| Books |
| Below is a list of books for this unit. Most, if not all of them, should be able to be found at a local library - however, you may want to add some to your own personal collection. Additionally - not all of the books are needed for the unit. Read the reviews and pick what would be best for your family. |
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I Survived True Stories Nature Attacks! Four Terrifying Tales of Disaster and Survival By Lauren Tarshis - This is the main book for the unit. It is required to complete the unit.
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The Ocean Book - Wonders of Creation - By Frank Sherwin -
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Bethany Hamilton Shark Attack Survivor by Amy Van Zee – This is a really easy read. It has great information about the attack, the shark and Bethany’s return to surfing. This is a simple chapter book that would be appropriate for children 2nd-5th grade.
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Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton – Based on a true story and now an inspiring movie. Appropriate for children in 5th grade or older.
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The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 – Close to Shore by Michael Capuzzo – This book has been adapted from Mr. Capuzzo’s older version of Close to Shore. This is a good book for 4th grade and older. It tells, not only of the attacks, but life in 1916 and the effect the attacks had on the community.
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Close to Shore – The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 by Michael Capuzzo – This is a very good book – suggested for grades 7-12. A very good book – and has been adapted from Mr. Capuzzo’s book Close to Shore: A True Story of Terror in an Age of Innocence – which is suggested for adults.
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The Ocean Book – Aquarium and Seaside Activities and Ideas for All Ages – “Entertaining and educational activities focusing on the ocean and its creatures.” This is an excellent book full of projects, mazes, puzzles, word searches, games, quizzes and more. Reproducible pages. Best for 2nd-6th grade
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Voices of World War I Stories from the Trenches by Ann Heinrichs - This is a very good book that is simple to read with large font. Includes true stories from several soldiers. Facts, quotes, photos and maps included. Suggested for 3rd-4th grade.
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Little House Books
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The Split History of World War I, A Perspectives Flip Book by Michael Burgan – This is an engaging and informative book. Topics include – how the war began, time during the war, countries involved, successes and failures, peace and more. Suggested for 5th-6th grade.
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Shark Life by Peter Benchley - This is an enjoyable book. It has several true stories about shark encounters, as well as information about sharks, how to avoid a shark attack, what to do if you encounter a shark and more. Appropriate for children ages 10+.
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Apologia Exploring Creation with Zoology 2 – Swimming Creatures – an excellent science text for elementary students.
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Apologia Exploring Creation with Marine Biology – an excellent text for jr high and high school students.
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Timeline of World War I by Charlie Samuels – I really like this book. The entire book is a timeline with bits of information, amazing photos, facts and more. Suggested for 4th-6th grade.
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What is the Atmosphere by Joe Greek – This book is small, colorful, easy to read with large print, diagrams and key things to think about. Suggested for 3rd-6th grade.
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Sharks by Beverly McMillan and John A. Musick – This may be my favorite book from this unit. An excellent resource book. I really appreciate the variety of information, the diagrams, the facts and all of the images. I strongly recommend this book for this unit. Appropriate for children of all ages.
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Xtreme Predators – Sharks by S. L. Hamilton – This is a good book for children to become familiar with a variety of information about sharks. Suggested age is 3rd-9th grade – I would classify it for 2nd-5th grade.
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Sharks – Level 4 Reader Kingfisher by Anita Ganeri – This is a simple and easy to read book with information about the following topics – where do sharks live, physical characteristics of sharks, baby sharks, whale sharks, shark attacks, sharks in danger.
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Checkerboard Animal Library – Sharks by Heidi Mathea – This is a complete series of books about sharks. There are several and each book is about a different species. The information is short and simple – but quite adequate for young readers. Topics include – The shark family, physical appearance, habitat and location, food, senses, babies, attack and defense, facts and more. Appropriate for ages 7-9.
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A+ Projects in Earth Science by Janice VanCleave – Suggested for 7th grade and older. This book is packed full of various projects, science experiments and more.  
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Smithsonian Super Earth Encyclopedia by John Woodward – This is an exceptional book. This is one for the home library – full of information, color, facts and photos. This book does mention millions of years. Suggested for 4th-7th grades.
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The Worst Wildfires of All Time by Suzanne Garbe – This book is part of the Epic Disasters series. Although it does include information about other epic fires – it does include information about the Peshtigo fire as well. Suggested for 3rd-6th grade.
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The Great Fire by Jim Murphy – An excellent book to use as a read aloud or a resource for teaching. Also a great reader for older children. Excellent photos and diagrams. Map of Chicago identifies what area burned. Told in story form. Appropriate for children 3rd -7th grades.
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Code Red The Great Chicago Fire by Janet McHugh – Told in story format – this book tells of the timeline of the event with actual quotes and facts. A great story of perseverance. Appropriate for grades K-5.
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Crucible of Fire by Bruce Hensler – An excellent book to teach from. It has a thorough index for quick identification of a subject. This book tells of how the fires of the past helped to shape modern day equipment, fire codes and fire fighting methods. This is a dense book. It will take some preparation to identify what you will teach from it. Excellent photographs.
