Synergy: National Historic Trails

In the United States, national historic trails recognize original overland or water routes with historical significance. Nineteen trails have been established by acts of Congress. While many of these trails commemorate routes established during the westward movement of the mid-19th century, others trace their origins to prehistoric times.

Read the recently published informational picture book, then learn more at the website.

MY WAY WEST by Elizabeth Goss tells the true stories of children who traveled on the Oregon and California trails in the 19th century. Featuring quotes from primary sources such as letters and memoirs, readers learn about life on the trail. The book takes care to incorporate children from varied backgrounds including Native American and African American perspectives. The story begins by noting that the land was already occupied by Native peoples prior to the arrival of settlers. Each two-page spread focuses on a topic related to the journey such as the decision, the supplies, and bad weather. The book concludes with background information about over a dozen children represented in the book.

The NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS page at the National Park Service website provides access to information about nineteen historical trails that reflect routes of exploration, migration, struggle, and military action.

To visit the website, go to https://bit.ly/3iU1Ocv.

ARC courtesy of West Margin Press. Distributed by Ingram Publisher Services.

Synergy: Eons

Eons are chunks of time used to mark key events in the history of Earth including the history of life on our planet. Eons are the largest division of time and are subdivided into eras, periods, epochs, and ages.

Read the recently published informational picture book, then learn more at the YouTube Channel:

OUT OF THE BLUE written by Elizabeth Shreeve and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon describes how animals evolved from prehistoric seas. Each two page spread explores an eon, period, or era. The simple, accurate text along with the colorful illustrations and diagrams provide an effective introduction to the evolution of living things. The author skillfully weaves questions and answers into the narrative to bring together key concepts.

Eons is a YouTube Channel from PBS Digital Studios exploring the history of life on Earth. The episode, THE SEARCH FOR THE EARLIEST LIFE shares information about the earliest life on earth. Other videos explore topics related to the evolution of plants and animals through the eons.

To visit the channel, go to https://www.youtube.com/c/eons.
To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/uCVnRIP3pIk.

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

Synergy: Seasons

Seasons are a way to divide a year on Earth based on changes in daylight, weather, and living organisms. The seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere are different because of the Earth’s axial tilt. Although traditionally divided into four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, some areas of the world recognize fewer or more seasons.

Read the recently published picture book, then learn more at the website:

IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY with poems by Rachel Piercy and illustrated by Freya Hartas is an engaging picture book exploring the woodland habitat through the seasons. Each two-page spread includes a descriptive poem and over a dozen things to find on the page. Primary grade teachers will find this book to be a fun read-aloud or engaging learning station option. Use it to jumpstart a discussion about the fact and fiction of woodland life. The book concludes with a nature trail revisiting the book’s content and encouraging children to get outside and explore nature.

50 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU’RE 11-3/4 is an activity list from UK’s National Trust. This handy resource describes dozens of ideas for encouraging young adventurers to explore nature through the seasons. Users can read the guide online, then download a wall chart as a PDF.

To learn more, go to https://bit.ly/3i50B2C.

ARC courtesy of Magic Cat Publishing, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Synergy: Tree

A tree is a woody perennial plant generally containing a trunk and lateral branches. A root system serves as an underground anchor using moisture and nutrients from the soil. Leaves grow from the shoots. Trees usually reproduce using seeds.

Read the informational picture book for youth, then learn more at the websites:

BE A TREE! written by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Felicita Sala skillfully balances poetic connections between trees and humans with useful facts for young scientists. This combination is intended to inspire young people to be kind members of their community as well as environmentally aware global citizens. This beautifully illustrated picture book concludes with an author’s note, anatomy of a tree illustration, additional resources, and calls for environmental and community action.

THANK YOU, TREES! from PBS KIDS PLUM LANDING provides a digital nature sketchpad where children can draw their own trees.

To draw a tree, go to https://to.pbs.org/34AFWMm.

THE TREE GUIDE from the Arbor Day Foundation provides a tree database, glossary, and a page about the anatomy of a tree.

To explore the website, go to https://bit.ly/2RbMmhU.

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers. 

Synergy: Wildlife

Wildlife are undomesticated creatures that live separate from direct human interference. Global populations of wildlife are rapidly decreasing due to human activity such as habitat destruction.

Read the informational picture book series for youth, then learn more at the websites:

GO WILD! is a new series for young readers from National Geographic Kids. SEA TURTLES is the first book in this informational reading collection for ages 4 through 8. Each title has a similar format including a two-page spread and topics such as habitat, map, size, anatomy, relatives, food, and babies. Pages related to conservation issues are likely to inspire children to care for these creatures. A timeline and glossary are useful for curriculum connections. Fun facts and activities extend the experience. The parallel format of each book makes them particularly useful for small group activities.

Upcoming titles in the series include PANDAS, ELEPHANTS, and LEMURS.

LEAVE WILD ANIMALS IN THE WILD is a short online article providing wildlife tips for children.

To read the article, go to https://bit.ly/3uGZOIg.

EXPLORE provides access to dozens of live streaming cameras students and educators can use to observe wildlife.

To view the cameras, go to https://explore.org/livecams.

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.