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Environmental Conservation: Whats the Big Idea?

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Environmental Conservation: Whats the Big Idea?

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What can I do to preserve natural resources at the local level?

Can the actions of one person make a difference in global conservation issues?

Is it too late to make a difference in global conservation?

These questions will elicit a thoughtfulness about how our society, and our species, utilizes the natural resources available to us on this planet, but overall, we don’t do a great job of protecting our planet from unnecessary waste and damage. These books and activities will allow kids to assess practices within our society that are harmful to the environment on a local and global level, and instil a sense of understanding, connectedness and belonging that will help form them into responsible citizens of the world that we all share.

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Main Text
The hero of this book is a boy named Roy, who has recently moved to Florida. He befriends a local boy, who is on a mission to save a colony of burrowing owls when their habitat is threatened by a planned construction site. Carl Hiassen won the Newbery Medal for Hoot in 2003.

Hiaasen, C. (2005). Hoot. Random House Inc.: New York, N.Y.,

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Hoot-Carl-Hiaasen/dp/0440419395/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

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Activity 1 - Recycled Musical Instruments

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Activity 1 - Recycled Musical Instruments

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Psychomotor: Students will build  with recyclable materials to make simple sound makers.

Affective: students will identify value in the usage of recycled material to create something new.

Cognitive: Students will describe where the recycled materials would go in the environment, if they were not used as craft materials.

This activity could be paired with many of these titles, but I would highlight Kenya's Art by Linda Trice (2016), What a Waste by Jess French (2019). Students will make tissue box guitars, with rubber bands, empty tissue boxes and toilet paper tubes. I will pre-cut holes in the tissue boxes, and have the components roughly sorted for the kids. While they are assembling their tissue box guitars, I will play the Ruth Pelam song “Guitar Box Band” which explains the value in creating something from what is otherwise garbage, and giving it a new life, in a happy, catchy song (Ruth Pelam, 2015).

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Activity 2 - Food Web Coloring Pages Exercise 

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Activity 2 - Food Web Coloring Pages Exercise 

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Psychomotor: Students will draw organisms in the appropriate spaces on the handout.

Affective: Students will verbally reflect on their choices of organisms, and why each organism is important to all other organisms on the page.

Cognitive: Students will identify how different organisms are connected through distant relationships, by what they eat and what eats them.

I will read Who Eats What?: Food Chains and Food Webs by Patricia Lauber (2016), or The Great Kapok Tree: A tale of the amazon Rain Forest By Lynn Cherry (1990).

I will have the students fill in a coloring sheet style handout depicting a food web. This food web will have simple fill in the blank areas where they can guess and choose what organism could fit into that location on the food web, and hints will be given by the surrounding coloring sheet  (flowers growing out of the ground, a spider web with a space to catch something a spider might eat, etc.) While they complete the food web, I will play the song “Under One Sky” by Ruth Pelam, which describes the connectedness of all people and things on Earth (2015).

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Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World by by Laurie Lawlor 

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Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World by by Laurie Lawlor 

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Nonfiction

This book is an illustrated biography of Rachel Carson, who’s book Silent Spring, was a pioneering event for environmentalists, as well as a powerful moment for women in science, as she entered the field with great passion for biology when women were not all that welcome in science.

Lawlor, L. (2014). Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World. Holiday Publishing: New York, N.Y..

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Carson-Book-Changed-World/dp/0823431932/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=rachel+carson+and+her+book+that+changed+the+world&qid=1619726095&s=books&sr=1-1

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Greta Thunberg: Little People Big Dreams By Maria Isabel San Vegara

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Greta Thunberg: Little People Big Dreams By Maria Isabel San Vegara

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Nonfiction

This is a brief picture book biography of environmental and climate change activist Greta  Thunberg.

Vegara, M. (2020). Grete Thunberg. FRANCES LINCOLN CHILDRENS: London, UK.

