Chelsea+Ferrence

Habitats throughout the World **Children’s Fiction**
 * Bibliography**: Scillian, Devin. (2009). **//__Memoirs of a Goldfish.__//** Scholastic Inc. 27 pages. Griffith Elementary Library


 * Summary**: This fictional story provides young listeners and reader’s reinforcement of the concepts learned throughout the non-fictional books listed above. This story is told through the eyes of a fish, and allows students to learn all about a man-made habitat within the fish bowl. Students discover how changes in the bowls environment upset the natural balance that is critical for the survival of the living creature inside. During this story students are able to compare living to non-living things within the habitat, as well as the difference between a spacious and a crowded living environment. This diary formatted, amusing story introduces students to the concept that although man-made and natural habitats are different, both require an essential balance in order for their inhabitants to survive.


 * Related Curriculum Areas**: The main content area found within this book is the social studies aspect. Although this story introduces students to a man-made habitat, the book does an overall great job of focusing on the importance of an environment’s natural balance. Students will learn that whether a habitat is man-made or natural, both require a balance in order for their inhabitants to survive. Students are able to realize that it is their job to help maintain that balance in all habitats and environments in order for us all to live in harmony with the world around us. In this book, students will also be able to compare and contrast living versus non-living thing in the aquatic habitat. In addition to the rich social studies content within this book, there are many ways to integrate early literature skills as well as science and math into this read-aloud. The abounding vocabulary throughout this book such as; apply, disgusting, nervous, wonder, and wish; etc… allows this book to challenge its readers into higher levels of thinking. Students may be asked to explain that an animal’s habitat is the environment in which they live, and to describe how animals and plants live in environments to which they are well suited for. Students may be asked to recall that animals and plants have adapted to live in certain habitats. For a science related curriculum, students may choose to focus on the topic of pollution, and keeping our environment clean. Students may be asked to recall that humans must re-create habitats for certain pets in order for them to survive, and keep that habitat well maintained. For math content, students can sort and classify things as living and non-living, as well as, the differences between man-made habitats and natural habitats.

**Children’s Non Fiction**


 * Bibliography**: Arnosky, Jim. (1996). **//__Every Autumn Comes the Bear.__//** Putnam & Grosset Group. 29 pages. Griffith Elementary Library


 * Summary**: This book allows young listeners and readers to learn all about the temperate forest habitat during the transition to winter. Right from the beginning, this book sets the story next to a farmhouse in the woods, conveying that humans can live closely alongside this habitat. The main focus of this story is following a bear as he prepares to hibernate. Along the bear’s journey, students discover a variety of other forest animals as well as the homes that they live in. Through the use of bright, and realistic illustrations, students are able to see the rugged, bare, landscape of the forest during the transition to winter. Students will learn how animals prepare for winter, and the challenges they must face before they can go into hibernation.


 * Related Curriculum Areas**: The main content area found within this book is the social studies aspect. Right from the beginning, this book shows students how humans can live closely alongside this habitat through the illustration of a farmhouse in the woods. Through vivid illustrations, students are able to see what this habitat looks like in the late autumn and early winter seasons. During this story, students are also introduced to the topic of hibernation, as they follow a bear’s journey as he prepares to hibernate. If students have already learned about the rainforest habitat, this may be a great opportunity to allow students to compare and contrast. Not only will students be using social studies knowledge in order to complete this task, but also reasoning skills as they determine the differences among the plant and animal life in both habitats. In addition to the rich social studies content within this book, there are many ways to integrate early literature skills as well as science into this read-aloud. The abounding vocabulary throughout this book such as; lair, autumn, rugged, perch, and bursting; etc… allows this book to challenge its readers into higher levels of thinking. Students may be asked to explain that an animal’s habitat is the environment in which they live, and to describe how animals and plants live in environments to which they are well suited for. Students may be asked to recall that animals and plants have adapted to live in certain habitats. For science related content, students may choose to focus on the seasons and particularly the transition period from fall to winter.


