Gobble, Gobble - Here I Come

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Students learned the different sounds and calls made by many Texas native species.  They were given the opportunity to use game calls to immulate wild turkeys, whitetail deer, and ducks.  Different sounds for different situations were taught and explained.  Students learned that animals communicate in their own language a lot like we do. 

Students were sent on a scavenger hunt where the challenge was to find and identify different game tracks around the campus.  The young outdoorsmen worked in groups to identify each track.  Discussions about how each animals imprint gives clues about how that animal is adapted to survive and meet its basic needs were recorded in journals. Students were supplied with a reference sheet but not with the names of the animals.  Descriptions about their habitat, predator/prey relationships, and diet provided clues.

This activity was offered on a campus 'Do It Yourself University' celebration that occurs once a six weeks.  Students sign up for classes that they are interested in.  Classes range from crafts to outdoor skills.  This particular class was so popular that it was offered each 6 weeks with a new group of interested students.  Nature does still interest children!  While we are not located in a place where students can actively look for game tracks or listen for game sounds, you would never have known the tracks were chalk, and the sounds were from a call from the enthusiasm as students learned about native animals. 

Preparation time was minimal with some research on native animals (done by a fifth grade science class), tracks and game calls (provided by PE coach).  Extension activities included journaling, non-native species, invasive species, other habitats, and even how we leave our own 'tracks', both good and bad.  Many students returned after weekend camping excursions, trips to the country, or even just hikes in the neighborhood green spaces to report sights and sounds of nature!