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Greta-Thunberg-Little-People-DREAMS/dp/0711256454/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=little+people+big+dreams+greta&qid=1619728451&s=books&sr=1-1

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Seeds of Change : Planting a Path to Peace by Johnson and Jen Cullerton

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Seeds of Change : Planting a Path to Peace by Johnson and Jen Cullerton

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Nonfiction

This is a picture book biography of Nobel Peace Prize winner, and activist Wangari Maathai, and documents her activism and how she changed the world by planting trees.

Cullerton. J, & Cullerton J. (2013). Seeds of  change: planting a path to peace. Lee & Low Books.

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Seeds-Change-Wangaris-Gift-World/dp/160060367X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=seeds+of+change&qid=1619728233&s=books&sr=1-1

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Kate who tamed the windBy Liz Garton Scanlon

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Kate who tamed the windBy Liz Garton Scanlon

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Picture Book

Kate changes the wind down a windy hill near her home, dragging young saplings to plant along the ridge, in her little wheel barrow.

Scanlon, L., G. (2018). Kate who tamed the wind. Schwartz & Wade: New York, N.Y..

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Kate-Tamed-Wind-Garton-Scanlon/dp/1101934794/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=kate+who+tamed+the+wind&qid=1619727744&s=books&sr=1-2

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Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles  and  Deborah Hopkinson

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Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles  and  Deborah Hopkinson

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Picture Book

Vivian has just moved close to the sea, and she notices baby loggerhead sea turtles hatching on the beach/ She bands together with other kids and her community to ensure the tiny babies are protected, and reach their home and destiny in the vast ocean.

Cousteau, P., & Hopkins, D. (2016). Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles. Chronicles Books: San Francisco, California.

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Follow-Moon-Home-Hundred-Turtles/dp/145211241X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=follow+the+moon+home&qid=1619726579&s=books&sr=1-1

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Picture Book

When Kenya’s vacation is almost over, and she realizes she hasn’t done anything interesting to present to her class, she in inspired to create art out of recycled objects after visiting a museum exhibit about upcycled and reused art, and seeing trash in the streets, she decides she knows just what to do with it.

Trice, L. (2016). Kenya’s art. CharlesBridge Publishing: Watertown, M.A..

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Kenyas-Art-Linda-Trice/dp/1570918481/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=kenya%27s+art&qid=1619726005&s=books&sr=1-1

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Compost Stew: and A to Z recipe for the EarthBy Mary McKenna Siddals 

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Compost Stew: and A to Z recipe for the EarthBy Mary McKenna Siddals 

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Picture Book

This story is an alphabetical rhyming recipe for the rich compost that makes our soil fertile and good.

Siddals, M., M. (2014). Compost Stew: and A to Z recipe for the Earth. Dragonfly Books: Canada.

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Compost-Stew-Z-Recipe-Earth/dp/0385755384/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=compost+stew&qid=1619725654&s=books&sr=1-1

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The Last Polar BearBy Jean Craighead George

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The Last Polar BearBy Jean Craighead George

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Picture Book

In the Arctic ocean, Tigluk and his grandmother find a baby polar bear that has become orphaned as a result of climate change. They bring the baby bear home, and do their best to teach it how to live in the changing climate.

George, J., C. (2009). The last polar bear. HarperCollins Publishers: New York, N.Y..

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0061240672?ots=1&slotNum=6&imprToken=92bc8f5f-60fd-dd44-17f&ascsubtag=%5b%5dst%5bp%5dcja9u9zhn009q88y658c4zc4s%5bi%5dAw14hN%5bu%5d1%5bt%5dw%5bd%5dD%5bz%5dm&tag=thestrategistsite-20

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Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers 

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Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers 

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Picture Book
This sweet book is written as an introduction to living life on the plant Earth, directed toward a new born human.

Jaffers, O. (2017). Here we are: notes for living on planet Earth. Philomel Books: New York, N.Y..

