Learning about Wildlife

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Many of our students have never had the opportunity to see many animals up close, besides their pets (dogs and cats) and zoo animals in cages. One of our parents, Mrs. Pariza,  has access to many animals that she is able to bring to our school to teach students about predators, prey and ways animals are able to protect themselves for survival. She was able to bring a Russian tortoise, a ferret, 2 guinea pigs, a rabbit, a Chinese water dragon and a hedgehog. She spoke to the students about each animal and its characteristics. What did their diet consist of? Is the animal an herbivore or a carnivore? Is the animal nocturnal? What species does it belong to? Which animals can be touched or handled?  Students were reminded that they need to respect animals in their environment.

We discussed the importance of being sanitary to avoid germs and diseases by always washing hands after handling any animals. 

The students had a great time learning about each animal, its characteristics and habits.

This activity addressed the following  science objectives for each grade level:

Kindergarten: We are learning to examine evidence that animals have basic needs such as food, water and shelter .

                               We are learning to sort animals into groups based on physical characterisics such as color, size   and

                                body covering.

1st grade:            We are learning to investigate how the external characteristics of an animal are related to where it

                                lives,  how  it moves and what it eats.

2nd grade:         We are learning to observe how the physical characteristics and behaviors of animals help them meet their

                               basic needs.

3rd grade:          We are learning to explore how structures and functions of animals allow them to survive in a particular

                                environment.

4th grade:           We are exploring how adaptationsenable animals to survive in their environment,

5th grade:           We are learning to compare the structures and functions of different species that help them live and

                                survive.