Spiders and other “creepy” Halloween animals!
Many of the symbols of Halloween are animals - creepy, crawly spiders, swopping bats, owls in trees, and crows on rooftops. These animals aren’t inherently scary and they most certainly aren’t evil! Let’s explore some truths about these “Halloween” animals!

As you learn about each “spooky” animal ask children what they know about that animal first. Show them a picture of each animal and ask: Do they “like” this animal? Why or why not? Have they ever seen or touched one in real life? Would they want one as a pet? Why or why not? Say the name of each animal and have children stand in different floor circles corresponding to different emotions (smiley face, straight line face, and frown). Graph children’s responses to each animal. After children have learned more about each animal repeat the emotions graph. Has it changed? Did the children change their minds about the animals? What changed their minds? How do they feel now? Accurate information and pleasant experiences with animals helps promote positive feelings for “creepy crawly” animals!

Spiders

Creepy spiders and dusty cobwebs are a staple of Halloween decorating. But what do you know about these web-spinning animal wonders?

There are more than 3,000 species of spiders in North America. These interesting eight-legged arachnids eat insects and other small prey. They are beneficial to humans because they help keep insect populations under control. The world would be full of flies if it wasn’t for spiders!

Make a Pinecone Spider

http://www.themagiconions.com/2012/10/lets-make-a-pine-cone-spider-for-halloween.html

Books about spiders

Carle, E. 1989. The Very Busy Spider. Penguin Group (USA).
Cole, J., G. Cole and R. Broda. 1995. Spider's Lunch: All About Garden Spiders. Penguin Group (USA).
Cronin, D. and H. Bliss. 2005. Diary of a Spider. HarperCollins Publishers.
London, J. and R. Baviera. 1998. Dream Weaver. Silver Whistle.
Monks, L. 2007. Aaaarrgghh! Spider! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
National Audubon Society. 1980. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. Knopf.
Resnick, J.P. Spiders (Photo-Fact Collection Series). Kidsbooks, Inc.

Bats

Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight and one of the most misunderstood animals in the world. Contrary to popular belief, bats do not dive at your hair, bite your neck, or suck your blood! Bats find their way using a sonar-like system called echolocation, though they can see with their eyes as well. Iowa’s bats are insect eaters and have no more desire for your blood than a fluffy bunny does.

Bats are beneficial to humans in a BIG way – by eating insects!  A single bat can eat up to 2,000 mosquitoes in a single night. That’s 2,000 mosquitoes gone from your yard in one night by just one bat! There are nine species of bats found in Iowa, one of which, the Indiana bat, is federally endangered.

Crispy Tortilla Bat Snack

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/crispy-bat-snacks/24cb9355-e821-450a-b825-0c7880c1afc2/

Books about bats
Cannon, J. 1993. Stellaluna. Harcourt Children's Books.
Gibbons, G. 2000. Bats. Holiday House.
Halfmann, J. 2005. Red Bat at Sleep Hollow Lane. Soundprints.
Taylor, David. 1993. Nature’s Creatures of the Dark: A Pop-Up Glow-in-the-dark Exploration. Dial.

Owls

These nocturnal hunters of woodlands and fields have been regarded with apprehension for centuries. With their silent wings, large eyes, and heads that appear to turn all the way around (a myth!), these fascinating birds of prey have gotten a bad rap.

There are eight species of owls that are regularly found in Iowa and four species that are occasional visitors.

Wide Eye Owl Song (with hand play)

There's a wide eye owl (make binoculors with hands on eyes)
With a pointed nose (point to nose)
Two pointed ears (grab ears)
And claws for toes (wiggle fingers and point to toes)
He lives way up in the tree (point up to the ceiling)
And when he looks at you (point)
He flaps his wings (flap arms like wings)
And says Who....Whooo! (continue flapping)

Books about owls

Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Owl. Scholastic, Inc.
Bailey, J. 1990. Life Cycle of an Owl. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Butterworth, C. 1990. Owls. Steck-Vaughn.
Gibson, D.C. 2001. Owls and Their Homes. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Holmes, K.J. 1998. Owls. Scholastic Library Publishing.
McDonald, M. 1997. Whoo-oo Is It? Scholastic, Inc.
Richardson, A.D. 2002. Owls: Flat-Faced Flyers. Capstone Press.
Riley, J. 2004. Quiet Owls. Lerner Publishing Group.
Yolen, J. 1987. Owl Moon. Philomel.

Crows

Maybe it is the fact that crows are large and ominous looking, or maybe it’s their hoarse, throaty calls, but crows are often associated with witches and haunted houses. However, crows are highly intelligent, social birds who love to play just like you do!

