A Not So Silent Spring
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.