The answer to the clues may be found at the bottom of this column. Teachers and Parents: Enter to win an entire set of Dawn’s nature books of one title for your home or classroom. It's fun and easy!

	Just read the clues below. They describe an aspect of nature—a plant, animal, mineral, habitat, or natural process.
	When you're ready to make your guess about who or what I am, click ENTER NOW.

Who Am I?

	Clue 1: I'm a member of the "dog family."
	Clue 2: I live throughout North America in deserts, prairies, forests, and even in towns and cities.
	Clue 3: You might hear me howling at night to communicate with my pack.
	Clue 4: Don't let me trick you—I am NOT a wolf.

Do you think you know who I am? ENTER NOW.

	Entries should be submitted no later than noon on Friday.
	If you guessed correctly, you’re automatically entered into the monthly drawing for a set of nature books from Dawn Publications.
	A contest winner will be announced at the end of September.
	Throughout the school year, clues for a new Who Am I are posted no later than Sunday night, so you can use them with your class on Monday morning.Good luck!

The answer to last week's mystery was: SEASHELLS Although Inside Outside Nature blog is changing it's focus, this weekly "Who Am I?" will remain the same! Teachers, click here to get ideas about how to use the contest with your students.

A Not So Silent Spring

Published May 19, 2013 | By Carol Malnor

I’ve been keeping my door opened lately so I can listen to the sounds of spring—the tweeting of baby birds, the chirping chorus of frogs, and the buzzing of bees. These vibrant sounds are an integral part of the seasonal change from the quietness of winter to the exuberance of spring.

But what if spring was silent? Rachel Carson first posed this question when the use of DDT threatened our environment. She bravely sounded the alarm against the indiscriminate use of toxic pesticides.

Rachel Carson’s concern grew out of her love for all living things. As we teach our children to love the natural environment, they will want to care for it too.

Inside: Make It Yourself

Rachel Carson began writing nature stories as a young girl, assembling them into small books.

Making books gives young children a creative way to learn subject matter while practicing basic skills, such as fine motor control and following sequential directions.

Use these step-by-step directions to help your students make their own books using readily available materials.

Outside: Make Sound Maps

In this outdoor activity, children listen to natural sounds and record them on a map of their own making. Joseph Cornell, the creator of Sound Map says, “Children love this activity—they become completely absorbed and sit surprisingly still while making their sound maps.” Get complete directions and teacher tips for Sound Maps.

More Facts and Fun about Rachel Carson and Spring Sounds

Read Noisy Bug Sing-a Long and learn who is making what sound, and why. Then have children imitate the sounds to create your own classroom chorus.

Find out more about Rachel Carson in Dawn Publication’s books Girls Who Looked Under Rocks and Earth Heroes: Champions of Wild Animals.

Rachel said, “I sincerely believe that for the child, and for the parent seeking to guide him, it is not half so important to know as to feel.”

Teachers: get inspiration for awakening a love of nature in your children from Rachel’s book, The Sense of Wonder.

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