Based on Deep in the Swamp
by Donna M. Bateman and illustrated by Brian Lies
Grades: K-2

About the Book
This book takes you deep into the Okefenokee Swamp to see the animals and plants that live there. Count along with the animals and their babies. Follow a mother river otter as she plays with her pup and see a mother alligator bask in the sun with her many little ones. The beautiful illustrations depicted in Deep in the Swamp will leave children eager to learn more about the Okefenokee's lush flora and fauna and the many rich elements of this amazing ecosystem.

Related Activities
To extend students' enjoyment of the book, try these:

Bring Okefenokee to Life: Create a colorful bulletin board with a swamp theme. Have students choose their favorite plant or animal from the book. Have them draw a picture of it for the board.

All Boxed Up: Have students create a swamp scene in a shoe box using various types of materials such as construction paper, printed pictures of the animals or plants, leaves, branches, rocks, etc.

In the Field: Plan a trip to a local park with a nature trail. Have students bring a sketch book and pencil. Have them draw what they see. After returning to the classroom, have students try to identify the plants and animals that they observed on the trip. Students can then compare and contrast the ecosystem that they visited to a swamp.

1, 2, 3 Let's Go: Deep in the Swamp is a colorful and fun counting book. Have students create their own counting book. Provide ten pages for the students to fill with pictures of their favorite things. It could be counting candy, toys, friends, or anything that interests the child.

Act Like an Animal: Come up with fun sounds and motions to go with each of the animals in the book. Take turns having the students say an animal and act out the motions and sounds.

Singing in the Swamp: Have the students generate a list of terms related to a swamp and create a short rhyming song to the tune of "On Top of Old Smokey" or to incorporate counting, use the tune of "The 12 Days of Christmas."