Synergy: Ocean Life

Ocean life includes the plants, animals, and other organisms that live in the salt water of the ocean.

OCEAN EMPORIUM by Susie Brooks explores the many creatures that live in the ocean. Each two-page spread features an overview and several examples of a particular species such as crabs, jellyfish, or sharks. Both the common and scientific names are provided along with a simple, colorful illustration of each creature.

Use the book to brainstorm questions for ocean life inquiries. Then, use the website for photographs and more in-depth information.

OCEAN from the Smithsonian Institution provides hundreds of articles related to ocean topics. The ocean life section of the website will be of particular interest to students conducting inquiries related to marine life. The educators section contains dozens of lesson plans to extend the experience.

Ocean https://ocean.si.edu/

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.

Synergy: Learning with Objects

An object is a material thing that can be seen or touched. An artifact is an object made by humans. From an arrowhead to a piece of clothing, objects are useful in the study of history.

THE APARTMENT by Alexandra Litvina chronicles the history of Russia from 1899-2018 through the people and objects in an apartment. Using a scrapbook approach, the author and illustrator follow the Muromtsevs who live in an apartment in Moscow. Readers learn about how the family and Russia as a whole changes from generation to generation through the 20th century. The Bolshevik Revolution, two World Wars, the rise of the USSR, the Cold War, the space race, and the rise of the Russian Federation are seen through the eyes of the Muromtsevs. Filled with engaging illustrations, primary source documents and fascinating artifacts, readers are invited to participate in the story by examining objects in the apartment as they change over time.

TEACHING HISTORY WITH 100 OBJECTS from The British Museum provides 100 objects to inspires students’ interest in history. Users can search for objects by date, place, or theme. Resources are also available by age and curriculum topic. For instance, the collection includes a Jesse Jackson for President badge from 1984. Background information, the larger context of the item, teaching ideas, and classroom materials are available.

Teaching History with 100 Objects http://teachinghistory100.org/

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Synergy: Endangered Animals

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides for the conservation of endangered and threatened fish, wildlife, and plants. Endangered animals are in danger of extinction, while those listed as threatened are likely to become endangered species in the near future.

WHO AM I? by Tim Flach is a peek-through picture book introducing the concept of endangered animals to young readers. Each two-page spread contains a photograph representing the animal’s habitat, a clue about the animal, and a peek at a part of the animal’s body. In some cases, no habitat is provided but additional visual clues are provided instead.

A second two-page spread reveals the the animal and its name. Children will identify some creatures immediately and others that will be a challenge. The book concludes with information about what makes each animal special and why it’s endangered. Use this book as a fun way to jumpstart an exploration of endangered animals.

ENDANGERED.ORG is the website of a group that strives to stop human-caused extinction of at-risk species. The blog contains up-to-date information of species currently in danger. The campaign focuses on key events such as the Endangered Species Day celebrated in May each year. The endangered species section features pages for key animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, plants, and invertebrates. Information and an infographic details the specifics of the Endangered Species Act.

Endangered Species Coalition https://www.endangered.org/

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Synergy: Women’s Suffrage

Women’s suffrage is the right of women to vote. Beginning in the late 19th century, women sought to change the voting laws to allow them to vote. Women gained the right to vote in the United States after ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. In the United Kingdom, women had equal suffrage with men in 1928. Most Canadian women gained suffrage between 1917-1919, however it wasn’t until 1960 that aboriginal women gained the right to vote. Native American women and women of color were often denied the right to vote in the United States until passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Read the recently published children’s book on this topic, then learn more at the website.

SUFFRAGETTE: THE BATTLE FOR EQUALITY by David Roberts celebrates dozens of key figures in the suffrage movement both in the US and the UK. Told chronologically, this highly illustrated work of nonfiction takes readers step-by-step through the long process. The book concludes by exploring key figures from around the world.

SHALL NOT BE DENIED is an online exhibit at the Library of Congress. The online resources are divided into five sections. Each section explores a time period in the Women’s Movement including key events, people, and primary sources.

Shall Not Be Denied https://bit.ly/3aJhEln

ARC courtesy of Walker Books, a vision of Candlewick Press.