Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia

Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia
By: Sy Montgomery
Photographs by: Nic Bishop 
Grades: 5-8
 

Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia is a non-fiction piece revolving around snow leopards and their life in Mongolia.  This book is not only about snow leopards but also about the team that went on a search for these wonderful creatures.  Snow leopards are hard to find because they blend in with their surrounds which ultimately makes this search that much more challenging. Sy Montomery and Nic Bishop take you on the journey with the team through word and amazing pictures while sharing interesting facts about the snow leopards throughout the book.

Theme:Students will learn about snow leopards and the science behind how scientists look for these animals.

About the Author:

Sy Montgomery is extremely interested in nature who writes for both children and adults.  Many of which have won awards.  Most of what she writes about is based on her experiences and travels around the world.

Pre-Reading Activities:

The teacher will discuss what non-fiction books are so that students understand that what they are reading is true information.

Post Reading Activities:  
This book should be read in parts and discussed after stopping.  Students should take notes on what they learn from the book.  
This book can be done in literature cycles so that different groups have different books.  When each group is done, they will put together a presentation and share the information that the learned with the rest of the class.

Stranger in the Woods

 

Stranger in the Woods

By: Carl R. Sams II & Jean Stoick

Grade K-4

Awards:  

2002 Early Childhood News Director's Choice Award 

2001 International Reading Association Award in the Younger Reader Category 

Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Children's Picture Book.

There is a big snowstorm in the woods.  After the snow has fallen, the animals spot a creature they do not recognize. They warn each other before they decide who will go and check it out.  When they do, they realize that there is food waiting for them.  This is a great book to help teach students about the variety of animals that live in the forest during the winter.  Students can look at real photographs of animals opposed to the drawings they see in most books.

Theme: Winter and wildlife are the main themes of this book.  Students learn about what animals live in a winter wonderland.


About the Authors: 
Carl R. Sams II & Jean Stoick are award winning photographers.  They used their pictures as inspiration for this book.   The couple has explored Northern America and have taken a variety of pictures in these places to share with the world. 


Pre-Activity: 
Teach students about different types of animals that live in the forests even when it is cold and snowy out.  What season is this?  Who do you think the stranger is?

Post-Activity: 
If there is snow, have the students get into groups and make their own snowman.  Provide materials for the students to use for their snowman.  If there is no snow, have the students use materials in the classroom to make their own snowman.  Have them draw different things that they could use to feed the animals in the woods.