Teacher Reference Books
Audesirk, Gerald and Teresa Audesirk. Biology: Life on Earth. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, 1993.
Do not be afraid of college textbooks. They are often the best sources for detailed information on general subjects such as biology and food chain ecology.

Fortey, Richard. Life. Vintage Books, New York, 1997.
This well-written and very interesting history of life on earth for the past 4 billion years provides insights into why and how living things developed into consumers to acquire the energy they need to survive.

Halliday, Tim. Animal Behavior. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, OK, 1994.
This attractive book uses photographs and text to provide information on the varying behaviors of animals. Includes chapters on herbivores and carnivores.

Hickman, Cleveland, Allan Larson and Larry Roberts. Integrated Principles of Zoology. Wm. C. Brown Publishers, 1996.
This is another college textbook and another good source of information on animals.

Teacher Reference Videos
Attenborough, Sir David. Trials of Life (Video series), Turner Home Entertainment, 1995.
This is the most famous work of heralded nature documentary filmmaker Sir David Attenborough. This series shows the various behaviors animals have adapted in order to survive, including much on feeding.  Though the entire series may be too advanced for elementary students, it is a wonderful resource for teachers.

Teacher Reference Websites
Animal Planet 
http://animal.discovery.com
This site contains information and interactive games on a variety of animals.

National Wildlife Federation
www.nwf.org/
This site contains information on this conservation society as well as conservation issues and education programs. Includes a kid's page.

Wildlife Web
www.selu.com/bio/wildlife/
This site inks to a variety of animal related websites with sites dedicated to research, conservation, education and information.

Student Reference Books
The following books may be too difficult for younger children to read but should be understood when read aloud.

Arnosky, Jim.Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats, Simon & Schuster Books, New York, 1997.
This book introduces students to different habitats and animals found in wetlands, woodlands, cornfields, and grasslands.

Eyewitness Science: Ecology, Dorling Kindersley, New York, 1993.
These very attractive books use photographs, illustrations and text to teach the readers about ecology, communities and the interactions of plants and animals. Includes information on food chains and producers and consumers.

Wildsmith, Brian. Animal Homes, Oxford University Press, Hong Kong, 1991.
This is a picture book that introduces students to animals found throughout the world and discusses the habitat of each.

Student Fiction Books
Carle, Eric. The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Philomel Books, New York, 1969.
The story of a caterpillar who eats a lot of stuff, including things that caterpillars do not normally eat, a potential topic for discussion.

Fleming, Denise. In the Small, Small Pond, Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1993.
This Caldecott Honor book takes a look at the pond habitat through the eyes of a frog.

Hoose, Phillip and Hannah. Hey, Little Ant, Tricycle Press, Hong Kong, 1998.
Have you ever squished an ant? As a reader of this book, you follow the trials and tribulations of an ant as it pleads for its life, while a kid contemplates the question "to squish or not to squish".

McDonald, Megan. Is This a House For a Hermit Crab?, Orchard Books, New York. 1990.
In this book, the reader follows the adventures of a hermit crab as it searches for a new home.

Curricula
Aquatic Project WILD
Aquatic Project WILD is an interdisciplinary curriculum for K-12 teachers on aquatic wildlife and ecosystems. The activities cover a broad range of environmental and conservation topics. For information on workshops, call the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources at (803) 734-3814.

For more information click on:
www.dnr.state.sc.us/cec/educate/edu1.html#teacher

Project WILD
Project WILD is an interdisciplinary curriculum for K-12 teachers on a broad range of environmental and conservation topics. For information on workshops, call the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources at (803) 734-3814.

For more information click on:
www.dnr.state.sc.us/cec/educate/edu1.html#teacher

Field Trip Sites
Animals
Going out in a natural area is not always a guarantee of seeing animals, but you can always see their habitats. Certain places in South Carolina, though, are well known for their abundance of birds. Birds are very useful for seeing an animal in its habitat. Students can observe and discuss differences in body size and shape, as well as beaks, wings and feet, and consider how they are used to find food. Below are some sites where birds are plentiful.

• Huntington Beach State Park
  This state park, located just south of Myrtle Beach, is known as one of the best bird watching sites along the east coast. With its marshes, maritime forest and beach, the park offers education programs that will foster understanding of the interdependence of natural communities. For more information call (843) 838-2011 or click on: www.southcarolinaparks.com/.
  
• Santee National Wildlife Refuge
  Located on the shore of Lake Marion near Summerton, this refuge contains a diversity of habitats, and songbirds, wading birds, raptors and migrating waterfowl can all be seen here. Besides preserving natural habitats, the reserve also contains historical landmarks such as the Santee Indian Mound. An interpretive visitor center is open all year round from Tuesday through Sunday. For information on visiting call (803) 478-2217 or e-mail r4rwl_sc.snt@mail.fws.gov.
  
• ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
  Located south of Charleston on the coast, more than half of this refuge is salt marsh, and it is a good place to see the wading birds that are common to this habitat. At the right time of year, migrating songbirds are also common here. Though the refuge does not offer any structured programs, school groups are welcome to visit the refuge and use it for self-guided exploration. The refuge is open seven days a week from dawn to dusk. For information on visiting call (843) 889-3084 or e-mail r4rw_sc.abs@fws.gov.
  
• Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
  Located on the southernmost point of South Carolina, this refuge is used by organisms not found anywhere else in the state. Almost 300 species of birds can be found here. The refuge is open to the public seven days a week, and if arrangements are made in advance, volunteers can lead school groups on guided tours. For more information call (912) 652-4415.