Fiction and non-fiction titles compiled by our developers
Annotated lists of child-friendly and teacher-friendly websites to deepen content knowledge or conduct further research.
Documents for Science Companion users to print for their classrooms.
Suggestions for organizing and managing materials.
ExploraGear kits contain equipment and consumables for student explorations. Scroll down to view the entire ExploraGear list.
Each module also lists easy-to-find Classroom Supplies used in the lessons. Scroll down or click the link on the right to see the Classroom Supplies list for this module.
| QUANTITY | ITEM |
|---|---|
| 6 | Plastic Droppers |
| 1 | Funnel Set, set/3 |
| 2 | Dual Magnifier Hand Lens, pk/6 |
| 1 | Green Pipe Cleaners, pk/100 |
| 1 | Pitcher Measuring Set, 3 sizes |
| 1 | Pulley Cord, 1/8" x 20 ft |
| 1 | Single Pulley |
| 1 | Straws, pk/500 |
| 4 | English/Metric Tape Measures |
| 2 | Masking Tape, 1" x 60 yds |
| 1 | Plastic Tubing, 1/2" x 4 ft |
| Quantity | Item | Study (s) |
|---|---|---|
| Several sheets | Paper (large) or chart paper | Growing and Changing; Class Pet; Collections from Nature; Constructions; Dirt, Sand, and Water; My Body |
| 1 per child | Photograph of each child | Growing and Changing |
| 1 roll | Tape (or adhesive photo corners) | Growing and Changing |
| Class set | Drawing materials such as pencils, markers, colored pencils, watercolors, etc. | Growing and Changing; Class Pet; Collections from Nature; Constructions; Dirt, Sand, and Water; My Body |
| Variety | Tempera paints | Growing and Changing; Collections from Nature; Constructions |
| 1 per child | Paintbrushes | Growing and Changing; Collections from Nature |
| 1 | Ball, globe, or other model of the Earth (optional) | Growing and Changing |
| Several | Basket, bucket, or other large containers | Growing and Changing; Collections from Nature; Constructions |
| Several | Blocks or books | Growing and Changing |
| 1 | Scale, kitchen or bathroom | Growing and Changing; Class Pet |
| Several | Meter stick or ruler | Growing and Changing; Class Pet, Collections from Nature |
| Several | Scissors | Growing and Changing; My Body |
| 1 or more | Class pet | Class Pet |
| Variety | Materials for pet’s tank or cage such as a water bottle, wood shavings, or food dish | Class Pet |
| Various amounts | Water | Class Pet, Collections from Nature; Constructions; Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Variety | Pet food | Class Pet |
| Variety | Measuring tools such as string, centimeter, or unifix cubes ™ | Class Pet; Collections from Nature |
| Several | Reference books about class pet | Class Pet |
| Variety | Children’s pets from home or photographs of pets | Class Pet |
| 1 | Camera and film (optional) | Class Pet; Constructions |
| Class set | Clipboards | Class Pet; Collections from Nature; Constructions; Dirt, Sand, and Water; My Body |
| Several | Books, magazines, and maps | Class Pet |
| Variety | Party supplies (class decorations, paper plates, cookies) | Class Pet |
| Several sheets | White paper | Collections from Nature; My Body |
| 1 package | Crayons, jumbo with paper wrappings removed | Collections from Nature |
| 1 roll | Masking tape | Collections from Nature; My Body |
| Several | Stamp pads or printing ink | Collections from Nature |
| Several | Trays such as egg cartons, deli trays, or frozen dinner containers | Collections from Nature; Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 | Sponge | Collections from Nature |
| 1 | Paintbrush, wide or roller | Collections from Nature |
| 1 or 2 packages | Clay, plasticine ™ , or play dough | Collections from Nature; My Body |
| 1 container | Plaster of Paris | Collections from Nature |
| 1 | Spoon, large | Collections from Nature; Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Class set | Safety goggles | Collections from Nature, Constructions; Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 | Balance scale | Collections from Nature; Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 pack | Index cards | Collections from Nature; My Body |
| Several | Field guides, books, and magazines | Collections from Nature |
| Variety | Building materials such as Legos ™ , Tinker Toys ™ , Lincoln Logs ™, or marble ramps | Constructions |
| Variety | “Recycled” garbage such as toilet paper or paper towel tubes, PVC tubing, craft foam, cardboard from boxes, shoe boxes, corks, string, scrap paper, egg cartons, and plastic bottles with lids | Constructions |
| Variety | Adhesive materials such as glue, staples, brad fasteners, and tape (masking, wrapping, packing) | Constructions; My Body |
| 1 or 2 boxes | Sugar cubes | Constructions |
| 1 or 2 packages | Clay | Constructions |
| Variety | Pictures of adobe houses (optional) | Constructions |
| Several | Craft sticks or sticks from outdoors (optional) | Constructions |
| 1 roll | Cellophane (optional) | Constructions |
| Variety | Pre-cut wood | Constructions |
