Sounds of Nature: World of Birds
#3 of 3 in Sounds of Nature Series
What’s inside...
The Sounds of Nature series, recognized as an Outstanding Science Trade Book for K–12 in 2019, provides an immersive sensory experience of the natural world through vivid recordings of bird sounds from 10 different global habitats. The series features captivating illustrations and real animal sounds recorded in the wild, covering areas like the rainforests of New Guinea, Himalayan Mountains, and the Australian outback. Each book includes a built-in speaker that plays specific bird sound clips when a note is pressed, accompanied by informative facts about the 60 featured birds. Additionally, the series has been acknowledged by the National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council.
Discussion points
What sounds did each bird make and how do you think those sounds help them in the wild?
Which bird's habitat did you find most interesting and why?
If you could communicate like one of the birds, which one would you choose and what would you say?
How do the different environments impact the lives of the birds in the book?
What have you learned about the importance of preserving bird habitats?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they know about birds and what they are curious to find out.
Encourage your child to mimic the birds’ sounds as they come up in the book, turning reading time into an engaging and interactive experience.
Discuss the illustrations in the book, asking questions about how the colors and styles might relate to the natural environments of the birds.
Share personal stories about any encounters with birds, blending personal experience with the book's content.
Post-reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite bird from the book and explain why they chose it, reinforcing their learning and making it personal.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation for biodiversity
Explanation: The book introduces various bird species and their unique sounds, promoting an understanding of biodiversity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to respect and appreciate nature's variety, leading to environmentally conscious behavior.
Example Lesson: The importance of good listening skills
Explanation: As the book requires careful listening to distinguish between different bird calls, it cultivates auditory discrimination.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop better listening skills in school and in daily conversations, enhancing their overall communication abilities.
Example Lesson: Observational skills
Explanation: By correlating sounds with specific bird species, children learn to observe and identify differences.
Real-World Application: These skills can be applied in scientific learning and everyday life to notice and appreciate subtle details in their environment.
Example Lesson: Patience and attentiveness
Explanation: Understanding and identifying each bird sound requires patience and careful attention.
Real-World Application: These traits are beneficial for academic learning and personal relationships, where focus and patience are valuable.