This article describes how a farm-based class in the Great Lakes region investigated how plants and animals prepare for winter. Two groups of children, ranging in ages from three to five years old, had a farm, pasture, gardens, forest, and a pond available for exploration. A low teacher-to-child ratio was maintained, with one teacher to…

In this article, Bill Robinson describes the three main classifications of gait for animals: (1) Plantigrade--animals that walk on their entire foot; (2) Digitigrade--animals that walk on their "toes"; and (3) Unguligrade--animals that walk on the tips of their toes or hooves. Robinson explains each gait in great detail, but leaves his…

This article describes an interdisciplinary, activity-based lesson plan implemented in a third/fourth-grade classroom. During these activities, students use musical concepts to think about, illustrate, and discuss animal behavior, and they use scientific concepts to motivate musical composition and performance. The lesson ends with small group…

Presents an overview of an interdisciplinary animal behavior unit on wolves, including aspects of science, social studies, and language arts. Includes sources of wolf information. (MKR)

Crayfish, also known as "crawfish" or "crawdads," are easy to keep in the classroom, and with patience and luck, students will observe the complete life cycle of the crayfish. They will also learn about aquatic animals and habitats and get to conduct inquiry experiments about animal behavior. This article describes how a third-grade teacher used…

Study of Canada Goose in schools can provide opportunities for many activities such as poetry writing, art, ecosystems, and outdoor education. Provides some background information about these birds. (PS)

Describes the distinctive features of the common snapping turtle. Discusses facts and misconceptions held about the turtle. Provides guidelines for proper care and treatment of a young snapper in a classroom environment. (ML)

Describes the habitats and life cycles of newts. Provides tips on collecting and caring for newts, along with suggestions for observational lessons related to the collection, study, and release of these organisms. (TW)

Describes how to establish a colony of isopods (pill bugs) and suggests how these organisms may be used in teaching elementary school science. (JR)

Describes having a pot-bellied pig in a classroom. Students learned how to care for the pig and train it. Describes other animals in the classroom and the class putting on shows for other students. (PR)

Described is the use of praying mantises as organisms to illustrate the concept of predator. (PEB)

Describes the use of a unit on arthropods as a device for helping children develop an awareness and appreciation of the living environment. (PEB)

Provides suggestions for activities that focus on earthworms. Includes observational exercises on earthworms' reactions to light and touch. (ML)

Suggests various observations that can be made while at a zoo, including behavior of animals, adaptations to special environments, locomotion, food type, and physical characteristics. Provides a sample data sheet for animal observations, citing the usefulness of organized observation. (JM)

Stresses that observation and information processing skills in young children may be enhanced by first hand contact with animals, freedom of time, and careful preparation by teachers for the experience. (CS)