| Several | Wooden dowel rods | Constructions |
| 1 package | Nails (medium-length) | Constructions |
| Several | Hammers, child-size | Constructions; Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Several | Screws and screwdrivers | Constructions |
| 1 | Hook | Constructions |
| Variety | Objects to lift with pulley | Constructions |
| Variety | Books with pictures of pulleys, simple levers, construction operations and equipment, and bridges | Constructions |
| 1 | Piece of wood with a nail partly driven in | Constructions |
| 1 | Hammer for teacher | Constructions |
| 1 | Wooden pole, such as a broom handle | Constructions |
| 1 | Rock, large (or other heavy object to lift) | Constructions |
| 1 | Rock, small | Constructions |
| Variety | Toy construction equipment such as cranes, front loaders, and power shovels | Constructions |
| 1 bag | Sand | Constructions; Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Several | Sand shovels | Constructions |
| 1 or 2 bags | Marshmallows, miniature | Constructions |
| 1 box | Toothpicks | Constructions |
| 1 box | Plastic bags, small resealable | Constructions |
| Class set | Old shirts, plastic smocks, or aprons | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 | Box | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Several | Sand and water tables or tubs | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Various amounts | Dirt | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Variety | Tools such as shovels, sieves, colanders, sifters, pourers, squirters, and sprayers | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Variety | Gravel or small rocks | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Several | Socks (old cotton), dishtowels, or cloths | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 cup | Dirt rich in compost, such as potting soil | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 | Coffee filter or paper towel | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Several | Jars, with lids, one large and several small for Science Center | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 | Ice tray | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Several | Containers, clear plastic | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 | Thermometer | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Variety | Small containers of materials such as rice, flour, salt, tempera or watercolor paint, oil, or juice | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Variety | Objects that sink or float such as small metal, cloth, and wooden toys; sticks; rocks; marbles; pencils; erasers; paper; or cloth | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Variety | Objects for displacement such as rocks, dry sticks, marbles, and foam pieces | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 piece | Sod (15 cm [6 in] square and 15 cm [6 in] deep) | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 2 | Baking pans, large rectangular | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Several | Newspapers (optional) | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Several | Knives, plastic | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 or 2 | Rolling pins or cylindrical blocks | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 roll | Cloth or plastic wrap | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 or 2 packs | Clay (moist natural potter’s clay) | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| Several handfuls | Straw or grass | Dirt, Sand, and Water |
| 1 sheet per child | Butcher paper | My Body |
| 1 | Ball | My Body |
| 1 per child | Crackers or chips | My Body |
| 1 per child | Piece of apple or chocolate | My Body |
| 1 | Orange , peeled | My Body |
| Several | Containers of “mystery” substances such as salt, sugar, vanilla, jelly, or sand | My Body |
| 1 package | Hand wipes (optional) | My Body |
| Variety | Objects to see (pictures), hear (recordings), taste (lemons, sugar, salt), smell (cinnamon, vanilla), and touch (sandpaper, animal fur, water balloon) | My Body |
| 5 | Mirrors, small | My Body |
| 5 | Flashlights | My Body |
| 1 | Balloon | My Body |
| 1 | Stethoscope (optional) | My Body |
| 1 | Cardboard tube | My Body |
| 2 | Small, rolled tubes of paper | My Body |
| Several | Plastic bags, small | My Body |
| 1 | Long sock with foot cut off | My Body |
| 1 roll | Thick yarn (1.5 m) | My Body |
| 1 roll | Thin string (5 m) | My Body |
| 1 box | Rubber bands, wide | My Body |
| 1 box | Chalk | My Body |
Below are some general tips and suggestions to assist with the management of materials for the Kindergarten Unit:
The following lists offer just a sampling of fiction and non-fiction books related to each study in the Kindergarten module. Ask your school or local librarian to help you find informational books and care guides that are specific to your class pet. Pet stores also often sell these types of books.
