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Patricia NewmanPatricia Newman
Sibert Honor Children's Book Author & Environmentalist
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wolf pups - 6069273903_3edd6c485a_b

LitLinks: How to inspire nature poetry with predator-prey relationships

August 10, 2022 LitLinks, LitLinks-Grade 6-8, LitLinks-High School No Comments
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GUEST BLOGGER NANCY CASTALDO


A predator is a crucial component of any ecosystem. Predators creatures that feed on other creatures, such as spiders that feed on flies. The flies, in that relationship, are the predator’s prey.

Wolves and Moose cover

In many places, predators and prey come and go, but it is not as easy for them to do so on an island that is surrounded by water. That’s the case for the wolves and moose of Isle Royale National Park, the subject of THE WOLVES AND MOOSE OF ISLE ROYALE: RESTORING AN ECOSYSTEM. The unique island habitat makes the relationship between the two even more important to the entire ecosystem. The populations of these species depend on each other and impact every other species on the island.

Discuss the relationship of predators and prey with your students and compile a list of examples.

Predator-prey poems

Have your students research a predator and its prey. Have them write a poem from the point of view of the predator and another poem from the point of view of the prey.  Include how each benefits their ecosystem. Students can consider the physical features predators have that help them catch their prey and the physical features prey have that help them avoid predators. Share the poems at a poetry reading.

Changing the point of view

Write a list of all the stories that include a big, bad wolf. Try retelling one from the perspective of the wolf. Have a story celebration to share the retellings.

Moose
Interior image from The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale

Art that persuades

Find some facts out about wolves that don’t fit the myth of the big, bad wolf. Have students create campaign poster to promote the importance of wolves.

For further exploration

  • Take a look at the Wolf Conservation Center’s website activities for kids.
  • Explore Kids For Wolves Facebook page.
  • Do you have a student who speaks for wolves? Email info@nywolf.org to share your student’s story.

Featured image credit: “‘I also want this branch!’” by Tambako the Jaguar is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.


Nancy Castaldo in bookstore

Nancy Castaldo , a founding STEM Tuesday team member, has written books about our planet for over 20 years including, THE STORY OF SEEDS, which earned the Green Earth Book Award, Junior Library Guild Selection, and other honors. Nancy’s research has taken her all over the world from the Galapagos to Russia.  She strives to inform, inspire, and empower her readers. Nancy also served as Regional Advisor Emeritus of the Eastern NY SCBWI region. Her 2022 titles are When the World Runs Dry (Jr Library Guild Selection), The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale (Scientists in the Field) and Buildings That Breathe. Visit her at http://www.nancycastaldo.com or follow at @NCastaldoAuthor.


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Tags: STEM+LiteracySTEM+Literacy Natural Science
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  • Home
  • Books
    • A River’s Gifts: The Mighty Elwha River Reborn
    • Planet Ocean
    • Eavesdropping on Elephants
    • Neema’s Reason To Smile
    • Zoo Scientists to the Rescue
    • Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators That Saved an Ecosystem
    • Plastic, Ahoy! Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
    • Ebola: Fears and Facts
    • Jingle the Brass
    • Nugget on the Flight Deck
    • Surviving Animal Attacks
    • Elite Operations series
    • Energy Lab series
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    • KidLit creators who make kids want to read
  • Writer Resources
    • Manuscript or Proposal Critiques
  • Who is Patricia Newman?
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