Posts Tagged Common Core & NGSS

STEM Tuesday– Naturalists– In the Classroom

By on April 8, 2025   /   Earth Day, STEM Tuesday  

 

Instead of just reading about ecosystems or food chains in a textbook, naturalists are out in the world seeing it happen —watching ants build a colony, seeing mushrooms grow after rain, or noticing how birds behave at different times of day. These books explore naturalists, what they do, and how you can be a naturalist too. They make a great starting point for nature explorations, classroom discussions, and activities!

 

I Begin with Spring: The Life and Seasons of Henry David Thoreau 

by Julie Dunlap and Megan Elizabeth Baratta

Henry Thoreau collected leaves and arrowheads from a young age. He could tell when skunk cabbage was blooming by smelling the air. As an adult, he kept copious notes about nature, sending samples and observations to scientists. Observant readers will enjoy the timeline that runs along the bottom of the pages. Back matter dives into phenology (botanical signs of the seasons) and how Thoreau’s work has helped modern scientists understand climate change.

 

Classroom Activity – Nature Journaling

Try your hand at being a naturalist like Henry David Thoreau! Have students visit a local park, backyard, garden, or schoolyard. Each student should take a notebook, pencils, colored pencils, and a magnifying glass. Have each student explore the area for plants, insects, animals, weather, or sounds. What did they observe? Students should draw or describe what they observed in their nature journal. They can also take notes and write down any questions they might want to research later. Back in the classroom, students can share their observations with classmates.

 

Wildheart: the Daring Adventures of John Muir

by Julie Bertagna

Beginning with boyhood in Scotland and continuing with his adult life in the US, this book presents John Muir’s life in graphic novel format. Muir, more famous as the founder of the Sierra Club, was a careful observer of nature. His study of glaciers in Alaska informed his understanding of Yosemite.

 

Darwin’s Rival: Alfred Russel Wallace and the Search for Evolution

by Christiane Dorion

This is an adventure story – a tale of exploration, field research, shipwrecks, and a friendship between two naturalists that evolved over time. Both Wallace and Darwin wrote about natural selection and the evolution of new species. But instead of competing against each other for credit, both tried hard to treat each other fairly – to the benefit of all. Filled with maps and spreads showing diversity of beetles, butterflies, and birds.

 

Classroom Activity – Naturalist Spotlight

Naturalists such as John Muir, Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace, and others have made significant contributions to our understanding of nature and the environment. Divide students into small groups and have each group pick a naturalist to research. What type of work did they do? What did they study? What contributions did they make to our understanding of nature? What qualities does their subject share with other naturalists? Have students prepare a poster, PowerPoint presentation, or short skit to present what they have learned to the class.

 Classroom Activity – Animal Tracking

Naturalists learn how to spot the signs of animal activity in nature. They find tracks, feathers, nests, and scat that reveal animal activity. Now it’s time for students to put on their nature detective hats and track animal activity. First, students should research and study images of animal tracks, scat, feathers, nests and other signs of local wildlife. Next, students can go on a walk to search for signs of animal activity. Have them take notes and sketch what they find in a nature journal. What evidence and signs of animal activity did they find? What information does it give them about the animals in their area? Have students share their findings with the class.

 

The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific Expeditions

by Giselle Clarkson

This book presents four potential sites for conducting naturalist expeditions, along with the sorts of things one might observe while there. They are easily accessible to kids of all ages and include a damp corner (perfect site for discovering more about centipedes and fungi), pavement (great habitat for ants and worms) and weedy patches.

 

Classroom Activity – Build a Bug House

What type of habitats do insects prefer? In this activity, students can try their hand at building an insect habitat, a bug house! Have students collect natural items to use as building materials, such as sticks, bark, leaves, and pinecones. Students can use these building materials to design and build a small structure that provides shelter for insects. Place the structures outside and observe over several weeks. Students can write and sketch their observations in their nature journals. What insects does the bug house attract? Why are they important?

 

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Carla Mooney loves to explore the world around us and discover the details about how it works. An award-winning author of numerous nonfiction science books for kids and teens, she hopes to spark a healthy curiosity and love of science in today’s young people. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, three kids, and dog. Find her at http://www.carlamooney.com, on Facebook @carlamooneyauthor, or on X @carlawrites.

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STEM Tuesday– Naturalists — Book List

By on April 1, 2025   /   Earth Day, STEM Tuesday  

A naturalist is a person who observes plants, animals and fungi, and looks at how they fit into their environments. You don’t have to go to a special school to learn how to be a naturalist; you just have to be curious. Here are a few books about naturalists, and how you can become one.