The following list offers just a sampling of fiction and non-fiction books related to pets and pet care. Ask your school or local librarian to help you find informational books and care guides that are specific to your class pet. Pet stores also often sell these types of books.
This outstanding paperback series includes guides to understanding and caring for a variety of animals. There are guides for fish, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits. For a classroom that adopts one of these pets, the relevant book would provide much interest and valuable information.
By Steven Kellogg. (1992, Puffin)
A humorous story about a child who requests and fantasizes about a number of pets, ranging from cat to bear to dinosaur. A nice book to read aloud for all children, with special appeal for those who may want, but do not have, a pet.
By June Crebbin; illustrated by Clara Vulliamy. (1996, Candlewick Press)
Danny watches a mother duck tending her eggs near the edge of the schoolyard. This simple story elegantly portrays a young naturalist at work, and communicates through careful drawings. A good book to read aloud and discuss informally.
By Betsy Sikora Siino, ed.; photographs by Renee Stockdale. (1998, Hungry Minds, Inc.)
Filled with useful information for new or experienced pet owners, as are all the books in this series. Attractive design with excellent photographs. All Essential Guides contain perforated fact cards and helpful pet care hints.
By Paulette Bourgeois; illustrated by Brenda Clark. (1995, Scholastic)
Franklin wants a pet, but needs to convince his parents that he can take care of one. He considers many different types of pets before deciding on a pet fish.
By Gail Gibbons. (1994, Holiday House)
Clear and attractive presentation in simple language. Watery scenes portray the frog’s life cycle, feeding habits, and enemies. Also defines the difference between frogs and toads. An excellent book to read aloud or for individual children to enjoy.
By Colleen Stanley Bare. (1985, Puffin)
Uses photographs and simple, enlarged text. Presents accurate information about guinea pigs in a humorous way that is accessible to young children. Especially good if you have a pet guinea pig, but also interesting for comparing guinea pigs to other pets.
By Sylvia A. Earle; photographs by Wolcott Henry. (2001, National Geographic Society)
Clear and captivating close-up portraits of tropical fish. The text is short and simple; the color photographs are dramatic. The author, a marine biologist, has a unique approach that is informative yet playful. Children will enjoy the photographs and the story of how they were made.
By Marinell Harriman. (1995, Drollery)
This book is packed with the collective wisdom of many rabbit lovers. It includes one hundred wonderful candid shots of rabbits in various places. Contains information for integrating a rabbit into one’s life and a helpful how-to section on care and feeding. Useful information for teachers, as well as great pictures to share with children.
By Audrey Wood; illustrated by Don Wood. (1998, Child’s Play)
This is a delightful book, with sprightly pictures, in which a child compares himself to a cricket, a snail, an ant, and a whale, among other animals. Children will love the pictures and the story.
By John Farndon and Jon Kirkwood. (1998, Kingfisher Publications)
An extremely useful book, covering a wide variety of animals with excellent illustrations and photographs. Contains a rich array of easily accessible, interesting facts. Will likely contain information about your class pet, as well as support children’s investigation of other animals.
By Loreen Leedy. (1997, Henry Holt)
This is a handsome book with marvelous illustrations. The mathematics and precision included, as a girl measures her pet, are advanced for most kindergartners. But the story is inviting and the pictures well worth showing the children; they will get some interesting ideas from it.
By Immanuel Birmelin; photographs by Monika Wegler. (2001, Barrons)
Children and adults learn which foods guinea pigs like best, games they enjoy playing, and care they need to stay healthy and happy. Includes vivid color photographs and attractive pictorial charts. A good book to share with the class or to have children look at by themselves.
By Seymour Simon; illustrated by Betty Fraser. (1979, Puffin)
Specific guidelines for caring for a variety of small animals (e.g., snails, toads, worms, ants, butterflies, crickets, and more) that may be found and “adopted” for a short time by young naturalists. A good reference book for the classroom.
By Anne Mazer; illustrated by Steve Johnson. (1994, Dragonfly)
A boy finds a salamander in the woods and imagines the many things he can do to turn his room into a perfect salamander home. A good book, with beautiful pictures, to read aloud.