5/10/2018 Animal Biodiversity Activity Prep for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade Science

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Animal Adventures
Animal Biodiversity

This unit helps students develop a sense of wonder for biodiversity: the sheer range and variety
of animals found on earth. Students gain practical experience in identifying animals and sorting
them into scientific groups, and apply their knowledge in an engineering design challenge. This
unit introduces two critically important concepts in biology: “habitat” and “species,” foundational
concepts which will be revisited and refined at higher grade levels.

Mystery 1: Biodiversity, Classification, & Patterns

Animals Sorting Game

In this Mystery, students imagine they’re explorers grouping newly discovered animals by their
traits—figuring out how they’re different from one another and how they’re the same.

Students first sort animal cards into groups they devise themselves, and then by the traits
scientists use to identify mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates. Finally, students are
challenged to make decisions about animals that don’t fall neatly into any of those categories.

This activity works best when students work in pairs, so they can interact with one another. In
homeschool or small-group situations, however, students can work on their own.

Step 1: Think Ahead

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5/10/2018 Animal Biodiversity Activity Prep for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade Science

When you set up your classroom, note that students will need to alternate doing their work with
watching two short videos that are part of the activity.

Step 2: Print Out Worksheets and Gather Supplies

Each pair of students (or each student working alone) will need:

a set of these 2 sheets  to be cut into cards. (Print on card stock if possible.)
4 blank pieces of paper

For every group of 4 students, you will need to print out one Challenge Card sheet. 

Each student will also need:

scissors

Mystery 2: Biodiversity, Species, & Habitats

Who's Calling?
In this activity, students listen to recordings of frog calls, create words that will remind them of
the sounds, and then use those words to identify frog sounds in different environments.

This activity works best when students work in groups of four, so they can interact with one
another. In homeschool or small-group situations, however, students can work alone or in pairs.

Step 1: Think Ahead

Before work begins, let students know they’ll be listening to the sounds of nature as they do this
activity.

Step 2: Print Out Worksheets

For each student print a set of two worksheets (2 pages):

1 “Who’s Calling?” worksheet

1 “How Many Kinds of Frogs?” worksheet

You can also print an answer key to the worksheets. 

Mystery 3: Biodiversity & Engineering

Design a Bird Feeder

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5/10/2018 Animal Biodiversity Activity Prep for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade Science

Each student will design a bird feeder for a specific type of bird. They will build a prototype of
their bird feeder, a version that incorporates their design ideas, but may not be sturdy enough to
actually put outside and use.

Step 1: Get Supplies

We encourage you to raid your recycling bin and craft box for building supplies. You can use
those supplies to substitute for or supplement our list of supplies below.

Here is a list of building supplies that you can easily purchase at the store:

paper plates & paper cups

pencils/skewers
aluminum foil
tape or stickers (to be used in place of tape)
binder clips or clothes pins
pipe cleaners

In addition, students will need the following tools to share:

scissors
paper punch

If you would like to add bird seed to students’ prototype feeders, you'll need to buy a bag. Be
warned: spilled bird seed can be messy.

Step 2: Prepare Supplies

If you are using supplies that come in bulk form, consider dividing supplies for easier
distribution. For instance, if you have a roll of aluminum foil, we suggest tearing off 12” squares.

Step 3: Print Worksheets and Inspiration Sheets

Print a set of My Bird Feeder Worksheets  for each student.

We also created additional instructions for students who are stumped and frustrated by the task
of making a bird feeder. We suggest letting students try on their own, providing these Inspiration
Sheets only to those who need the help. Print as many Inspiration Sheets  as you think you’ll
need for your group.

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