Make a Crow Craft

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/stoneandrock/a/Rock_Crow_Craft.htm

Book about crows

Keenan, S., and K. Duggan. 2012.  As the Crow Flies. Feiwel & Friends.
Pringle, L., and M. Robert. 2010. Crows! Strange and Wonderful. Boyds Mills Press.
Raschka, C. 2010. Little Black Crow. Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books.
Roza, G. 2013. A Murder of Crows (Animal Groups Series). Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Singer, M., and L. Saport. 2002. The Company of Crows: A Book of Poems. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

 

Category I 1st Place

Drew Boothe, Berg Elementary

 

Take It Outside Art Contest 2014

Welcome Teachers!

The Department of Natural Resources invites you to enroll your class in our third annual “Take It Outside” Art Contest — win prizes that will get you and your students involved in outdoor activities.

This year's art contest will focus on natural places — from prairies and forests to lakes and

streams. Natural places can be public — like national wildlife refuges; state, county and city parks and recreation areas; school grounds. They can be smaller and private — backyards, vacant lots. Regardless of size or location, special places connect us to the outdoors. Where is your favorite place to "take it outside?" How do you enjoy your special natural area? Do you hike? Fish? Paddle? Turn over logs? Stare at the sky?

Students are encouraged to use their artistic skills to create an image that shows them "Taking it Outside" in their favorite natural place (prairie, timber, pond, lake, stream, river, marsh - even their backyard or vacant lot). Be sure they show what makes the place special for them.

Winning entries will receive prizes and be used for upcoming promotions and displayed at the DNR building during the Iowa State Fair. Participating schools will be entered into a drawing to receive a grant (total of 4 grants awarded) for a natural resources-based recreation experience at a local outdoor recreation area.

For complete details, check out the Contest Rules on our website: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Education/ForTeachers/EducationCompetitions.aspx.

2014 Take It Outside Art Contest Rules
2014 Take It Outside Art Contest Teacher Registration Form
2014 Take It Outside Art Contest Student Entry Form

 

Mark your calendars because October 9, 2013 is a BIG, HEALTHY day!!

October 9 marks three great events aimed at getting kids outside and moving to promote a healthy lifestyle. It is International Walk to School Day, Live Healthy Iowa Kids: Fall Fitness Day, and Iowa’s Healthiest State Walk. See below for more information about these great events!

Live Healthy Iowa Kids: Fall Fitness Day

http://www.livehealthyiowakids.org/aspx/Public/Page.aspx?pid=13677
Fall Fitness Day is a one-day event encouraging Iowa schools to engage their students in 30 minutes of continuous activity. It shows kids that physical activity is fun and healthy! Visit the above link to register your school and for more information.

Activity ideas:

• Walk  
• Obstacle course
• Fitness stations
• Relay races
• Aerobics
• Dancing
• Nature hike
• Community cleanup

Healthiest State Walk

http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/healthiest-state-walk
Iowans across the state have shown their support for the Healthiest State Initiative by the thousands. By the hundreds of thousands, actually – in both 2011 and 2012, nearly 300,000 Iowans participated in 1-kilometer walks to show that we’re ready for a healthier Iowa.

They are striving to keep that momentum going to make this year’s walk on October 9 the biggest one yet. Be part of the movement by walking 1-kilometer (0.62 miles) on October 9.

International Walk to School Day

http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/
International Walk to School Day is October 9, 2013! International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. Over time, this event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school and a celebration – with record breaking participation – each October. Today, thousands of schools across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico – participate every October.

Three Ways to Participate

• Walk or bike from home
• Designated starting points (for students/families that live too far from school to walk or ride a bike)
• Walk or bike AT school

Just 15 minutes outdoors makes children happier and more relaxed!

 Tips for planning outdoor time into your day during the school year

For parents:

• Do homework outside
• Schedule outdoor time into your schedule
• Visit a local park after dinner
• Backyard picnic once a week
• Visit local apple orchard or farmer’s market
• Outdoor reflection time. Sit. Breathe. Observe.
• Keep a family nature journal
• Any activity that gets you outside as a family!
• Create a family “nature table” in your home to display nature finds (rocks, leaves, feathers, etc…)
• Bring potted plants indoors to “green” up your indoor space

For educators:

• Plan outdoor time into your school day
• Take reading time outdoors
• Plan outdoor walks in your day (can be worked into a multitude of subjects – art inspiration, social studies observation, science nature studies, math statistics, etc…)
• Bring nature into your classroom with potted plants, fish aquariums, nature table, etc…

Why outdoor time is so important

• Children who play outside are healthier and happier
• Outdoor time increases academic success
• Playing outside leads to more active imaginations and lowered aggression
• People who play outside as children grow up to be better stewards of the environment

Links

Iowa Department of Natural Resources: Benefits and considerations of taking kids outside
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/education/kidsoutside.pdf

