6.+For+the+Teachers

= For the Teachers =

** Overview **
This Pathfinder is designed to assist students, teachers and parents on the topic of the Georgia swampland habitat. Although some of the content may be suited for students on various grade levels, the specific Georgia Performance Standards pertaining to this topic are listed below for 3rd and 4th grade students. This Pathfinder is intended to guide students as they research the topic and prepare projects and presentations. It is also presented for the benefit of teachers as they plan lessons around this unit of study. The developers hope that this Pathfinder will guide students and teachers as they search for more materials related to Georgia Swampland. It is not comprehensive; instead it is meant to be a launching pad for research.


 * Georgia Performance Standards addressed in the PathFinder**


 * S3L1.** Students will investigate the habitats of different organisms and the dependence of organisms on their habitat.

a. Differentiate between habitats of Georgia (mountains, marsh/swamp, coast, Piedmont, Atlantic Ocean) and the organisms that live there. b. Identify features of green plants that allow them to live and thrive in different regions of Georgia.

a. Identify the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in a community.
 * S4L1.** Students will describe the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem.


 * How to Use the Georgia Swampland PathFinder**

The PathFinder is a wiki divided into six sections that include different types of resources with annotation on each resource.

1. Print Sources—This page features both nonfiction and fiction books related to swamplands in general or to Georgia swamplands specifically. Teachers will be able to find many of these materials in the media center at their school. This section also gives suggestions for reference books that students can use to research the topic. 2. Online Sources—This page contains URLs for websites that will lead students and teachers to information on the topic. Previewed by the developers of the PathFinder, these sites will provide researchers with reliable and authoritative information on the topic. 3. Images—This page features photographs of many aspects of the topic. More importantly, this page provides researchers with URLs of where additional information and photo galleries can be found. 4. Video and Sound—The videos on this page are in DVD format or found online. The annotations will help teachers determine if the video is suited for their students. All of the sound clips are taken from the Internet and have direct links. References for the sound clips can be found on the Bibliography page. 5. Activities and Projects—This page, designed for primarily for teachers, gives some ideas for classroom activities and projects. The Swampland Showcase project is intended to be a school-wide project. The developers have included several previewed websites that teachers may find suitable for completing parts of this school-wide project. 6. For the Teachers—This document is designed to guide teachers through the use of the Georgia Swamplands PathFinder. By gathering previewed and recommended materials and resources onto the PathFinder wiki, the developers hope that we have saved some time for teachers as they plan lessons.

Bateman, D. M. (2007). //Deep in the swamp//. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing. Focusing specifically on the Okenfenokee Swamp, //Deep in the Swamp// playfully tells the story of various swamp animal babies and their relationships with their mothers. Both pictures and story-line will attract and keep younger students engaged.
 * Annotated Bibliography**
 * Print Sources**

Bennett, D. (2009). //Marsh and swamps//. Hamilton, GA: State Standards Pub. Llc. Part of the //Georgia, My State Habitats// series, //Marsh and Swamps// provides details of marshes and swamps specific to the state of Georgia.

Crane, C. (2002). //P is for peach//. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press. This wonderfully illustrated picture book journeys through the state of Georgia using the alphabet, emphasizing places such as the Okefenokee Swamp.

Folkerts, G. W. (2002). //Okefenokee//. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. The photographs tell the story in this book. Simple text adds to Niemeyer's beautiful and captivating photographs of Georgia's swampland, Okefenokee.

Geographic, N. (2009). //National geographic beginner's United States atlas// //(national geographic kids)//. Washington, DC: National Geographic Children's Books. National Geographic' s Beginners U.S. Atlas contains information on each state in the country, including Georgia. The atlas will enable students to visually see where swamps are located around the country and specifically in Georgia.

George, J. C. (2002). //Tree castle island//. New York: Harper Collins. After finishing his canoe, Jack decides to finally set out on an adventure of his beloved Okefenokee Swamp; however, it turns out to be one of the biggest adventures of his life.

Gibbons, G. (1998). //Marshes & swamps.// New York: Holiday House. In this book, Gibbons explains, both through text and watercolor illustrations, the ecosystems of marshes and swamps. Additionally, plants and animals who make their home in marshes and swamps are discussed.

Lenz, R. J. (1999). //Longstreet highroad guide to the Georgia coast and// //Okefenokee//. Atlanta: Longstreet Press From the history of the coast and Okefenokee to the best places to eat in the area, Longstreet's guidebook provides a detailed account of this exceptional area in the state of Georgia. Additionally, over 20 maps of the area are included as well as a number of photographs. While this guidebooks makes for a great travel guide, it also makes for a wonderful reference material.

