Home Sweet Home
Inspiration Books:
Mama dug a little den by Ward, Jennifer — Beach Lane Books, 2018 591.56; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. An exploration of all the different kinds of dens animals build for their babies. There are so many different kinds of dens that mother animals make for their babies, from desert burrows to snow caves to elaborate underground tunnels. Jennifer Ward introduces young readers to all sorts of animals and the cozy burrows they call home in this bouncy, rhyming picture book, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Steve Jenkins. NSTA 2019
AND
A place to start a family : poems about creatures that build by Harrison, David L — Charlesbridge, 2018
811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.7. Many animals build something--a nest, tunnel, or web--in order to pair up, lay eggs, give birth, and otherwise perpetuate their species. Organized based on where creatures live--underground, in the water, on land, or in the air--twelve poems bring fish, insects, reptiles, mammals, and birds to life. Back matter includes more information about each animal. Arachnids (trapdoor spider, garden spider), birds (red ovenbird, white stork), fish (stickleback, pufferfish), insects (termite, paper wasp), mammals (star-nosed mole, beaver, prairie dog), and a reptile (the king cobra) are each introduced by way of a double-page spread and a simple two-to-eight stanza poem. In four sections—building underground, on land, in the water, and in the air—animals are shown building webs, nests, food traps, and tunneled homes. NSTA 2019
Rationale and Background: This lesson for Grades K-3 developed quite by accident, or maybe I should say, out of necessity. One of my primary teachers approached me early in the school year--actually during the inservice days-- looking for ideas for a student “presentation” during the Grandparents Day observance which the school was hosting at the end of September. I told her that I’d think about it, but first the two of us needed to outline topics and skills for the first couple of weeks. There were the routine usual skills and topics--beginning of the year procedures and rules, book care, book choice, family, homes. When the topic of homes was mentioned, my “quite by accident” idea occurred.
In the past, whenever students, especially in kindergarten and first grade students, learned their address and route to school and types of housing, I had used books about animal homes thus avoiding talking about different levels of human housing like single family, duplex, apartment, urban, rural. I had just received a new book, the Inspiration Book by Jennifer Ward. The idea I suggested was the first “research” activity of the year. And the idea could be modified for use by any of the primary grades plus it was not super labor intensive for the first weeks of school.
I suggested that I would read Mama Dug a Little Den by Jennifer Ward to the students when they began their study of address, local maps, housing, etc. and indicate that all animals have homes of some kind. Following the reading, students would make a representation of one of the animals and learn a fact about the animal. Then, when the grandparents came to the individual classrooms, students could show and tell about their first research of the year. The teachers and I decided to give it a try. After Grandparents’ Day the evaluation from grandparents, teachers, and students was overwhelmingly positive. We’ll do it again, but maybe with Ward and Jenkins’ companion book, Mama Built a Little Nest (Birch Lane Books, 2014) to learn about new animals.
In more detail this is what we did with modifications by grade level. Thus, if a grandparent visited a kindergarten room and a second grade room they could note the difference in skill levels and learning.
Grades K-3--Animal Habitations
Preparation:
Gather as many of the Related Titles as possible. The books in the Related Titles list are other Outstanding Science Trade Books about animal habitations.
Also, gather as many titles representing the animals as possible. Of course, you can substitute, but the list is also a fine selection tool if you plan to do this research another year. The public library is also a fine source, and the beginning of the year is a good time to reacquaint yourself with the local public library. My only caution--make sure the books are simple and loaded with photographs--afterall, it is the beginning of the year and students will still be struggling with the summer slump reading syndrome. Place books out for display.
Gather the art supplies needed for the grade level(s):
- Kindergarten--picture: 8 ½ x 11 background paper, colored construction paper and scraps, scissors, glue, crayons.
- Grade 1--stick puppet: Popsicle sticks, colored construction paper and scraps, scissors, glue, crayons
- Grade 2-- paper bag pupper: Lunch sized paper bags, colored construction paper and scraps, scissors, glue, crayons
- Grade 3--paper plate mask or stick puppet): Paper plates, colored construction paper and scraps, scissors, glue, markers
Have supplies at each table when students enter.
3 x 5 cards with the name of the animals: red fox, land toad, beaver, red or gray squirrels, platypus, polar bear, Gila monster, prairie dog, tarantula, skunk, bobcat, armadillo, eastern cottontail rabbit, sea turtle. Make enough cards for each student in each class. If you have more students than animals in the book, make duplicates for that class.
Arrange to have assistants--parents, parapro, teacher, older students while the students make their animal and learn and practice their fact(s).
Select poems from A Place to Start a Family to read on the second day. If the poem isn’t too long, I like to make a poem poster to read from and then to display. Beavers and prairie dogs are represented in A Place to Start a Family. If you don’t have this book, choose from other animal poetry books.
