Bring Nature Into Your Classroom

Last year, I was able to sit in on social studies and art classes in a small school here in the Twin Cities.  The best part was getting to know the kids and watching them experiment with new painting techniques or eagerly talk about the history of the National Road during class.  But it was also neat to see books in action in a classroom.  Ever since then, I’ve been more aware of what a book might do. 

Like Beetle Bop by Denise Fleming, for example.  This brightly colored picture book by Caldecott wining author/illustrator is part field guide, part poetry.  Young audiences with bugs on their minds will be fascinated by the simple presentation of all the different types of beetles, where they can be found, and what they do (crawl up walls, hide from predators, munch on leaves, etc.)  Add this one to your buggy science classes for a visual treat to pore over with your students.

Think spring with Bob and Otto by Robert Bruel.  A caterpillar and a worm are best friends.  They don’t notice any differences between them until nature takes them in opposite directions--literally, Bob climbs a tree and forms a cocoon while Otto digs into the ground spending all his time eating, sleeping, and digging. Bob transforms into a beautiful butterfly while Otto, of course, remains an earthworm.  Eventually the two friends realize how much they rely on each other in this gentle nature lesson perfect for preschoolers and kindergarteners.

Classics like Miss Rumphius and The Gardener illustrate the many benefits of planting gardens, but On Meadowview Street by Henry Cole shows the benefits of preserving gardens that already exist.  Caroline finds a flower in her yard and decides to protect it.  Then she finds more.  Soon she is protecting her whole yard and it is full of flowers, birds, and butterflies.  Perfect to read aloud to accompany units on the environment or gardens, this may be an inspirational title for young naturalists.