Follow Those Zebras
by Sandra Markle
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Informational Resources:
Author and Illustrator Information:
Sandra Markle blog:
https://sandra-markle.blogspot.com/
Author interview with Christchurch City Libraries:
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/new-zealand-childrens-authors/sandra-markle/
Activities & Resources:
Zebras
Zebra Migration video (1:04):
Why Do Zebras Have Stripes? Video (4:00)
Zebra Sounds and Barking video (1:41):
Find Your Inner Animal quiz:
Zebra crafts:
https://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/zebrascraftsideasactivitieskids.html
Africa
Savanna grassland:
https://www.ducksters.com/science/ecosystems/savanna_biome.php
Animals of the Savanna video (4:27):
Migration
Animal Migration Activity Guide:
https://www.neefusa.org/resource/animal-migration-activity-guide
Migration Challenge:
https://pbskids.org/plumlanding/educators/activities/pdf/MigrationChallenge_FAA_Eng_Span.pdf
Convection Currents
The Coolness of Zebra Stripes:
https://www.nathab.com/blog/the-coolness-of-zebra-stripes/
Conduction-Convection-Radiation-Heat Transfer video (3:15):
MakerSpace Activities:
Migration
Use ozobots to track migration patterns:
https://olhscurrent.org/3902/news/ozobots-used-to-track-sea-turtle-patterns/
GPS
Collaring a Zebra to Track Its Record Migration video (1:37):
How Does GPS Work?:
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/gps/en/
Climate Change
Climate change for kids:
https://www.science-sparks.com/category/climate-change-for-kids/
Convection Currents
Heat Transfer Song video (2:52):
Convection Currents with Ice Cubes Experiment video (2:00):
Discussion Questions:
What is a savanna? What are the similarities and differences between Savannas and Texas?
Would you like to live in the African Savanna? Why or why not?
In what ways do the photographs in the book enhance the story of the zebra migration?
What factors cause animals to migrate?
Do people migrate? If so, why?
How does the migration of zebras compare to other animal migrations?
What is instinct? Do people have instincts like animals? Explain.
What is climate change? What things can you personally do to effect climate change?
What are some things that reading this book have made you curious to learn more about?
Zebra stripes are unique to each animal. In what ways are you unique from other people?
GPS collars were placed on the zebras to monitor their movements. How would you feel if you had to wear a GPS collar?
Of the information you learned, what would you like to share with someone else?
What kind of research do you think the author had to do when writing this book?
What was the most interesting fact from the book?
What was the author’s main purpose for writing the book? What makes you think that?
What are some new words or concepts that you learned from this book?
Where could you find out more information on zebras?
What kind of scientific data did the author use to support the information presented in this book?
What could be another title for this book? Why?
Before reading this book, what information did you know about zebras? What is something new that you learned after reading this book?
Book Talk Teasers:
Read the Readers Theater of Follow Those Zebras.
Watch the book trailer on the Texas Bluebonnet Award website.