Marais, V. (2009). //Life in a swamp: a wetlands habitat (look at life// //science)//. New York: Rosen Classroom. Describing the climate, animals, and vegetation of swamps in general, //Life in a Swamp// also focused on a few notable swamplands, including our own Okefenokee Swamp.

Siegelson, K. (2004). //Trembling earth//. New York: Philomel. This piece of historical fiction tells the story of two boys, one free and one a slave, making their way through the Okefenokee Swamp for two very different reasons.

Stechschulte, P. (2008). //Georgia (from sea to shining sea)//. Canada: Children's Press. An almanac of Georgia facts, pictures, famous people, and geography, //Georgia// contains information pertaining notable places, such as the Okefenokee Swamp.

//The world book encyclopedia 2006// (22 vols). (2005). Chicago: World Book. Considered the best encyclopedia for elementary school students, World Book volumes "S" and "O" contain information on Swamps and the Okefenokee. Additionally, the Research Guide and Index will familiarize students with the function of an Index.


 * Online Sources**

Encyclopædia Britannica online school edition. (n.d.).Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [] Using keyword searches, students will be able to use this online encyclopedia for many of their research needs. When they are away from campus, students and teachers can access this site through GALILEO. Consult with your media specialist for the current GALILEO password.

New Georgia encyclopedia: natural history of the Okefenokee swamp. (n.d.).New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [] This online specialized encyclopedia is specific to Georgia--its history, people, places, and events. This site will give students information about all of Georgia's habitats.

Okefenokee national wildlife refuge. (n.d.). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Home. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [] This government site will give a history of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. It provides access to brochures and maps of the swampland.

Okefenokee swamp park--explore Georgia's natural wonder. (n.d.). Okefenokee Swamp Park--Explore Georgia's Natural Wonder. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [] Although this site is primarily devoted to the Okefenokee Swamp Park, students will be able to gather lots of information about animal and plant life as well as the history of the area.

Okefenokee.com - The Okefenokee swamp homepage. (n.d.).Okefenokee.com - The Okefenokee Swamp Homepage. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [] This website will give students some basic facts about the Okefenokee Swamp. It is also a good source for beginning research on the American Alligator.

Sherpa guides Georgia the natural Georgia series: the Okefenolkee swamp contents. (n.d.). Sherpa Guides / Welcome to SherpaGuides.com. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [] This website gives a description of the ecosystem of the swamp which includes many pictures. It also provides a detailed map of the Okefenokee Swamp.

//Bird//. (2008, November 11). In //Guide Book America//. Retrieved June 17, 2010, from www.guidebookamerica.com Guidebook America is an excellent tool for teachers. It contains travel directories and maps. Students can selects various states/regions and request guidebooks for that region. Teachers and students can log-on and view scenic web cams.
 * Images**

//Coastal Plain//. (n.d.). In //Welcome to GeorgiaInfo//. Retrieved June 19, 2010, from http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/photogallery/thumbnails/coastalplain.htm This website provides many photographs taken inside the Okefenokee Swamp. The site is accessed through GALILEO. You will not need a password when you are at school. Teachers, consult your media specialist if you need the current password to GALILEO.

//Georgia Swamp//. (2008). In J. Gonzalez (Author), //Welcome to Flickr - Photo Sharing//. Retrieved June 17, 2010, from http://www.flickr.com (Originally photographed 2008) Flickr is fabulous for finding all sorts of photos by amateur photographers.

Gibbons, W. (2007, July 10). Natural History of the Okefenokee Swamp. //New Georgia Encyclopedia//. Retrieved June 17, 2010, from http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org The //New Georgia Encyclopedia// is an excellent resource for everything Georgia. It is free for everyone with Internet access. This website highlights everything from business and industry related issues to sports and education.

//Land and Water Magazine//. (n.d.). Retrieved June 17, 2010, from http://www.landandwater.com Land and Water is a magazine published bimonthly. Teachers and students have free access to it on the web. This magazine covers such topics as soil erosion, lake management and compost.

//South Georgia Swamp//. (n.d.). In P. Higgins (Author), //Georgia Reptiles and Amphibians//. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from www.timberrattlesnake89.tripod.com/id55.html This site was set up by an amateur photographer, Phillip Higgins, to highlight the wildlife and nature of south Georgia.

