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Grade 3, Book 1
Grade 3, Book 1
Unit 2: Nature Links
 
Dream Wolf
by Paul Goble
 
Cultural Perspectives  
Native Americans  
Cultural Perspectives
From the Student Web Page
The Lakota of the Plains
Connect to this link:
http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/cmnh/exhibits/north-south-east-west/lakota/


  1. Click The Circle of Relatives.
  2. After learning about Lakota women, click men to learn about their role in the family and tribe.
  3. Return to The Circle of Relatives by following the link at the bottom of the page.
  4. Click to learn about Lakota children.
About the Site

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History presents American Indians and the Natural World. The site examines the cultures of four distinct Native American tribes from four different directions, using the Lakota of the Plains to represent the West. The section on the Lakota offers information about the tribe's beliefs, life, and culture. Bring students to the section about the roles of men, women, and children in the Circle of Relatives section. Text may be difficult for third graders. Reading aloud or paraphrasing may be required.

What to Do

  1. Help students understand each family member's role.

  2. You may want students to explore the other sections. Have students click South to go to the main page of the Hopi.

  3. Have students click Children, then read or paraphrase the information there and compare it with what they have learned about Lakota children.
From the Student Web Page
The First Americans: Indian Cultures
Connect to this link:
http://www.germantown.k12.il.us/html/culture.html


  1. Explore one or more of the cultures by clicking the map.
  2. Scroll down to read and to see pictures.
  3. After you have read about two different cultures, compare them to each other.
About the Site

The First Americans was designed as part of a third grade social studies project at Germantown (Pa.) Elementary School. General information about Native Americans is presented in five different sections: the Northwest Coast, California and the Rocky Mountains, the Plains, the Southwest and the Eastern Woodlands. Students can explore the life and culture of Native Americans through photographs and descriptions.

What to Do

  1. Have students focus on Plains Indians or arrange the class into five groups, assigning each group a different culture to explore.

  2. Encourage student groups to share what they have learned.

  3. Ask students to explain how Indians made use of plants, animals, and other natural surroundings to survive.
Find Out More  
Animal Groups  
Find Out More
From the Student Web Page
Animal Groups
Connect to this link:
http://www.stalking.co.uk/group.html


  1. Read through the list of Animal Group Names.
  2. List ten animals that you are familiar with.
About the Site

This page is an A-Z listing of animals and their group names.

Lesson Objectives

  • Students will use the Internet to learn about animals.

  • Students will read a list of animal group names.

  • Students will list ten animals they know.

Suggested Additional Activities

  • Have students choose their favorite animal and talk about it.

  • Have students draw their favorite animal in its natural habitat.
From the Student Web Page
Animals in Groups
Connect to this link:
http://colapublib.org/children/kids/wild/animal/groups/index.html


  1. For each group of animal, click the arrow and then select a name.
  2. Click Send when you finish the eight questions.
  3. What new animal group names did you learn?
About the Site

This test of animal group names is offered by the Los Angeles Public Library. The site is part of Test Your Animal Knowledge, a page of nine different animal information tests, such as Animal Homes, Animal Fact or Fable, and Zoo Munchies. Animales tests knowledge of animal names in Spanish.

What to Do

  1. After students complete the test, discuss what they have learned.

  2. You may wish to have students try one of the other tests on the home page. Then have them develop quizzes for their classmates.
Leveled Books  
Animals Helping People  
Leveled Books
From the Student Web Page
Penny's Place
Connect to this link:
http://penny.myriad.net/


  1. Click How Puppies are Selected for the Guide Dog Program.
  2. Go back to the main page by clicking the paw.
  3. Click My First Six Weeks to get to know Penny.
  4. Move through Penny's scrapbooks by following the links at the bottom of each page.
About the Site

Penny's Place documents the experiences of a seeing-eye dog in training at Sam Rayburn Middle School in Bryan, Texas. Penny's "Puppy Walker" is Becky Alter, an art teacher at the school. The site provides a scrapbook of Penny's first 18 months, many pictures, and some information on her formal training.

What to Do

  1. Help students read the sections of Penny's Place, since the sections are rather long.

  2. Point out the photographs and explain unfamiliar terms as students proceed through the scrapbook, ending with Formal Training.

  3. You may want to complete the Web site readings over a period of several days.
From the Student Web Page
Horses for Special Riders
Connect to this link:
http://www.carouselridingcenter.org/


  1. Click Meet Our Riders. Read the stories of the riders and look at the pictures.
  2. Click Back. Then click Carousel's Story and read it.
About the Site

The Carousel Riding Center in Warner Robins, Georgia has been profiled on the television program Nature. This site offers a profile of the riders and as well as a touching story about how the riding center came to be. You may want to discuss why people who are disabled might forge a special bond with animals such as horses or dogs.

What to Do

  1. Click Volunteers and read the information with students.

  2. Discuss the reasons that someone might want to work as a volunteer at the riding center.