Cross- Curricular Activities

Presenting the story aloud, have students use their own tally/score card. They can keep track of how many times the word “water” or other words meaning water, is used in the book. How many types of animals are mentioned in the story? Do animals become symbols for other things? How so? How many math problems (+,-, <,>,= x, ÷ ) can be created by applying the various tallies?
Measurement: Create interest and experience using everything fromyour OWN two feet, mini ruler, ruler, yard stick, tape measure, to measure (exact/estimate) the length of rocks, bowls of water, tin foil “pretend” creeks, garden tools, signs, etc. Line up all the quilt squares in the classroom. Measure. How long is it??

Provide each child with a Books Alive! For Kids® Water Conservation STEAM Kit. Test for pollution and explore the challenge of removing those pollutants through various irrigation and filtration practices. Test the water again. Would you define your end result as "Clean" Water?
Provide each child with three colors of clay, a few small craft sticks, small spoon, and an egg carton section of two with water
Read aloud some of the parts of the story for the students to recreate the situation with their tools. Choose vocabulary words to describe as well.

Present each child with a (8.5 x 14) copy of a United States map. Adapt one that primarily outlines each individual state clearly. Distribute markers to identify states, direction, and water sources.
- First, locate YOUR state. Now, identify the Northern portion of the map. Find Southern? Eastern? Western? Point out the Southwest (New Mexico, Nevada and Utah). These have fewer water sources. Review the water source mentioned in the book. Where is it located?

*A Visualization Exercise (closing eyes & creating a mental image)

Ask students to think of a place they enjoy visiting:

Where are you? How do you know about this place? Did you make it up or use information you learned/experienced at another time?
Are you alone or with others? Others close or distant? Do you know them? Related or strangers?
What are you doing in the image? Imagine the physical space using your five senses: See, hear, smell, taste, and feel?
Why are you enjoying the experience? Does it remind you of something you heard/read in a book?

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