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Small Mammals |  |
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| journal page pdf |
Small Mammals | |
The Wolf Ridge Small Mammals class provides many extension possiblilites for the classroom. Tie-ins can be made to a variety of topics including biodiversity, niche, habitat, adaptations, characteristics of mammals, classification systems, observation skills, wild animal care, and more. Visit this page periodically as we will add new activities and links suggested by Wolf Ridge visiting school teachers, and eventually our own interactive on-line activities.
1. What makes a mammal a mammal?
(Ranger Ricks Nature Scope, Volume 2, Number 3)
Describe the main characteristics of mammals, how mammals are different from other animals, and how mammals are classified. Class discussion of mammals inside and out: Backbones and brain cases, active and warmblooded, production of milk and nursing young, skin and glands, hair, an inside look (metabolic rates, blood transportation, breathing), bigger and better brains (central nervous systems), different types, arrangement, and number of teeth, making sense of the senses (smell, sight, hearing)
Graduation standard: 4-5th Science 1.1, Living and Non-Living Systems, know 3a and do1.
2. Activity: For the Record
In this activity the kids in your group will learn some neat mammal statistics and get a feeling for how diverse mammals are. Then they can compete in a contest and compare their own sizes and abilities with those of other animals. After a discussion of how mammals come in all sizes and shapes and with all kinds of natural abilities that help them survive, create a classroom chart of the “Record Holders”. (i.e. Cheetah: the fastest land mammal over a short distance.) After your discussion, ask the kids how well they think they’d compare with any of the animals you have discussed. Then tell them that they are going to compete in contest to find out exactly how they do compare with these other animals. Some ideas for the “events” in your contest: 25-yard Dash: Compare the fastest kid with a cheetah. (A cheetah could run the race in less than one second!), 40-foot Hop: Measure off a 40-foot distance and see who can jump from one end to the other in the least number of hops. Compare this number with that of a kangaroo. (A red kangaroo could jump the distance in one hop!)
Graduation standard: 4-5th Sciences 1.1, Living and Non-Living Systems, know 3a and do 1, 2a.
3. The Vertebrate Grab Game:
Define vertebrate. Describe the characteristics of the five major vertebrate groups-mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish-then play a running game. Explain that you will read a statement that describes one or more vertebrate group. The kids must listen carefully and try to figure out which vertebrate group or groups you are describing. Explain that when you call out a number, the child on each team with that number must run to the center of the field and find the cutout of that vertebrate group. Then each person must run back to his or her team before being tagged. For example, if you said, “These vertebrates have hollow bones.....number five,” the child with the number five on each team would run to the middle, try to grab the bird cutout, and then run back “home.” When one child grabs the bird cutout, the other one may chase and try to tag him or her in order to score a point.
Graduation standard: 4-5th Sciences 1.1, Living and Non-Living Systems, know 3a, do 1
1. Have students select a Minnesota mammal to study and write a report. Using a variety of sources; books, encyclopedias, Internet, video and magazines, students will prepare a 3-5 page report on their chosen mammal. Finished reports should include; physical characteristics, food, shelter, habitat, environmental hazards/longevity, and relationships to other animals. Other additional information should be presented in the form of charts, maps, graphs or pictures.
Graduation standard: 4-5th Inquiry 1.1, Media Observation and Investigation, do 2a-d.
2. Design and construct a humane livetrap. Based upon your knowledge of the animal, create a map and plot out the terrain of the habitat and designate an ideal trap site. Create a key and legend for your map.
Graduation standard: 6-8th Sciences M.1, Living Systems, know 2a, do 5.
3. Create a board or card game centered around a small mammal. Include the following: food source; possible predators; niche/habitat, food web, etc.
Graduation standard: 6-8th Sciences M.1, Living Systems, know 2a, do 5.
Under construction.
Class Description:
In this animal ecology class, students will learn characteristics of some of the small mammals in northern Minnesota. By traveling through various habitats searching for small mammal signs, they will learn about the role these small creatures play in the environment. Students then set out live traps overnight, which will be collected in the morning, to observe the animals caught before releasing them back again into the wild.
Total time: 3 hours (two hours outdoors)
Audience: 6-20 students, 4th grade through adult
Activity level: moderate
Travel: 1/2 mile
Total uphill travel: 40 feet
Outcomes
Upon completion of the Small Mammals class students will be able to:
- List the four characteristics that distinguish mammals from other animals.
- Define niche and describe which niche is occupied by each of the small mammals native to northeastern Minnesota.
- Find and interpret signs left by small mammals.
- Describe a predator/prey relationship including small mammals.
- Prepare and set a live trap for small mammals while responsibly monitoring and caring for the trap and any animals caught.
Minnesota Graduation Standards
The Small Mammals class will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three “major focus” standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.
Task Management Skills: Perseverance, Teamwork, Resource Management, Safety.
• H.S. Sciences 2.1: Biological Concepts (Know 3-6) (Do 2)
• H.S. Sciences 2.5: Environmental Studies (Know 3) (Do 1,3d)
• H.S. Managing Resources 5.1: Natural/Managed Systems (Know. 1,2)• 6-8th Sciences M.1: Living Systems (Know 2,3) (Do 2)
• 4-5th Sciences I.1: Living and Non-living Systems (Know 1,3a) (Do 1, 4)
Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts