Prairie Dogs and Their Burrows
Animal homes Series
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
Some animals build their homes out of grass and twigs, while others make burrows in the soil. This series of colorful, easy-to-read books welcome readers into the homes of a variety of animals. Simple text and photographs illustrate prairie dogs and their burrows.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-6
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think prairie dogs live in burrows?
What do you think would happen if prairie dogs didn’t have their burrows?
How do prairie dogs help each other in their communities?
Can you imagine what a day in the life of a prairie dog looks like?
How do you think living in burrows keeps prairie dogs safe from predators?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the reasons behind prairie dogs' behaviors and the benefits of living in burrows. Ask them to relate the communal living of prairie dogs to human society and how we help each other. Use the illustrations in the book to point out details and fuel your child's imagination about the prairie dog's environment. Finally, discuss the importance of animal habitats and how they contribute to the survival of species.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: The book demonstrates how prairie dogs work together to build and maintain their burrows, showcasing the importance of cooperation within their community.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate with their peers on group projects or during team sports, understanding that working together can achieve great results.
Example Lesson: Importance of Home and Safety
Explanation: Prairie dogs use their burrows as a safe haven from predators, illustrating the significance of a secure home environment.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children to appreciate their homes as safe places and understand the importance of maintaining their personal safety and the safety of their living spaces.
Example Lesson: Adaptability and Problem-Solving
Explanation: The book shows how prairie dogs adapt their burrows to different environmental challenges, such as weather changes.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of being adaptable and developing problem-solving skills to navigate various challenges they face in school or in their personal lives.
Example Lesson: Ecosystem Interdependence
Explanation: Through the detailed explanation of prairie dogs' role in their ecosystem, the book highlights how different species depend on each other.
Real-World Application: This could help children understand the concept of ecological balance and encourage them to think about how their actions can impact the environment around them.