprinkle, or can be heavy, as in a thunderstorm. No matter what, we will always have rain in our world.


Websites Activity Idea Place http://www.123child.com/easter/spring.html Some of the activities on this page may be more suitable for the younger child, but they can certainly be adapted to meet educational goals and curriculum of the primary grades. Included in the ideas are art activities, science and math projects, and group activities. Make It Rain! http://www.ucar.edu/40th/webweather/tstorms/tstorms.htm#rain A nice page of experiments for children in which they are provided directions to make a thunderstorm and rain. In addition, creative questioning is used to stimulate additional thought and knowledge. Children will enjoy doing the experiments and activities, and educators will appreciate the attention paid to educational goals. Rain Gauge http://www.miamisci.org/hurricane/rainmeasure.html A very nice activity with easy directions that can be used in the primary classroom. Children are provided instructions to print the rain ruler and they can measure the amount of rain collected in a container. The instructions on this web page are very interesting, as they are written for the new computer user and provide graphics on printing a file.

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LearningQuest 14 : A Letter to Amy Rain Rulers http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~coalitn/sciedoutreach/funexperiments/quickndirty/rain-rulers.htm Classroom activities include one where children make a measuring tool to gauge the amount of rainfall over a two-week period. Included are a few additional activities and curriculum extensions. Splish, Splash http://www.osr.state.ga.us/bestprac/math/M-15.htm Great activities for a rainy day, especially when the theme is rain! Provided units can be used in math class, art, language arts, independent play, or science. Through it all, the theme of rain is incorporated into the activities and games. Weather Cycle Dot to Dot http://www.education.com/common/resources/lp/sci/980119ks.html From this activity page, educators can download a weather cycle dot-to-dot that is completed by answering math questions. Although for the older primary age child, this page is a good accompaniment for a unit on rain and weather.

Books Glaser, Omri. Round the Garden. Harry N. Abrams, 1999. Written by an eight-year-old boy, Round the Garden is a look at the cycle of water. A tear falls, which helps form a puddle, which evaporates to the clouds to form rain. Not only does this book provide good information about how rain develops, but educators can use the age of the author as an example to encourage written expression in the classroom. Hesse, Karen. Come on, Rain! Scholastic, 1999. One day the sun is so hot, all the vegetables are wilting. Soon the rain comes down and everyone is happy. This book has both rich text and illustrations. The two elements of the book join together to form an interesting and useful book. Martin, Bill. Listen to the Rain. Henry Holt, 1988. Not only can we see rain, but we can listen as well. This richly illustrated book offers the reader and listener the opportunity to listen to rain and hear its sounds. The rhythmic text, along with the illustrations, makes for a good book for use in the classroom. In addition to the scientific uses, Listen to the Rain would be a good book for use in language arts or creative writing as examples of nice prose. Scheer, Julian. Rain Makes Applesauce. Holiday House, 1964. A Caldecott Medal Honor book, Rain Makes Applesauce is a whimsical look at life. Although the subject of rain is not treated in the “scientific” manner, rain is an integral part of the story due to the recurring phrase, “Rain Makes Applesauce.” A nonsensical tale that is a favorite of children, young and old. Stojic, Manya. Rain. Crown Publishers, 2000. The African desert is dry. They’ve had no rain in a long time. All of a sudden, the porcupine smells the rain coming and tells the zebra who can see the rain. Suddenly all the animals can detect the rain, each using a different sense. A good story that combines the topic of rain with the five senses.


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LQ15 The Wind Blew Pat Hutchins Scholastic, 1974 Introduction One day the wind began to blow. And it blew and blew and blew, until suddenly just about everything was gone. Just when the wind was about to take everything, it changed its mind! So back came the scarves, umbrella, and even the Judge’s wig!

Assignment During this Internet activity, you will learn about the wind and what causes it to blow. Have fun and hold on to your hat—you don’t want it to blow away!

Internet Resources Anemometer http://www.hollister.goleta.k12.ca.us/weatherwatch/instruments/anemometer.html Activities 1&2

Wind http://www.wildwildweather.com/wind.htm Activity 3

Earth’s Windiest Places http://www.discovery.com/news/features/winds/places.html Activity 4

Wind http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/discover/discover-html/wind.html Activity 5

Activities 1. What is an anemometer used for? 2. How does it measure the speed of the wind? 3. What causes wind? 4. Click an icon on the map and record what you learn. What place did you choose? What is one thing you learned about the wind at the location you “visited?”

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LearningQuest 15 : The Wind Blew 5. How does wind make energy using a wind turbine?

Fun Things to Do Wind Gallery http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/units/energy/gallery.html

Choose one of the pictures from this web photograph album. Write a short story about what you see. Remember to mention what the wind is doing in your story. You can also illustrate your story and then share it with your class.

Conclusion Even though we can’t see the wind, we can see what it does. We have all seen pictures of a windstorm or tornado, which is like a very fast windstorm. We have felt the wind as it blows our hair or watched as it blows leaves in the yard on a sunny fall day. The wind is important also, as it can make energy and remind us that weather is all around!


Websites Blustery Day http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/units/energy/blustery.html Another resource from The Franklin Institute Online, this web page extends discovery of the wind as a natural resource, an aspect of weather, and art activity. External links offer additional discovery and usefulness for the classroom. Capture the Wind http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/reproducibles/profbooks/sc970818b.htm Even though wind is invisible, we can see its effects. During this activity, children will capture the wind in a clear plastic bag and discover air. Included in the activity are journal ideas, extension projects and literature connections. The Wind http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/units/energy/inline/thewind.gif Robert Louis Stevenson is the author of a poem entitled “The Wind.” This website provides the words to the poem, which can then be used in the classroom. The teacher or librarian can read the poem aloud, or children can read the poem directly from the website. They could then write response pieces or a poem of their own using wind as a theme. Wind Chimes http://www.eecs.umich.edu/mathscience/funexperiments/quickndirty/wind.htm This web page presents a variety of ways to make wind chimes in the classroom, library, or home. Using common materials, children can make chimes that can be hung outside from a tree or other fixture. Discussion can be encouraged on why the chimes make noise and how the wind causes objects used in the projects to move.


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LearningQuest 15 : The Wind Blew Wind Power http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/units/energy/wind.html The Franklin Institute Online has developed a series of web pages that use wind as a theme. Educators are prompted to use the resources provided and explore wind energy and activities through inquiry-based learning. The additional links provided at this website will allow educators to discover more resources for use in the classroom.

Books Dorros, Arthur. Feel the Wind. HarperTrophy, 1990. This book is from the “Let’s Read and Find Out Science Book” series of educational books for young children. The topic of the wind is explored in terms young children can understand. Also included are directions for making a weathervane, which will extend its usefulness in the class or library. Ets, Marie Hall. Gilberto and the Wind. Viking Press, 1963. Gilberto is a young boy who is experiencing the wind. Each page of this book offers new ideas and information, along with the continuing story of Gilberto. A good addition to the classroom or library to extend the study of the wind. McKissack, Patricia. Mirandy and the Brother Wind. Knopf, 1988. This book won both the Caldecott Medal Honor and Coretta Scott King Awards. Mirandy is certain she can win the prize at a cakewalk if she catches “Brother Wind.” Determination fills the pages through the rich illustrations and wonderful text. Not only will this book enhance a classroom lesson on the wind, but will illustrate human nature as well. White, Linda Arms. Comes a Wind. DK Publishing, 2000. Two brothers, Clement and Clyde, can not cooperate with each other. They each want to tell the biggest story and can’t resist competition, until the day when the biggest wind blows and the boys cooperate to help their mother. This tale of a windy day and cooperation is certain to spark discussion of scientific and personal nature. Zolotow, Charlotte. When the Wind Stops. Harper, 1962. Charlotte Zolotow is a wonderful author of children’s books, and with When the Wind Stops, she has presented the concept of wind and windy weather in terms young children can comprehend. As he goes to bed, a little boy wonders if the wind will stop. Reassured by his mother that the wind does not stop, the boy learns of consistency and nature.

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LQ16 Hide and Seek Fog Alvin Tresselt Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1965 Introduction As the day rolls on, so does the fog. But the children who are at the beach do not mind. They like to play games in the fog including hide and go seek. The fog changes the plans of the fishermen and those at the beach, but it just makes the day more fun for the children!

Assignment Fog is mysterious and unusual. During this activity, you will learn about fog and its causes. Have fun playing in the fog!

Internet Resources Fog http://www.rte.ie/tv/DEN2/digby_11.html Activities 1 & 2

Understanding Fog http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wfog.htm Activity 3

Dr. Universe http://druniverse.wsu.edu/QandA.asp?questionID=31040 Activity 4

Why Fog Forms on Warm Nights http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wrfog.htm Activity 5

Activities 1. What causes fog? 2. Fog is really just what? 3. Usually when you see fog, what type of weather is it outside? 4. Why is it sometimes difficult to see in fog? 5. When is a good month to find morning fog?

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LearningQuest 16 : Hide and Seek Fog

Fun Things to Do The Fog Comes on Little Cat Feet http://www.wsanford.com/~wsanford/exo/fog_poem.html

Read this poem by Carl Sandburg. Then, rewrite it, using a different animal to describe fog. Does it hop in like a kangaroo, slither in like a snake or fly in like a bird? Have fun and when you are finished with your poem, share it with a friend.

Conclusion As we learned, fog is really a cloud that is close to the ground. Next time you see fog, try to remember it is a cloud and will eventually disappear.


Websites Common Sense Weather Rules http://www.eduplace.com/ss/act/common.html A learning activity that uses fog as one of the possibilities for creative thinking. Children are asked to name as many types of weather as they can. For the purpose of extending this LearningQuest, teachers, parents, or librarians could ask students to describe fog as the main component of the learning activity. Fog http://sln.fi.edu/weather/events/fog.html A very simple explanation of fog that would be useful in the classroom. Students could be directed to this web page for a greater understanding of fog, or if they were working on vocabulary words associated with weather. Fog Weather Wisdom http://www.touchtmj4.com/4weather/wxwisdom/fogwx.asp Contains articles written to explain various aspects of fog. Included are links for information on the formation of fog, the four types of fog and the foggiest places. The reading level of these web pages will be greater than those of the average primary-age student, but for educators wanting additional facts, it is worth a visit. Weather Fun http://www.innovamultimedia.com/sci3b.txt A lesson plan for tracking the weather using weather charts taped to a student’s desk. Learning Outcomes, procedure, and assessment criteria are all provided. Even though fog may not appear every day of the tracking period, children will be exposed to various types of weather.

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LearningQuest 16 : Hide and Seek Fog Books Gibbons, Gail. Weather Words and What they Mean. Holiday House, 1990. Children and educators will find this book useful as it presents weather terminology in language young children can understand. An extension of the unit on fog, this book will reinforce any weather concepts being taught. Gibbons is also the author of Nature’s Green Umbrella: Tropical Rainforests, The Reasons for Seasons and Weather Forecasting. Helmer, Marilyn. Fog Cat. Kids Can Press, 1999. A young cat disappears and then reappears in the fog near the sea. Hannah is a young girl who lives near the cat and tries to tame it. Not only is the story a nice story about the relationship between a child and an animal, the illustrations are nicely done and show the essence of the fog. Sauer, Julia. Fog Magic. Puffin, 1986. This book is written for an older age level, but would be a wonderful story for reading aloud in short segments. A young girl is fascinated with the fog and feels that it is magic. Full of imagery, this book would be a great extension to the learning experience. Walker, Nick. Sing Along with the Weather Dude. Small Gate Media, 2000. This is a book and CD combination featuring catchy weather songs created by the “Weather Dude,” Nick Walker. The Weather Dude can also be found on the Internet at: www.wxdude.com. The site features clips of songs by the weather dude, including songs about clouds and fog. Wild About Weather. McGraw Hill Professional Publishing, 1997. This book is a Ranger Rick Naturescope Guide and features information, activities, crafts, and works suitable for language arts class. Although a general book on weather, Wild About Weather makes a good accompaniment for additional information during the completion of the Fog LearningQuest.


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LQ17 The Storm Book Charlotte Zolotow Harper, 1952 Introduction It is a warm day and everything is still, until suddenly a storm comes and everything changes! Sometimes storms can be dangerous, but to watch them can sometimes be fun!

Assignment During this Internet activity, you will learn about lightning, thunder, and storms. Have a good time, but be sure to listen to the weather forecast before you go outside, especially when there is a chance of storms!

Internet Resources What is a Thunderstorm? http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5818/thunder3.html Activities 1 & 2

Storm Spotter’s Guide http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/skywarn/spotterguide.html Activity 3

Ask Earl http://www.yahooligans.com/content/ask_earl/20010102.html Activities 4 & 5

Activities 1. What is a thunderstorm? 2. About how many volts of electricity are in a lightning bolt? 3. What is a supercell thunderstorm? 4. What causes storm clouds? 5. What causes thunder?

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LearningQuest 17 : The Storm Book

Fun Things to Do Use the web page at Lightning Explorer: http://www.lightningstorm.com/lightningstorm/gpg/lex1/mapdisplay_free.jsp

Find your state and see if any lightning has occurred today. By looking at the different colors, you can see if any lightning has happened and how much.

Conclusion Thunderstorms are a natural part of our weather. It is important to remember to be safe in a thunderstorm and stay inside in a strong area of the house or building. Never go outside during a thunderstorm and always obey an adult’s guidance when in a thunderstorm.


Websites FEMA for Kids http://www.fema.gov/kids/ FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has developed a site for children that addresses a variety of natural disasters. Included is information on disasters, what to do in a natural disaster and a nice map of the United States that provides information on disasters in specific locations. Do It Yourself Rainstorm http://faldo.atmos.uiuc.edu/w_unit/LESSONS/diy_rainstorm.html Using their bodies as props, this lesson directs children to make a rainstorm. A discussion session is included in the lesson plan that encourages expression by children. The teacher leads the activity, which involves rubbing hands together faster and faster to make sounds like the rainstorm. National Weather Service Owlie Skywarn http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/owlie/owlie.htm Owlie Skywarn is an owl that teaches about severe weather in this page sponsored by the National Weather Service. Topics covered by Owlie include tornados, lightning, and flash floods. The language is simple and the pages will be useful in the classroom to enhance a unit on thunderstorms. Thunderstorms http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/researchitems/thunderstorms.shtml A simple explanation of thunderstorms is provided on this web page, as well as information on weather activities and links to additional websites. Educators in the primary grades will appreciate the simple definition provided by the National Severe Storms Laboratory.


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LearningQuest 17 : The Storm Book Web Weather for Kids: Thunderstorms http://www.ucar.edu/40th/webweather/ A page of simple experiments that will be useful in the classroom for their simplicity and scientific nature. Children and adults can make thunderstorms and lightning, measure the distance of lightning through a simple measuring device, and make a tornado. The materials list is composed of household and classroom items and with adult supervision, these experiments will be enjoyable and educational.

Books Bourgeois, Paulette. Franklin and the Thunderstorm. Scholastic, 1998. Franklin the Turtle is afraid of thunderstorms. His friends think thunderstorms are fun and exciting and his friends tell Franklin that the thunder is cloud giants that are bowling. Soon the thunderstorm subsides and a rainbow appears. Learning that it is okay to be afraid of storms, the animals also learn some interesting facts about thunderstorms. Branley, Franklyn. Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll. HarperCollins, 1999. Filled with fun and interesting facts about thunderstorms, this book will entertain and educate. Children will gain an understanding of how thunder and lightning are formed. Also addressed is the issue of safety during a thunderstorm and simple crafts and activities that can be incorporated into a classroom situation. Bryan, Ashley. The Story of Lightning and Thunder. Atheneum, 1993. The Story of Lightning and Thunder is an adaptation of the Nigerian folktale about Thunder, a mother sheep, and Lightning, her son. The folktale provides information on how the two were sent from the earth to forever live in the sky. Incorporating a folktale into a unit on thunder will extend the process of learning and association of information. Understanding that thunder can appear in literature, in addition to science, is a good way to stress the cross-curricular aspect of the unit. Mayer, Mercer. Just a Thunderstorm. Western Publishing, 1993. Little Critter is loved by many and in this story his Little Sister is a bit weary of a thunderstorm. The family lights a fire in the fireplace and spends the evening together, which helps Little Sister learn that thunderstorms do not need to be scary at all. Those familiar with the Little Critter series will find this book fun, especially looking for the grasshopper or spider on each page and the expressions on Little Critter’s face. The Little Critter series of books addresses common childhood events, making them understandable for all ages. Polacco, Patricia. Thunder Cake. Philomel, 1990. A young girl is frightened of thunder and with the help of her grandmother, overcomes her fears. The story is nice and Polacco’s illustrations are bright and vibrant. A recipe is included for the making of “Thundercake,” which would be a great way for the teacher or librarian with access to a kitchen in the school, to extend the literature experience.