 * Bibliography**: Bancroft, Henrietta. (2013). **//__Animals in Winter.__//** Scholastic Inc. 29 pages. Griffith Elementary Library


 * Summary**: This book allows young listeners and readers to learn all about the forest habitat and the changes that come with the fall transition to winter. Through the use of true-to-life illustrations, students learn about what animals do in the fall and winter within this habitat. Topics such as, migration, storing up food, hibernation, and hunting are introduced to students. This book also teaches students how a variety of animals have adapted to the forest environment in order to live there. Towards the end of the book, students are given tips on how to help animals in the winter, as well as a brief introduction to spring.


 * Related Curriculum Areas**: The main content area found within this book is the social studies aspect. This book teaches students about the challenges that both animals and humans must face when transitioning from fall to winter in the forest habitat. Although some of the information can be relative to human life such as hunting, most topics such as migration, storing up food, and hibernation will be solely animal related. Children will also be introduced to the topic of adaptation, and how animals can adapt in many ways in order to fit the environment to which they reside. As another social studies related connection, the book explains how us as humans can help animals through this challenging transition from fall to winter, making it applicable to the student’s lives. In addition to the rich social studies content within this book, there are many ways to integrate early literature skills as well as science into this read-aloud. The abounding vocabulary throughout this book such as; migrate, hibernate, gather, journey, and hunt; etc… allows this book to challenge its readers into higher levels of thinking. Students may be asked to explain that an animal’s habitat is the environment in which they live, and to describe how animals and plants live in environments to which they are well suited for. Students may be asked to recall that animals and plants have adapted to live in certain habitats, and obtain the food they need in order to live, from their environment. For a science related curriculum, students may choose to focus on the season transitions and what they look like in the forest habitat. The book chooses to focus on the transition from fall to winter, but towards the end of the book, the transition to spring is briefly introduced, allowing for extension opportunities.


 * Bibliography**: Bateman M., Donna. (2008). **//__Deep in the Swamp.__//** Scholastic and Charlesbridge Publishing. 30 pages. Griffith Elementary Library


 * Summary**: As an adaptation to the counting rhyme, “Over in the Meadow”, this book allows readers to explore and discover the diverse plant and animal life of the swamp habitat. Students get to discover varied creatures from insects to mammals, to reptiles, and even amphibians and birds. Students not only will be introduced to the array of plants and animals within this habitat, but also the common behaviors, movements, and sounds that make the animals unique. The illustrations within this book depict to students, the parent-offspring relationships that go along with learning about the animal’s life cycles in a fun-filled way. At the conclusion of this book, it even allows for extension with additional information and facts that examine featured animals and plants in a more detailed manner.


 * Related Curriculum Areas**: In addition to the rich social studies content within this book that allows students to explore the swamp habitat throughout the united states, the geography and mapping of the area, along with the concept of pollution, there are also many ways to integrate early literature skills as well as science and math into this read-aloud. The vocabulary-rich text throughout this book such as; basked, hollow, trilled, thicket, and scurry; etc… allows this book to challenge its readers into higher levels of thinking while engaged in a fun sing along. In terms of early literature content, students may be asked to explain and illustrate that an animal’s habitat is the environment in which they live. Students may also be able to practice using descriptive writing, when asked to describe the specific land environments and why animals and plants live in the environments to which they are well suited. For a science related curriculum, students may choose to focus on the swampland habitat and how plants thrive in that particular environment. Another way they can connect science to their real life is by being able to relate how animals, plants, and humans depend on the earth’s land, air and water for survival. For math content, this book also offers a counting element. On each page, the book presents a different mother animal and her babies. As each page progresses, each mother has one more baby than the previous one before, therefore; illustrating the concept of counting.


