The author suggests activities about simple food chains as a way of teaching elementary students concepts of energy needs, energy consumption, and energy transfer. (SJL)

Compares and contrasts the habitats, behaviors, feeding habits, and physical characteristics of centipedes and millipedes. Offers suggestions for acquiring and maintaining these invertebrates in the classroom. Sample questions for discussion and investigation are also given. (ML)

The Grand Canyon, the natural wonder visited most often in the United States, is explored on foot, on burro, and by boat in this article. Learn about the canyon's different rock layers as well as its erosion, plant life, animal life, and water flow. (JM)

Describes the geology and ecology of Chesapeake Bay. (PR)

Illustrates what children can learn about ecology from observing trees in winter. (BB)

Presents a game involving various changes in the population of coyotes through the seasons of the year. Rules, guidelines for student participation, a game board, and game cards (which may be reproduced for classroom use) are included. (DH)

Presents an annotated bibliography of outstanding children's science trade books published in 1995 and intended primarily for kindergarten to eighth grade. Sections include biography, environment and ecology, fiction, life science, medicine and medical research, paleontology, and technology and engineering. (JRH)

Provides: (1) background information on insect habitats and microhabitats, examining what they are and why they are important to insects and animals; (2) six activities; and (3) materials (ready-to-copy games, puzzles, coloring pages, worksheets, and/or mazes). Activities include objective(s), recommended age level(s), subject area(s), list of…

Provides (1) background information on the many ways birds keep fit and are adapted to survive; (2) student activities on this topic; and (3) ready-to-copy materials (a game, worksheet, and coloring pages). Each activity includes an objective, recommended age level(s), subject area(s), list of materials needed, and procedures. (JN)

Provides: (1) background information on plant and animal relationships in forest communities; (2) four activities dealing with these relationships; and (3) five ready-to-copy pages for students. Activities include objective(s), recommended age level(s), subject area(s), list of materials needed, and procedures. (JN)

Discusses reasons for the success of insects, considering their size, reproductive ability, development, and adaptability. Also discusses various types of insect "homes" (such as galls and paper nests). (JN)

A list of materials needed and instructions are provided for an activity in which students create a mobile illustrating the balance of nature in a food web. Indicates that the activity works best with upper elementary grades. (JN)

Describes and details the construction of a land-water environment using an aquarium and variety of terrestrial and aquatic materials and organisms. Suggests activities such as identification of organisms, observation of predator-prey interactions, construction of food webs, and recognition of interdependence of biotic and abiotic factors. (CS)

Explains how to establish and maintain a woodland terrarium. Points out how this environment can be used to study animal interaction and can serve as a focal point for learning about a variety of elementary science concepts. (ML)

This article: (1) explains the respiratory patterns of several freshwater insects; (2) describes the differences and mechanisms of spiracular cutaneous, and gill respiration; and (3) discusses behavioral aspects of selected aquatic insects. (ML)