Teacher Resources for Earth Day... or Any Day

Science Netlinks: True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can do to Save the Planet is a 3 day lesson for grades 3-5 based on the picture book with the same title by Kim McCay and Jenny Bonnin.

ReadWriteThink: Protecting Our Precious Planet: Sharing the Message of Earth Day  This lesson is geared towards grades K-2 but can be adapted for older students. Students create an environmental message and display it by decorating borrowed brown paper bags from local grocery stores. The bags are then returned to the store for bagging use at the registers. This is a simple yet meaningful way students can share their environmental messages with the local community.

Create Public Service Announcements:  Pair students up in groups of two to search for and collect digital images about recycling, water pollution, air pollution, natural resources or other topics related to Earth Day. Using Animoto.com* have each pair create a 30 second video public service announcement about caring for our environment. (Grades 4 and up).
*Animoto is a user-friendly free web-based tool for creating 30 second videos super fast. Just select photos from their gallery or upload your own, add some text, select or upload your music and Animoto will do the rest. 

Thinkfinity offers several great links to other lesson plans and resources centered around Earth Day. Be sure to check them out!

Earth Day Picture Books

Good planets are hard to find... so let's not blow it! April 22 is Earth Day. Oops! Correction: Every day is Earth Day! In celebration of Earth Day, here are some titles you won't want to miss that highlight our amazing planet and tell how we can better take care of it. Check it out!

A Kid's Guide to Global Warming
by Glenn Murphy

Oil Spill! by Melvin Berger

One Well: The Story of Water on Earth
by Rochelle Strauss

Oil Spill! Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico
by Elaine Landau

Earth Day Birthday
by Patti Schnetzler

Growing Up Green
by Jeanne Sturm

Earth: Feeling the Heat
by Brenda Guiberson

Nonfiction Picture Books: Earthquakes and Tsunamis

It's hard to miss the many news media reports about the extreme devastation surrounding the March 11th earthquake and tsunami in Japan. As newscasts continue to report 24/7 on the disaster, teachers are seeking resources for connecting current events with the science curriculum and making the most of teachable moments. Thinkfinity.org has an excellent collection of resource links for teachers about earthquakes and tsunamis as well as multiple lessons on the topic. You can check out Thinkfinity's resources on Earthquakes and Tsunamis here. Below are some excellent children's books about earthquakes and tsunamis that will help answer questions about what causes these natural disasters in an age appropriate way. I have included a picture book, Elephants of the Tsunami by Jana Laiz, which is based on a true story. This particular text would be a great read aloud for younger children to spark discussion about the recent earthquake in Japan. After learning of the devastation in Japan, students (and teachers) will likely want to know how they can help in relief efforts. Time Newsfeed lists several ways we can help.

Earthquakes by Editors of Time for Kids
(2006)  Grades K-2

Earthquakes by Seymour Simon
(2006) Grades 4-6

Earthquakes by Franklyn Branley
(2005) Grades K-3

Tsunami: The True Story of an
 April Fool's Day Disaster
by Gail Langer Larwoski and John MacDonald
(2006) Grades 4-7

Elephants of the Tsunami by Jana Laiz
(2007) Grades K-2
*Based on a true story.

Skippyjon Jones Lost in Spice by Judy Schachner

Title: Skippyjon Jones Lost in Spice
Author / Illustrator: Judy Schachner
Publisher / Date: Penguin Group / 2009
Genre: Fiction, picture book
Themes: Space, animals, humor, Spanish
Summary: Skippyjon Jones is a quirky cat with big ears who thinks he is a dog. Skippy also thinks Mars is covered with spicy red pepper. As he sets off to prove that the planet is red because of the spices, he encounters one humorous adventure after another. The play on words and mixture of English and Spanish add to the humor.
Curriculum Connection: Grades K-2 Science: Read this book aloud as an interest builder for a unit on space; leisure reading
Notes: Visit Skippyjon Jones online at http://skippyjonjones.com/

Volcanoes! by Seymour Simon

Title: Volcanoes
Author: Seymour Simon
Publisher / Date: Harper Collins / 2006
Genre: Nonfiction, Picture Book
Themes: Volcanoes, Science, Geography
Summary: Smithsonian and Seymour team together to bring the reader an amazing overview of volcanoes packed with information and photos of notable volcanoes around the world.
Curriculum Connections: Grades 2-8 Science: Volcanoes; Geography
Notes: Click below for an abundance of information for students and teachers from the author on a wide range of science topics. Wonderful website!!!!
http://www.seymoursimon.com/

Owen and Mzee: the True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

Title: Owen and Mzee: the True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
Author: Isabella Hatkoff, Craig hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu
Photographs by Peter Greste
Publisher / Date: Scholastic Press / 2006
Genre: Nonfiction, Picture Book
Themes: friendship, animals, adaptation
Summary: Remarkable true story of a baby hippo that was rescued from danger after being washed up on Kenya shore after the devastating tsunami of 2004. The authors tell how Owen was all alone when he was rescued. They took him to an animal sanctuary where Owen met Mzee, an Aldabra tortoise. Owen found comfort in the old turtle in the midst of his turmoil and the two have been inseparable ever since.  
Curriculum Connection: Grades K-5 Science: weather (effects of a tsunami), animal adaptation; Geography: Africa
Notes:  Remarkable photojournalism; wonderful read aloud and discussion starter! 

If You Find a Rock by Peggy Christian

Title: If You Find a Rock Author: Peggy Christian
Photographs by Barbara Hirsch Lember
Publisher / Date: Harcourt / 2000
Genre: Nonfiction, picture book
Themes: Rocks
Summary: While the wonderful photos of children and rocks appeal to the child in all of us, the words have a natural flow. The book tells of what you could do with different kinds of rocks you might find. 
Curriculum Connections: Grades K-2 Science: Rocks!
Note: This has become one of my favorite nonfiction picture books! The photos are outstanding and the story is one to which everyone can relate. While the content is simple, there are many curriculum connections that can be made throughout the book.

What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? by Robin Page

Title: What Do You Do with a Tail Like This?
Author: Robin Page
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Publisher / Date: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / 2008
Genre: Nonfiction; Picture Book
Themes: Animals, Science
Summary: Through a simple question / answer format, readers are encouraged to guess the animal whose tail is pictured and how they might use it.
Curriculum Connections: Grades Pre K-2: Science: Animal adaptations
Notes: Great read aloud and discussion starter for animal adaptations

One Child, One Planet: Inspiration for the Young Conservationist by Bridget McGovern Llewellyn

Title: One Child, One Planet: Inspiration for the Young Conservationist
Author: Bridget McGovern Llewellyn
Photography by: Carl R Sams II and Jean Stoick
Publisher / Date: Emerald Shamrock Press LLC / 2009
Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book
Themes: Conservation, Nature, Earth
Summary: Woven between the gentle rhyme of the text, is the truth that our actions make a difference. The reader is encouraged to appreciate the beauty of our planet and to take care of it.
Curriculum Connections: Science: Grades K+: Earth Day; Conservation
Notes: Amazing photography draws the reader in and provides discussion starters. The simple rhyming text makes for a great read aloud or independent reading.  

Biggest, Strongest, Fastest by Steve Jenkins

Title: Biggest, Strongest, Fastest
Author / Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Publisher / Date: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / 1997
Genre: Nonfiction, Picture Book
Themes: Animals, Interesting facts
Summary: Which animal can run the fastest? Which one can carry 5 times it's own weight? Which one can jump the highest? This book is full of superlatives and world record type information that curious kids and adults will enjoy. 
Curriculum Connections: Grades Pre K-2 Science: Animal facts; Language Arts: Superlatives
Notes: Be sure to check out the link below from the author / illustrator's website that wonderfully explains the process of making books and from where his ideas come. 
http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/makingbooks.html

I See a Kookaburra! Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World

Title: I See a Kookaburra! Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World
Authors / Illustrators: Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Genre: Nonfiction, Picture Book
Themes: Animals, animal habitats
Summary: The reader is encouraged to find a variety of animals camouflaged within six different habitats. Ecosystems, animal adaptations and habitats are explored through simple text and colorful illustrations with an interactive element.
Curriculum Connections: Grades K-2 Science: Animal habitats, ecosystems, animal facts, animal adaptations
Notes: Link to the author's website for similar nonfiction books about animals: 
http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/books.html

Who Will Plant a Tree? by Jerry Pallotta

Title: Who Will Plant a Tree?
Author: Jerry Pallotta
Illustrator: Tom Leonard
Publisher / Date: Gale Group / 2010
Genre: Fiction, Picture Book
Themes: Plants & Trees, Animals
Summary: People aren't the only ones who can plant trees. Animals plant trees in their own ways. Some scatter the seeds when they move around, others eat the seeds as part of their diet and then plant them when they... well... you know. :-) 
Curriculum Connections: Grades Pre K -2: Science: Animals, Plants & Trees
Notes: Listed as fiction but this book is full of information that children are sure to find fascinating.

One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies

Title: One Tiny Turtle
Author: Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Publisher / Date: Candlewick Press / 2005
Genre: Fiction, Picture Book
Themes: Loggerhead turtles, nature, ocean
Summary: This story follows one loggerhead turtle's journey over time as she swims the ocean and eventually lays eggs on the same beach where she hatched from an egg thirty years ago. 
Curriculum Connections: Grades Pre K-2 Science: Ocean life, endangered species, turtles
Notes: Can be used as a read aloud or text for guided reading. Though it is fiction, this book is packed with facts about sea turtles.