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LCZYDD?ots=1&slotNum=3&imprToken=92bc8f5f-60fd-dd44-17f&ascsubtag=%5b%5dst%5bp%5dcja9u9zhn009q88y658c4zc4s%5bi%5d71iGiD%5bu%5d1%5bt%5dw%5bd%5dD%5bz%5dm&tag=thestrategistsite-20

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The Great Kapok Tree: A tale of the amazon Rain Forest By Lynn Cherry

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The Great Kapok Tree: A tale of the amazon Rain Forest By Lynn Cherry

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Picture Book

This story delves into the story of all of the creatures who's home is the great Kopak Tree, and how they convince the man with the ax not to cut down their home, and defend the importance of trees in the world, and all of the roles they play.

Cherry, L. (1990). The Great Kapok Tree: A tale of the amazon rain forest. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: New York: N.Y.

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Kapok-Tree-Amazon-Forest/dp/0152026142/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=great+kapok+tree+%3A+a+tale+of+the+amazon+rainforest&qid=1619722495&s=books&sr=1-1

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Picture Book

This Caldecott Honor book celebrates the color green, and looks to all of the parts of our natural world where it can be found.

Seeger, L. (2012). Green. Roaring Book Press: New York, N.Y..

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Laura-Vaccaro-Seeger/dp/1596433973

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Nonfiction
This story illustrates the life of Georgie Badiel, when growing up in Africa, she and many other women have to walk miles to retrieve water for drinking and bathing. Not only do they need to go on a long trek to get the water, but it isn’t clean, so they need to boil it to make it safe. While Georgie walks for miles, she imagines the vessel she carries on her head is a crown, and she, a princess. She dreams of being able to provide safe, clean and accessible water for her community.

Verde, S. (2016). The Water Princess. Putnam Publishing: New York, N.Y..

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Water-Princess-Susan-Verde/dp/0399172580/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=water+princess&qid=1619039135&s=books&sr=1-1

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10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh

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10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh

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Picture Book
This motivating book shows kids 10 simple things they can do to help protect and preserve our planet, with happy, engaging illustrations.

Walsh, M., (2012). 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World. Candlewick Press: Somerville, M.A..

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Ten-Things-Can-Help-World/dp/1406310867/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2W8BOB5FTABNC&dchild=1&keywords=10+things+i+can+do+to+help+my+world&qid=1619038609&s=books&sprefix=10+things%2Cstripbooks%2C187&sr=1-2

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Don't Let Them Disappear: 12 Endangered Species across the Globe by Chelsea Clinton

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Don't Let Them Disappear: 12 Endangered Species across the Globe by Chelsea Clinton

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Nonfiction
This book introduces children to a dozen endangered animals, and tells a story about what it is that is leaving them vulnerable to extinction.
Clinton, C. (2019). Don't Let Them disappear: 12 endangered species across the globe. Philomel Books: New York, N.Y..

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Them-Disappear-Chelsea-Clinton/dp/0525514325/ref=sr_1_1?crid=375K80QR1FO1V&dchild=1&keywords=dont+let+them+disappear+by+chelsea+clinton&qid=1619038153&s=books&sprefix=dont+let+them+%2Cstripbooks%2C182&sr=1-1

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The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps By Jeanette Winter

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The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps By Jeanette Winter

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Nonfiction
This beautifully illustrated book depicts the life and career of famed primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall, from her adventures and discoveries in Africa’s Gombe National Park, to her continued environmental advocacy in the UK, and her far reaching effects across the globe. One person CAN make a difference.

Winter, J., (2011). The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps. Schwartz & Wade: New York, N.Y..

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Watcher+by+Jeanette+Winter&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss

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Picture Book
This is a historical fiction book that depicts the life of the author’s grandmother, Marvel, growing up during the Great Depression. Her large family finds an abandoned shack in the woods, and by being self reliant and using the land around them, they build a comfortable home and live modestly.

Wheeler, E. (2019). Home in the woods . Nancy Paulsen Books: Penguin Books. New York, N.Y..

This book can be purchased at: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Woods-Eliza-Wheeler/dp/0399162909/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Home+in+the+Woods+by+Eliza+Wheeler&qid=1619037012&s=books&sr=1-1

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We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

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We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

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Picture Book
This book tells the story of a young water protector, who stands up against the black serpent that threatened to destroy all of the water in the world. This story puts indigenous people at the forefront of the discussion about protecting our world’s water, and it includes a pledge for children to vow to protect the earth.

