One of our goals at Dawn is to make connections inside kids’ minds about how nature relates to them. Sometimes we do it by checking in with their sweet tooth, as in If You Love Honey: Nature’s Connections by Martha Sullivan, illustrated by Cathy Morrison. Do you love honey?
Sometimes we do it by inviting them to put together the pieces…creatively…as in Nature’s Patchwork Quilt: Understanding Habitats by Mary Miché, illustrations by Consie Powell.
“Each plant or animal depends on others, like a quilt stitched together. We call this interdependence.”
These two books give kids a solid sense of the science of interdependence (with a refreshing non-preachy method), so that when they go outside, they can make deeper connections. Starting with one of these read alouds can lead the way to identifying animals and plants, recognizing ecosystems or habitats, and understanding how humans affect the rest of nature.
Our free classroom activities take learning a step further. This matching game of science vocabulary words will help kids retain concepts like food chains, habitats, adaptations, and biodiversity.
Or learn from examples of (appropriate) activities to do in nature with this seek-and-find within the pages of Nature’s Patchwork Quilt.
Want something higher energy? Play bee games such as creating your own bee dances or playing freeze tag while modeling a healthy ecosystem!
Kids don’t always grasp interdependence when they are playing outside. Books are a great way to set the foundation for kids to make deeper nature connections. Give them the big picture!
