Mammal Mania: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Mammals

by Lisa J. Amstutz

Overview

This full-color book of marvelous mammals provides 30 hands-on activities to give interested children an overview of the wide varieties of mammals in their world 

How big is a blue whale? Why does a sloth crawl from the safety of a tree to the ground once a week? How does a vampire bat feed?  

Young nature enthusiasts will find answers to these questions and learn all sorts of fascinating facts about mammals in this full-color, interactive book. Mammal Mania explores what makes mammals unique, as well as their anatomy, behavior, and conservation needs.  

 Readers will learn to build a squirrel feeder, write a putrid poem, make an animal tracking station, and much more.  

Thirty hands-on activities promote observation and analysis, writing and drawing, math and science, and nature literacy skills. 

 

Young Naturalists is a kid-friendly series that introduces zoology and botany for upper elementary and middle-grades readers. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781641604369
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/20/2021
Series:	Young Naturalists , #7
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	11.00(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	920L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 9 Years

About the Author

Lisa J. Amstutz holds degrees in biology and ecology/environmental science, and, as a former outdoor educator, she is passionate about connecting kids with nature. Amstutz is the author of more than 100 children’s books and serves as assistant regional advisor for the Ohio: North chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1: What Is a Mammal?
Try This! The Great Stuff Sort
Try This! In Cold Blood
Try This! Make a Mammal-Watching Kit
2: Meet the Mammals
Try This! Celebrate Bats
Try This! Sending Sound Waves
Try This! Using a Dichotomous Key
3: Parts of a Mammal
Try This! Take a Night Hike
Try This! Put on Your Deer Ears
Try This! Build Like a Beaver
4: Home Sweet Home
Try This! Warm as a Whale
Try This! Watch ’em Sweat
Try This! Following the Clues
5: Mammals Munch
Try This! Fridge Food Chain
Try This! Build a Better Mousetrap
Try This! Find a Food Chain
6: The Web of Life
Try This! Why Are Polar Bears White?
Try This! Write a Putrid Poem
Try This! Make a Tracking Station
7: Life Goes On
Try This! Follow Your Nose!
Try This! Be a Mammal Detective
Try This! A Day in the Life
8: Mammal Chat
Try This! Talk Like a Bat
Try This! Make a Sound Map
Try This! Underwater Sounds
9: Working with Mammals
Try This! Write to an Animal Scientist
Try This! Mammals in the News
Try This! Write a Mammal Song
10: How You Can Help
Try This! Research an Endangered Animal
Try This! Make a Squirrel Feeder
Try This! Learn About Your State Mammal
Glossary
Orders of Mammals
Resources
Teacher’s Guide
Bibliography
Index
 

Editorial Reviews

"A handsome addition for public and school library STEM collections.” —Booklist

From the Publisher

07/01/2021

Gr 4–6—This informative introduction to the classification, bodies, and behavior of mammals often employs wordplay. Straightforward explanations remind readers of their own mammalian qualities. Encouraging observation, thinking, and analysis, the author often questions or advises readers: "Did you ever…?" "Imagine that…." Many familiar and lesser-known mammals from all over the world appear in handsome photographs as examples throughout. Each of the 10 chapters features one mammal in a species spotlight and provides instructions for three activities. Introduction to the defining characteristics of mammals and their classification is followed by chapters on mammal bodies, locations, diet, relationships, reproduction, and communication. Moving to human responsibilities, the final two chapters describe jobs that involve working with mammals and ways to respond to problems caused by pollution and climate change. The activities offer children and teachers many ways of practicing reading, research, observation, writing, and drawing to learn about nature and science. Back matter includes a glossary, online resources, lists of ideas and questions for teachers, a short bibliography of larger guides and surveys, and an index. VERDICT Appealing for browsing and personal reading and for the variety of science projects.—Margaret Bush, Simmons Coll., Boston

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