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LQ18 Time of Wonder Robert McCloskey Viking, 1957 Introduction It is summer in the state of Maine, and two young children enjoy all the fun things of summer at the beach: sailing in a sailboat, looking for seashells, and watching the weather. This book won the Caldecott Medal in 1958.

Assignment A big storm is coming to Penobscot Bay in Time of Wonder. Perhaps this storm will turn into a hurricane! It is now time for you to learn about hurricanes and understand this powerful storm.

Internet Resources Ask Earl http://www.yahooligans.com/content/ask_earl/20001218.html Activity 1

How do Hurricanes Work? http://www.miamisci.org/hurricane/howhurrwork.html?241,205 Activities 2 & 3

Where do Hurricanes Come From? http://www.ns.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/kids1c.html Activity 4

How Do Hurricanes Die? http://www.ns.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/kids1d.html Activity 5

Activities 1. What is the eye of the hurricane like? 2. What is a hurricane? 3. What are the two parts of a hurricane? 4. Where do hurricanes form? 5. What causes a hurricane to “die”?

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LearningQuest 18 : Time of Wonder

Fun Things to Do Hurricane Names http://kids.mtpe.hq.nasa.gov/archive/hurricane/names.html

Each year, hurricanes are given names that start with the first letter of the alphabet and progress through the letters. This page explains the process for choosing hurricane names and provides a list of names to be used. Look through the list of hurricane names from 1991. Is your name on the list? If not, make up a new name for the next hurricane. Be certain to pay attention to the special instructions about naming hurricanes that is included on the web page.

Conclusion Hurricanes are forceful, loud, rainy, and damaging. If you live in a location where hurricanes are common, it is important to listen to the weather to be safe. Hurricanes can also be interesting and useful for understanding nature.


Websites Hurricane Awareness http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hurricane/index.shtml This website, sponsored by the National Weather Service, offers numerous links to useful information about hurricanes. Links for forecasts, preparedness, and tracking charts will all be useful in the classroom. Some modification will be necessary for use in the primary classroom, but educators will find a wealth of information at these pages. A Hurricane Hunter’s Photo Album http://home.att.net/~typhoon1/index.html The author of this website is a “Hurricane Hunter,” which means he assists meteorologists by flying into the eye of a hurricane and the surrounding area of the storm. The site includes actual photographs of hurricanes. Children will be able to view hurricanes and get a sense of hurricanes’ force and complexity. Make a Hurricane Spiral http://www.miamisci.org/hurricane/hurricanepopup.html This useful web page for classroom use gives instructions for making a hurricane from paper. After printing the provided pictures, children use common materials to make their own hurricane spiral. The page is helpful, as it provides detailed instructions and gives clues to the new computer user on how to print a web page.

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LearningQuest 18 : Time of Wonder Test Your Hurricane IQ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weather/hurricane/ sns-hc-quiz.triviaquiz?coll=sfla%2Dhurricane%2Dutility Not only is this activity useful in the classroom, it will provide educators additional knowledge for use when teaching hurricanes to children. Some of the questions may be a bit difficult for younger children.

Books Bridwell, Norman. Clifford and the Big Storm. Scholastic, 1995. Most children are familiar with Clifford the Big Red Dog and his friend Emily Elizabeth. In this story, Clifford and Emily Elizabeth are visiting Emily’s grandmother at the beach and a hurricane arrives. But, Clifford knows just what to do. Since Clifford is a favorite with young children, using this book in the classroom may inspire discussion about hurricanes and favorite Clifford stories. Cole, Joanna. The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane. Scholastic, 1996. Ms. Frizzle is at it again; only this time she takes her class on a trip inside a hurricane! The Magic School Bus is truly magical, while at the same time, educational. The cartoon illustrations enchant readers and the text informs as it entertains. The Magic School Bus series has excellent content and is useful in the classroom. Demas, Corinne. Hurricane! Marshall Cavendish, 1999. Inspired by the story of Hurricane Bob, which struck in 1991, this is the story of a little girl at Cape Cod during a hurricane. Not only does the prose tell the story, but the illustrations do as well, as anticipation about the storm builds. Hurricane also provides information on preparing for a hurricane, including filling the bathtub with water and securing the home. Lakin, Pat. Hurricane! Millbrook Press, 2000. A young girl and her father are vacationing at the beach, but their stay is interrupted by Hurricane Bob. Hurriedly they prepare their cottage for the storm and head to the store to purchase provisions, including food and candles. Hurricane! is a story that shows the arrival of a hurricane and its aftermath. Included in the book are some good hurricane facts that will be useful in a classroom situation. Wiesner, David. Hurricane. Clarion, 1990. A young family watches as a hurricane roars past their windows. The next day, after the hurricane has passed and the rain has stopped, two young children go exploring in the world left behind. A fallen tree becomes many things; a pirate ship or a jungle. Shown through the eyes of the children, Hurricane is a powerful and beautiful book.


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LQ19 Bigmama’s Donald Crews Greenwillow Books, 1991 Introduction Each year the family heads for a summer visit to grandmother’s house. Grandmother, known as “Bigmama,” enjoys the visit, as does the family. They eat, play, visit and have fun on their vacation, just like you do when you take a summer vacation.

Assignment One of the fun things about summer is vacation. A vacation can be a visit to a grandparent, as in Bigmama’s, a short trip to a nearby city, or a longer visit to a faraway place. No matter what your vacation is like, it is fun to see new things and enjoy time with your family.

Internet Resources WayBack Buzz http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/kids/summer/buzz12.html Activity 1

Buzz’s Weirdest Vacation http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/kids/summer/buzz7.html Activity 2

Travel Tips http://www.postcardsfrom.com/travt.html Activity 3

Around the World in 72 Days http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/world/maps/index.html Activities 4 & 5

Activities 1. According to this web page, where are some cool places for kids to visit? 2. What was the weirdest place Buzz visited on vacation? 3. Choose a state from the list and find two fun things about vacationing in this state. 4. Nellie Bly traveled around the world in 72 days. Now that is a fun vacation! Where did Nellie begin her vacation and how long did she think the trip would take?

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LearningQuest 19 : Bigmama’s 5. Choose one of the spots Nellie visited by placing your mouse over a number on the map. What did Nellie have to say about that location?

Fun Things to Do With the help of an adult, send a postcard from the website listed below. Pretend you are on summer vacation and just visited the place on the front of the card. Send the card to someone you know. Be sure to tell them some of the fun things you have seen and done. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/kids/summer/postcard/index.html

Conclusion Summer vacation is a great way to spend a few days. It is fun to get away for a while, but more fun to return home. Have fun on your vacation, and don’t forget to write!


Websites Be World Wise http://www.beworldwise.org Subtitled, Around the World for Education, this website documents the travels of a tall ship named Picton Castle. Included are educator sites, the ship’s log, and postcards from visits. The trip began in November 2000, and included a crew of people aged 12–60. Children will gain a sense of understanding, cooperation, and adventure through these pages. Curious Kids http://www.curiouskids.com This website documents the adventures of five children as they travel around the world with their parents. The group took a world tour of 20 countries, and each child recorded a journal of their experiences. A great site that features a good look at the world and an interesting family experience. Geographia http://www.geographia.com Almost like an online travel agent, this site is a great place to explore vacation spots around the world. Students will benefit from the “vacation” aspect of the lesson, exposure to a diverse society, and information about the world we live in. Otto Club http://www.ottoclub.org/kids/ottosplayland/index.html The Otto Club is a site that addresses travel, safety, and fun things for kids to do while in the car. The Driving Games link or Cool Kids links each have ideas that can be adapted for use in the classroom. The safety aspect of the Otto Club will add to an exploration of vacation and travel.


