• 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

  • Animal Behavior and Defenses

    by Christina Wilsdon Year Published: Non- Fiction Gr. 3-5
    Describes 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 4
    Comments (-1)

  • Frightful's Mountain

    by Jean Craighead George Year Published: Fiction Gr. 6-8
    Frightful 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 6
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  • One 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.
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  • The Most Beautiful Roof in the World

    by Kathryn Lasky Year Published: Non-fiction Grades 3-7
    Journey 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
    Comments (-1)

  • Tracker

    by Gary Paulsen Year Published: Fiction, Grades 4-7
    John 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.
    Comments (-1)

Earth Science

  • Hudson River

    by Peter Lourie Year Published: Non-Fiction - Grades 3-5
    The 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.
    Comments (-1)

Pond Literature

  • Everything You Need to Know About Frogs & Other Slippery Creatures

    by Dorling Kindersley (DK) Year Published: Non-Fiction Grades 3- 5

    Packed 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



    Comments (-1)

  • One Well: The Story of Water on Earth

    by Rochelle Strauss Year Published: Non-Fiction Grade 3-5

    Every 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

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JASON: Seas of Change

  • Book cover

    Journey Under the Sea

    by R.A. Montgomery Year Published: 1978 Ages 8-12
    You 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? 
    Comments (-1)
  • book cover for Voyage of the Frog

    The Voyage of the Frog

    by Gary Paulsen Year Published: Ages 10-14

    David, 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.

    Comments (-1)
  • book cover

    Bright Star, Bright Dawn

    by Scott O'Dell Year Published: 1989
    Bright 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.
    Comments (-1)
  • book jacket

    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!
    Comments (-1)
  • book cover

    Under the Weather

    by Tony Bradman Year Published: 2010

    From 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.

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  • book cover

    How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate

    by Lynne Cherry and Gary Braasch Year Published: 2008
    The authors make climate change less frightening by showing children how to become empowered as "citizen scientists."
    Comments (-1)

Marine Biology

  • 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

    by Jules Verne Year Published: Science Fiction

    20.000 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.

    Comments (-1)

  • 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 6
    Comments (-1)

  • Humphrey the Lost Whale

    by Wendy Tokuda Year Published: Non- Fiction - Grades K-3

    A whale becomes trapped in the Sacramento River. For older students see: Humphrey the Wrong Way Whale by Goldner and Vogel (includes actual photos).

    Comments (-1)

  • Life and Death of a Salt Marsh

    by John Teal Year Published: Non-Fiction Grades 5-12

    About the east coast's marshes: how they were formed; why they exit; the interplay of plants and animals; and man's impact.

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  • Pearson, A Harbor Seal Pup

    by Susan Meyers Year Published: Non-Fiction, MS

    An 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.


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  • The Magic School Bus: On the Ocean Floor (Audiobook Read-Along)

    by Joanna Cole Year Published: Fiction - Ages 7- 10
    Ms. 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.
    Comments (-1)

  • World without Fish

    by Mark Kurlansky Year Published: Non-fiction Gr. 6-8
    As 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 6
    Comments (-1)

Survival Program

  • 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.    

    Comments (-1)

  • My Side of the Mountain

    by Jean Craighead George Year Published: Ages 9-12
    Sam 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.
    Comments (-1)

Homestead Ecology

  • Johnny Appleseed cover

    Johnny Appleseed

    by Steven Kellogg Year Published: Elementary
    A 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). 
    Comments (-1)

  • Little House in the Big Woods

    by Laura Ingalls Wilder Year Published: Elementary
    The first book of the Little House series captures the life of a pioneer family
    Comments (-1)

  • Sarah, Plain and Tall

    by Patricia MacLachlan Year Published: Elementary

    A 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.

    Comments (-1)

  • The Matchlock Gun

    by Walter D. Edmonds Year Published: Grades 3- 5
    Based 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.
    Comments (-1)

  • The Ox Cart Man

    by Donald hall Year Published: K- 2
     A lyrical, yet matter of fact, tale of a 19th C. family that produces all it needs to live on their farm..
    Comments (-1)

  • The Widow's Broom

    by Chris Van Allsburg Year Published: Grades 3-5
    This 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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