National Wildlife Federation: Why Be Out There

http://www.nwf.org/Be-Out-There/Why-Be-Out-There.aspx

Children & Nature Network: GROW OUTSIDE! Richard Louv’s Keynote address to the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference

http://blog.childrenandnature.org/2010/10/04/grow-outside-keynote-address-to-the-american-academy-of-pediatrics-national-conference/

National Wildlife Federation: Health Benefits

http://www.nwf.org/Be-Out-There/Why-Be-Out-There/Health-Benefits.aspx

National Wildlife Federation: Special Reports about Children and Nature

http://www.nwf.org/Be-Out-There/Why-Be-Out-There/Special-Reports.aspx

Books for Parents and Educators

Broda, H. W. 2011. Moving the Classroom Outdoors. Stenhouse Publishers.
Chalufour, I., and K. Worth. 2003. Discovering Nature with Young Children.Redleaf Press.
Cohen, R. P. 2011. 15 Minutes Outside: 365 ways to get out of the house and connect with your kids. Sourcebooks, Inc.
Cornell, J. B. 1998. Sharing Nature with Children (20th Anniversary Edition). Dawn Publications.
Leslie, C. W. 2010. The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms.Storey Publishing.
Louv, R. 2008. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder. Algonquin Books.
Ross, C., and T. Gladfelter. 1995. Kids in the Wild: A Family Guide to Outdoor Recreation. Mountaineer Books.
Sobel, D. 2004. Place-Based Education: Connecting Classrooms & Communities. The Orion Society.
Sobel, D. 1998. Mapmaking with Children: Sense of Place Education for the Elementary Years. Heinemann.
Smith, G. A., and D. Sobel. 2010. Place-And Community-Based Education in Schools. Routledge.
Stein, S. 2001. Noah's Children: Restoring the Ecology of Childhood. North Point Press.
Van Tilburg, C. 2005. Introducing Your Kids to the Outdoors. Stackpole Books.

 

Nature Walks for Early Childhood

 

Spending time outdoors has many positive benefits for children. Nature walks are a wonderful way to introduce children to the outdoors. They provide a wonderful avenue for children to exploration, and observation nature and the outdoors. Below are several themed nature walks for young children.

Shape Walk

What you need:

• Paper cut into various shapes (square, triangle, circle, star, etc…)
• Yarn
• Hole punch

Make each child, or have them help make, a shape necklace by cutting various shapes out of paper. Hole-punch the top of each and string onto a necklace made out of yarn. Take a walk outside to look for the shapes on their necklaces. Take a turn with each shape. When one is spotted say “I spy something shaped like____” and have the children try to find it on their own. When you return to the classroom go through each shape and ask children what they saw that was that shape.

Color Walk

What you need:

• Box of crayons

Take a walk outside with a box of crayons (or several crayons of each color for each child). Find objects that match the crayons.

Listening Walk

What you need:

• Paper plates
• Crayons or pencils

Take children on a walk to a grassy location where everyone can sit comfortably. Give each child a paper plate and a crayon. Instruct children to draw a dot in the middle of the paper plate to represent themselves. Everyone will then sit quietly and listen. Each time they hear a sound they mark it on their plate where it sounds like it is in relation to themselves. For example, if they hear a truck behind them they would draw a dot behind them on their plate. There are many variations you can do with this activity, i.e. children can draw a picture of what they hear where they hear it, they can draw themselves in the center, or use a different color crayon for each different sound etc…Base the activity on the ability and age of the students.

Insect Walk

What you need:

• Magnifying glasses
• Insect jar

Take children to a grassy or natural area in your outdoor classroom, school yard or close to school. Encourage children to get down on their hands and knees or crouch down to look for insects. Insects are usually found on or near plants. Observe them with magnifying glasses and/or in an insect jar. Discuss what you see and observe. Return insects to where you found them when you are done observing them.

For these and other great ideas for getting kids outdoors check out Growing up WILD and Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood.

Book List
Arnosky, J. 1979. Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Cole, H. 1998. I Took A Walk. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Hines, A. G. 1994. What Joe Saw. HarperCollins Publishers.
Kalman, B. 1993. The Colors of Nature. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin Books.
Rotner, S. and K. Kreisler. 1992. Nature Spy. Atheneum.
Ziefert, H., and S. Bonners. 1986. Sarah's Questions. HarperCollins Publishers.
  

Back to School with Nature
It is that time of year again – back to school time! As children are picking out new backpacks and sneakers teachers are preparing themselves and their classrooms for another year filled with growing and learning.

This year, as you are preparing your classroom for the new school year, try to incorporate nature into the overall design and layout of your room. There are many ways that you can create a nature-themed classroom.

Classroom Design
Choose a nature-theme for your classroom and incorporate in throughout. Your theme can change as the seasons change. Or your theme can simply be “nature” and incorporate nature in various forms throughout your classroom. Use it for bulletin boards, newsletters home, nametags for students, and cubby spaces. Base centers on nature, encourage students to share stories, objects and/or pictures based on nature. Display their contributions in your classroom.