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LearningQuest 19 : Bigmama’s Postcards from America http://www.postcardsfrom.com/teach.html This site is good for extending the theme of vacations and for teaching a geography unit. It outlines each state, presents curriculum goals and explains the classroom value. If a class is studying information about a specific state, the home page from Postcards from America, www.postcardsfrom.com/index.html, is a good place to begin. Travel http://family.go.com/travel Part of Disney.com, this page features travel information of all types. Educators can engage children in planning a vacation by researching various vacation spots on this page. Also included is a section on things to do while on vacation.

Books Brown, Marc. Arthur’s Family Vacation. Little Brown, 1993. Arthur is the lovable aardvark who has many adventures and a television series on public television. In this book, Arthur is not too certain of his family’s vacation plans. All of Arthur’s friends are staying home and will have lots of fun. But Arthur soon realizes that vacation with the family can be lots of fun, too. For all children and adults who have read and enjoyed previous Arthur books, Arthur’s Family Vacation is another one to share, perhaps on vacation! dePaola, Tomie. Strega Nona Takes a Vacation. Putnam, 2000. Strega Nona needs a vacation, and decides to go to the beach she used to visit with her grandmother as a child. She leaves Big Anthony and Bambolona in charge, and tells them not to touch the pasta pot. Everything goes fine until Bambolona exchanges her gift of bubble bath for Big Anthony’s candy! Those who are familiar with the Strega Nona series know that of course chaos will reign while Strega Nona is away. dePaola is a great storyteller and illustrator who charms children and adults alike. Roosa, Karen. Beach Day. Clarion Books, 2001. The beach is a great place to spend vacation time and this story is a great representation of the fun, sun, and sand that is found at the beach. The rhyming text should remind readers of the rhythm of the waves as they wash over the shore. For anyone who has spent a vacation at the beach, or for anyone who wants to, this is a great book. Teague, Mark. How I Spent My Summer Vacation. Crown, 1997. So many of us have had the assignment to write “How I Spent My Summer Vacation.” But this story is not your typical summer vacation story. Wallace spent his summer working cattle and spending time with cowpokes. The story and illustrations work together to make this a fun and exciting read about one summer vacation. Williams, Vera B. Stringbean’s Trip to the Shining Sea. Scholastic Trade, 1990. Stringbean Cole and his brother Fred took a trip in a pickup truck with their dog Potato. During the trip, they sent postcards home; this book is an album of those postcards compiled by their grandfather. The cute illustrations and witty text offer a lot of fun and excitement. Educators will be able to use this book with a variety of units, including traveling, writing, and communication.

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LQ20 Picnic Emily Arnold McCully HarperCollins, 1999 Introduction It is a wonderful warm summer day and the Mouse family decides to go on a picnic. Everyone hops in the car and off they go. The picnic basket is full of food, the baseball bats are ready to swing, and everyone is ready to have some fun!

Assignment Have you ever gone on a summer picnic? The air is warm, the sun is shining, and sometimes the ants are eating your food! Have fun with this Internet activity as you learn and play games with some of the fun food you can eat on a summer picnic!

Internet Resources Tic Tac Bologna http://www.kraftfoods.com/oscar-mayer/FamilyFunPark/ClassicGames/ TicTacBologna/ttbscript.cgi Activity 1

Mr. Pineapple Head http://www.freshdelmonte.com/games.cfm Activity 2 (Requires Flash)

Veggie Match http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/kids/veggiematch.html Activity 3 (Requires Flash)

Build a Cyber Snack http://brands.bestfoods.com/skippy/cybersnack.asp Activity 4 (Requires Shockwave)

Virtual Cone http://www.cybercones.com Activity 5

Activities 1. One of the fun foods to eat on a picnic is a bologna sandwich. But, have you ever played Tic Tac Toe with your bologna? Now you can.

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LearningQuest 20 : Picnic 2. Let’s take some fresh fruit on our picnic. First, you will need to make sure Mr. Pineapple Head is ready to go. Click the pineapple picture and after the game has loaded, start getting Mr. Pineapple Head ready for the picnic. 3. Play with your food in this fun veggie matching game! 4. Build your own sandwich to take on a picnic! 5. Now it is time for dessert. What kind of ice cream cone do you like? Try this Internet activity to make your own cone!

Fun Things to Do Read the story of the two kitties and their picnic at this website: http://www.bonus.com/contour/The_Picnic/http@@/www.rain.org/~kmmiller/t1.htm

Wasn’t that fun? Would you like to take your kitties on a picnic? How about your dog?

Conclusion Summer is a great time for picnics, baseball, playing in the park, and having fun. Next time you go on a picnic, be certain to pack plenty of food. Who knows, you may have some extra guests at your picnic!


Websites Cookalotamus http://www.cookalotamus.com A fun website devoted to cooking with children. Included are recipes, information on the food pyramid, coloring pages, and information on cooking in general. To extend the theme of a summer picnic and food, educators may wish to explore this page to find simple recipes or information for use in the classroom. Have Rain, Will Picnic http://www.sesameworkshop.org/parents/activity/article/0,4117,100901,00.html Sponsored by Sesame Street, this web page provides directions for a rainy day picnic. Ingredients and supplies can be found in the everyday pantry and the fun that will result is endless. This is a good activity for the classroom: everyone can picnic on the floor, even the teacher or librarian! Nutrition for Kids http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/3641 This ThinkQuest provides a lot of information about food and nutrition that would be useful in the classroom. Included is information on the food pyramid, sample menus, and a food quiz. A Thinkquest is an Internet activity built around a theme that incorporates many levels of

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LearningQuest 20 : Picnic learning and creative thinking. A variety of activities are included in a Thinkquest, often of good educational value.

Pretend Picnic http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/arthur/teachers/activities/play_learn1/pretend_picnic.html A teacher activity that is centered on the book by Marc Brown, Arthur’s Cousin Catastrophy. Art projects and creative thinking are stressed in the activities that include conducting a pretend picnic in the classroom. After reading the book, use this activity as a classroom extension. Teddy Bear Picnic http://www.preschooleducation.com/teddy.shtml A fun page of activities that can be held on a Teddy Bear Picnic Day. Includes games, arts and crafts, food, and music activities. Have children bring their teddy bears to school for a picnic, and use some of the activities on this page to extend the fun and learning. Winnie the Pooh Picnic Recipes http://100-acrewood.virtualave.net/picnic/pic.html We all know that Winnie the Pooh likes “hunny,” and now we know he likes to go on picnics. This website offers a variety of “themed” picnics, such as a rainy day picnic or happy birthday picnic with recipes sure to please children. The recipes are simple and, with a little advance planning, some may be able to be accomplished in the classroom.

Books Berenstain, Stan & Jan. The Bears’ Picnic. Random House, 1966. Papa Bear is taking the family on a picnic to the best picnic spot around. Trouble is, it is not as good as he remembers. This “I Can Read It All By Myself” book will reinforce beginning reading skills and extend the picnic and food theme of the LearningQuest on summer picnics. Capucilli, Alyssa Satin. Biscuit’s Picnic. HarperCollins, 1998. Biscuit the little puppy just wants to join the fun at the picnic! This book is written for the beginning reader and the text and illustrations will strengthen reading skills while enhancing the summer picnic theme in a humorous manner. Hubbell, Patricia. Pig Picnic. Golden Books, 1999. Pigs really enjoy having fun and eating! And what better place for a pig to eat than at a picnic? Children will enjoy this rhyming book that is designed with the beginning reader in mind. So while the pigs munch, munch, munch, the children will read, read, read. Kennedy, Jimmy. The Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Aladdin Paperback, 2000. “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic” is a favorite song of many children and adults. “When you go in the woods today, watch out for the teddy bears, as they are having a picnic.” Reading this rhythmic book will make many want to break out into song! Great fun for the classroom, library, and home. Yolen, Jane. Picnic with Piggins. Harcourt Brace 1994. Piggins is a butler and always has great fun. Picnic day is no different, as children will enjoy the clues that are presented in the book that lead to a great surprise. Picnic with Piggins is the sequel to Yolen’s previous book, Piggins.


