About Habitats: Grasslands
About... A Guide for Children Series
What’s inside...
This classroom favorite and award-winning book provides a comprehensive look at grasslands, using simple language to explain what grasslands are and the diverse plants and animals that inhabit them. Noted wildlife illustrator John Sill offers detailed illustrations of various grasslands, from North American prairies to African savannas. The book includes a glossary and afterword to encourage further learning, making it perfect for early childhood and elementary units on geography, environment, and nature. This informative book in the ABOUT HABITATS series explains in simple, easy-to-understand language what grasslands are and how wildlife survives in these diverse environments. The text describes the characteristics of different types of grasslands from North America's tallgrass prairies to African savannas and shows how various species of animals and plants have adapted to life in these habitats. An afterword and glossary provide more detailed information about grasslands.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like to live in a grassland habitat?
Can you name some animals that live in the grasslands? Why do you think they thrive in that environment?
How do you think the weather affects the life in grasslands?
What can we do to help protect grassland habitats?
How do you think the grassland habitat is different from our local environment?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the vast, open grasslands, surrounded by different wildlife. Use descriptive language from the book to paint a vivid picture. Ask them to express their feelings and thoughts about this unique habitat. Complement the reading with a fun activity, like drawing their favorite grassland animal or creating a grassland collage with materials from around the house. This will deepen their understanding and appreciation of the ecosystem.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Biodiversity Awareness
Explanation: This book showcases various animals and plants that inhabit grasslands, educating young readers about the diversity of life in this ecosystem.
Real-World Application: Children can develop an appreciation for different species and understand the importance of preserving diverse habitats in their local and global communities.
Example Lesson: Interdependence of Species
Explanation: Through its illustrations and text, the book explains how different species in grasslands depend on each other for food, shelter, and maintaining the ecosystem.
Real-World Application: Kids learn about the interconnectedness of nature, encouraging them to think about how their actions impact the environment and other living beings around them.
Example Lesson: Conservation of Environments
Explanation: ‘About Habitats: Grasslands’ discusses human impacts on grasslands and the need for conservation efforts.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children about the role they can play in preserving natural habitats, which could be as simple as participating in local clean-up projects or learning more about sustainable practices.
Example Lesson: Adaptation
Explanation: The book covers how animals and plants adapt to the grassland environment, such as developing certain feeding habits or physical traits.
Real-World Application: Children can apply the concept of adaptation to their own lives by exploring how they can adjust to new situations or environments effectively.