Harold the Owl Who Couldn’t Sleep

Author: Lesley Leadbetter

Date of Publication: January 1, 2012

Publisher: Interactive Publications

Summary:

I actually found this book in a practicum I am currently in at ACME Elementary  while I was digging through the library return bin. The book is about an owl named Harold.  It discusses why it is important for him to get sleep and why his is unable to so.  The book leads into the topic of wildlife conservation and the trouble Harold is having because we are not keeping his environment safe. This is similar to how our surroundings and choices affect our sleep patterns.  I think this is a perfect book for both discussing the importance of sleep and the factors affecting our sleep as well as a lesson on wildlife and wildlife conservation. We could discuss how what we do can also affect the lives of wildlife.  

Integration:

In my 5th grade class we dissected owl poop and discussed the importance of preserving wildlife. This could be a book we read before do this investigation.   I thought overall this was the best fiction book I found for my 5th graders on sleep because it is relevant to what OSPI says they should be learning about in 5th grade science and the book is incorporating animals into the topic of sleep to make it engaging.

Health Standards:

NHES 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.                

• PHW1.5.3  Explain why sleep and rest are important for proper growth and good health.
  • HBO 3: Get an appropriate amount of sleep and rest.

NHES 2: Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on human behaviors.

• PHW2.5.1  Identify relevant influences of culture on personal health and wellness-related practices and behaviors.
• PHW2.5.3  Identify relevant influences of community on personal health and wellness-related practices and behaviors.
• PHW2.5.5  Describe how relevant influences of school and community affect personal health and wellness-related practices and behaviors.
• PHW2.5.7  Describe how relevant influences of peers affect personal health and wellness-related practices and behaviors.

Core Content Standard(s):

Core Idea LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics: How and why do organisms interact with their environment and what are the effects of these interactions?