Teaching Life Science with Children’s Literature: Rain Forests and Reefs — A Kid’s-Eye View of the Tropics

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Rain Forests & Reefs — A Kid’s-Eye View of the Tropics  by Caitlin Maynard, Thane Maynard, and Stan Rullman,  is an exuberant account of the adventures of eighteen teenage zoologists who travel to Belize one summer.  The young zoologists’ explorations are documented through vivid photographs, postcards, journal entries, and a running commentary on their extraordinary trip. Loaded with fascinating facts, this book is an original look at forest and ocean biodiversity told in an engaging style to which students will readily connect. 

Curriculum Connections
This book would be an excellent tool to illustrate real world connections in science, and could be especially helpful when tackling such topics as ecosystems, biodiversity, interdepenence, and endangered species.   All of these concepts relate to life science standards in grades 4 through 6.

Additional Resources

  • To access a 3D Demo on frogs click here.
  • You will find a cooperative lesson plan on endangered species here.
  • For interactive animal exploration, check out the National Science Foundation.
  • If you're looking for another awesome life science resource, try this book.

Book: Rain Forests & Reefs — A Kid’s-Eye View of the Tropics
Author:
Caitlin Maynard, Than Maynard, and Stand Rullman
Illustrator: Stan Rullman
Publisher: Franklin Watts: A Division of Grolier Publishing
Publication Date: 1996
Pages:
64
Grade Range: 4-6
ISBN:
978-0531158067

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