 * Bibliography**: Dunphy, Madeline. (2006). **//__Here in the African Savanna.__//** Web of life Children’s Books. 30 pages. Griffith Elementary Library


 * Summary**: This book focuses on the particular grassland habitat. While organized in a fun rhyming way, this book teaches students about the plant and animal life that thrives in the grasslands. This book uses strikingly realistic illustrations to introduce wild animals such as zebras, baboons, and impalas. This book ensures to touch on the overall fact that grass is the basis of the grassland ecosystem, and is essential for animals that dwell in that environment. This book also explains how animals depend on the plants as well as other animals for food and survival. The overall premise of this book focuses on the circle of life aspect and the understanding of how food chains work. The close interactions between the animals in this story help children realize which animals are plant-eaters, and which are meat eating predators. The story concludes once again with grass, giving further emphasis on the interconnected relationship within the habitat. The last few pages of this book even offers extension, offering more detailed information about the wildlife in the African Savanna, and the concept of extinction.


 * Related Curriculum Areas**: The main content area found within this book is the social studies aspect of how each part of life is affected by another. This book teachers children about the food chains that exist in the grasslands, and how there are many interconnected relationships within this environment. Towards the end of the book, the concept of extinction is mentioned, which can easily become a primary social studies content study of its own. In addition to social studies, there are many ways to integrate higher level thinking literature skills as well as science and math into this read-aloud. The content-related vocabulary throughout this book such as; stalk, perch, savanna, plain, shade; etc… allows students to understand the movements of the animals and plant life within this story. The rhyming aspect throughout the story also offers literature skills for students to hear and recognize the concept of rhyming in an unconventional form. To build on writing and descriptive skills, students may be asked to explain that an animal’s habitat is the environment in which they live, and to describe how animals and plants live in environments to which they are well suited for. Students may also be asked to recall that animals and plants have adapted to live in certain habitats, and obtain the food they need in order to live by eating plants or other animals within their environment. For a science related curriculum, students may choose to focus on the grassland habitat, and demonstrate their knowledge of how food chains work within this environment. For math content, students can sort and classify animals as plant eating, plant-and-meat-eating, and meat eating.


 * Bibliography**: Franco, Betsey. (2009). **//__Pond Circle.__//** Scholastic Inc. 27 pages. Griffith Elementary Library


 * Summary**: This book allows young listeners and readers to learn all about the pond habitat. Students discover the diversity of the habitat’s diverse plant and animal life. This book takes a more in-depth look at food chains, beginning with the smallest member of the food chain (green algae), and how it sustains life, which is eaten by bugs, and so on until the students meet the animal at the top of the food chain (the coyote). Along with the beautiful illustrations throughout this book, students learn how humans must coexist with other animals in their habitat in order to survive. At the very end of the book, there is a “Facts to Pond-er” section that examines the food chain of the pond habitat at an even more in-depth level.


 * Related Curriculum Areas**: The main content area found within this book is the social studies aspect of how each part of life is affected by another, and how important it is for us as humans to protect our environment. Students take a more in-depth look at food chains and how each life form from algae to coyotes is connected. Another way this book connects back to the lives of children is by explaining how we as humans coexist with the plants and animals within this habitat. The book discusses how the pond habitat needs to be protected, introducing the concept of ecology and overall interconnectedness between plant, animal, and humans. In addition to the rich social studies content within this book, there are many ways to integrate early literature skills as well as science into this read-aloud. The abounding vocabulary throughout this book such as; algae, shuffle, nibbled, nymph, and stalked; etc… allows this book to challenge its readers into higher levels of thinking. Students may be asked to explain that an animal’s habitat is the environment in which they live, and to describe how animals and plants live in environments to which they are well suited for. Students may be asked to recall that animals and plants have adapted to live in certain habitats, and obtain the food they need in order to live, from their environment. Students may be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of food chains through illustrations. Students may also be asked to describe how animals, plants, and humans depend on the earths land, air, and water for survival. Students may also explain that humans have a responsibility to take care of the earth, the animals, and it’s natural resources. For a science related curriculum, students may choose to focus on the pond habitat and the reasons why only particular plants and animals are able to thrive in that particular environment.