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Fighting Fire by Michael L Cooper – This is one of those books that you may want to consider purchasing for your own library. The book is very readable – could be a read aloud or personal reading. It is definitely something you could teach from. This book will be a suggested resource for at least three units in the Historical Stories of Survival series. Appropriate as a read aloud for grades 2-7 and 4th+ for personal reading.
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Laura Ingalls Wilder – A Biography by William Anderson – An account of Laura’s childhood and her adult life. A wonderful book. Suggested for 4th-7th grades.
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Cora Frear by Susan E. Goodman – An excellent early chapter book about a brave girl living on the prairie in the late 1800’s. A true story. Suggested for 1st-4th grade.
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Laura Ingalls Wilder Author of the Little House Books by Carol Greene – I really enjoyed this book. Even though it is for younger readers, it captured my attention with actual photos and captions. Suggested for 1st-2nd grade.
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Laura’s Album by William Anderson – A scrapbook of facts, details, photos and more collected by a historian – an excellent book. Suggested for 3rd-6th grade.
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Box Jellyfish by Elizabeth Raum – This is a very simple book for an early reader. Very colorful, large print, great photos and quizzing questions throughout the book. Suggested for 2nd-3rd grade.
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The Box Jellyfish by Colleen Sexton – This book includes a story of a real encounter, how to avoid being stung, attack facts and more. Suggested for 3rd-4th grade.
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Box Jellyfish Killer Tentacles by Natalie Lunis – This book includes a story of a real rescue, excellent diagrams, maps and interesting facts. Suggested for 3rd-6th grade.
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Australian Animals by Caroline Arnold – Excellent pictures and information on each animal in the book. Suggested for 1st-4th grade.
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Sand Swimmers by Narelle Oliver – This book is all about animals in Australia’s desert wilderness. Engaging information – Suggested for 2nd-5th grade.
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Australia Countries of the World by Susan E. Hamen – This is a very thorough book, filled with information, maps, photos and diagrams. This would be a book best used as a teaching tool and read aloud. Topics include geography, animals, history, people, culture, politics, economy, and more. Suggested for 9th grade and up or any age as a read aloud.
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Geography of the World – Australia by Barbara A. Somervill – This book covers the plants, animals, history and people. A thin book with good pictures and a lot of white space. Suggested for 3rd-6th grade.
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Countries and Cultures Australia by Tracey Boraas – I enjoyed this book very much. Topics include- facts, land, climate, wildlife, history, economy, people, culture and daily life. Photos, recipes, maps and diagrams included. Suggested for 4th-7th grade.
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National Geographic for Kids Extreme Wildfire by Mark Thiessen – “The science behind the flames.” This is an excellent book full of AMAZING images, short pieces of great information and very colorful. An exciting and educational book.
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Jellyfish by Melissa Gish – This is a beautiful book full of exquisite photos. There is some good information in here – the real draw of this book are the pictures. Suggested for 4th grade and older.
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Kangaroo and Crocodile My Big Book of Australian Animals by Bronwyn Bancroft – The artistry in the book is colorful and mesmerizing. A very simple book with information on each animal in the back of the book. Suggested for all ages.
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Fire Bubbles and Exploding Toothpaste – More Unforgettable Experiments that Make Science Fun by Steve Spangler – This book will ignite the love of science in any kid. Experiments include “Fire Proof Balloon”, “Fire Bubbles” and “Fire Tornado”. Suggested for 3rd-7th grades.
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| Videos |
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Below is a list of DVD's related to the unit. All of these were found in our local library.
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Safety Smart Science with Bill Nye the Science Guy – Explore safety and science. Bill Nye explains the science of fire and demonstrates it’s destructive and helpful ways. Appropriate for grades 4-8. Runs 25 min.
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Sharks: Knights of the Sea – Appropriate for grades 2+. Runs 34 min. Producer Description - "Join Captain Jon and his two brothers as they travel from the Bahamas to the Island of Guadalupe to find out about Lemon Sharks, Tiger Sharks and Great White Sharks. You'll come face to face with hundreds of sharks, find out what it's like to dive at night with sharks, get inside a shark cage and get bumped by a shark. Plus why is a tiger like a shark? It's a big adventure for the entire family."
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Bill Nye the Science Guy – Atmosphere – Appropriate for 3rd-6th grade. Runs 26 min.
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| Craft Resources |
| Below is a list of crafts and resources for these crafts. This is not an exhaustive list. I encourage you to review the list of activities, consider the ages and interests of your children, and search out other crafts or resources for yourself as well. |
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Build a Fire Truck with Legos: There are several options for this.
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Create a Model of Australia's Skyline: You can do this from 1871 or modern day. Get creative – use foam craft blocks, cardboard or Legos -
 
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Build Sydney Harbour Bridge
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4D Puzzle Australia
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Modeling Clay for Ocean Life Model
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Diorama Supplies:
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Ocean Puzzle
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Shark Puzzle
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