Pre-Visit Activities : South Carolina Habitat : Resources K-Second Grade Online Curriculum : Habitats

Teacher Reference Books
Blagden, Tom Jr. and Thomas Wyche. South Carolina's Mountain Wilderness: The Blue Ridge Escarpment, Westcliffe Publishers, Inc, Colorado, 1994.
Explore the mountain habitats of South Carolina through the use of photographs. 

Blagden, Tom Jr. South Carolina's Wetland Wilderness: The Ace Basin, Westcliffe Publishers, Inc., Colorado, 1992.
The ACE Basin and its habitats is explored through the use of photographs and text

Gazlay, Suzy. Field Detectives: Investigating Playground Habitats, AIMS Education Foundation, 1998.
This wonderful resource provides various activities for classroom use. The activities are designed for third through sixth grades but can be adapted for younger students. Visit the AIMS website for ordering information: http://www.AIMSedu.org/

Godfrey, Michael A. Field Guide to the Piedmont, The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 1997.
This is a field guide to the Piedmont region of the United States that provides identification keys to regional flora and fauna. Also includes directions to regional attractions.

Hacker, Randi and Jackie Kaufman. Habitats: Where the Wild Things Live, John Muir Publications, New Mexico,1992.
Describes ten habitats found on earth and the life supported by them. Also includes a section on what to do to preserve the habitats. 

Kovacik, Charles F. and John J. Winberry. South Carolina: the Making of a Landscape, University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, 1989.
This wonderful reference book provides information on the abiotic factors that determine the habitats of South Carolina.

Meyer, Peter. Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast: Common Birds, Crabs, Shells, Fish and Other Entities of the Coastal Environment,Avian-Cetacean Press, Wilmington, 1994.
This reference is useful for identifying the fauna of the coastal habitat of South Carolina.

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Bridge: Ocean Sciences Education Teacher Resource Center 
www.vims.edu/bridge/index.html
Information on the organization, marine habitats, research being conducted on marine animals and habitats, and activities for classroom use. Contains links to related websites.  

eNature.com: Bringing Nature to Life
www.eNature.com
Information and other website links about animals and habitats around the United States.

Rice Creek Elementary School: Kid's Corner
www.richland2.k12.sc.us/rce/Default.htm
This link will take you to the Rice Creek Elementary School home page. If you go to the table of contents, the site provides informative material on South Carolina regions and habitats.

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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.

Discovery Books: Under the Ground, Scholastic Inc, New York, 1995.
In this unique book, children can see animals that live underground as they go about their normal lives under our feet.

Eyewitness Books: Jungle, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, New York, 1994.
This wonderful book uses photographs, illustrations and text to teach the reader about the plants and animals that call the rain forest home.

Eyewitness Books: Pond & River, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, New York, 1988.
This book uses photographs, illustrations and text to teach the reader about the plants and animals that live in freshwater.

Look Closer: Swamp Life, Dorling Kindersley, New York, 1993.
Using photographs, illustrations and text this book teaches the reader about the plants and animals that live in swamps.

Matthews, Downs. Wetlands, Simon & Schuster Books, New York, 1994.
This book describes the different types of wetlands and the plants and animals found there.

Smithey, William K. American Coastlines: The Beauty of America's Natural Habitat, Gallery Books, New York City, 1990.
An introduction to habitats found along the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, this book uses text and photographs to introduce students to the coastlines of America.

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.

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Student Fiction Books
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.

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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 signing up for 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 signing up for 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

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Field Trip Sites
South Carolina's Ecoregions
Each of South Carolina's ecoregions contains many parks and preserved land that make characteristic habitats accessible to school groups. Below is listed one example from each region.

Mountains
Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area (Jones Gap and Caesars Head State Natural Areas) - The Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area covers more than 10,000 acres of exceptional mountain habitat including Jones Gap and Caesars Head state parks. Education at this site strives to foster an understanding and appreciation of the Mountain Bridge, the Southern Appalachian Mountains and the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Through expert instruction and hands-on field experiences, students can investigate the ecology, hydrology and geology of the area. (Greenville County - Caesars Head 864.836.6115; Jones Gap 864.836.3647)

Piedmont
Landsford Canal State Park - Offers teachers an activities to use to guide their students investigations of the unique natural communities found in and near the rocky shoals of the Catawba River. Students will explore uniquely adapted plants and animals while investigating the geology and natural communities found in this area of the Catawba River. (Chester and Lancaster counties - 803.789.5800)

Sandhills
Sandhills State Forest - Located near Cheraw, this state forest showcases the wildlife communities that have developed on land that once were prehistoric sand dunes. Though the forest does not have structured education programs available, arrangements can be made for foresters to speak with school groups. The forest is open seven days a week. For more information call (843) 498-6478 or click on www.state.sc.us/forest.

Coastal Plain
Cypress Gardens - Cypress Gardens is a preserved blackwater swamp habitat located between Goose Creek and Moncks Corner. Trails, boats, a butterfly garden and freshwater aquariums can all be found here. The garden is opened seven days a week and offers environmental education programs for school groups. For more information call (843) 553-0515.

Coast
ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve - This reserve, located between Edisto Beach and Hunting Island, contains 12,000 acres of tidal marshes and estuarine waters. The area is rich in wildlife: fish, crustaceans, birds and even mammals can all be found here. Boat tours are available through this area for high school and college students. For more information call (843) 762-5032.

Ocean
Huntington Beach State Park - With its marshes, maritime forest and beach, the educational focus of Huntington Beach will foster understanding of how natural communities are interdependent on each other and dependent on us. To protect our natural heritage, we must learn that we are part of, not apart from, the natural world. Through observation and hands-on activities, students gain an understanding of the importance of the resources found on this park and enhance their appreciation of environmental issues facing their own communities. (Georgetown County - 843.237.4440)

If you are aware of other books, videos, websites, curricula, fieldtrip destinations or other materials that would make excellent resources for this activity, please e-mail them to us for inclusion in this list at: Education@scaquarium.org