Read Alikes:
Zebras
Hansen, Grace. Zebra. Offers information about zebras, including where they live, what they eat, and what they look like. (NoveList Plus)
Raatma, Lucia. Plains Zebras. "This book details the life and habits of plains zebras." (NoveList Plus)
Migration
Carmichael, L.E. Zebra Migration. Provides information about zebras and their migratory habits. (NoveList Plus)
Montgomery, Sy. The Magnificent Migration: On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds. Follows a safari team led by Dr. Richard Estes as they track one of the largest land migrations--wildebeests crossing the Serengeti--with information on other animal migrations and the importance of protecting the African savanna ecosystem. (NoveList Plus)
Africa
Atinuke. Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country. Discover the amazing diversity of the African continent in this beautiful book, with words by Atinuke and lively illustrations from Mouni Feddag. Atinuke's first non-fiction title is a major publishing event: a celebration of all 55 countries on the African continent! Her beautifully-written text captures Africa's unique mix of the modern and the traditional, as she explores its geography, its peoples, its animals, its history, its resources and its cultural diversity. The book divides Africa into five sections: South, East, West, Central and North, each with its own introduction. This is followed by a page per country, containing a delightful mix of friendly, informative text and colourful illustrations. The richest king, the tallest sand dunes and the biggest waterfall on the planet are all here, alongside drummers, cocoa growers, inventors, balancing stones, salt lakes, high-tech cities and nomads who use GPS! This is non-fiction at its most exciting, exhilarating and energetic, illustrated with passion and commitment by a great new talent, Mouni Feddag. (NoveList Plus)
Rockett, Paul. Mapping Africa. Provides facts about Africa, including information about people, places, natural resources, and land formations. (NoveList Plus)
GPS
Bow, James. Mapping in a Digital World. Looks at how digital technology has changed mapmaking and examines the different ways that governments, businesses, and individuals can utilize digital maps. (NoveList Plus)
Gray, Leon. Global Positioning System: Who’s Tracking You? An introduction to GPS describes what it is, how it works, its many applications, and concerns about privacy that its use raises. (NoveList Plus)
Reviews:
Follow Those Zebras: Solving a Migration Mystery. Markle, Sandra. Lerner/Millbrook. 2020.
Booklist
Follow Those Zebras: Solving a Migration Mystery
Markle, Sandra (author)
Apr. 2020. illus. Lerner/Millbrook, lib. ed., $31.99 (9781541538375). Grades 3-6. 599.665.
REVIEW. First published April 1, 2020 (Booklist).
How can you lose 2,000 plains zebras? In the Chobe River region of Namibia, this is exactly what was happening each dry season. The local zebra herd would leave and return like clockwork, but no one knew where—or why—they were going. The strangeness of this phenomenon struck research scientist Robin Naidoo, who decided to get to the bottom of the mystery. Markle describes Naidoo’s efforts to monitor the elusive herd via GPS tracking collars (subduing a wild zebra is no easy feat!) and the resultant discovery of the longest overland large mammal migration: 593 miles, round trip, between Botswana’s Nxai Pan National Park and Namibia. Supplementing his work with large photos and maps, all clearly captioned, Markle delivers information on zebra behavior, as well as Naidoo’s connection between the migration and zebras’ breeding cycle, something that will likely be negatively affected by global warming. The well-organized and interesting subject matter makes this a solid choice, and the realistic glimpse into how scientists problem-solve and conduct field research adds to its value. — Julia Smith
Reprinted with Permission of Booklist https://www.booklistonline.com/
School Library Journal (March 1, 2020)
Gr 3-6-Markle's informational picture book describes how scientists worked to solve the mystery of migrating zebras in southern Africa. Every year during the dry season, thousands of zebras disappeared from the savannas, and no one could explain where they went. In 2012 Robin Naidoo, a research scientist with the World Wildlife Fund, assembled a team to uncover the answer. Naidoo and his team decided to track the zebras using GPS tracking collars. Surprisingly, the data showed the longest-known terrestrial wildlife migration in Africa. The researchers learned that the zebras traveled to Nxai Pan National Park in Botswana. Plenty of photographs provide visual context to this mystery, and small sidebars offer interesting tidbits without overwhelming the page. Markle shares an abundance of information about the environment and basic facts on zebras before delving into the mystery of their migration. Text moves quickly and maintains reader interest, although the tone is better suited for younger readers. An extensive glossary, an author's note, an index, and suggested reading are included. VERDICT A solid and readable addition to school library collections.-Savannah Kitchens, Parnell Memorial Library, Montevallo, AL © Copyright 2020. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Reprinted with permission from School Library Journal, 2020. http://www.slj.com.
Book Trailer & Author Interview
Follow_Those_Zebras_Bluebonnet_Trailer_360p Final.mp4Zebra_Author_Interview_360p Final mp4.mp4