Reading Response 2

The Land and Wildlife of SOUTH AMERICA
Author: Marston Bates and The Editors of Life
Publisher: Rhett Austell
ISBN: QH111.B42
Genre: Natural History
Location: West Texas A&M University Library






Summary: South America stretches from the tropical Caribbean to storm-swept Cape Horn. This Book describes the size of this continent which is a little bigger than half of Africa but at the same time it has the greatest continuous tropical Rain Forest in the world. South America also has the longest continuous chain of mountains, largest river in the world and vast diversity in climate. The continent is depicted as a beautiful environment where plants and animals flourish. Human involvement came later in time but South American history is a fascinating, colorful and often violent one but this book doesn’t really get in to it. The book is more concerned of the land and its features, and the animals and plants in all their wonderful variety.

Personal Comments: I was amazed on how many diverse climates there are in South America. There are about ten different types of vegetation zones that lay across the land. The vast numbers of species which live in these lands are unique and can’t be found in any other place. The most intelligent monkey in the world is called Capuchin and it lives in the forest of South and Central America and the largest snake in the world called the anaconda also resides in those lands. So from monkeys and snakes to insects and plants these creatures of these lands are one of kind and are really a site to see.

Suggested Use in the Classroom: I would use this book to introduce a new found appreciation of the rain forests and the vast lands of South America. I would engage my students in activities and discussions on why we need our rain forests and how they are important to the wildlife that live in that environment. I would break up the class into groups and have them select a topic over South America in the book and research the topic. In the end each group will provide a presentation to the class using any type of media, poster board and handouts to explain their topic. Then as a reward I would take the class on a field trip to the IMax Theatre to watch a documentary on the land and wildlife of South America. This field trip will allow my students to have an opportunity to experience the continent of South America as if they were there in real life.

Reading Response 1

Oceans and Seas
Author: Nicola Davies
Publisher: 175 New, New York 10010
ISBN: 978-0-7534-6165-5
Genre: Nature and Science
Location: Hastings Book Store Canyon, Tx








Summary: This children’s book Oceans and Seas is a great opportunity to examine how the oceans and seas benefit our environment. Landscapes, tides and waves are illustrated as the characteristics of the Blue Planet. The residences which reside in these waters are brought to life through interesting facts, easy projects and amazing pictures. Creatures of all kinds are portrayed in this book, from whales, sharks and birds to plankton, coral, jellyfish and sea turtles. All of these animals contribute to the circle of life in the Blue Planet.

Personal Comments: As a child I loved learning about the ocean and sea life because it was so mysterious and I felt like I was exploring a whole different world where in reality it kind of is. This kids book really does an excellent depiction of explain all the aspects of ocean life and how it functions. The author explains really well the importance of having our oceans and preventing pollution and overfishing. The book shows the effects of these factors when they do happen and a lot of ocean life is lost every year. Our Planet is covered in water and land is fraction of its space, so as human beings we need to learn how to preserve the wild life in these waters and teach our youth of the importance. The balance of life is crucial and it would be horrible if animals today that living in these waters were to not exist in couple of decades due to our lack of knowledge and careless actions.

Suggested Use in the Classrooms: The study of nature and science of the oceans and seas is important when teaching grade school students because they need to know how it’s critical to our existence and survival on this planet. Knowing how the oceans and seas work and what creates waves, tides, and tropical storms can be beneficial to the classroom. The reason is students will be knowledgeable when they do go to the beach or watch the weather channel or discovery channel and understand what they are experiencing. This book will give the curriculum a chance to let these students become frontier explorers in discovering a new world per say. By learning the livelihoods of these creatures of the ocean and how they play a role in the circle of life will give the students a new appreciation of the oceans and seas. The mini projects are great for young students which they get to reenact the waves of the oceans and seas. The students also get to create the creatures of the blue planet through arts and crafts and portray the environment in which they live in.

Reading Response Log: Nature and Science Books for Natural History and Wildlife

Rationale:

Welcome to magical world of Natural History and Wildlife! In this paper, I will introduce five examples of children’s nature and science books where the doors of imagination and wonder will open as explore the depths of the oceans and rain forests to the high sky and cold climates. These books show the different type of environments and climates that are world has and gives an opportunity to the reader to explore the lifestyle of the wildlife that in them. One book portrays the depths of the oceans and seas and how they function and what purpose they serve to our existence. Another book is explains the secrets and wonders of South America, where it holds some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and deadliest creatures. The species of birds is brought to life through a book that gives a new appreciation to birds all over the world. Lastly there is book that goes to the corner of the earth to place called Southeast Asia. This book brings this mysterious land to life and unlocks the secrets of the crop land, diverse cultures and people and at the same time the creatures which no one in the world knows about until you see it for yourself.
These books are amazing resources and eye openers to the different climates, wildlife and cultures we have all around the world. My students will learn to appreciate and help take care of our planet by knowing what is out there and the functions of these geographic places. Youth today need to think outside the box and explore in other countries and engage in assignments which get their attention to have them take action.
Overall, I feel like these experiences that these students make by reading this book and interacting with them will broaden their minds to bigger and better things down the road in their education. My hope is to spark at least one young mind to take a stand and become a zoologist, environmental activist or really anything they want to do in their life. In the end I want them to remember that this assignment or this specific content area was what opens their eyes to the world.
I will present a nature and science book first, then a natural history book followed by two nature and science books and ending with a natural history book.