Biodiversity+teaching+resources

= = Environment and sustainability resource list ( currently being edited Nov-Dec 2015) = This list represents just some of the resources in the LMERC collection relevant to the teaching of biodiversity, sustainability and environment

Non Fiction
Fox, Mark & Fox, Olga (2005) Discovering the Environment , Curriculum Corporation, Carlton, VIC. (middle years) A comprehensive book covering a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues with information, activities and photocopiable blackline masters. Contains a section on biodiversity.

Nicholson, John (2000) The State of the Planet , Allen and Unwin, St Leonards, NSW. (middle years) With forward by David Suzuki, the book is divided into four sections on earth, water, air and energy, contains chapters on biodiversity.

Poultney, Trevor (2003) Environments Asia Pacific , Curriculum Corporation, Carlton, VIC. (middle – upper years) An in-depth reader style book covering issues of land use, living with nature, tourism and the environment, people on the move and water supply within the Asia Pacific region. Contains case studies, statistical tables, maps and activities.

Strauss, Rochelle (2004) The Tree of Life: The Incredible Biodiversity of Life on Earth , Kids Can Press, Toronto, Canada. (middle years) This book provides a colourful and accessible introduction to the many different forms of life on the planet and how they are classified. Contains notes for teachers/parents.

Whitty, Helen (2003) Changing Landscapes: Integrated Teaching Units , Primary English Teachers Association, Newtown, NSW. (early years) Contains 30 units of work around a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues including units on feral animals, water, trees and biodiversity. Each unit contains a bibliography of relevant resources.

Woolcombe, David et al. (1999) Pachamama: Our Earth, Our Future , Evans Brothers Ltd, London. (middle years) Based on the United Nation’s Global Environment Outlook Report this book introduces a wide range of environmental issues. Features a chapter on biodiversity with illustrations by children from around the world.

Picture Books
Nivola, Claire (2008) Planting the Trees of Kenya: the Story of Wangari Maathai , Douglas and McIntyre Ltd, Canada. (early-middle years) A beautifully illustrated book based on the true story of Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai who began the Green Belt Movement in Kenya. The story clearly illustrates the importance of trees and biodiversity to the health of both the land and the people.

Oliver, Narelle (1995) The Hunt , Lothian Books, Port Melbourne, VIC. (early years) A Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year, //The Hunt// is a simple story which follows a tawny frogmouth on its daily hunt. Oliver’s outstanding illustrations contain many hidden animals for the reader to find and identify by consulting the charts in the back of the book. With accompanying factual information this book is a wonderful introduction to the varied inhabitants of the forests of south-east Queensland.

Oliver, Narelle (1999) Sand Swimmers: The Secret Life of Australia’s Dead Heart , Lothian Books, Port Melbourne, VIC. (middle years) This truly outstanding information book features Oliver’s brilliant illustrations accompanied by fascinating information about the diversity of life in this most hostile of environments.

Skirrey, Robin (2006) Tale of the Outback Waterhole , Gecko Books, Marelston, South Australia. (early years) An informative picture book which follows the life in and around an outback waterhole from ancient times to the present day. The story clearly depicts the loss of biodiversity and degradation of the environment through misuse and the subsequent regeneration when the area is protected and managed.

Winter, Jeanette (2008) Wangari’s Trees of Peace , Harcourt, Orlando, Florida. (early years) A simpler telling of the story of Wangari Maathai’s Green Belt Movement with bright, bold illustrations.

Biodiversity Online Resources
Australian Government (2009)  Biodiversity Month An Australian Government website providing good background information for teachers about biodiversity and why it is important. Features suggestions for improving biodiversity in your local area and links to other useful resources. []

Australian Government (2009)  Weed Busters Kid’s Corner This website contains downloadable games and activity sheets suitable for early-middle years, providing an introduction to the issues surrounding invasive plants. []

Australian Museum (2010)  Biodiversity An accessible website with information about biodiversity suitable for teachers and middle and upper years students. Features information on the International Year of Biodiversity, how to get involved in helping protect biodiversity and a counter and images of new species discovered by the museum this year. []

Australian Museum (2007)  Birds in Backyards A great online resource providing information on Australian birds and promoting the provision of bird friendly habitat in suburban backyards, suitable for teachers, middle and upper years. Features galleries, audio files of bird songs and a bird finder to help in the identification of birds. []

BBC (2010)  Wildlife Finder A stunning resource providing detailed information, images, videos, sound files from the BBC’s extraordinary natural history collection. With exceptional presentation, this website will be useful for students from middle and upper years and teachers alike. Each animal profile also contains links to relevant external sites []

Global Education Centre (2010)  Biodiversity A useful website for teachers with facts, links, teaching activities and a glossary of relevant terms. []

Victorian Government (2010)  Biodiversity Education This site provides useful resources and links for teachers about Biodiversity. Includes units of work on biodiversity with links to the VELS suitable for middle and upper primary. []

Biodiversity Journal Articles
Knight, Fran (2010) ‘2010 the UN Year of Biodiversity’, The Literature Base , vol. 21, no. 1, Leura, NSW. A useful article about the International Year of Biodiversity with an introduction to the issues surrounding biodiversity, suggestions for activities and an in-depth resource list.