//Swamp Lily//. (n.d.). In //Welcome to Discovery Education//. Retrieved June 17, 2010, from http://www.discoveryeducation.com Discovery Education is provided to all teachers in the state of Georgia. This resource is valuable in many aspects, using images such as this one of a Swamp Lilly is just one of the many uses of Discovery Education.
 * Video and Sound**

//Alligator.// NPS: Explore Nature » Natural Sounds »Sound and Picture Gallery. (n.d.). NPS: Explore Nature. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [] Researchers will experience the ominous sounds of a swamp alligator in the sound clip provided by the National Park Service.

//Beaver.// Naturesongs: nature recordings and photos. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [] This sound clip from Naturesongs is a recording of a beaver munching energetically on a tree.

//Diamondback rattlesnake.// Naturesongs: nature recordings and photos. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [] Researchers beware. This Naturesongs sound clip gives researchers an audio experience like none other. The diamondback rattlesnake can be heard loud and clear.

Georgia Public Broadcasting. (2006). Sites to behold: the history of Georgia's state parks![Documentary]. USA: Georgia Department of Natural Resources. This DVD gives information about all of Georgia's State Parks including the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The DVD includes excellent photography.

Georgia Stories | Georgia Public Broadcasting. (n.d.).GPB Home | Georgia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from [] This film produced by Georgia Public Broadcasting features a history of the Okefenokee Swamp. Teachers can access Georgia Stories through the GALILEO database. Use the Index to search the stories for Okefenokee Swamp. Consult your media specialist for the current password to GALILEO and Georgia Stories, which has its own password.

//Great blue heron.// Naturesongs: nature recordings and photos. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [] Naturesongs provides researchers with the sounds of the Great blue heron, a bird native to Georgia swamps.

Naturesongs Nature Recordings and Photos. (n.d.).Naturesongs Nature Recordings and Photos. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [] This royalty-free site gives researchers and nature-lovers an earful of sounds from nature across the United States. The site provides written comments made about the recordings as well.

NPS: Explore Nature » Natural Sounds »Sound and Picture Gallery. (n.d.). NPS: Explore Nature. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [] The National Parks Service is an excellent source for information on parks across the United States. This site features excellent photography (including panoramic views), video and sound clips of nature.

Scholastic. (1997). More Facts About Wetlands and Swamps [Video Segment]. Available from [] This Magic School Bus video explains to younger students exactly what a swamp is and how it works.

Sound Ideas. (2010). Marsh: Ambience : Night Ambience: Crickets Frogs Swamp Insect [Sound Effect]. Available from [] ( [] ) This resource offers sound effects of the swamp. Teachers will need to log onto Discovery Education to access this sound clip.

Welcome to Discovery Education. (n.d.). Welcome to Discovery Education. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from [|http://www.discoveryeducation]. Provided by Georgia Public Broadcasting, Discovery Education is a goldmine for teachers, and students really appreciate the multimedia it provides for the classroom, too. Accessed with teacher password, this site features full-length and partial videos on topics addressed across the Georgia Performance Standards.


 * Additional Notes to Teachers**


 * Dewey Decimal Classification applicable to the PathFinder content**

Researchers should browse the following DDC sections in school and public libraries for relevant information:

508 551 577 578 975


 * Suggestions for OPAC subject searches**

Swamps Wetlands Marshes Swamps—Southern states Swamps—United States Okefenokee Swamp Swamp animals Swamp plants Swamp ecology

Note: A key word search with “swamps” will result in many works of fiction.


 * Arrangement of resources on Bibliography page in PathFinder**

The resources on the Bibliography page of the PathFinder (and in the Annotated Bibliography above) are arranged to reflect the sections, or pages, of the PathFinder. The developers hope that this arrangement aids the researchers in identifying where each of the resources in the PathFinder, especially the online sources, is located. The resources are listed in alphabetical order within the specific section.


 * Access to online sources**

Several of the online sources and videos that are presented in the PathFinder are accessed through GALILEO or PBS Discovery Education. GALILEO can be accessed without the use of a password when you are on the school campus, but you will need a password when you are away from campus. Consult with your media specialist to obtain the current GALILEO password. The PBS Discovery Education site, which contains numerous videos on the topic of swamplands, can accessed by teachers through individual user name and passwords. If you need help accessing this site, consult your media specialist.


 * Helping your students with citations**

The Bibliography page found on this Pathfinder will provide you and your students with many of the citations for resources presented here. In order to help students make correct citations for use in their assignments and projects, consult the following websites:

[|**http://www.bibme.org/**] [|**http://www.easybib.com/**] These sites will automatically develop MLA citations for students. However, both sites allow students to enter the information on their resource manually. The program will then provide the student with the correct MLA citation. The last method would be appropriate for teaching students about citations.