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Literature Alignments to Outdoor Education Programs
The list of books below was compiled from an informal survey conducted by the Department of Education and distributed by the New York State English Council and the New York State Reading Association. Teachers were asked to suggest books they felt were “appropriate and successful with readers in the K-12 curriculum” have literary merit, are representative of the genres, and are being read by students in today’s classrooms.
We in turn have compiled the list of books below for their alignments to our program content. Should you choose to include one of these titles in your pre- or post-trip plans, we hope you will share that with us so that our staff can reference it during your program.
General Ecology
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Animal Behavior and Defenses
by Christina Wilsdon Year Published: Non- Fiction Gr. 3-5Describes the physical characteristics and behavior of a number of animals with unusual means of defense, including information on camouflage, poison, and mimicry. Recommended for CC Module 2B Grade 4Frightful's Mountain
by Jean Craighead George Year Published: Fiction Gr. 6-8Frightful doesn’t know how to live alone in the wild, and she can’t feed herself, mate, brood chicks, or migrate. She struggles to survive and gradually learns to enjoy her new freedom. Recommended for CC Module 4 Grade 6One Day in the Woods
by Jean Craighead George Year Published: Fiction Ages 8 +Rebecca is determined to find the ovenbird, "the wizard of the woods, " and thinks it must be magic. When she sets out into the forest at dawn, she never expects to find magic everywhere she looks.The Most Beautiful Roof in the World
by Kathryn Lasky Year Published: Non-fiction Grades 3-7Journey with Dr. Meg Lowman, who ascends into one of our planet’s most fascinating ecosystems--the rain-forest canopy. Recommended for CC Module A, Gr. 5
Tracker
by Gary Paulsen Year Published: Fiction, Grades 4-7John tracks a der for two days, but as he closes in on his prey, he realizes he cannot shoot her. For
John, the hunt is no longer about killing, but about life.Earth Science
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Hudson River
by Peter Lourie Year Published: Non-Fiction - Grades 3-5The author's story of his 315 mile canoe trip down the Hudson River, from the Adirondack Mountains, to New York City's Battery Park, where it empties into the sea.
Pond Literature
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Everything You Need to Know About Frogs & Other Slippery Creatures
by Dorling Kindersley (DK) Year Published: Non-Fiction Grades 3- 5Packed with information on habitats, breeding habits, as well as oddities, shocking facts and anatomy, suitable for in-depth research or fast facts. Recommended for CC Module 2A 3rd Grade
One Well: The Story of Water on Earth
by Rochelle Strauss Year Published: Non-Fiction Grade 3-5Every raindrop, lake, river and glacier is part of a single global well. How we treat the water in the well will affect every species on the planet, now and for years to come. Recommended for CC Module 4
JASON: Seas of Change
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Journey Under the Sea
by R.A. Montgomery Year Published: 1978 Ages 8-12You are a highly experienced deep-sea explorer. You must make choices necessary to go deeper, hoping one will lead you to your quarry - the lost city of Atlantis. Did it really exist? Or is it just a myth?The Voyage of the Frog
by Gary Paulsen Year Published: Ages 10-14David, 14 years old, sets sail on The Frog but when a savage storm slams into the tiny sailboat, David is stranded. No wind. No radio. Little water. Seven cans of food.
Bright Star, Bright Dawn
by Scott O'Dell Year Published: 1989Bright Dawn and her husky/wolf, Black Star were about to begin the famous Iditarod dogsled race through the bitter cold and challenges of Alaska. She soon realizes that she is depending on Black Star for the race...and her life.Hoot
by Carl Hiaasen Year Published:When Roy's family moves to Florida, he meets a mysterious boy. As he trails him, he is introduced to many weird creatures: potty-trained alligators, cute burrowing owls, a fake-fart champion, a pancake PR man and snakes with mysteriously sparkly tails. Life in Florida is looking up!Under the Weather
by Tony Bradman Year Published: 2010From the effects of rising sea levels to changes in animal behavior and human lifestyles, these powerful stories portray the issues surrounding climate change in personal terms and so bring them vividly to life.
How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate
by Lynne Cherry and Gary Braasch Year Published: 2008The authors make climate change less frightening by showing children how to become empowered as "citizen scientists."Marine Biology
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20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
by Jules Verne Year Published: Science Fiction20.000 Leagues Under the Sea is a classic science fiction novel by French writer Jules Verne published in 1870. It tells the story of Captain Nemo and his submarine Nautilus.
Flush
by Carl Hiaasen Year Published:Dad sank the Coral Queen, a casino boat whose owner, he believes has been illegally dumping raw sewage into the local waters. The kids begin trying to gather proof that will vindicate their father and put the casino out of business. Recommended for CC Module 3B Grade 6Humphrey the Lost Whale
by Wendy Tokuda Year Published: Non- Fiction - Grades K-3A whale becomes trapped in the Sacramento River. For older students see: Humphrey the Wrong Way Whale by Goldner and Vogel (includes actual photos).
Life and Death of a Salt Marsh
by John Teal Year Published: Non-Fiction Grades 5-12About the east coast's marshes: how they were formed; why they exit; the interplay of plants and animals; and man's impact.
Pearson, A Harbor Seal Pup
by Susan Meyers Year Published: Non-Fiction, MSAn orphaned seal pup was found on a beach near San Francisco. Follow his progress as he grows strong and healthy due to the efforts of the California Marine Mammal Center and returns to the sea.
The Magic School Bus: On the Ocean Floor (Audiobook Read-Along)
by Joanna Cole Year Published: Fiction - Ages 7- 10Ms. Frizzle drives the Magic School Bus into the ocean and her class takes a submarine expedition where they learn about hot water vents, coral reefs, plant and animal life on the ocean floor.World without Fish
by Mark Kurlansky Year Published: Non-fiction Gr. 6-8As book about what’s happening to fish, the oceans, and our environment, and what kids can do about it. Recommended for CC Module 3B Grade 6Survival Program
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Hatchet
by Gary Paulson Year Published: Grades 5+Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when his plane crashes. He is now alone in the wilderness with nothing but his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him.
My Side of the Mountain
by Jean Craighead George Year Published: Ages 9-12Sam is surviving in the Catskill Mountains with only a penknife, a ball of cord, 40 dollars, and some flint and steel. Along the way, he learns about courage, danger, and independence.
Homestead Ecology
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Johnny Appleseed
by Steven Kellogg Year Published: ElementaryA charming tale mixing history and legend enhanced with beautiful illustrations. A note at the end clarifies where history ends and legend begins and a map helps children visualize John Chapman's life-long journey. (Note this is a Common Core text).Little House in the Big Woods
by Laura Ingalls Wilder Year Published: ElementaryThe first book of the Little House series captures the life of a pioneer familySarah, Plain and Tall
by Patricia MacLachlan Year Published: ElementaryA tale set in the late19th C, told from daughter Anna's point of view, of how Sarah comes from Maine to the prairie to answer Papa's ad for a wife and mother.
The Matchlock Gun
by Walter D. Edmonds Year Published: Grades 3- 5Based on a true story, NYS was still a British colony in 1756 and Edward's father is called away to protect the community leaving him along to watch over his mother and sister.The Ox Cart Man
by Donald hall Year Published: K- 2A lyrical, yet matter of fact, tale of a 19th C. family that produces all it needs to live on their farm..The Widow's Broom
by Chris Van Allsburg Year Published: Grades 3-5This fanciful tale is about a woman who finds herself in possession of an extraordinary broom left by a witch who fell into the widow's garden.
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