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LQ21 Tar Beach Faith Ringgold Crown, 1991 Introduction Eight-year-old Cassie spends one summer evening flying above the “tar beach” of Harlem. Tar Beach is actually the rooftops of the buildings in her neighborhood, and she flies in her dreams and imagination.

Assignment Just like Cassie enjoyed Tar Beach, you can enjoy a visit to an ocean beach. It may be a special vacation or something you do often. No matter what, enjoy your LearningQuest trip to the beach!

Internet Resources Seashells http://www.seashells.org/identcatagories/mollusks.htm Activities 1 & 2

Sand http://www.paccd.cc.ca.us/instadmn/physcidv/geol_dp/dndougla/SAND Activity 3

Oceans http://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/oceans/faq.htm Activity 4

Ask Shamu http://www.seaworld.org/AskShamu/seagull.html Activity 5

Activities 1. What is a mollusca? 2. In the ocean, what is a mollusca also known as? 3. How is sand made? 4. Why is the ocean blue? 5. How do sea gulls catch fish?

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LearningQuest 21 : Tar Beach

Fun Things to Do Virtual Ocean http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/oceanintro.htm

Use your computer to go on an ocean trip! Follow the instructions from the beginning page and have fun. This site also has neat music that can be played while you are on your trip if your computer has a media player installed.

Conclusion The beach is a wonderful, exciting, and mysterious place. You can see sand, water, plants, birds, fish, and animals. The next time you go to the beach, remember it is a special place and needs to be treated with respect.


Websites Beach Animal Identification Guide www.pugetsound.org/kids/explorer/know/expbeachanimals.html This web page provides descriptions of animals that can be found during a walk on the beach. The animal quiz is a nice accompaniment to the concept of studying beach inhabitants. Another good link tells about what you can do during a walk on the beach, including removing trash. Beachcombers Alert! www.beachcombers.org Beachcombing is the art of walking the beach looking for hidden treasures from the ocean, including seashells and other items. This website features alerts to items discovered by beachcombers and photographs of some of these items. Children can be instructed in the wonders of the beach, plus the work beachcombers do to ease the pollution of our beaches and oceans by collecting trash. Costal America www.csc.noaa.gov/coastalamerica A web page devoted to the preservation of America’s coastal area, here students can learn of the necessity of protecting our environment and oceans. An education link provides information on coastal learning centers, many of which are located at aquariums nationwide. Links are provided for the aquariums so educators may explore and investigate the possibilities. Ocean Planet http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/ocean_planet.html Presented by the Smithsonian Institution, this is a virtual exhibit of the ocean as developed by the Institution. Areas of exploration include ocean science, sea people, and oceans in peril. Within each area is useful information that can be incorporated into a unit on the study of oceans and beaches.


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LearningQuest 21 : Tar Beach Ocean Pollution http://www.jp.kids-commons.net/vc96/vc-13/ocean_pollution/ocean1.html Oil pollution, toxic waste, and ocean dumping are addressed on this website. Children will gain information, statistics, and solutions to a serious problem that needs to be addressed in order to preserve the oceans of our world. Save a Sand Castle http://www.homeschoolhome.com/COOK%20BOOK.htm Follow the link for “Save a Sand Castle” and open using Adobe Acrobat Reader. (If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, download the program at the following Internet address: www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.) Save a Sand Castle is a recipe that allows educators and students to make a sturdy sand castle using everyday household materials.

Books Huneck, Stephen. Sally Goes to the Beach. Harry N. Abrams, 2000. Sally is a Labrador Retriever that goes visiting at the beach. The story is reminiscent of a child’s first visit to the beach with all the sights, sounds, and activity. Lionni, Leo. On My Beach There are Many Pebbles. Mulberry Books, 1995. The beach is full of treasures, and in this book Leo Lionni has provided a look at the items found. What may look like a rock can actually be something of great value to all children and adults. The message: not all is as it seems. Potter, Jean. Science in Seconds at the Beach: With Activities for Ponds, Lakes, and Rivers: Exciting Experiments You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less. John Wiley and Sons, 1998. Simple experiments that can be done at the beach or river are featured in this book. Although written for an older audience (aged 9–12), the experiments in this book can be done as a demonstration in the primary classroom. Rey, Margret. Curious George Goes to the Beach. Houghton Mifflin, 1999. Curious George and his friend, the Man in the Yellow Hat, go to the beach for a day of fun and sun. Of course, the unexpected happens and it is up to Curious George to save the day! Fans of Curious George will enjoy this lighthearted book and it would be a great choice for a read aloud in the classroom. Roosa, Karen. Beach Day. Clarion Books, 2001. All the fun activities of the beach are shown in this picture book, including building sand castles, playing in the water, and hunting for seashells. Anyone who has spent time at the beach will relate to this book, while students who have not visited the beach can learn the way of life at the beach.

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LQ22 The Relatives Came Cynthia Rylant Aladdin Books, 1985 Introduction It was summer and the relatives came for a visit—driving their rainbow-colored car. It was to be a visit of fun, laughter and enjoyment. The Relatives Came was awarded the Caldecott Honor in 1986.

Assignment It is fun to go on summer vacation, especially when you travel by car. So gather your family, load the car and head for fun as you complete this Internet activity that will tell you all about cars and transportation.

Internet Resources Early Adventures with the Automobile http://www.ibiscom.com/auto.htm Activity 1

Cars and History www.ipl.org/exhibit/sloan/hist_p9.html Activities 2 & 3

How Does It Work? http://www4.tpgi.com.au/users/kstrong/engine.htm Activities 4 & 5

Activities 1. Early cars were called “horseless carriages.” In what year did the horseless carriage make its debut? 2. In what year did Henry Ford make his first automobile? 3. What did Mr. Ford call his car? 4. All vehicles require what to make them work? 5. What is an Internal Combustion Engine?

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LearningQuest 22 : The Relatives Came

Fun Things to Do Now it is time for you to connect the dots while driving! Not really, but go to the following website and have some fun! Use your cursor to draw lines between the dots to create a great-looking car. Be careful, and don’t forget to wear your seat belt! http://www.chevroncars.com/play/dot2dot/patty.html

Conclusion Cars and trucks are very important to our everyday lives. We use our cars to go to school, work, the grocery store, and on vacation. The next time you take a trip in the car, think about some of the things you learned while doing this Internet activity.


Websites Beetle Shuffle Game http://www4.tpgi.com.au/users/kstrong/beetgame.htm Shuffle the pictures to play this matching game that features pictures of the Volkswagen “Beetle.” Computer matching games encourage manipulation of a computer mouse, strengthen a child’s memory, and provide entertainment and fun. Build Your Own Online Race Car http://www.pbs.org/tal/racecars/build.html By selecting tires, the front shape and a corporate sponsor, students can build their own car. Each stop offers insight into racing and automobiles. Links for NASCAR, Winston Cup, and other racing items are also included. Car Coloring Pages http://www.chevroncars.com/free/coloring/index.html A nice selection of cartoon-like cars is presented on this page. Students can select a car and use the web browser print button to print a page. Once printed and decorated, the cars could decorate a room, be used in a bulletin board, or as nametags on students’ desks. Car Games http://www.activitiesforkids.com/travel/travel_games.htm Even though designed for playing in a car, these games can be done in a classroom situation. You and your class can pretend to be taking a car trip and play these games as you travel along. Materials are very simple, as the games require use of the senses, hearing, seeing, touching, or talking. Electric Cars http://whyfiles.org/005electcar/index.html With the growing concern over the depletion of fossil fuels, the electric automobile is gaining publicity. Topics discussed include battery power of electric cars, the environment, and costs.

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LearningQuest 22 : The Relatives Came Otto Club http://www.ottoclub.org/ The Otto Club has sections for kids, parents, and teachers. Included in the teacher section are safety tips, activities, news, and links. The section for children features some nice games and a play land where the activities are all safety related. The Otto Club is well presented and useful when discussing cars, transportation, or safety. Transportation and Public Transit: On Online Lesson http://www.transitpeople.org/lesson/trancovr.shtml This online unit has five chapters on transportation and transit, each with a quiz that children can complete after reading the short chapters. The quizzes are short and the quiz program automatically provides scoring results. Educators wishing to extend the unit on cars and transportation could very well use this site’s photographs of the vehicles being discussed.