Introduction: We all live in special homes. So do animals. Some live in nests, some in trees. All the animals in our Inspiration Book live in dens. As you will find out, all dens, like your homes, are not the same. I’d like you the listen carefully for the facts about the animal on your note card. (Distribute cards, naming the animal for the non-readers in kindergarten and first grade.) After I’ve read the book, I’ll ask that you remember a fact about your animal. The first words on each new page are “Mama dug a little den…” Help me read those words for each animal, and then I’ll complete the sentence and read another fact about the animal. Those could be your fac.
Read aloud:
Mama dug a little den by Ward, Jennifer — Beach Lane Books, 2018 591.56; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0.
I have some helpers who will quickly write down the fact you remember about your animal.
Grades K-1: Take your card to one of the tables where a helper is sitting. (Students tell fact and helpers print the basic fact on the 3 x 5 card for K-1 students.)
Grades 2-3: Go to your usual assigned table and write one fact that you remember about your animal.
Do you remember what your animal looked like? We’re going to make a picture (stick puppet, paper bag puppet, paper plate mask) of your animal. On the display shelves I have more books about each animal if you need ideas. Use the supplies we have plus your imagination.
On Grandparents’ Day, we’ll share our facts and art project animals with your grandparents, but we’ll learn more about Grandparents Day another day. Today our next job is the art project. (Quickly Demonstrate the project a particular class will be.)
Allow time for project completion. For students who work more slowly allow them to stay longer (arrange with teacher in advance) or work in the classroom during unstructured time.
Day 2:
Introduction: The last time you were in the library you did your first research project of the year. You gathered facts about an animal that lives in a den. I’d like to share a poem or two from another Outstanding Science Trade Book about a couple of the animals. Who learned about beavers or prairie dogs the other day? There are poems about those two animals in A Place to Start a Family. I’ve made poetry posters. Follow along with me as I read, and if you want, read along.
Did you learn anything new about a beaver or a prairie dog? Could you add that to your research if your animal is the beaver or prairie dog? We’re going to share that research with grandparents st our Grandparents’ Day celebration. This is how we’ll do it.
- Your teacher will talk about your first research project of the year and the book that was the inspiration.
- Each of you will then hold up your art project, and one by one tell the fact(s) you learned.
- We’ll all start our fact sentence the same way each page started in the book, “Mama built a little den for (name the animal) and (your fact(s).” Yes, you may use your fact card if you need to or want.
- Follow your teacher’s instructions about lining up and speaking loudly and what to do when you have shared.
(Run through the presentation as time allows. Teachers complete practice in the classroom.)
If you have two students per animal, have students share their research together or separately depending on the maturity of the students. If you have a student who would like to share the beaver or prairie dog poem, encourage them.
Related Titles:
Welcome home, Bear : a book of animal habitats by Na, Il Sung — Alfred A. Knopf, 2015 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.2. Tired of his own home, a bear goes exploring, visiting animals around the world in their various habitats.
A house in the sky : and other uncommon animal homes by Jenkins, Steve — Charlesbridge, 2018 591.56; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3. Dual layers of text explain how and why diverse animals make homes specific to their needs. From the turtle's shell, the beaver's lodge, or the seal's cave, each animal requires a special kind of home.
Listen to our world by Martin, Bill — Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3. Youngsters awaken in the morning with the belief that they are the greatest little ones in the world, whether they are children in their mothers' arms, eagles soaring above mountains, whales swimming in the ocean, or other animals in their domains.
The home builders by Bajaj, Varsha — Nancy Paulsen Books, 2019 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.4. Various woodland creatures make their homes and prepare for their young.
The tree by Layton, Neal — Candlewick Press, 2017 : -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.5.When a couple buys land that includes a large tree housing forest animals, they must decide how to proceed with their building plans.
The road home by Cotton, Katie — Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2017 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3. Illustrations and simple, rhyming text follow birds and woodland creatures as they journey to the nests and burrows they call home, past predators and other dangers.
A nest is noisy by Aston, Dianna Hutts — Chronicle Books, 201 591.56; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.2. Text and illustrations look at different animal nests.
How animals build by Butterfield, Moira — Lonely Planet Global Limited, 2017. 591.56; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.0. Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs. Text and illustrations look at different animal homes, including ones in the sky, underground, on land, and under the sea. NSTA 2018
Homes in the wild : where baby animals and their parents live by Judge, Lita — Roaring Brook Press, 2019 591.56; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.3. A peek inside the homes--from burrow deep underground to nests high in the trees--where baby animals live and grow.
Supplementary Titles for Research:
Red Fox
The secret life of the red fox (Secret Life) by Pringle, Laurence — Boyds Mills Press, 2017. 599.775; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.6. A narrative nonfiction picture book that chronicles the day-to-day activities of a red fox named Vixen. Facts and definitions are woven into the narrative. NSTA 2018
Platypus
Platypus by Whiting, Sue — Candlewick Press, 2016. 599.2; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.9. Follow the platypus as he emerges from his burrow and travels through the night, gliding past wallabies and evading a hungry fox...looking for a meal. NSTA 2017
Squirrels
Squirrels leap, squirrels sleep by Sayre, April Pulley — Henry Holt and Company, 2016. 599.36; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 0.7. Squirrels wrestle, climb, and sleep in a celebration of these fascinating animals. NSTA 2017.