Lindstrom, C. (2020). We are water protectors. Roaring Brook Press: New York, N.Y..

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Are-Water-Protectors-Carole-Lindstrom/dp/1250203554

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What a Waste: Trash, Recycling and Protecting our Planet by Jess French

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What a Waste: Trash, Recycling and Protecting our Planet by Jess French

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Picture Book
This book opens the eyes of the reader to all of the waste that we produce as a species, and where that waste goes, how long it persists in the environment, and how it negatively affects us, the animals we love and all of our natural resources. It also discusses lots of positive things we can all do to help stop the waste.

French, J. (2019). What a waste: trash, recycling and protecting our planet. DK Publishing: London, England. U.K..

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/What-Waste-Recycling-Protecting-Planet/dp/1465481419/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1E5HX2CWXDT92&dchild=1&keywords=what+a+waste+jess+french&qid=1619036650&s=books&sprefix=what+a+waste+jess%2Cstripbooks%2C193&sr=1-1

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P-12 ELA on Engage NY
This book walks the reader though the journey water takes in our environment, and how it connects everything. It also includes an activity to inspire water conservation.

Olien, R. (2016). The water cycle at work. Capstone Press: North Mankato, M.N.,

This book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Water-Cycle-Work-Our-World/dp/149148280X/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=The+Water+Cycle+Rebecca+Olien&qid=1619036086&s=books&sr=1-2

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Cherry, L. (1990). The Great Kapok Tree: A tale of the amazon rainforest. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: New York: N.Y.

Clinton, C. (2019). Don't Let Them disappear: 12 endangered species across the globe. Philomel Books: New York, N.Y..

Cousteau, P., & Hopkins, D. (2016). Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles. Chronicles Books: San Francisco, California.

Cullerton. J, & Cullerton J. (2013). Seeds of  change: planting a path to peace. Lee & Low Books.

French, J. (2019). What a waste: trash, recycling and protecting our planet. DK Publishing: London, England. U.K..

George, J., C. (2009). The last polar bear. HarperCollins Publishers: New York, N.Y..

Hiaasen, C. (2005). Hoot. Random House Inc.: New York, N.Y.,

Jaffers, O. (2017). Here we are: notes for living on planet Earth. Philomel Books: New York, N.Y..

Lauber, P. (2016). Who Eats What?: Food Chains and Food Webs. Harper Collin’s Children’s Books: New York, N.Y.,

Lawlor, L. (2014). . Holiday Publishing: New York, N.Y..

Lindstrom, C. (2020). We are water protectors. Roaring Brook Press: New York, N.Y..

Olien, R. (2016). The water cycle at work. Capstone Press: North Mankato, M.N.,

Ruth Pelam. (2015). Guitar box band. [Video]. Youtube. Retrieved on March 31, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5irzkHhbdo.

Ruth Pelam. (2015). Under one sky. [Video]. Youtube. Retrieved on March 31, 2021 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBk--jQwDJU

Scanlon, L., G. (2018). Kate who tamed the wind. Schwartz & Wade: New York, N.Y..

Seeger, L. (2012). Green. Roaring Book Press: New York, N.Y..

Siddals, M., M. (2014). Compost Stew: and A to Z recipe for the Earth. Dragonfly Books: Canada.

Trice, L. (2016). Kenya’s art. CharlesBridge Publishing: Watertown, M.A..

Vegara, M. (2020). Grete Thunberg. FRANCES LINCOLN CHILDRENS: London, UK.

Verde, S. (2016). The Water Princess. Putnam Publishing: New York, N.Y..

Walsh, M., (2012). 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World. Candlewick Press: Somerville, M.A..

Wheeler, E. (2019). Home in the woods . Nancy Paulsen Books: Penguin Books. New York, N.Y..

Winter, J., (2011). The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps. Schwartz & Wade: New York, N.Y..