Books Kirk, David. Miss Spider’s New Car. Scholastic Trade, 1997. Miss Spider is car hunting and this rhythmic book features all types of buggy characters. Fans of Miss Spider’s other books, including Miss Spider’s Tea Party and Miss Spider’s Wedding, will enjoy taking a trip with Miss Spider in this fun book. Lenski, Lois. The Little Auto. Random House, 2001. Back in print, Lois Lenski’s story about Mr. Small and his auto is sure to delight adults who read this as a child, who in turn can pass that enjoyment on to other children. Mr. Small is proud of his new car. He drives over the roads and takes very good care of his car. At the end of the day, he puts his car in the garage, ready for another day. Lord, Trevor. Big Book of Cars. DK Publishing, 1999. The large format of this book lends itself well to photographs of cars that will please children interested in vehicles. With the large photos, children are able to look closely at the cars and possibly identify various parts of a car. Big Book of Cars would be useful in the classroom, especially for the study of cars and the unique aspects of some of the cars illustrated in the book. Royston, Angela. Cars. Little Simon, 1991. This short book is full of photographs of all types of cars. The simple text points out differences in vehicles and would be a good book for those children practicing their reading skills. The photographs will do well to illustrate differences, which is an important aspect of life and cars. Scarry, Richard. Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go. Golden Books, 2000. A Richard Scarry book is a feast for the eyes and this is no different. Each page of this book is filled with tiny animals, all busy in their vehicles. Children reading or looking at this book will find motorcycles, automobiles, trains, trucks, and even toothbrush cars, many of which are identified. Not only is this book a great vocabulary-building book, the visual aspect is good, as each child is certain to find a special something in the pages of the book.


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LQ23 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Judi Barrett Atheneum, 1978 Introduction It is raining in Chewandswallow, but those are not raindrops! Food is falling from the sky and the weather has become silly. Watch out for those raining pancakes as you go outside to play!

Assignment When we think of food, we think of eating, not the weather! In this fun activity, you will learn about the different types of food and maybe even find a recipe or two!

Internet Resources What is the Food Guide Pyramid? http://www.familyfoodzone.com/pyramid/index.html Activities 1 & 2

Eating Right—Simply http://library.thinkquest.org/15873/kitchen/eatingright/simply.shtml Activity 3

The Word is Healthy http://www.familyfoodzone.com/family_fun/word_healthy.html Activity 4

The Five a Day Challenge http://www.dole5aday.com/Kids/K_Index.html Activity 5

Activities 1. What is the Food Guide Pyramid? 2. What are the five food groups? 3. How many servings of meats and milk should you have each day? Breads and cereal? Fruits and vegetables?

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LearningQuest 23 : Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 4. With the help of an adult, print the crossword puzzle and complete using the clues on this page. 5. Take the Five a Day Challenge. How well did you do? What should you do differently?

Fun Things to Do Use the following web page to get a recipe for butter, and make it with your class. Eat it on some crackers. What does it taste like? Is it like the butter you buy in the store? Which do you like best? Making Butter http://library.thinkquest.org/15873/lab/fun/butter.shtml

Conclusion Healthy food helps our mind and body grow and keeps us feeling good. It is important that you eat plenty of healthy food each and every day!


Websites Five A Day for Educators http://www.dole5aday.com/Teachers/T_Index.html Sponsored by Dole Fruit Company, this site offers lesson plans and information on the necessity of eating fruits and vegetables. Food and Nutrition Information Center http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/Fpyr/pyramid.html A site with provides downloads of the food pyramid that can be used in an educational setting. Some of the downloads are in PDF format and will require Adobe Acrobat Reader to access. Health Teacher http://www.healthteacher.com Designed to provide health curriculum for K–12 educators. Included are lesson plans and teacher support. Kids Food Cyberclub – Teachers Corner http://www.kidfood.org/teachers/teachers.html Designed to promote classroom nutrition projects, this site contains a lot of information for educators, including a list of links, free teacher’s guide, and information on using the Kids Food Cyberclub in the classroom.


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LearningQuest 23 : Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs Nutrition Explorations http://www.nutritionexplorations.org Sponsored by the National Dairy Council, this site contains information for students, parents, and educators. The link for Chef Combo provides nutritional activities designed for the youngest children. Reproducible Food Pyramid for Young Children http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/KidsPyra/KIDPYRbw.pdf A nice handout that features the recommended daily nutrition requirements for young children. This file needs to be downloaded in PDF format, so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer to access.

Books Adams, Amy. My Pet Iguana. Shining Lights Press, 1997. Even an iguana needs a healthy diet. Children will enjoy this tale, about a pet iguana that learns that a healthy diet can make you feel better in more ways than one. Evers, Connie L. How to Teach Nutrition to Kids: An Integrated, Creative Approach to Nutrition Education for Children Ages 6–10. 24 Carrot Press, 1995. A good book for the educator looking to incorporate a health and nutrition unit into the curriculum. Over 200 educational activities are included. Featured activities cover the Food Pyramid Guide, basic nutrition, and food art. Francis, Lynnrae. The Shape of Good Nutrition. Providers Press, 1993. In this book, B. Smart Bear introduces children to the USDA Food Pyramid. Topics include healthy eating habits and good nutrition. Glyman, Caroline A. Learning Your ABC’s of Nutrition. Forest House Publishing Company, 1992. This rhyming book is intended to teach children basic nutrition, and the vitamin and mineral content of common foods. Vitamins A through E are emphasized in the book.

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LQ24 Spot Looks at the Weather Eric Hill Putnam, 1989 Introduction Spot is a great friend to all children, and he is very curious. Now Spot wants to know about the weather and have fun. You’ll have fun too, as you read Spot Looks at the Weather.

Assignment Help Spot as he looks at the weather, by learning about different types of weather, and how people tell what the weather will be.

Internet Resources Match the Pictures http://www.wildwildweather.com/match/index.html Activity 1

Lightning http://www.wildwildweather.com/lightning.htm Activity 2

What Are Clouds? http://www-airs.jpl.nasa.gov Activity 3 (For this activity you need to go the “Education” icon on the sidebar.)

Observing the Clouds http://www.pittsford.monroe.edu/jefferson/calfieri/weather/clouds.html Activities 4 & 5

Activities 1. Can you find the secret picture? 2. What are three lightning safety tips?

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LearningQuest 24 : Spot Looks at the Weather 3. Print out the page and draw a picture of the weather outside your window. Or, get your teacher or an adult to help and see if you can draw a picture using the computer. 4. How are clouds formed? 5. What type of clouds look big and fluffy?

Fun Things to Do Use the following website to find out what the weather will be like in your hometown for the next three days. www.weather.com

What type of clothing will you need to wear? Will you need shorts or a coat? What about an umbrella? Sometimes we need to know the weather in order to know what to wear. So, plan your clothing for the next three days.

Conclusion The weather changes every day. One day it will be sunny, the next day rain will fall! Some people, called meteorologists, have the job to predict the weather and tell us what it will be like. You too, can be a meteorologist, and look out your window to predict the day’s weather!


Websites Bay Kids’ Weather Page http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/3805 A ThinkQuest, which is similar to a LearningQuest, on weather. This page provides links to quizzes, a glossary, weather jokes and myths, and other useful items for the classroom. Some of the material may need to be adapted for use with younger students. Hurricane: Storm Science www.miamisci.org/hurricane From the Miami Museum of Science, this site offers information on hurricanes, what causes them, and other factors in a format young children will appreciate. Also included is a teacher’s guide and some classroom activities that encourage creativity and learning. The Tornado Field Trip www.field-trips.org/tours/sci/tornado/_tourlaunch2.htm Take a virtual tour of a tornado, visit a storm prediction center, and discover information about tornados as you travel. This site is a good educational tool that encourages interactive learning via technology.

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LearningQuest 24 : Spot Looks at the Weather Understanding Weather Measurements http://www.usatoday.com/weather/basics/measurements.htm Links and information on building your own weather measurement tools, gauging temperature and humidity, and measuring rain. Provides classroom projects, definitions of terms, and activities adaptable for all age levels. The Weather Classroom http://www.weather.com/education An initiative from The Weather Channel, the Weather Classroom is a great place for educators to find teaching guides, resources for students and ways to incorporate weather into the curriculum.

