Grade 4
Grade 4
Unit 2: Something in Common
Return to Book List
Just a Dream
by Chris Van Allsburg
 
Cross Curricular  
Grand Canyon  
Cross Curricular
From the Student Web Page
The Grand Canyon Explorer
Connect to this link:
http://www.kaibab.org/gc_homef.htm


  1. On the right click VISITOR CENTER.
  2. On the left scroll down to "Other Links" and click Tracking the Inhabitants.
  3. Read about animals that live in the Grand Canyon. See their tracks too!
  4. Click squirrels, cottontails, and mule deers to see pictures of them.
About the Site

The Grand Canyon Explorer is the self-proclaimed "unofficial" Grand Canyon National Park Home Page. Online since 1994, the site provides extensive information, photographs and articles. Help students learn about the animals in the park by reading the information aloud as they read along. Encourage students to examine the tracks left by animals in the park. The Photo Gallery also provides striking wildlife photographs.

What to Do

  1. Encourage students to guess the animal that left the tracks in the picture at the end.

  2. You may want to invite students to view other animal pictures. Click Photo Gallery. Then scroll down to Wildlife.
From the Student Web Page
Grand Canyon River Running
Connect to this link:
http://www.azstarnet.com/grandcanyonriver/index.html


  1. Click A Trip Through the Grand Canyon.
  2. Click and read Photo Album Edition.
  3. Click Marble Canyon to continue.
  4. Follow the journey by clicking the links at the bottom of each page. Click any image to enlarge.
  5. What animals and other natural features can you find?
About the Site

Leonard Thurman created this Web site as a celebration of his love of rafting, the Colorado River, and the Grand Canyon. The descriptions and vivid photographs documenting the trip entice the reader down the river.

What to Do

  1. Instead of Photo Album Edition students may need to choose one of the other versions to be best viewed on their computers. All three versions provide the same information.

  2. Encourage students to click pictures to view a larger image.

  3. Ask them what plants, animals, or natural features along the river they like best.

  4. Ask them what kind of clothes or other equipment they would bring on such a trip.
Find Out More  
Recycling Ideas  
Find Out More
From the Student Web Page
A Different City
Connect to this link:
http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/


  1. Click on Go To Recycle City. Read the page.
  2. Click on the different neighborhoods to explore the city.
  3. Select your favorite location in the city.
  4. How does the place you chose help with recycling?
About the Site

Recycle City is part of the Environmental Protection Agency's webpage. It was designed to show children the ways everyone can contribute to the environment.

Lesson Objectives

  • Students will use the Internet to learn about recycling.

  • Students will explore Recycle City to learn how everyone can recycle.

  • Students will describe how a place in the city can recycle.

Suggested Additional Activities

  • If Shockwave is available, play the Dumptown Game.

  • Start recycling in your classroom. Set up bins for paper, plastic and aluminum in your classroom.
From the Student Web Page
A Lot of Garbage
Connect to this link:
http://www.astc.org/exhibitions/rotten/what.htm


  1. Read "What is Garbage?" Click the next arrow at the bottom of the page.
  2. Read the page. Continue until you get to "Trash or Treasure."
  3. Answer the questions under "To Think About" on a piece of paper.
About the Site

The Rotten Truth about Garbage is a site to teach about garbage and recycling. It is sponsored by the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.

Lesson Objectives

  • Students will use the Internet to learn.

Suggested Additional Activities

  • Click on the Home button. Click on the Activities hypertext link. Select an activity for your class to do.

  • Have a school wide garage sale. Have families donate items they might normally throw away and put in the garage sale.

Leveled Books  
Pollution and Recycling  
Leveled Books
From the Student Web Page
Disposing Waste
Connect to this link:
http://www.metrokc.gov/dnr/kidsweb/solid_waste_main.htm


  1. Click on Put Waste in Its Place.
  2. List the options for disposing of waste.
  3. Take the quiz at the bottom of the page. How did you do? Record your score.
  4. Click on View Master List of Disposal at the bottom of the page.
  5. Read the information and list two things from each category that you can recycle.
About the Site

The King County Solid Waste Kids Page is provided by King County, Washington. It is designed to inform children about waste and recycling options.

Lesson Objectives

  • Students will use the Internet to learn about the disposal of solid waste.

  • Students will identify items that can be recycled.

Suggested Additional Activities

  • Have students return to the Solid Waste Kids Page. Have them find out about what happens to trash and recyclables after they are picked up.

  • Have students think of ways that their class, school, and community can contribute to the disposal of solid waste.

From the Student Web Page
Superfund
Connect to this link:
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/kids/stories.htm


  1. Click on When Greenville turned Brown. Read the story.
  2. Click on the hand pointer button at the right bottom corner of each page.
  3. Click on Back to Kids Page.
  4. Click on Activities and Homework Help, and then on Word Search.
  5. Print out the word search and complete. Which words can you find?
About the Site

The Superfund Kids Page is sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency. The site seeks to inform students about Superfund through interactive stories and activities.

Lesson Objectives

  • Students will use the Internet to learn about Superfund.

  • Students will read a story about a Superfund cleanup site.

  • Students will complete a word search.

Suggested Additional Activities

  • Have students try other activities provided on the page.

  • Have students read other stories or go through the ABCs of Superfund.