 * Bibliography**: Hickman, Pamela. (2008). **//__Who Lives Here?__//** Scholastic Inc. 27 pages. Griffith Elementary Library


 * Summary**: The marvelous “main character” of this book happens to be a woodland burrow that welcomes home a variety of creatures from cotton tail rabbits, to raccoons, to milk snakes, and even skunks. In this vocabulary-rich text, students are able to interact with the story as each animal decides whether or not they want to reside in the burrow. For each individual animal, the story offers a brief explanation for their decision to move in or out, based on the animal’s basic needs. Students are able to chime in, stating “It’s Moving Day!” all while gaining an understanding for each animals basic needs for survival. Along with the story, students will also be able to witness the life cycle of animals raising their young, and how we are in fact animals too (offers discussion for their own moving stories). During this story, students are also introduced to the passing of the four seasons and how nature is always changing. Students even get to learn about some of the animals that hibernate during the winter. This book does an overall incredible job of allowing students to see how different environments can support a large number of species, and how nature relates us all.


 * Related Curriculum Areas**: The main content area found within this book is the social studies aspect of how each part of life is affected by another. Students get to see the life cycle of how a variety of animals raise their young among different environments. This book also does a great job of touching on the topic of geography, by demonstrating the fact that nature’s diverse environments can support a large number of species. As a whole, this book does a great job of relating to children’s own lives by allowing them to reflect on their own moving experiences. As students learn about each animal’s basic needs, they are able to determine whether or not the burrow would be a suitable living environment for them to reside, allowing students to use higher-level thinking skills. In addition to the rich social studies content within this book, there are many ways to integrate early literature skills as well as science and math into this read-aloud. In terms of literature, this book is packed with vocabulary-rich text such as; burrow, inspect, pleased, shelter, plump; etc…, which allows this book to once again challenge its readers into higher levels of thinking. Students may be asked to explain that an animal’s habitat is the environment in which they live, and to describe how animals and plants live in environments to which they are well suited for. Students may also be asked to describe how animals, plants, and humans depend on the earths land, air, and water for survival. For a science related curriculum, students can learn about the passing of the four seasons, and why certain animals hibernate during the winter. Finally, in terms of math content, students can sort and classify specific habitats based on their physical characteristics and the plants and animals that thrive there.


 * Bibliography**: Jenkins, Steve, Page, Robin. (2005). **//__I See a Kookabura.__//** Houghton Mifflin Company. 30 pages. Griffith Elementary Library


 * Summary**: This wonderfully illustrated book offers an introduction to students, about the concept that animals live in habitats that they are well suited for. This book takes students on an exploration of several different habitats throughout the world, including: desert, tide pool, jungle, rain forest, savanna, grassland, forest, and pond. In addition to learning about the different habitats throughout the world, students also learn about the variety of animals that thrive in each environment. The text engages its readers through the use of “I spy”, as well as including vocabulary-rich text in order to describe the habitats, movements, and behaviors of the animals.


 * Related Curriculum Areas**: In addition to the rich social studies content within this book, allowing students to discover the variety of habitats in the world around them, there are also other content areas that can easily be linked to this read aloud. There are many ways to integrate early literature skills as well as science and math into this read-aloud. The vocabulary-rich text throughout this book such as; adapt, steamy, startling, prickly, and timid; etc… allows this book to challenge its readers into higher levels of thinking. Students can be asked to explain that an animal’s habitat is the environment in which it lives. Students can illustrate and describe how animals and plants live in the environment to which they are well suited, and describe the habitats in depth. Students may be asked to recall that animals and plants have adapted in order to live in certain environments. For connection to real life content, students may describe how animals, plants, and humans depend on the earth’s air, land, and water in order to survive (can also be tied to science). For a science related curriculum, students may choose to focus on the variety of habitats explored throughout this reading, and create a replica of a habitat including the animals and plants that thrive in that particular environment. For math content, students can sort, compare, and contrast a variety of habitats depending on the physical characteristics of the plant and animal life that dwells there.