Books Casey, Denise. Weather Everywhere. MacMillan Books for Young Readers, 1995. Filled with photographs, this book is a good introduction to weather. Children explore various types of weather while they learn and have fun. Formby, Caroline. Wild Weather Soup. Child’s Play, 1995. In charge of cooking weather, Winifred Weathervane leaves the lid off her pot and the result is a hole in the ozone layer. Children will enjoy the story and pictures, while being educated about our weather at the same time. Sendak, Maurice. Chicken Soup with Rice. HarperCollins, 1996. The “Chicken Soup with Rice!” refrain of this lively tale engages young and old alike. Children will repeat the chicken soup lines as you read this tale from a great author. Spinelli, Eileen. Here Comes the Year. Holt, 2002. Eileen Spinelli's soothing words and Keiko Narahashi's inviting illustrations make the ups and downs of the weather something to savor rather than endure. One by one the months arrive, and each is a pleasure to meet! Walker, Nick. Sing Along with the Weather Dude. Small Gate Media, 2000. Young children will enjoy the combination of music and weather education. Included in the package is a CD of the songs from the book. Great fun for children and adults! Nick Walker, The Weather Dude, can also be found on the Internet at www.wxdude.com. The site features clips of songs by the Weather Dude, including songs about clouds and fog.


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Appendix A

Additional Resources Children’s Literature Websites American Library Association http://www.ala.org Official site of the American Library Association. Contains many links for information on children’s literature, including the following: Book Lists from the Young Adult Library Service http://www.ala.org/alsc/awards.html Book Links: Connecting Books, Libraries, and Classrooms http://www.ala.org/BookLinks

Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) http://www.ala.org/alsc American Library Association committee specializing in library services for children. Contains many links to other sites that feature literature and learning activities.

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books http://www.press.uillinois.edu/journals/bccb.html Site for The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, a children’s book review journal.

CBC Online http://www.cbcbooks.org Children’s Book Council website devoted to the many aspects of children’s literature

Carol Hurst’s Children’s Literature http://www.carolhurst.com Includes curriculum support for literature and book reviews. Has good ideas for incorporating good literature in the school curriculum.

Child_Lit http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~mjoseph/childlit/about.html An online discussion list for those interested in research and theory of children’s literature and its use with children. Postings are from librarians, teachers, parents, authors and professors.

Child Study Children’s Book Committee http://www.bnkst.edu/html/bookcommittee/index.html A website maintained by the Child Study Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College. This site contains useful information pertaining to the study of children and their books.

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Additional Resources Children’s Authors and Illustrators on the Web http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/authors.html From the Children’s Literature Web Guide, an excellent resource for children’s literature.

Children’s Literature & Language Arts Resources http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/childlit.htm Maintained by James Madison University, this site contains links for book reviews, educational sites, and numerous genre in children’s literature.

Children’s Literature Association http://ebbs.english.vt.edu/chla Neat site with nice information. This Association is devoted to the scholarly study of children’s literature, and it offers links to other sites on this subject.

Children’s Literature Homepage http://www.childrenslit.com/ Contains information on children’s literature and book reviews. The book reviews are written by librarians, teacher and parents.

Children’s Literature Reference http://mahogany.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/child/ Contains excellent links for children’s literature, and is an electronic bibliography of children’s reference resources. This site can be used as a guide for students and researchers to basic and special resources on children’s literature.

Children’s Literature Web Guide http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/ An excellent guide to Internet resources dealing with children’s literature. This site contains many links, and is one of the most comprehensive sites for the study and enjoyment of children and their books. The Guide is kept current and timely.

Database of Award-Winning Children’s Literature http://www2.wcoil.com/~ellerbee/childlit.html A site in which you can choose the specific type of award winning children’s book you desire. The author of this Internet resource is a librarian with an interest in children’s literature.

The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection http://avatar.lib.usm.edu/~degrum A children’s literature research center, housed at the University of Southern Mississippi. The de Grummond Collection houses an Ezra Jack Keats collection.

Index to Internet Sites: Children’s and Young Adults’ Authors & Illustrators http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/biochildhome.htm A listing of children’s authors on the web. Provides useful information for an author study.

Inez Ramsey’s Kids Sites: Meet the Author http://falcon.jmu.edu/schoollibrary/kidsauthors.htm A list of links for children’s authors on the World Wide Web. This site is part of the Internet School Library Media Center.


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Additional Resources The Internet Public Library http://www.ipl.org A good resource that includes a children’s literature section, with information on children’s books and a “story-time.”

Links for Book Lovers http://www.haemibalgassi.com/links.html A great page featuring author links, publishers, and online bookstores.

Meet Children’s Authors and Illustrators http://www.childrenslit.com/f_mai.htm Internet sites for numerous children’s authors and illustrators.

Vandergrift’s Children’s Literature Page http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~kvander/ChildrenLit/index.html An extensive site developed by Kay E. Vandergrift at Rutgers University. This site is continually evolving and contains excellent research on children’s literature.

Yahoo!—Arts: Humanities: Literature: Genres: Children’s: Authors http://dir.yahoo.com/Arts/Humanities/Literature/Authors/Children_s Links for various authors of children’s books.

Educational Materials Websites American Library Association http://www.ala.org Official site of the American Library Association. Contains many links for educational information, including the following: ALA Resources for Parents and Kids http://www.ala.org/parents/ 700+ Great Sites http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/amazing.html 700+ Great Sites - Library and School Sites http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/lib.html For Parents and Caregivers http://www.ala.org/alsc/parents.links.html

Learning Through the Library http://www.ala.org/aasl/learning/ Produced by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), this site features a best practices site, and links to learning. The AASL is a component of the American Library Association.

AskEric http://ericir.syr.edu Maintained by the ERIC clearinghouse for educational information. Includes many excellent and useful literature-based lesson plans suitable for classroom use.

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Additional Resources Awesome Library http://www.awesomelibrary.org/ This site features over 12,000 links for teachers, parents, librarians, and kids. An excellent resource of information.

Blue Web’n Learning Sites Library http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn Educational learning on the Web. Sponsored by Pacific Bell, this site links to other "Blue Ribbon" sites offering curriculum resources and activities.

Children’s Literature Activities for the Classroom http://members.aol.com/MGoudie/ChildrensLit.html A nice site maintained by a public school teacher, this page features numerous activities that are based upon children’s literature.

Classroom Connect http://www.classroom.net This site offers activities and product news for teachers and their students in grades K–12.

Cyberbee http://www.cyberbee.com/ A database of lessons developed with the Internet in mind. These lessons can be used in public, private or homeschool settings.

Early Childhood Resources http://www.monroe.k12.la.us/mcs/community/early_child/early_child.html Numerous links designed for use with the youngest children are included in this website. A good resource for teachers, librarians and parents.

Education Place http://www.eduplace.com Presented by Houghton Mifflin Publishers, this site offers resources for teachers and parents, as well as a "Kid’s Clubhouse" with educational games and activities.

Education World http://www.education-world.com Featured at this site is information for all areas of education including administration, books in education, curriculum, and lesson planning. This site features a searchable database of over 110,000 web pages.

The Global Schoolhouse http://www.gsn.org The Global Schoolhouse features sections for parents and teachers, kids and teens and a link for neat projects. The parent/teacher section offers information on discussion lists, resources and tools and K-12 educational opportunities.

ICONnect http://www.ala.org/ICONN/familiesconnect.html A site for curriculum connections and Internet resources, maintained by the American Library Association.


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Additional Resources Internet School Library Media Center http://falcon.jmu.edu/schoollibrary/index.html Valuable resources for various elementary curriculum areas, professional organizations and special education.

The Internet Schoolhouse http://www.onr.com/schoolhouse/is.html A neat site with numerous links for all types of educational curriculum needs. This site is fun to navigate, as the main menu is a "highway" with many exits.

Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/ A useful educational site, loaded with many links. The categorized list of sites on the Internet are useful for enhancing curriculum and teacher professional growth. Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators is an excellent site for those interested in the education of children.

The Mailbox http://www.theeducationcenter.com/cgi-bin/tec/guest.jsp The home page for “The Mailbox” educational magazine, this site features a preview of upcoming issues and links for free educational samples.

Mustang: A Web Cruising Vehicle for Teachers http://mustang.coled.umn.edu From the University of Minnesota, this site simplifies searching the Web for educational resources.