Polar Bear
Waiting for ice by Markle, Sandra — Charlesbridge, 2012. 599.786; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.4. An orphaned polar bear cub struggles to find food without its mother, a task made more difficult due to global warming and its negative impact on food sources. NSTA 2013
Ice bear : in the steps of the Polar Bear (Read And Wonder) by Davies, Nicola — Candlewick Press, 2008. 599.786; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.4. Illustrations and simple text follow Nanuk, a polar bear who lives in the Arctic, and explains how the bear influences how the Inuit people live. NSTA 2009
Polar bears by Newman, Mark — Holt, 2011. 599.786; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.7. Text and photographs offer information about polar bears, discussing their physical characteristics, behaviors, and habitat. NSTA 2012
Sea turtle
Turtle, turtle, watch out! by Sayre, April Pulley — Charlesbridge, 2010 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.5. From before the time she hatches until she returns to the same beach to lay eggs of her own, a sea turtle is helped to escape from danger many times by different human hands. NSTA 2011
Every turtle counts by Hunter, Sara Hoagland — Peter E. Randall Publisher, 2014 : -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.6. Mimi, a seven-year-old girl with autism, discovers a frozen Kemp's ridley sea turtle on a Cape Cod beach, and rescues it with the help of her parents. NSTA 2015
The voyage of turtle Rex by Cyrus, Kurt — Harcourt Children's Books, 2011 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.4. Follows the life of a giant prehistoric sea turtle from her egg and into the treacherous waters of the ocean, where she must avoid larger sea creatures until she is full-grown and can return to the shore and lay eggs of her own. NSTA 2012 OP
Land Toad
I see a toad (In My Backyard (Gareth Stevens)) by Weingarten, E. T — Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2019. 597.8; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 0.8. Explores toads, including the features and food.
Beavers
Beavers by Gibbons, Gail — Holiday House, c2013 p2012 599.37; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.7. Explores the lives of beavers, including where they live, what they eat, how they raise their young, and more.
Gila Monsters
Get to know Gila monsters (First Facts: Get To Know Reptiles) by Brett, Flora — Capstone Press, an imprint of Capstone Press, 2015. 597.95; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.5. Monster myths -- Scales and tails -- Monsters of the Southwest -- Habitats -- Monster meals -- Producing young -- Growing up gila -- Dangers to gila monsters -- Protecting gila monsters -- Amazing by true! "Discusses Gila monsters, including their physical features, habitat, range, diet, and life cycle
Prairie Dogs
Prairie dog's hideaway (Science Slam! Hole Truth: Underground Animal Life) by Phillips, Dee — Bearport Pub., 2012. : 599.36; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.9. Photographs and simple text introduce prairie dogs and examine their natural habitat, physical characteristics, diet, and behavior.
Tarantula
Hairy hunter (Guess What) by Macheske, Felicia — Cherry Lake Publishing, 2016. 595.4; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.5. Guess What: Hairy hunter ... provides young curious readers with ... visual clues and simply written hints. Using the photos and text, readers rely on visual literacy skills, reading, and reasoning as they solve the animal mystery.
Skunks
Smelly skunks (Gross-Out Defenses) by Nichols, Catherine — Bearport Publishing, 2019. : 599.76; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.6. A smelly weapon -- Under the tail -- A warning -- Scary skunks -- Places to live -- Safe at home -- Baby skunks -- Learning to hunt -- On their own -- Another smelly defense. Full-color photographs and easy-to-follow text introduce early readers to the defense mechanisms used by skunks to ward off predators; and also describes various types of skunks, their habitats, and other related topics.
The secret life of the skunk (Secret Life) by Pringle, Laurence — Boyds Mills Press, 2019. 599.76; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. Filled with . . . facts, this nonfiction book explores a family of striped skunks' hidden lives.
Skunks in the dark (Creatures Of The Night (PowerKids)) by Gonzales, Doreen — PowerKids Press, 2010. 599.76; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.1. A photographic introduction to skunks, nocturnal animals that search for food at night, discussing what they look like, where and how they live, their babies, defenses, and other topics.
Bobcats
Bobcats in the dark (Creatures Of The Night (Stevens)) by Shea, Therese — Gareth Stevens Pub., 2013. 599.75; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.6. A photographic introduction to bobcats, discussing what they look like, how they hunt, where they live, their babies, and other topics.
Armadillo
Armadillo's burrow (Science Slam! Hole Truth: Underground Animal Life) by Phillips, Dee — Bearport Pub., 2013. 599.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.8. An armadillo's new home -- Check out an armadillo -- Welcome to an armadillo's burrow -- An armadillo's day and night -- Digging for dinner -- Staying safe from enemies -- A burrow for babies -- Armadillo pups -- The pups grow up. Photographs and simple text introduce armadillos and examine their natural habitat, physical characteristics, diet, and behavior.
Cottontail Rabbits
