Grade Level: Pre K-1 st

Transcription

1 Grade Level: Pre K-1 st Duration: 30min-1 hour Next Generation Sunshine State Standards SC.K.L.14.3, SC.K.N.1.3, MASF.K.CC.3.6, MAFS.K.MD.2.3 SC.1.L.17.1, SC.1.N.1.3, MASFS.1.MD.3.4, Program Overview: Encounter native animals and explore Southwest Florida habitats in the Dalton Discovery Center. Then head over to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital for a peek at some of our patients, learn how they came to our wildlife hospital, and tips on how you can help. Explore the unique habitats Southwest Florida has to offer on an electric boat ride through a mangrove estuary located on the Conservancy s campus. Habitat Vocabulary Reptile Vocabulary Estuary Ecosystem Habitat Reptile Brackish Water Swamp Ecosystem Cypress Swamp Endangered Species Endangered Species Estuary Uplands Hardwood Hammock Objective: Students will be able to identify the four types of reptiles and their five shared characteristics. Students will learn how to distinguish between the various ecosystems and habitats of Southwest Florida and will understand why animals make those areas their homes. In addition, students will comprehend both what it means to be an endangered species, and why those species are endangered. Finally, they will learn the differences between salt, fresh and brackish water.

2 Pre- Program Activity 1: Reptiles 1) Ask the students if they know what a reptile is. Have them give examples of reptiles. 2) What are the four types of reptiles? a. Turtles (explain different kinds) b. Snakes c. Lizards d. Crocodilians (includes Alligators and Crocodiles) 3) What makes a reptile a reptile? a. scaly skin b. breathe air c. lay eggs d. no hair e. cold blooded 4) On the sheet provided below have the students circle which animals are reptiles. (Answers: snake, alligator, sea turtle, gopher tortoise)

3 Name: Directions: Which of these animals are reptiles? Circle all the reptiles you can find.

4 Pre-Program Activity 2: Organism Needs 1) Have students think about what all living things need to survive: - Food - Water - Air - Space/Shelter (often students guess sunlight. While this is true of most living things, there are creatures that live miles beneath the ocean s surface, where no sunlight penetrates) If any of these elements are compromised, an organism s survival may be threatened. 2) Give students a blank sheet of paper. On the paper provided have them draw their favorite wild animal (no pets). Also have them draw what this animal needs to survive (food, water, air and shelter). 3) Discuss with students what they drew and have them identify the four things their chosen animal needs to survive (food, water, air, space/shelter) in their picture. 4) Discuss ways that students can help the survival of wild animals: - Pick up trash, recycle - Cut the plastic rings of soda cans so animals won t get stuck - Fishermen: retrieve your snagged hook and line (if possible), don t just cut the line - Keep an eye out for wildlife when driving and obey speed limits - Don t feed wild animals: people food is not healthy for them, and they may get injured if they come around people too often

5 - Participate in Beach Clean-Ups through the Conservancy and other organizations - If you live on the ocean, turn lights out or draw shades at dusk during sea turtle nesting season (May October) - If you see a sick or injured animal, call the Conservancy wildlife hospital at CARE (2273) 5) Once at the Conservancy, students will learn about various Florida habitats, the plants and animals that live there, threats that these species face, the importance of having clean, thriving habitats, and what you can do to help! Post-Program Activity 1: Trash Clean-Up 1) Organize a trash-clean up around your school or in a nearby neighborhood. Perhaps have a goal of each student collecting at least 10 pieces of trash. 2) Create a tally of trash collected. It could be broken down by material, i.e. plastic, paper, and other. Tallies can be done for each student or as a group. Material Plastic Paper Other Quantity 3) Ask students if they like living in trash. Do you think animals do? Name some ways that trash can harm wildlife. Encourage students to pick up

6 trash whenever they see it, even if they didn t put it there. The wildlife appreciates it. 4) Have students take a pledge to not litter and pick up trash when possible. Post-Program Activity 2: Matching Habitats Recall some of the various Florida habitats that students learned about during their visit to the Conservancy. 1) Hardwood Hammock (Forest) 2) Mangrove Estuary 3) Scrubland/Upland 4) Cypress Swamp 5) Beach/Ocean Have students complete the following worksheet.

7 Name: Animal Habitats A habitat is where an animal lives. There are many different kinds of habitats. Examples of habitats in Southwest Florida are forest, ocean, swamp, and upland. Match the animal to its habitat. Fish Swamp Tortoise Forest Panther Ocean Alligator Upland