I Begin with Spring: The Life and Seasons of Henry David Thoreau by Julie Dunlap and Megan Elizabeth Baratta

Henry Thoreau collected leaves and arrowheads from a young age. He could tell when skunk cabbage was blooming by smelling the air. As an adult, he kept copious notes about nature, sending samples and observations to scientists. Observant readers will enjoy the timeline that runs along the bottom of the pages. Back matter dives into phenology (botanical signs of the seasons) and how Thoreau’s work has helped modern scientists understand climate change.

Wildheart: the Daring Adventures of John Muir by Julie Bertagna

Beginning with boyhood in Scotland and continuing with his adult life in the US, this book presents John Muir’s life in graphic novel format. Muir, more famous as founder of the Sierra Club, was a careful observer of nature. His study of glaciers in Alaska informed his understanding of Yosemite.

Darwin’s Rival: Alfred Russel Wallace and the Search for Evolution by Christiane Dorion

This is an adventure story – a tale of exploration, field research, shipwrecks, and a friendship between two naturalists that evolved over time. Both Wallace and Darwin wrote about natural selection and the evolution of new species. But instead of competing against each other for credit, both tried hard to treat each other fairly – to the benefit of all. Filled with maps and spreads showing diversity of beetles, butterflies, and birds.

The Incredible Yet True Adventures of Alexander Von Humboldt: The Greatest Inventor-naturalist-scientist-explorer Who Ever Lived by Volker Mehnert

Another adventure story of two naturalists — Alexander Von Humboldt (a young German inventor who from childhood preferred exploring nature) and Aimé Bonpland (a young French doctor who preferred studying plants and rocks) — who undertook the first scientific expedition into South America’s rainforest and the Andes mountains. Stunning illustrations highlight their discoveries of plants, geology, animals, and cultures unknown to anyone in Europe. As well as Alexander’s later trek through the wilds of Siberia. His books and lectures inspired a generation of naturalists and scientists – including Charles Darwin. With a conversational tone, maps, and direct quotations, this book brings to life their fascinating, daring, and harrowing adventures.

The Lady and the Octopus: How Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invented Aquariums and Revolutionized Marine Biology by Danna Staaf

From making hats to fine dresses for wealthy Parisians, Jeanne Villepreux put her sewing skills to work. When she had the freedom to study nature, she got interested in sea creatures. Could she bring them into her house like she did caterpillars and turtles? She invented aquariums for holding sea animals, and began to study small octopuses called argonauts that lived in the local waters. Back matter includes “how to be a naturalist.”

What Linnaeus Saw: A Scientist’s Quest to Name Every Living Thing by Karen Magnuson Beil

As a boy and young man, Carl Linnaeus also preferred exploring nature to his studies. This engaging and exciting biography follows his adventures and discoveries in the Scandinavian Mountains, research into the scientific mysteries of unknown animals and plants, and dreams to catalogue every plant and animal in the world. Ultimately, his frustration at a lack of consistency in cataloguing plants and animals, led Linnaeus to create the classification system still used today. Includes period illustrations and maps, scientific update sidebars, direct quotations, and intensive back matter.

Steve and Bindi Irwin by Amy Breguet

From childhood, Steve and Bindi Irwin, where both raised to be modern-day naturalists and conservationists. Filled with great photos, fascinating side bars, and a fair review of controversies, this is a great look at their relationship and dedication to animals, tireless work to preserve wild spaces, and drive to inspire others to preserve and protect nature. Back matter offers numerous ways to get involved.

You Can Be a Naturalist, Too!

The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific Expeditions by Giselle Clarkson

This book presents four potential sites for conducting naturalist expeditions, along with the sorts of things one might observe while there. They are easily accessible to kids of all ages and include a damp corner (perfect site for discovering more about centipedes and fungi), pavement (great habitat for ants and worms) and weedy patches.

Be a Nature Explorer!: Outdoor Activities and Adventures by Peter Wohlleben

This book is filled with 52 activities that range from following slugs and snails to mapping plants that move. In addition to a pencil and notebook, Wohlleben suggests a few other things to take along including plastic containers, a hand lens, binoculars, and maybe a cell phone with a camera and a nature app.

