This book is a rare find, well deserving of the prestigious Picture Book of the Year award from CBC-NSTA. The science about dragonflies is perfectly integrated into a story in which the remarkable metamorphosis of a dragonfly from a mucky nymph ("Eeeewww," says Eliza) to a beautiful winged creature ("Magnificent!" says Aunt Doris) is a metaphor for the magic of how Eliza, too, is growing up. Teachers will find it useful primarily in an elementary science unit on insects, life cycles and habitats, but also in for language arts lessons in theme, symbolism, and metaphor. The watercolor illustrations are rich, whimsical, and fun. There are two pages of additional science in the back. This is an exceptional example of creative non-fiction writing.
This collection of true stories of animal behavior is not only captivating and thought-provoking, but also a terrific way for teachers and parents to have children to consider feelings--whether animal or human. A young antelope was being dragged into a river by a crocodile. A nearby hippopotamus saw what was happening and charged the croc, which released the antelope. The hippo gently pulled the antelope up the riverbank, comforting and protecting it until it died. Was this compassion? A zoo monkey routinely used a banana to bribe a moose to carry him across a moat designed to keep him confined to a small island. Was this cleverness?
This book is a year-after-year favorite with teachers. It engagingly leads readers around the world following a drop of water--whether as steam or snow, inside a plant or animal, or underground--teaching the wonders and importance of the water cycle. (There is lots of geography, too.) Four pages of science about the qualities of water are included.
Years after a great oak tree tumbled to the ground, a whole community of animals made it their home. Roly-polies and daddy longlegs prowled here and there, while chipmunks and salamanders dashed everywhere. Question: Is the old tree alive? Or is it now dead? This lighthearted book offers a marvelous insight into a unique and easily-accessible community of forest animals. Jennifer DiRubbio's vivid close-up illustrations bring these fascinating creatures to life. Parents and teachers: the author offers over a dozen "activities, projects, and lots of cool ideas" ranging from suggestions for an animal diary, readers theatre, finger play, and much more that will help make learning fun.
Arrow-shaped footprints lead a young backyard naturalist to a flock of funny-looking birds with big strong feet - Wild Turkeys! Once nearly extinct, these comical critters now gobble their way across North America. Follow Jenny through a year of enchantment as she shares her discovery of these wonderful birds. Gobble, gobble! Jenny wrote a journal, too, with lots of fascinating stuff about a distinctly American bird. Although it once numbered in the millions, wild turkeys nearly disappeared with overhunting and habitat destruction, but are now making a comeback. The illustrations are block prints over collages. The collages are made from cut and torn paper plus all sorts of things from nature--bark, leaves, feathers, even wasp nests! The author also offers tips for children to make their own cut-paper pictures and how to keep a nature journal.
Here is the "autobiography" of the universe - the early history of the universe narrated by the universe itself. Beginning with the big bang and ending with the formation of Earth, this first volume of a trilogy is a thrilling story of chaos and creativity. Particles become galaxies. Mother stars explode in supernovas, creating elements, the building blocks of life. Morgan studied at Princeton and has a degree in theology from the University of San Francisco.
A cricket, a rat, and a bat live happily in a dark cave. Each one has a unique way of navigating without light, but one day, an explorer enters the cave and brings light. Written in rhyme, this is a good beginner reader.
Explore 6 different habitats in this book and find out about the different animals that make their homes there.
All about magnets - from their different shapes to the concept of repel and attract.
Discover the four seasons, the temperature changes on crops and animals.
Students learn that insects come in all shapes and sizes. Some fly, some crawl, some hop, but they all have certain things in common. The perfect tool for young elementary classrooms.
Understanding life processes of plants and animals and their basic needs.
A look at the concept of mother and baby farm animals. For example, when the mother is a sheep, the baby is a lamb. Great photos and illustrations.
An introduction to electricity. Find out how we use electricity and how to build a circuit.
A simple, fun look at animals and how they move. Photos and animations perfect for demonstrating movement concepts.
Start at the core and learn all of the Earth's layers and how they interact with the layers of the atmosphere.
Discover that Earth has many cycles: day and night, the seasons, the water cycle... and how we have a life cycle.
Detailed illustrations and colorful photos show readers how our five senses help us explore and enjoy the world around us.
Find out how water moves, how it can be a solid, liquid, or gas. Find out how Earth can use the same water over again in the water cycle.
What hatches from an egg? Not just baby birds. In this book students will discover a number of different animals that hatch from an egg. Great photos and illustrations.
Learn about primary and secondary colors, and how they combine to make other colors.
The Wind blows, clouds bring rain and snow, learn how it all works.
Fun illustrations lead the reader through a safari adventure in Africa. Clickable illustrations allow readers to go back and view photos of African animals and listen to animal sound effects.
Introduce your students to the diverse culture of animals that live in the oceans of the world. Many animals are identified.
Introductory book about the three primary colors and how we see them everywhere.