As a former teacher, I feel there are many projects, activities, field trips or nature visits that can be completed with the aid of the book, either in the classroom, in the home, or outdoors. It can be used to identify the different creatures featured in the book, or draw from nature in the student’s own vicinity. As an educator, you can come up with your own ideas for lessons as well.

Biology: create an exercise to study each of the animals and birds in the story. In a separate report, the child can explore the world of the Palliated Woodpecker or the Drake Mallard duck, or substitute with wildlife in their own region. Determine the location or range of the animals and birds that are easily found in Western Canada and elsewhere and have an adventure finding real birds and critters. A field trip is a great way to learn and respect the environment, all in the fresh air.

Geography: each landscape sticker represents a real area or location that was photographed and used as reference for each painting. In the gallery section you can find a list of all the locations of the images to use to study the areas around each of the landscape images. This can be used to learn about the child’s region, or another region of the world.

Art: Artists have always used devices to help in painting regardless of medium. Our digital world makes copying images very easy, and children can re-create or reinvent an image from their own imagination. However, I recommend using a photo they take themselves or have at home. This makes it more personal, and meaningful, and provides a sense of pride. The photo can be scanned to the computer and printed on an 8 ½ X 11 piece of paper. Place the printed image in a paper protection sleeve and with a waterproof felt pen, trace the shapes and images onto the transparent sleeve. Once completed, remove the image from the sleeve and (like using tracing paper) replace it with watercolour paper, transfer the felt pen image on to your 8 ½ X 11 watercolour paper (90-140 LB), using an HB pencil. Tape the pencil drawing to a similar sized board or clip board with masking tape. Now you can use watercolour paints to fill in the traced photo and see the amazing results. Anyone can do their own painting and have it look great!

Forest Fire Protection: : In this approach, the focus is Forest Management, Proper Campsite Fire Prevention, Planning Escape Routes for quick Evacuation, Types of Fires (how to put the fire out safely) and then segway to home safety fire prevention and proper training (muster point and pre-planned escape from the dwelling).