The Naturalist at Home: Projects for Discovering the Hidden World Around Us by Kelly Brenner

The 20 individual projects specify the season(s) and study topic involved and specific materials needed. The projects range from creating a woodland in ajar, sugaring for moths, and finding tardigrades. With wonderful illustrations, a general naturalist toolkit, easy to follow steps, sidebar tips and warnings, and a few bonus activities, this is a great book for budding naturalists.

The most important book – is the one you’ll use to collect your notes and drawings.

This month’s STEM Tuesday book list was prepared by:

Sue Heavenrich is an award-winning author, blogger, and bug-watcher. A long line of ants marching across the kitchen counter inspired her first article for kids. When not writing, she’s either in the garden or tromping through the woods. Her books for middle-grade readers include Funky Fungi: 30 Activities for Exploring Molds, Mushrooms, Lichens, and More and Diet for a Changing Climate. Visit her at www.sueheavenrich.com

Maria is a children’s author, blogger, and poet who is passionate about making nature and reading fun for children. She was a round 2 judge for the Cybils Awards (2017 – present), and a judge for the #50PreciousWords competition since its inception. Two of her poems are published in The Best of Today’s Little Ditty 2016 and 2014-2015 anthologies. When not writing, critiquing, or reading, she bird watches, travels the world, bakes, and hikes. Visit her at www.mariacmarshall.com.

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Library and Museum Activities for Middle Grade Readers

By on March 26, 2025   /   For Teachers  

It’s a good time to talk about libraries and museums—because it’s always a good time to talk about libraries and museums!

Libraries and museums have an enchanted, mystical vibe year-round. They are particularly good places to spend some hours in this “long-haul” part of the school year when winter’s festivities seem a distant memory, yet a lengthy grading quarter separates us from summer. Whether your library of choice is your school library media center, your local public library, a museum library, or one that houses a collection on a certain topic, you might lead your students through library-oriented activities such as these… or take advantage of them for yourself!

Then, follow up on new library learning experiences with a local museum visit that offers connections on topics of interest. Instilling a love of libraries and museums within middle graders during the last months of the school year will inspire them to continue their visits throughout summer—and in years to come.

Activities to inspire visits to libraries and museums for middle graders (or anyone!):

Do judge a book by its cover!  Head to age-appropriate stacks in your library and choose a book you have never heard of based only on the cover image. After reading some or all, consider:

  • Is the book a fit for your tastes?
  • How does the reading experience differ when you avoid learning anything about the book first?
  • Find a local or online museum exhibit about a topic featured in this book to expand your knowledge.

 

Share a favorite writer!  On a trip to the library, choose a middle grade novel by a favorite author. In a small group reading circle, trade choices around until everyone has a book in their hands by a writer they are unfamiliar with.

  • As a potential reader, peruse the book by reading the jacket copy, blurbs or reviews, the copyright page summary statement, and the first 2-3 pages.
  • Ask questions of the author fan who brought the book to the circle.
  • Then use critical thinking skills to explain why or why not the book is a likely contender for future reading. Keep track of your choices on a “To Be Read” list.
  • Swap books for perusing and consideration until everyone has 2-3 titles on their personal “TBR” list.

 

Travel to a book setting! Find a middle grade work in the library that represents a real setting far, far away for a travel experience via book.

  • The setting can be geographically far from home (to explore a new place) or far away in the past (for a historical journey).
  • Next, find a local museum online in that location and use online exhibits to read up on the region’s history.
  • Share your “journey” with other readers by creating a vintage-style travel poster for the setting in your book choice.

 

Amplify interest in libraries and museums! Devote some exploration time to learning more about libraries and museums themselves.

  • For students, “A Brief History of the Public School Library” has bite-sized, bulleted facts for further research.
  • For adult library lovers, DPLA’s “A History of Public Libraries” offers info on the development of library systems from colonial times.
  • If a museum existed that housed the world’s oldest museums, which ones would be included? This World Atlas list mentions some possibilities!
  • Or take a path less traveled and seek out the highly unusual museums around the U.S. for inspiring virtual visits. Rodeo? Neon? Pinball? There’s a museum for each of those and many other specialized topics!

 

Don’t forget that all visits to libraries and museums—both in-person and online visits—have a direct, positive impact on these institutions’ funding, success, and future!

Finally, stop by the library to check out some middle grade favorites that feature library and museum settings in the narratives! Here’s a short list to get you started. The New York Public Library has some great ideas for museum-set MGs, and the Boston Public Library shares some additional library settings!

Have fun on your library and museum excursions, and thanks for reading. We would love to hear more titles and activities; please share in the comments!

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