Endangered Animals Non Fiction
Bellamy, Rufus (2004) Action for the Environment: Saving Wildlife , Franklin Watts, Sydney, NSW. (middle years) A reader-style information book covering a wide range of issues to do with endangered animals, includes case studies, glossary and a list of relevant websites.

Crew, Gary (2003) I Saw Nothing: The Extinction of the Thylacine , Lothian Books, Melbourne, VIC. (middle years) Set in the 1930s this book tells the story of the last thylacine through the eyes of a young girl. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Mark Wilson the story is a good starting point for discussions about individual responsibility and action in relation to environmental issues.

Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment (1998) Leadbeater’s possum: Spotlight on the Forest , Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment, East Melbourne, VIC. (middle years) A resource book for teachers containing information and activities about the threats to the leadbeater’s possum and actions which can be taken to protect it.

Fox, Mark & Fox, Olga (2005) Discovering Endangered Animals , Curriculum Corporation, Carlton, VIC. (middle years) A comprehensive book covering a range of issues surrounding endangered animals, with information, activities and photocopiable blackline masters.

Royston, Angela (2008) Disappearing Wildlife , Harcourt Education Ltd, Oxford, Great Britain. (early years) A simple information book for early years from the series //Protect Our Planet,// features maps and diagrams.

Wilkinson, Rick (2002) Endangered! Working to Save Animals at Risk, Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW. (middle years) A Children’s Book Council of Australia shortlisted book, contains information on native and exotic endangered animals and the steps being taken to save them.

Endangered Animals Picture Books
Jenkins, Martin (2007) Ape , Walker Books, London, Great Britain. (early years) With stunning illustrations, this simple story introduces the reader to each of the great apes, describing their behaviours and touching on problems of habitat destruction and declining numbers.

Kuchling, Gerald & Kuchling, Guundie (1995) Yakkin the Swamp Tortoise: The Most Dangerous Year , Era Publications, Flinders Park, SA. (early years) A Children’s Book Council of Australia shortlisted book which illustrates the lifecycle of the endangered western swamp tortoise, focusing on the most dangerous first year of its life. Beautifully illustrated, this book also contains information on the swamp tortoise and conservation efforts.

Kuchling, Gerald & Kuchling, Guundie (1997) Yakkin the Swamp Tortoise: Survival , Era Publications, Flinders Park, SA. (early years) A beautifully illustrated story about the rare swamp tortoise. Following the tortoise through a year, the reader is introduced to the many dangers faced by the tortoise including traffic, land use, bush fire and feral animals and demonstrates the value of nature reserves. Contains a glossary of terms, a good follow on from //Yakkin the Swamp Tortoise: The Most Dangerous Year.//

Stafford, Liliana (2006) The Shy Mala , Windy Hollow Books, East Kew, VIC. (early years) A beautiful story about the rare mala and the conservation efforts which saved it from extinction at the hands of feral animals and drought. The book draws strong links between this indigenous animal and the indigenous people who helped protect it.

Habitats and Ecosystems Non Fiction
Spilsbury, Louise & Spilsbury, Richard (2009) Farming and the Environment , Wayland, Sydney, NSW. (middle years) Informative book covering issues surrounding the impact of farming on ecosystems and biodiversity contains case studies, maps and statistics.

Royston, Angela (2008) Disappearing forests , Harcourt Education Ltd, Oxford, Great Britain. (early years) A simple information book for early years from the series //Protect Our Planet,// features maps and diagrams.

Habitats and Ecosystems Picture Books
Crew, Gary (2008) Cat on the Island , Harper Collins, Sydney, NSW. (early-middle years) Based on the true story of the destruction of Stephens Island in New Zealand this book is a moving introduction to the devastating effect feral animals and land clearing can have on ecosystems. Accompanied by stunning illustrations and authors notes.

Lee, Jin (2009) The Elephant and the Tree , Running Press, USA. (early-middle years) A simple but moving story about the impact of deforestation and the domestication of wild animals told through the lives of one elephant and one tree. This deceptively simple story is told with a delicate sense of humour and powerful sincerity which will appeal to a wide range of ages.

Wilson, Mark (2007) The Last Tree , Hatchette Livre Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney, NSW. (early years) Beautiful illustrations help to tell this poignant story about the destruction of Australia’s old growth forests. As the city encroaches and the forest disappears the reader gets a glimpse of the effect of habitat loss on the animals of the forest. The story ends with a message of hope as a seed from the dying tree begins to grow.

Sustainable Living Non Fiction
McKay, Kim & Bonnin, Jenny (2008) True Green Kids  //, // ABC Books, Sydney, NSW. (middle years) Attractively presented, this book contains 100 tips for kids about sustainable living. Also contains a glossary of terms and a list of useful websites.

Strong, Dellene (2008) Thinking Themes: Environmental Footprints Ages 8-10,  Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd, South Yarra, VIC. (early-middle years) Book of photocopiable activities aimed at getting children to investigate their environmental impact in a number of areas including: clothing, transport, food, water, shopping and energy.

Sustainable Living Online Resources
Australian Government (2010)  Living Greener This site contains information on actions which can be taken to reduce waste. May be of use for teachers who wish to discuss steps the class can take as a group and individually to make a difference. []

Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre 150 Palmerston Street, Carlton 3053 [|www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/programs/lmerc/] Email: LMERC.library@edumail.vic.gov.au Ph: 03 9349 1418 Hours: 9-5pm Monday to Firday