Nature Books For Kids

A Moon of My Own launched into space onboard Space X-13 on August 13th, heading to the International Space Station (ISS). This book, along with 8 others, was specifically chosen to be read aloud by one of the ISS astronauts while orbiting earth as part of the Story Time From Space project. A video of the reading will be archived on the the Story Time From Space website. I’ll be sure to let you know when a video is available online.

In the meantime, you can read the book here on Earth. With the upcoming solar eclipse, A Moon of My Own is a timely book to share with children. The story makes a personal connection with the moon, which is complemented by the scientific information about the moon that’s included in the back of the book.

In a total solar eclipse, the moon blocks out all of the sun’s light. But how is that possible? The moon is 400 times smaller than the sun! However, a total solar eclipse can happen because the moon is also 400 times closer to the earth than the sun is. NASA suggests this easy-to-do event sun and moon activity  to demonstrate how a solar eclipse happens.

The American Astronomical Association has compiled an extensive collection of eclipse information, websites, and teaching resources for elementary teachers. And be sure to follow safety measures for watching the eclipse with your students.

Environment and Climate Education is the theme for Earth Day 2017.

More than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities each year. And you and your students can join them by incorporating climate and environmental lesson into your curriculum during Climate Education Week: April 22-29, 2017.

Get the science behind the headlines with the book How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate. Kids will discover evidence from flowers, butterflies, birds, frogs, trees, glaciers and much more, gathered by scientists from all over the world, sometimes with assistance from “citizen-scientists” their own age. Use the book’s teacher guide for ready make lessons, including handouts and background information.

 

Earth Day Network offers a free Toolkit with hand-picked lesson plans, activities, and contests for K-12 students through out the week. For more information, visit www.earthday.org

As Einstein said, “Imagination embraces the whole world.” And so do Dawn’s new spring books! There’s a Bug on My Book is all about engaging a child’s imagination—from imagining that they’re reading the book outside, to “helping” a menagerie of little critters hop, fly, wiggle, and slide across the pages by tapping, jiggling, or tilting the book.   Baby on […]

There’s nothing quite as wonderful as an thrilling story that’s accompanied by illustrations that bring the adventure to life. Stickeen: John Muir and the Brave Little Dog is a book that does just that. It’s the true tale of John Muir and his companion, a “wee little doggie” named Skickeen. While exploring glaciers in 1880, Muir and Stickeen found themselves […]

This is the time of  year that we associate with turkeys. But we shouldn’t limit these fascinating animals to just one day, or even one month. Turkeys lead amazing lives throughout the entire year. Gobble, Gobble will expand children’s appreciation for these distinctly American birds as they follow the main character, Jenny, through a year of enchanting discoveries. Jenny wrote […]