Books for Teaching About the Earth and Sky

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From Unit Plan: Look Up! Look Down!

Earth is our home with many living and non-living resources. The land, water, sky, and planet's creatures all work in harmony to create our wonderful planet. These books help students discover the land they live on and the sky above.

BOOKS ABOUT EARTH

Earth Circles by Sandra Ure Griffin
A mother and daughter climb a hill on the first day of spring and celebrate the cycles of our planet.

Classroom Tip: Have children illustrate an “Earth circle” and use these to make a paper Earth quilt.

The Earth and I by Frank Asch
A child describes his friend, the Earth, and how we must take care of her.

Classroom Tip: Make Earth Day posters to encourage protecting our planet.

I Am Planet Earth: Hello Reader! Science Level 2 by Jean Marzollo; illustrated by Judith Moffatt
In simple words and beautiful pictures, these guided reading books help explain our planet.

Classroom Tip: Have children make a baker’s dough model of earth and paint it.

Our Big Home: An Earth Poem by Linda Glaser; illustrated by Elisa Kleven
This poem describes the water, air, soil, sky, sun, and more shared by all living creatures on Earth.

Classroom Tip: Read the book a second time and have children draw a picture of Earth, showing all the things mentioned in the poem as you read about them.

BOOKS ABOUT THE SKY

Henny Penny or Pollita Chiquita by H. Werner Zimmerman
The classic tale of a hen who thinks the sky is falling when an acorn hits her head.

Classroom Tip: Discuss how the sky is just air that appears blue. Although the sun’s light is white, blue light is more scattered than red light.

How Many Stars in the Sky? by Lenny Hort; illustrated by James E. Ransome
A boy and his father set out to count all the stars in the night sky and make wonderful discoveries.

Classroom Tip: Make a paper-towel telescope for observing and recording the stars.

Looking Down by Steve Jenkins
This wordless book shows children the perspective of the earth from space, then zooming into a small ladybug on the planet’s surface.

Classroom Tip: Have students draw a picture of the school as they might imagine it looks from the sky.

Rookie Read-About Science, The Sun's Family of Planets by Allan Fowler
Striking, full-color photos show our solar system.

Classroom Tip: Illustrate the solar system with living models as children wear a picture of each planet and rotate around the sun.

What Will the Weather Be Like Today? by Paul Rogers
Simple rhyming text and bright illustrations take the reader all over the world through changes in the sky.

Classroom Tip: Chart the weather for a month.

What the Sun Sees, What the Moon Sees by Nancy Tafuri
The earth is pictured in sunlight and in moonlight in a double-sided book.

Classroom Tip: Have students keep a moon journal for one week, recording in pictures/words what they notice each night.

Books for Teaching About Water
Teacher created book list includes tips for classroom use.

Books for Teaching About Plants
This teacher created book list includes tips for classroom use.

Learning About Ecology Booklist
hese series and single-title books offer hands-on learning opportunities and stunning visual introductions to creatures, environments, and ecological science. Use them to build students' awareness of the impact humanity has on the natural world.

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