Networking in the K12 Classroom http://www.virtualschool.edu/mon/K12/index.html Includes curriculum resources, online classrooms, teacher resource sites, professional development, and an area for children. A good site to illustrate the variety of ways the Internet can be used in the classroom.

SCORE: CyberGuides http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cyberguide.html Includes teacher guides and student activities for literature on the Internet. Sponsored by School of California, Online Resources for Education (SCORE).

TeacherLINK http://www.teacherlink.usu.edu/ Includes links to educational web pages, lesson plans, curriculum extenders, and subject area links. TeacherLINKS is provided by the Utah State University College of Education.

Teachers.Net http://www.teachers.net Chat center, lessons. reference resources, websites, and networking opportunities for educators.

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Additional Resources

Books Other useful tools for discovering information about the Internet are the following books. This bibliography is a short version of selected works that are available in many libraries or bookstores. Benson, Allen C., and Linda M.Fodemski. Connecting Kids and the Internet: A Handbook for Librarians, Teachers, and Parents, 2nd Ed. Neal-Schuman, 1999. An extensive and useful reference. Connecting Kids and the Internet is a useful guide for all adults. Campbell, Hope. Managing Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom. Teacher Created Materials, 1999. Designed to help educators learn the basics of technology and integration in the classroom, this book would be a good book for the beginning learner. A nice bibliography contained in the book is an added resource for information. Lamb, Annette C. Building Treehouses for Learning: Technology in Today’s Classroom, 2nd Ed. Vision to Action, 1999. Planning effective lessons for the technology classroom. Leu, Donald, and Deborah Diadiun Leu. Teaching with the Internet: Lessons from the Classroom, 3rd Ed. Christopher-Gordon, 2000. Building on the previous titles, the third edition of this book provides the educator with lesson ideas and new approaches to technology integration. It is a practical approach for everyone, from beginner to experienced Internet user. Lewin, Larry. Using the Internet to Strengthen Curriculum. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2001. With a focus on teaching and helping educators understand and use the Internet, this book provides information that would be useful in a classroom, school library media center, or home. Curriculum extensions include web searching, evaluation, and presentation techniques. Offutt, Elizabeth Rhodes. Internet Without Fear: Practical Tips and Activities for the Elementary Classroom. Good Apple, 1996. From the publisher of The Good Apple educational journal, this book would be a good book for all interested in using the Internet in the classroom. Pedersen, Ted, and Francis Moss. Internet for Kids: A Beginners’s Guide to Surfing the Net. Price Stern Sloan, 1997. An updated version that includes a parents’ and teachers’ guide. Good for use in the classroom with children to aid in understanding how to search the World Wide Web. Schrock, Kathleen. Evaluating Internet Web Sites: An Educator’s Guide. Master Teacher, 1997. From the author of the acclaimed educational website, this book is a good resource for the educator and parent.


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Appendix B

LearningQuest Template Your LearningQuest Title Here Introduction Assignment Internet Resources Activities Fun Things to Do Conclusion

Introduction State an introduction to your LearningQuest in this space.

Assignment You can write your task as a paragraph or in a bulleted list. The paragraph can describe the outcomes which will be attained following the completion of the LearningQuest. • If you wish to use a bulleted list, begin here with the first step. • Step #2. • Continue as necessary to complete the steps for your LearningQuest.

Internet Resources Information about the resources the learner will use can be written here. • Link Title. Describe the link to clarify if you wish. Clarify which question(s) this URL will address. • Link Title. Description. Question(s) • Link Title. Description. Question(s)

Activities 1. List the questions or activities which will be completed during the LearningQuest. 2. Additional questions/activities. 3. Continue or delete as required to meet objectives to answer questions or provide activities to reinforce leaning during the LearningQuest.

Fun Things to Do This space can extend the learning process through additional activities, Internet sites or ideas. Children can draw pictures based on what they learned, complete an Internet activity or numerous other education activities.

Conclusion A summarization of the learning can be placed here. You can also place some additional resources or Internet addresses in this space. This page maintained by (Your name). Written, (mm/dd/yy). Last updated, mm/dd/yy. This page adapted from the LearningQuest template written by Ru Story-Huffman, based on the WebQuest concept developed by Bernie Dodge.

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LearningQuest Template

LearningQuest Template With HTML Coding <TITLE>LearningQuest Template

Start your document here. If you do not have Web authoring software, a text-only document with an .htm extension will work.

Your LearningQuest Title Here Introduction Assignment Internet Resources Questions Learning Advice Conclusion
Introduction
State an introduction to your LearningQuest in this space.
Assignment
You can write your task as a paragraph or in a bulleted list. The paragraph can describe the outcomes which will be attained following the completion of the LearningQuest.

If you wish to use a bulleted list, begin here with the first step.
Step #2.
Step #3.
Continue as necessary to complete the steps for your LearningQuest.

Internet Resources
Information about the resources the learner will use can be written here.

Place web page name here
Description (Describe the link to clarify if you wish.) Question(s). (Clarify which question(s) this URL will address.)


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LearningQuest Template
Description. Question(s).
Description. Question(s)

Questions

List the questions which will be answered at the completion of the LearningQuest.
Additional questions.
Continue or delete as required to meet objectives to answer questions for the LearningQuest.

Learning Advice
This space can be used to provide help for the students for use as they explore the Internet using the LearningQuest.
Conclusion
A summarization of the learning can be placed here. You can also place some additional resources or Internet addresses in this space. This page maintained by (Your name). Written, (mm/dd/yy). Last updated, (mm/dd/yy). www.yourURL/YourDocumentName.htm Top of Page

This should be the last element in your document.

Note: Italics indicate where your text should be placed. Use plain text for your inserted information, italics are here only to indicate where new text should be added.

When you have finished your LearningQuest, you can test it in your Web browser. If you do not have Web authoring software, select the Open File option from the File pulldown menu. Different browsers will render type differently. If you are using LearningQuests on a single type of computer with one browser you can get more creative with type and graphics without losing control of the way your document appears on screen. You can also find an electronic version of this template at: Template page for Storybook Seasons on the Net www.hpress.highsmith.com/rshupa.htm

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Storybook seasons on the Net: reading & Internet activities

Newbery on the Net: Reading & Internet Activities

Simple Reading Activities

Dragonslayer: The Storybook Based on the Movie

The Gremlins Storybook

The Jesus Storybook Bible

Storybook dolls

On Reading the Constitution

Seasons

Seasons

NET & J2EE Interoperability

The Science Fiction Computer Storybook

Political Parties and the Internet: Net Gain?

Reading the Web: Strategies for Internet Inquiry

Focus on Reading The Outsiders

Children of God Storybook Bible

On The Art of Reading

Focus On Reading: The Pearl

Internet English: Www-Based Communication Activities

On Reading Investigations §43

Holes: Focus on Reading

Decorate for the Seasons

Holes: Focus on Reading (Saddleback's Focus on Reading Study Guides)

Seasons of the Heart

Selling on the net: the complete guide

The Bitter Seasons

Nothing But Net: 2009 Internet Investment Guide

Scientific Collaboration on the Internet

Psychological Experiments on the Internet

Windows 7 & Internet

Bleak Seasons

Storybook seasons on the Net: reading & Internet activities

Newbery on the Net: Reading & Internet Activities

Simple Reading Activities

Dragonslayer: The Storybook Based on the Movie

The Gremlins Storybook

The Jesus Storybook Bible

Storybook dolls

On Reading the Constitution

Seasons

Seasons

NET & J2EE Interoperability

The Science Fiction Computer Storybook

Political Parties and the Internet: Net Gain?

Reading the Web: Strategies for Internet Inquiry

Focus on Reading The Outsiders

Children of God Storybook Bible

On The Art of Reading

Focus On Reading: The Pearl

Internet English: Www-Based Communication Activities

On Reading Investigations §43

Holes: Focus on Reading

Decorate for the Seasons

Holes: Focus on Reading (Saddleback's Focus on Reading Study Guides)

Seasons of the Heart

Selling on the net: the complete guide

The Bitter Seasons

Nothing But Net: 2009 Internet Investment Guide

Scientific Collaboration on the Internet

Psychological Experiments on the Internet

Windows 7 & Internet

Bleak Seasons

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