Finding a friend in the forest: a true story by Dean Bennett. Camden, MN: Down East Books, 2005. ISBN: 9780892726622

 

  Annotation: A couple and their beagle, Jasper, move to a sporting camp in the woods of Northern Maine. They help an injured deer, with Jasper gradually becoming her protector and friend.

 

  Media: Watercolour

 

  Rating: 5Q/5P

 

  Theme: Friendship and caring are shown by the couple cuddling Jasper, putting a bell on him so they will know where he is when he cannot hear them call, aiding and protecting the deer, and the deer returning every year for 14 years bringing her fawns.

 

  Literary devices:

 

    Personification: The author uses personification to describe how, in the winter, the “fierce winds roar across the lake’s icy surface”, “Spring brings warming days”, “the dry heat of summer creeps into the surrounding forest”

 

    Simile: The author uses simile to portray how “deep drifts of snow pile up like whipped cream”, the first time they saw the deer in their front yard where she “stands motionless, like a lawn ornament”, and later when she “runs like a cow”

 

    Alliteration: The example used under “simile,” when they see the deer for the first time in their front yard with the deep snow, also illustrates the use of alliteration in “deep drifts”

  

  Curriculum connections: natural science, wildlife behaviour, environmental studies

 

  Lesson plan:

    

Lesson Plan: Natural Environment & the Seasons

 

Grade Level: Upper Elementary or higher

 

Objectives: Students will become familiar with and examine nature in the local environment; understand and reflect on the connections with the changing seasons; become aware of what actions they can take

 

Time allotted: Two classroom hours—one for initial presentation of assignment and topic discussions; one to revisit the discussions at the conclusion of the assignment. Time allotted to students for the assignment would depend on age/grade, and when in the school year the assignment was given.

 

Curriculum Connections: Environmental Studies—Natural Science—Wildlife Behaviour—Plant life

 

Introduction:

Have students read:

 

·         In My Backyard by Margriet Ruurs, paper sculpture by Ron Broda. Toronto: Tundra Books, 2007. ISBN: 9780887767753

·         Finding a Friend in the Forest: a True Story by Dean Bennett. Camden, MN: Down East Books, 2005. ISBN: 978-0892726622

·         Red Sings from Treetops: a Year in Colors by Joyce Sidman, ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009. ISBN: 978-0547014944

 

Discussion Topics:

 

·         The changing seasons—how they affect animal behaviour; how they affect plant-life; how they affect insect life, how they affect the environment and the landscape

·         How can we help encourage wildlife in our area

·         What can be done to help wildlife during difficult times, such as winter or drought

·         What agencies can you think of that deal with environmental issues, plant-life or wildlife

 

Materials:

 

·         Computer with Internet access and printer

·         Camera

·         Sketching pad and pencils, preferably colour

·         Eraser

·         Pen and writing paper (depending on grade level)

 

Assignments:

 

·         List and describe what animals and insects you find in your backyard and local parks—at least 6

 

·         Sketch or photograph them

 

·         Write at least two paragraphs on each, describing how they and/or their behaviour change over the different seasons

 

·         Name at least three agencies that deal with the care and welfare of the environment in your area (you can include any from the class discussion); what do they focus on—plant-life, wildlife, insects; are they volunteer or government agencies; what methods do they use

 

·         Prepare a report expanding on the information discussed in class (what new information have you learned); provide sources (2 to 5 pages—depending on age/grade level)

 

Suggested activities:

 

·         Follow suggestions from In My Backyard to invite animals, birds, and butterflies to your home

·         Join a volunteer environmental group

·         Volunteer at your local zoo, SPCA or Humane Society

·         Discuss fostering animals from the zoo, SPCA, or Humane Society with your parents

 

 

lss  30/07/09