 * Bibliography**: Mitton, Tony, Parker, Ant. (2009). **//__Rainforest Romp.__//** Kingfisher. 21 pages. Griffith Elementary Library


 * Summary**: This book allows young listeners and readers to learn all about the tropical rain forest habitat of South America. Students discover the diversity of the habitat’s plant and animal life. Students are introduced to a variety of unique animals from the capybara, to the emerald tree boa, and even the agouti. Students not only learn about the variety of animals that dwell in this habitat, but also the many ways that these animals obtain their food (meat eaters versus plant eaters). At the end of this story there is a fun “I Spy” game that asks its readers to search through the illustrations and identify different rain forest animals.


 * Related Curriculum Areas**: In addition to the rich social studies content within this book; such as, pollution geography and mapping, ecology and the overall environment of the rain forest habitat, there are many ways to integrate early literature skills as well as science and math into this read-aloud. The abounding vocabulary throughout this book such as; rainforest, mammal, poisonous, stalks, prowls; etc… allows this book to challenge its readers into higher levels of thinking. Students may be asked to explain that an animal’s habitat is the environment in which they live, and to describe how animals and plants live in environments to which they are well suited for. Students may be asked to recall that animals and plants have adapted to live in certain habitats, and obtain the food they need in order to live, from their environment. For a science related curriculum, students may choose to focus on the rain forest habitat and how plants thrive in that particular environment. For math content, students can sort and classify animals as plant eating, plant-and-meat-eating, and meat eating.


 * Bibliography**: Sill, Cathryn. (2011). **//__Grasslands.__//** Scholastic Inc. 42 pages. Griffith Elementary Library


 * Summary**: This book allows young listeners and readers to learn all about the grassland habitat in the savanna and all over the world. Students discover the diversity of the habitat’s plant and animal life through the use of vivid and lifelike illustrations. Students are introduced to a variety of topics ranging from food chains, seasons, ecology, and the overall interconnectedness of plant and animal life. Students also learn about the variety of animals that dwell in this habitat, and the many ways that these animals obtain their food (meat eaters versus plant eaters). Each page of this book acts as a fantastic resource for teachers by including the various plates of the grassland being discussed as well as the name of the animals in the illustration.


 * Related Curriculum Areas**: The main content area found within this book is the social studies aspect of how each part of life is affected by another and how important it is for us as humans to protect it. Students become introduced to the concept of the food chain and how animals can be classified by the time of food they eat. Another way this book connects back to the lives of children is by explaining how the grasslands provide food for people around the world. The book discusses how the grasslands need to be protected, introducing the concept of ecology and overall interconnectedness between plant, animal, and humans. At the very beginning of the book, there is a map that pinpoints the major grasslands found throughout the world, linking the topics of geography and mapping. Also, throughout the book, there are descriptions below the images explaining which “plate” each picture is describing, with an even more in depth description at the end of the book. In addition to the rich social studies content within this book, there are many ways to integrate early literature skills as well as science into this read-aloud. In terms of literature, this book is packed with vocabulary-rich text such as; ecosystem, biome, habitat, drought, and equator; etc…, which allows this book to once again challenge its readers into higher levels of thinking. Students may be asked to explain that an animal’s habitat is the environment in which they live, and to describe how animals and plants live in environments to which they are well suited for. Students may also be asked to describe how animals, plants, and humans depend on the earths land, air, and water for survival. For a science related curriculum, students can learn about the passing of the four seasons, and how they affect the habitat. Finally, students may be asked to recall that humans have a responsibility to take care of the earth, it’s animals, and it’s natural resources.