Fill your classroom with living things such as plants, fish tanks, ant farms, worm farms etc… Set up bird feeders outside your classroom windows for children to observe daily. Plant seeds (bean, sunflowers or other easily grown plants) together as a class and watch them grow.

Centers
As you prepare centers for the new school year set up a center or table for nature objects. This can be a center that can change as the season’s change. At the beginning of the school year you can have objects such as flowers, and leaves. As the year progresses into autumn you could have pumpkins, apples, fall leaves, etc… Encourage children to bring in natural objects that they find as well, such bird nests that have fallen from trees, cool looking rocks or sticks that they find. Allow children to look at, touch, smell, etc…the objects.

Nature objects are great for sensory tables as well. Leaves crunch, moss is soft, rabbit fur is fluffy. Check with your local County Conservation Board for various natural items that they may be able to loan you.

Outside Play
Plan outside time for students into your day every day as weather allows. Think of your outside play area as an extension of your classroom. Have a place for children to play with dirt, sand, sticks and other natural objects. If you do not have an “outdoor classroom” you can still incorporate nature into your outdoor play area. Sandboxes can be filled with sand, dirt, or nature objects (or even mud!). Logs can be brought in for children to climb on, sit on, build a fort beside, or even to peel the bark off to look for insects.

You can plant flowers, seeds, even small trees in pots and create your own “natural” setting. Put our bird feeders for children to watch birds eat. Provide children with binoculars, magnifying glasses and other “explorer gear” during outside time. Remember that children are fascinated by even the smallest insect they find!

County Conservation Boards
As you are preparing your school year remember what a wonderful resource you have in your local County Conservation Board. CCB Naturalists are usually more than happy to come into your classroom and present programs on various subjects. They often also have access to wildlife that have been injured, rehabilitated and are used for education purposes, such as snakes, salamanders, and owls. They can also bring in animals furs, owl pellets, animal bones, and many other nature and wildlife items.

 

Summer Vacation’s Last Stand

Another summer vacation is coming to a close; soon Iowa’s school children will be trading in swimsuits and flip-flops for backpacks and new sneakers. Make the most of the last few weeks of summer vacation by getting outside with your family!

Things to do to get outside:

• Hiking
• Fishing
• Take a picnic to a local park
• Stargazing in your backyard
• Camping
• Explore your local creek
• Bird watching on a bike trail

Take a Closer Look at Hiking with Children:

Make it fun!

• Bring a magnifying glass to examine interesting “finds” closely.
• Bring a notebook and pencil to record what you find and your experiences.Make nature bracelets - wrap clear packing tape (sticky side out) around everyone’s wrists. Stick cool things you find to them as you walk (leaves, flower petals, etc).
• Create a scavenger hunt so your hike has a mission.
• Take turns being the “leader”.
• Bring along nature guides to look up things you find (birds, leaves, etc) and/or download a nature app on your phone.
• Take a “water hike” down a shallow stream, or take a “night hike” after dark – kids will love the unusual aspect of it!
• Bring a camera and record your trip!

Preparation

• Wear sturdy shoes and comfortable cotton socks.
• Wear layers.
• Bring a backpack with:

            o   First aid kit
            o   Water
            o  Snacks
            o  Bug spray & sun block
            o  Compass and flashlight

Considerations

• Consider elevation – a level elevation will be easier for younger children to hike.
• Distance – a child should be able to hike ½ mile per year of age. For example, a 3 year old should be able to hike 1.5 miles. Keep in mind that young children will walk at a slower pace so plan accordingly.
• Loop trails are more interesting than walking a trail and turning around and walking back.
• Have a destination in mind (a pond or other point of interest along the way).
• Keep it simple – check your local park or city for bike trails and walking trails.

Hit the Trail: Ideas for Family Hiking

http://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/hit-the-trail/#page=1

Hiking Book list

Arnosky, J. 1998. Animal Tracker. Random House Value Publishing, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bird Watcher. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bug Hunter. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Cole, H. 1998. I Took A Walk. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Griffin, S. A. and E. M. Griffin. Hiking for Kids: A Family Hiking Guide. T&N Children's Publishing.
Hines, A. G. 1994. What Joe Saw. HarperCollins Publishers.
Quattlebaum, M. and L. J. Bryant. 2013. Jo MacDonald Hiked in the Woods. Dawn Publications.
Radlauer, R. S. and E. A. McCully. 2007. Molly Goes Hiking. Aladdin.
Ross, M.E. 1993. World of Small: Nature Explorations with a Hand Lens. Yosemite Association.
Rotner, S. and K. Kreisler. 1992. Nature Spy. Atheneum.
Woolf, C. M. 2008. My First Hike. Dawn Publications.