Our+Environment+Choices+Affect+Our+Environment+-Leah+Johnson

The book and website list I have created have been an essential part of my K2s central idea: Our Choices Can Affect Our Environment. The unit was further broken down into two lines of inquiry: Natural resources around the world and Caring for our environment. Our unit began by exploring different natural resources. We explored what they were, how we use them, and ways to conserve them. From here, we began discussing how we can care for our environment to keep our Earth healthy. We discussed the three R’s: reduce, recycle, and reuse.
 * Our Choices Affect Our Environment-Leah Johnson**
 * Grade Level:** K2
 * Rational:**

The books and websites below were used in a variety of ways. Some of the books were used as a read aloud, where we extracted information, looked at visuals, and took notes. These books were then placed in our classroom library. Other books were pulled out and set on the tables to be used as resources while the students were writing about different ways to conserve our natural resources or how to care for our environment. Students also partner read or independently read the books in our classroom library. The websites were all introduced to the students. The key features of each of the websites were pointed out and then the students were able to explore the different websites during small group time. The teacher would ask students to think about what they learned from the websites. At the end of the day we would share information as a whole group. Students were allowed to give a mini presentation of where they found the information on the different websites.

//All the Water in the World// (2011) George Ella Lyon: Richard Jackson Books. This book discusses a multitude of aspects of water. Through the words and pictures it tells the story of the importance of water. Lexile: 520.
 * Books:**

//Don’t Throw That Away!// (2009) Lara Bergen: Little Simon. This book takes common objects and turns them into something new. It makes reusing objects exciting. Lexile: NA Age Level: 4-6 years Grade Level: preschool-1.

//Earth’s Resources.// (2008) Sue Barraclough. This is a question driven book about Earth’s resources. It helps students answer enquiries they may have about resources. Lexile: NA Age Level: 6-8 years Grade Level: Kindergarten and up.

//Nature Recycles – How About You?// (2013) Michelle Lord: Sylvan Dell Publishing. This book provides examples of how different things in nature reuse and recycle. Ex. birds making nests, crabs finding different shells. The end of the book provides different activities for the classroom. Lexile: 600.

//Recycling.// (2002) Rhonda Lucas Donald: True Books. This book discusses recycling, reducing waste, reusing goods, compost, and what you can and cannot throw into a landfill. It also provides lists resources you can use to find out more information. Lexile: 960.

//Recycle That!// (1995). Fay Robinson: Childrens Press Chicago. What is recycling? Why is it important? This book has all of the answers and includes nice visuals. Lexile: 530.

//Solar Power//. (2008) Tea Benduhn: Gareth Stevens Publishing. This book discusses how we use the sun to create power. Lexile: 700.

//The Secret Life of Trees.// (1999) Chiara Chevalier: DK Children. Visually pleasing book filled with a lot of different facts about trees. Answers a lot of questions students might have about trees. Lexile: 650.

//Water Power.// (2008) Tea Benduhn: Gareth Stevens Publishing. This book discusses how we use water to create power. Lexile: 650.

//Where Does Garbage Go?// (1994) Paul Showers: HarperCollins. Filled with great visual representations this book discusses what happens to our garbage, how garbage is used to make energy and ways we help create less garbage. Lexile: 810.

//Where Do Puddles Go?// (1995) Fay Robinson: Childrens Pr. This book discusses everything you need to know about water; from the water cycle to waterfalls to animals that live in water. The photos in this book are very well done. It also provides good visual representations. Lexile: 570.

//Wind Power//. (2008) Tea Benduhn: Gareth Stevens Publishing. This book discusses how we use wind to create power. Lexile: 680.

//Wood.// (2008) Andrew Langley: Crabtree Publishing Company. What is made from wood? This book discusses the process of chopping down trees and turning them into different objects that we commonly use. Lexile: 570.

//10 Things I can do to Help My World//. (2008) Melanie Walsh: Candlewick. How can you help save the earth? This book provides 10 simple ideas that kids can do to help care for the earth. The layout of the book is exciting for kids because they have to open flaps to find the answers. Lexile: NA Age Level: 3-7 years Grade Level: preschool – 2.

[] The environmental protection agency has created this website for students. It provides learning activities, things you can do, activity books, links to other resources, and games. Teaches students about the different ways to sort recycling. [] This website provides information on foreign species, endangered species, air, recycling and water. It has a lot of information, as well as ideas for recycling, water conservation, and we can help keep the air clean. Students can gain ideas about how to keep our earth clean. They can also learn how to measure water consumption and air pollution. [] The Rainforest Action Network has created this website to provide information on what the rainforests are, how we can help save the rainforest, who lives in the rainforest, and people who are already making a difference. Students can become members and donate to help save the rainforests. [] Eco Friendly Kids answers the following questions: What are natural resources? What are renewable sources? What are flow resources? What are non-renewable resources? and How can we use the earth’s natural resources at home? Students can learn how we can conserve our natural resources and provides links for further readings. [] Maggie’s Earth Adventure is an interactive website that provides differentiated information about the earth, resources, and much more. Everything is also available in Spanish. Students can participate in different earth saving adventures as well as learn about important earth days. (Note: This is a paid website but there are a lot of free activities available.) [] WatchKnowLearn.org has organized free educational videos into different categories. The link above is for natural resources. You can add different filters to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. The website is offered in English, Spanish and Chinese and links to the Common Core Standards. Students can watch videos about natural resources and caring for our Earth.
 * Websites:**

//Hi Leah,// //I was just gathering things together for when I begin to talk about recycling for Earth Day. This list will definitely come in handy. I find it is very hard to find age appropriate books that contain simple explanations for our kiddos on this topic. Thanks!// //Jennifer Saloun//

//Hi Leah,//

//This is a video my students enjoyed about water conservation:// http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOjI6vhxH5M

Also, you might see if the first grade classes at your school have a science textbook called //Science//. It is blue. It has a great chapter about natural resources. It might come in a big book too. Diane

Frank, M. S., Jones, R. M., Krockover, G. H., Lang, M. P., McLeod, J. C., Valenta, C. J., Van Deman, B. A. (2005). //Science//. Orlando, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, San Diego: Harcourt School Publishers.